2025 SCHEDULE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
7:00-9:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Crypto.com Arena
Welcome Remarks
Katie Pandolfo, General Manager, Crypto.com Arena
Crypto.com Arena and Beyond: Building the Future of Live Entertainment with AEG’s Dan Beckerman
Dan Beckerman, CEO, AEG
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
Tour of newly renovated arena areas
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
5th floor, Intercontinental Downtown L.A.
7:30 - 8:45 AM
AXS DRIVE Breakfast
SBJ CONNECT
Hosted by
8:00 - 8:45 AM
Registration
Hosted by
8:45 AM
Welcome, Opening Remarks and Attendee Meet & Greet
Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
Bryan Perez, CEO, AXS
9:00 AM
Full Court Vision: Steve Ballmer on Building Bold, Thinking Bigger
Steve Ballmer, Owner, L.A. Clippers & Intuit Dome & Former CEO, Microsoft
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
9:30 AM
Navigating the New Era of Ticketing – Strategy, Tech & the Fan Journey
Mason Donley, Head of Sports & Subscriptions, AXS
Todd Glickman, Chief Revenue & Business Officer, Comcast Spectacor
Brian Norman, Executive Vice President, Ticketing & Premium, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Jonathan Tillman, Executive Vice President, TMBO, NBA
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
10:00 AM
Networking Break
Hosted by
10:30 AM
Turning Attendance into Intelligence: BI in the Sports Ticketing Ecosystem
Megan Bell, Consumer Revenue and Insights, L.A. Chargers
Ashton Mullinix, SVP of Consumer Revenue & Analytics, Detroit Lions
Jason Sinnarajah, COO, K.C. Royals
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
11:00 AM
Industry Insights
11:20 AM
Unlocking Value in Mixed-Use Real Estate: Turning Venues into Vibrant Districts
David Adelman, Partner, HBSE; Founder, Darco Capital
Jon Fascitelli, Founder & Chairman, Seregh
Todd Goldstein, CRO, AEG
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
11:50 AM
Eventellect Emerging Executives Recognition
12:00 PM
Lunch
Hosted by
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions
1:00 PM
Ballroom A
The Next Generation of Ticket Distribution
Royce Cohen, SVP, Business Strategies, LA Dodgers
Wendi Lebow, VP, Open Distribution, Victory Live
Sam Sherman, CEO, Automatiq
Betty Tran, President, FEVO
Moderator: Carey Carson, Sr. Vice President, Sponsorships, AXS
Ballroom B
Beyond the Dashboard: Building Trust Between Data Teams and Business Leaders
Ryan Bishara, EVP Revenue & Strategy, LAFC
Corey Ruff, SVP, Strategy & Analytics, Chicago Bears
Moderator: Adam Grow, EVP, Two Circles
1:30 PM
Ballroom A
The Strategy and Monetization Around Ultra-Premium Experiences
Joel Adams, SVP, Ticket Sales & Service, Arizonia Cardinals
Ed Horne, COO, On Location
Devon McCorkle, President, Miami Freedom Park
Michelle Roguso, Senior Vice President, Hospitality, CAA Brand Consulting
Moderator: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
Ballroom B
Transforming Venue Operations Through Technology Leadership
2:00 PM
Networking Break
Hosted by
2:30 PM
Facilities Module: Transforming the Venue Experience
Elevating the Experience Inside Capital One Arena
Jim Van Stone, President, Business Operation & Chief Commercial Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Centennial Yards is Revitalizing the Heart of Downtown Atlanta
Brian McGowan, President, Centennial Yards
OCVIBE: Unveiling A $5 Billion Vision for Entertainment & Hospitality in Anaheim
Bill Foltz, CEO, OCVIBE
Moderator: Austin Karp, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
3:45 PM
Networking Reception
4:15 PM
Depart the Intercontinental Downtown for Intuit Dome
4:45 PM
Arrive for Evening at Intuit Dome
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Hosted by
5:00 PM
Fan-First Innovation, Operational Excellence and Live Entertainment Strategy
Gillian Zucker, CEO, Halo Sports & Entertainment
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
5:20 PM
Intuit Dome Built to Wow: Perspectives from Four Venue Partners
Nicolas Ávila, CEO Media, Entertainment, Sports & Hospitality AI, Globant
Luke Tingle, Senior Project Manager, Daktronics
Justin Wood, Principal, Sports Practice Director, Dimensional Innovations
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
5:45 PM
Intuit Dome Tour
6:45 PM
Reception
Hosted by
8:30 PM
Event concludes at Intuit Dome, buses depart for the hotel
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
8:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM
The View from the Top: Strategy, Leadership, and the Road Ahead
Larry Baer, President & CEO, San Fransico Giants
Tom Braun, President, Business Operations & COO, LA Galaxy
Derrick Hall, President, CEO & General Partner, AZ Diamondbacks
Karen Leetzow, President, Chicago Stars FC
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
9:35 AM
Managing a Diverse Sports Portfolio: Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy
Dan August, Executive Vice President, Consumer Revenue & Strategy, Los Angeles Rams
Kevin Demoff, President, Team and Media Operations, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
10:05 AM
The Digital Playbook: Inside the Tech That's Driving LAFC Fandom
Christian Lau, Chief Technology Officer, Los Angeles Football Club & BMO Stadium
Moderator: Layna Carnicom, Senior Director, Customer Success, Everi
10:25 AM
Networking Break
11:00 - 12:10 PM
Concurrent Sessions
11:00 AM
Ballroom A
Smarter Plays: Leveraging AI and Fan Data for Game-Changing Business Decisions
Jim Caruso, CIO, Elevate
Matthew Jafarian, EVP, Business Strategy, Miami Heat & Co-Founder, 601 Analytics
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
Ballroom B
Play to Win: Building Profitable Fan Loyalty Through Gamification and Meaningful Rewards
Ilana Leykekhman, Sr. Manager Loyalty Product Strategy & Growth, Oracle CrowdTwist
11:35 AM
Ballroom A
Precision in Partnership: Data-Fueled Sponsorship Strategy
Ryan Balogh, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, Chicago Cubs
Phil Libby, Director, Corporate Partnership Sales, AMBSE
Micah Kamla, Senior Director of BI & Innovation, Houston Rockets
Moderator: Greg Krug, VP, Property Consulting, Navigate
Ballroom B
How to Build Deeper Fan Connections through Loyalty Programs
Donald Baal, Managing Director, Product Marketing, NASCAR
Oscar Fernandez, Head, Technology, N.Y. Mets
Magali Valiente, Senior Manager of Innovation & Digital Strategy, St. Louis Blues
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
12:15 PM
Lunch
Hosted by
1:30 PM
Sport-tainment: Using Analytics to Curate the Ultimate Mixed Use District
Mathew Focht, Founding Managing Partner, EMERGING
Sumit Arora, VP Strategy & Analytics, MLSE
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
2:00 PM
Inside the Dodgers: Building a Championship Brand on and Off the Field
Stan Kasten, CEO & President, Los Angeles Dodgers
Lon Rosen, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
2:30 PM
Industry Insights
2:50 PM
Networking Break
3:10 PM
Revenue Playmakers: Driving the Next Wave of Growth
Jason Andrea, CRO, Las Vegas Aces
John Beaven, CRO, Golden State Warriors
Laura Flynn, CRO, Angel City FC
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
3:40 PM
Driving Commercial Success for the LA 28 Olympic Games
John Slusher, CEO, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties
Moderator: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
4:10 PM
Unlocking Executive Productivity: How Sports Leaders Are Using AI to Win Back Their Day
4:30 PM
The 10 Top Trends at AXS DRIVE Abe Madkour is Watching
5:00 PM
Networking Reception
5:45 PM
Depart for Dodger Stadium
6:15 PM
Arrive at Dodger Stadium
7:10 PM
