Speakers | VenuesNow Conference 2019

REQUEST FOR ATTENDANCE

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Rick Abramson

Delaware North

BIO

Chris Allphin

Van Wagner

BIO

Jeff Alpen

Hornall Anderson

BIO

William J. Bratton

Teneo Risk

BIO

Diana Busino

Turnkey Search

BIO

Scott C. Butera

MGM Resorts International

BIO

Jason Carmello

Populous

Cindy A. Coppola

FBI

BIO

Robert Cordova

Milwaukee Bucks

BIO

Mike Cragg

St. John’s University

BIO

Marcus DiNitto

USA Sports Gaming

BIO

James L. Dolan

The Madison Square Garden Company

BIO

Peter Dorfman

SunTrust Bank

Shawn Doss

Elevate Sports Ventures

BIO

Bill Edwards

Thornton Tomasetti

BIO

Tyler Endres

Esports Arena

BIO

Monica Fee

CAA Sports

BIO

Peter Feigin

Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum

BIO

Nicole Feld

Feld Entertainment, Inc.

BIO

Matt Galle

Paradigm

BIO

Don Garber

MLS Commissioner

Rick Giles

Gazelle Group

BIO

Hannah Gordon

San Francisco 49ers

BIO

Amy Graca

Caesars Entertainment

Al Guido

Elevate

Mary Haskett

Blink Identity

BIO

Matthew Hiltzik

Hiltzik Strategies

BIO

Bryan Hinckley

Electrosonic

BIO

Alan Hoffman

Winston & Strawn

BIO

Melissa Hoffman

LAB at Rockwell Group

BIO

Charlie Jacobs

Delaware North/Boston Bruins

Jerry Jacobs Jr.

Delaware North/Boston Bruins

Carly James

Paradigm Talent Agency

BIO

Robert D. Jordan CVE

1337 Facilities
Venue Road

BIO

Rikki Klieman

CBS News Legal Analyst

BIO

Elinor Klavens

Sports Innovation Lab

BIO

Tod Leiweke

Seattle Hockey Partners

BIO

Craig Levine

ESL

BIO

Kate Lieberman

Live Nation

BIO

Dave Macdonald

AT&T

BIO

David Marcus

Ticketmaster

BIO

Michael Martin

r.Cup

BIO

Todd Merry

Delaware North

BIO

Jason Miller

Live Nation New York

Brian Mirakian

Populous

Madelaine Moeke

ROSSETTI

BIO

Josh Moore

The Bowery Presents

BIO

Mike Newquist

Ultimate Fighting Championship

BIO

Eric Nordness

Hickory Street Capital

BIO

David O’Rourke

New York Racing Association

BIO

Jerry Parisi

MUFG Bank, Ltd.

BIO

Darren Pfeffer

MSG Live

BIO

Stuart Pringle

Silverstone Circuits Ltd

BIO

Andy Rentmeester

LaneOne

BIO

Tim Romani

CAA ICON

BIO

Angela Ruggiero

Sports Innovation Lab

BIO

Tom Russell

Founders Entertainment

Sean Saadeh

Prudential Center

BIO

Kirk Safford

Lyft

BIO

Alex Seyferth

Marquee 360

BIO

Peter Shapiro

Brooklyn Bowl

Dan Shell

OVG Collegiate

BIO

John Shreve

Populous

Adam Silver

Commissioner
National Basketball Association

BIO

Sara Slane

Slane Advisory

BIO

Ali Soufan

The Soufan Group

BIO

Sean Striegelhas

Live Nation

BIO

David Touhey

Monumental Sports & Entertainment

BIO

Jim Van Stone

Monumental Sports & Entertainment

BIO

Chrystine Villarreal

Mixhalo

BIO

Dana Warg

313 Presents

BIO

Barry Watkins

Clairvoyant Media Strategies

BIO

David Weil

FiveEleven Productions

BIO

Rebecca Weiner

NYPD Intelligence Bureau

BIO

Don White

Satisfi Labs

BIO

Karri Zaremba

Venuetize

BIO

Rick Abramson’s journey with Delaware North began in Milwaukee, Wis., where he got his start as a teenage food vendor at the former Milwaukee County Stadium. Through the years, he rose through the ranks – holding a variety of leadership roles within the company.

In his current role, Abramson serves as Delaware North’s first-ever chief customer officer. A 50-year veteran of Delaware North, Abramson draws from his extensive expertise and client relationships to ensure the company’s competitiveness in an increasingly customer-centric global economy. He focuses his efforts on understanding the needs and wants of Delaware North guests and clients, and delivering against those objectives by leveraging all aspects of the company.

Before being appointed to the chief customer officer role in June 2017, Abramson served as executive vice president and chief operating officer, with management responsibility for the company’s business operations around the world. He was accountable for driving business performance through Delaware North’s global portfolio of operations – including its sports, parks, airports, gaming, restaurant and hospitality businesses.

Abramson previously served as president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts division – providing strategic direction and ensuring that short- and long-term plans were in place to drive business and enhance the company’s destination proprieties domestically and internationally. The Delaware North parks and resorts division provides hospitality services at state and national parks, historic attractions and Delaware North-owned resorts and hotels. He also served as executive chairman of Delaware North Australia and Asia, leading the company’s extensive sports venue, travel hospitality and resort businesses in those regions.

Prior to leading the parks and resorts business, Abramson served as president of Delaware North Sportservice, the company’s largest and longest-standing division. Under his leadership, the annual revenue of Delaware North Sportservice nearly tripled to exceed $760 million and grew to include operations at more than 50 professional sporting venues and entertainment complexes around the world. During this time, Delaware North Sportservice expanded its retail business exponentially by building award-winning stores such as Chicago Sports Depot outside U.S. Cellular Field, and one-of-a-kind retail experiences for the Jets and Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Abramson served as the president and chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. During his eight-year tenure, he turned the outdated museum into one of the most visited attractions in Central Florida. Of his achievements in Florida, Abramson is most proud of the $130 million redevelopment initiative he oversaw, which included opening the world-renowned Apollo/Saturn V Center, International Space Station Center and Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry. Additionally, he managed the opening of several visitor complex educational programs and exhibits, such as Astronaut Encounter, Mad Mission to Mars 2025, Early Space Exploration, Exploration in the New Millennium, and the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility.

His forward thinking and diligence poised Delaware North to be recipients of two Themed Entertainment Association awards for the Apollo/Saturn V Center and Exploration in the New Millennium attractions. Abramson also was awarded a NASA Public Service Medal, NASA’s highest achievement award for non-government employees. In 2002, he joined the ranks of some of the most respected members of the space program when he earned the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award from the National Space Club Florida Committee for his role in educating and inspiring the visitor complex’s millions of guests.

He served as Delaware North’s chief executive officer of Australian Venue Services (AVS) in Melbourne, Australia, where he worked with Catering clients such as Melbourne Showgrounds, Sydney Entertainment Center and Royal Exhibition Buildings, the Melbourne Cup Race, Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Tennis Open.

Chris Allphin, Senior Vice President, Team Advisory, leads Van Wagner’s unique specialty advising teams, properties, and brand clients on naming rights, sponsorships, and premium ticketing. A 2015 recipient of the SportsBusiness Journal “Forty Under 40” Award, Allphin and his team have been instrumental in ensuring teams and property clients realize the full revenue potential of venue and sponsorship projects. Allphin led Van Wagner engagements including the 100% sell-out of U.S. Bank Stadium, the new home of the Minnesota Vikings, and SunTrust Park, the new home of the Atlanta Braves.

Allphin joined VWSE in 2012 after ten years at Wasserman, where he was one of the firm’s original employees, managing naming rights and entitlement projects including MetLife Stadium, Toyota Center, Team RadioShack Nissan Trek cycling. Prior to that, Allphin held roles at AEG and Envision, LLC, a pioneer in the naming rights business.

Allphin graduated from the University of Southern California is 2000. A Bay Area native, Allphin and his family live in San Diego, CA, where he volunteers coaching youth hockey and football.

Jeff Alpen is the CEO of Hornall Anderson, a creative firm with an office in Seattle and NY. He leads a team of 50 plus writers, strategists, designers, technologists, and marketers whose purpose is using creativity to propel society and the economy forward.

Jeff has spent 20 years working in the creative industry and believes in the extraordinary power and potency of imagination and ingenuity. He believes that when artificial intelligence, technology, and data-driven experiences are the standard, that curiosity innate in humans and our ability to ask interesting questions will be the what re-shapes business and life.

Jeff began his career with the BC LIONS of the Canadian Football league and since that time has supported clients in sports and entertainment to build brands that build a business.

William J. Bratton is one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues. During his almost 50-year career in law, he instituted progressive change and dramatic drops in crime whileleading six police departments, including seven years as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department and two nonconsecutive terms as the Police Commissioner of the City of New York. He is the only person ever to lead the police agencies of America’s two largest cities.

As the Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk, Commissioner Bratton advises clients on risk identification, prevention, and response. Teneo Risk addresses six key areas: cyber security, infrastructure protection, counterterrorism, health advisory, internal threat mitigation and crisis management.

Prior to assuming his role at Teneo Risk, Commissioner Bratton was the 42nd police commissioner of the City of New York from January 2014 to September 2016. It was the second time he held the post. During that time, he oversaw 32 months of declining crime, including historic lows for murders and robberies. At the same time,he initiated an unprecedented Neighborhood Policing program to close the gap between the NYPD and the communities it serves. Neighborhood Policing refocused resources on the underlying issues in individual neighborhoods, connected cops with community partners, enhanced outreach and communication strategies, and was a cornerstone of “precision policing”—the practice of identifying the few who create crime and disorder while safeguarding the many. Commissioner Bratton also spearheaded the first major technological overhaul in the NYPD in years, the Mobile Digital Initiative, which gave a smartphone with custom-designed apps to every officer and put a tablet in every patrol car. These devices put an entire precinct’s data capabilities in the palm of an officer’s hand, allowing them to read details about calls for help, research locations of interest, search names and license plates, and complete paperwork—all while remaining in the field. Additionally, the ever-changing threat picture in the world’s number one target for terrorism mandated major reforms to the NYPD’s already robust counterterrorism capabilities. In response, Commissioner Bratton developed two new units—the Critical Response Command (CRC) and the Strategic Response Group (SRG)—which now provide the city with more than 1,000 highly trained and properly equipped officers who are dedicatedto counterterrorism, large-scale mobilizations, site security, and rapid deployment citywide.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, Commissioner Bratton began his career in 1970 as a beat cop in the Boston Police Department. In 1976 he was awarded the department’s highest citation for valor— The Schroeder Brothers Memorial Medal—for facing down a bank robber and rescuing a hostage. By 1980 he had risen to Superintendent of Police, the BPD’s highest sworn position.

In the 1990s, Commissioner Bratton established an international reputation for re-engineering police departments and fighting crime. As Chief of the New York City Transit Police, Boston Police Commissioner, and in his first term as New York City Police Commissioner, he revitalized morale and cut crime in all three posts, achieving the largest crime declines in New York City’s history. At the NYPD in 1994 and 1995,he led the development of CompStat, the internationally acclaimed command accountability system now in use by police departments nationwide. CompStat employs accurate, real-time intelligence, rapid deployment of resources, relentless follow-up, and accountability systems to focus the work of policeon stopping crimes before they happen. As Los Angeles Police Chief from 2002 to 2009, in a city known for its racial tensions, entrenched gang culture and youth violence, he brought crime to historically low levels, greatly improved race relations, and reached out to young people with a range of innovative police programs. At the LAPD he also led the creation of its Real Time and Predictive Policing initiatives, while successfully implementing the country’s largest federal consent decree.

The recipient of many honors throughout his career, Mr. Bratton was named by Security magazine as one of 2010’s most influential people in the security industry based on his leadership qualities and the positive impact that his work has made on organizations, colleagues, and the general public. This was the second time in two years that he has appeared on the magazine’s list of most influential security executives. In 2007 he received Governing Magazine’s “Official of the Year Award.” In January 1996 he appeared on the cover of Time Magazine and was featured in the article “Finally, We’re Winning the War Against Crime.” And in 2009, for his collaborative efforts in working with U.S. and British police forces, he was recognized by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the honorary title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).

A noted author, commentator, and consultant, Police Commissioner Bratton holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston State College (now the University of Massachusetts Boston) and is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute. At Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, he was a Senior Executive Fellow in Criminal Justice and a member of the school’s National Executive Session on Policing. He has twice served as President of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and in 2009 served as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council.

His critically acclaimed autobiography Turnaround, with Peter Knobler, was published by Random House in 1998. In 2012, Mr. Brattonand Zachary Tumin, a senior researcher at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, co- authored a management leadership book, Collaborate or Perish, published by Random House. He is currently working with Peter Knobler on an untitled memoir of his almost 50-year career, to be published by Random House in 2019.

Since joining Turnkey Search in 2006, Diana Busino has conducted and overseen hundreds of executive level searches in sports and entertainment. Diana is the Managing Director of our professional sports and entertainment search practice and is responsible for day-to-day management of the internal team, including hiring, training and development. She also leads candidate recruitment, internal processes, system development and quality control on behalf of the firm. This includes all aspects of the executive recruiting process as well as staff development/coaching. Personally completed 250+ searches. Past experience at AAA Mid-Atlantic. Diana is a graduate of Union College, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Organizational Psychology.

Scott C. Butera is the President of Interactive Gaming at MGM Resorts International. In this role, Mr. Butera is responsible for the development and operation of MGM’s on-line sports betting, casino, fantasy and social betting platforms. Mr. Butera is also responsible for MGM’s sports league and team partnerships as well as its digital media. Since joining MGM, Mr. Butera has been instrumental in the negotiation and formation of the company’s joint venture with GVC Holdings for on-line sports betting and casino gaming in the United States, a market access partnership with Boyd Gaming and a historic partnership with the NBA designating MGM as its official gaming partner.

Prior to MGM, Mr. Butera was Commissioner of the Arena Football League and oversaw League operations for team franchises located in major markets in the United States including Washington, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. In his second season, he spearheaded a business and brand restructuring program involving franchise growth development, expanded broadcast and social media contracts, new sponsor affiliations, and League capital and financing.

Mr. Butera’s business background features strong finance and operating experience. He has successfully restructured balance sheets for major corporate entities and served as both CEO and COO of the entities to help guide their operations to full renewal. Prior to joining the AFL at the end of 2014 he was President and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino where he architected a $2.7 billion balance sheet restructuring and led the effort to revitalize the Foxwoods brand. The Resort generated $1.2 billion in annual revenue through gaming, hospitality and entertainment.

From 2008 to 2011, Butera was CEO of Tropicana Entertainment where he led the iconic brand in its emergence from Chapter 11. He was responsible for restructuring the company’s debt and reinstating its gaming licenses in key business jurisdictions in Nevada, New Jersey and Indiana. Through strategic capital investments, streamlined operations and modernized marketing, he helped the company reach a level of sustained profitability while it built new revenue sources and long-term customer loyalty.

Butera’s success as a business builder stems from his work in executive capacities at large complex business concerns. He was Chief Operating Officer of the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino in Las Vegas (2007-08), President of Metroflag Management, also in Las Vegas, and President, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.

Butera’s financial background includes 20 years in investment banking with UBS Investment Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston, Smith Barney and Bear Stearns & Co. During that time, he concentrated on analysis and client service for companies in the real estate, lodging, gaming and leisure industries. He began his career in June 1990 as an accountant in the financial services practice of Coopers & Lybrand in New York.

Butera earned his bachelor’s degree in economics at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where he was recently elected to serve on its Board of Trustees. The Massachusetts native earned his MBA at New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

Cindy A. Coppola has been engaged in law enforcement for more than 22 years. Prior to joining the FBI in 1996, Ms. Coppola held several international business development positions with technology companies. By leveraging her business acumen and multilingual abilities, Ms. Coppola was successful in driving new and existing markets worldwide.

Upon completion of the FBI academy, Ms. Coppola served at the New York City office where she worked organized crime and drug trafficking investigations with a special focus on Italian/Balkan groups. Several of these investigations were recognized by the FBI Director, as well as local and federal law enforcement agencies. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ms. Coppola’s focus was shifted to National Security. She was assigned to numerous international events including the Salt Lake and Torino Olympics. As a result of her work on these assignments, Ms. Coppola was selected for a special assignment in Italy in 2005 as the first U.S. liaison with the Italian National Police. While in Italy, Ms. Coppola was responsible for directing multi-national investigations specific to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Upon returning to the New York office, Ms. Coppola was chosen to head the Human Intelligence Collection Team within the new FBI Field Intelligence Group (FIG), which was a critical focus to the FBI at that time. A short time later, Ms. Coppola was promoted to a supervisory position at the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) in Washington, D.C. The TSC is solely responsible for the management of the US Government’s Terrorist Watch List. Due to demonstrated leadership skills, Ms. Coppola was quickly promoted to Unit Chief of Nominations and Data Integrity Unit. While serving in this position, executive management selected Ms. Coppola to serve as the Acting Deputy Director of TSC Operations, which she held for over four months in 2011 and held again for over one year from December 2012 until May of 2013. At the time Ms. Coppola’s units consisted of over 315 personnel comprised from FBI, OGA to include DHS, TSA and FAM personnel, and government contractors. During this period of time, Ms. Coppola was detailed to the London Olympics as a representative of the TSC in order to provide watch listing screening capability and intelligence reporting to the British authorities.

In May of 2013, Ms. Coppola was again promoted to the Washington Field Office and became the supervisor of an Extra-territorial Counterterrorism Squad which covered investigations on terrorists against the United States in the Middle East, Balkan Region, Russia and Iran. Ms. Coppola maintained this position until October of 2015 when she transferred to the Los Angeles Division, Palm Springs Office and is now the Supervisor for Palm Springs and Victorville offices. Both Palm Springs and Victorville offices work white collar, public corruption, health care fraud, drug trafficking, gangs and other FBI violations.

Robert Cordova currently serves as Chief Technology & Strategy Officer for the Milwaukee Bucks. In his role, Robert is responsible for all technology infrastructure, business analytics, and information systems enabling the Milwaukee Bucks and its ancillary businesses, including Fiserv Forum, Wisconsin Herd G-League team, Bucks Gaming eSports, and Deer District real estate.

Robert has taken a unique approach in forming separate but collaborative Operation Technology and Information Technology teams and best practices in order to serve the distinct natures of the venue businesses and the professional sports businesses. Robert has been responsible for implementing scalable and extensible technologies to accommodate innovations and advancements in area such as business intelligence, performance analytics, wireless communications, video broadcast, and digital marketing. Fiserv Forum, opened in the summer of 2018 showcases many of these making it one of the most technologically advanced arenas in the world. Robert joined the Milwaukee Bucks in April 2018.

Robert is an innovative technology leader with more than 30 years of IT enterprise experience. Prior to his current role, Robert was the Principal Architect and Regional Chief Technology Officer for AT&T, where he was responsible for aligning the business goals of AT&T’s enterprise customers with AT&T solutions. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, Robert has held high-level technology positions at Sara Lee Corporation, CenturyLink and Northrop Grumman.

Robert has been a keynote speaker and panel member at several industry conferences, including the CGT Sales and Marketing Forum, Venues Now Conference, and the Future Guest Experiences conference. Robert received a 2019 Chief Information Officer of the Year award from the Milwaukee Business Journal for his work at the Bucks and in the community.

He graduated from Yale College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and was a member of the Yale Lightweight Rowing team. He is married with three children and enjoys hiking and biking.

With more than 30 years of intercollegiate athletics administration experience on his resume, Mike Cragg enters his second year as the Director of Athletics at St. John’s University in 2019-20. Cragg is responsible for providing executive leadership, strategic direction and oversight for all of St. John’s 17 varsity sports and its nearly 350 student-athletes. In addition, he is charged with managing the department’s fiscal affairs, personnel, strategic planning, facilities, general operations and public relations.

A key part of the University’s senior leadership, Cragg serves on the President’s Advisory Council and is the direct liaison between the Athletic Department and the broader campus community.

Cragg is committed to inspiring excellence in every facet of the student-athlete experience and to fostering an environment that allows the Red Storm to be successful on all fronts. Since his arrival in Queens, Cragg has helped St. John’s continue to rise among the nation’s elite institutions for its combination of its academic prestige, athletic achievement andMike Cragg community service.

In Cragg’s first year leading the Athletic Department in 2018-19, the Red Storm won three BIG EAST championships and had four teams compete in national postseason competition, including the fencing program’s first NCAA individual title in women’s saber. Also highlighting the year was the men’s basketball team’s first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 2015. The Red Storm registered the program’s best start in over two decades, opening the campaign with 12-straight victories.

St. John’s fencing program dominated competitions once again, finishing in fifth place at the NCAA Championships – the 27th consecutive year of finishing top-six in the country. Seven individual fencers placed at the event, highlighted by Karolina Ceislar’s NCAA national championship.

The 2018-19 academic year was also a banner year in the classroom, as 32 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the fall semester and the Red Storm student-athlete community as a whole turned in a 3.42 cumulative GPA. 27 graduating student-athletes received the prestigious Pisano Award for recording at least a 3.0 GPA for seven consecutive semesters at St. John’s.

In addition, St. John’s women’s soccer student-athlete Mecara Bruce was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America after earning a perfect 4.0 in the classroom, while Erik Suh of the men’s lacrosse team placed among 10 national semifinalists for the Arthur Ashe Jr., Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Prior to starting at St. John’s on September 27, 2018, Cragg spent 30-plus years at Duke University where he played a vital role in shaping the direction of Duke’s nationally acclaimed men’s basketball program. The senior administrator for the men’s basketball team for two decades, Cragg most recently served as the Blue Devils Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing facilities and planning for all 27 of Duke’s athletic programs.

In addition to spearheading Duke’s operations, a key component of Cragg’s role also included fundraising, as he helped create the Duke Basketball Legacy Fund near the turn of the last century. Since its implementation, the fund has raised more than $115 million to help support the Blue Devils basketball program. He was also instrumental in developing the program’s naming gift endowment program that has received over $25 million in donations.

In his role leading Duke’s facilities operations, Cragg was responsible for overseeing more than $300 million of renovation and new construction on campus from the year 2000 until his arrival at St. John’s. He was a member of the pivotal strategic planning team and then chaired a Master Facilities Plan, which serves as Duke’s blueprint and mission for the athletics department. Most notably, Cragg proved vital in the building of the Michael W. Krzyzewski Center and Pascal Fieldhouse, which have served the needs of the Blue Devil basketball and football programs, respectively.

Cragg played a critical part in reconstructing Wallace Wade Stadium, the home of Duke Football, into a modern facility with improved fan-engagement and a superior gameday experience overall. A new club tower was constructed in 2016 that features 24 suites and a 750-person outdoor seating club.

Outside of football and basketball, Cragg also helped envision new facilities that have furthered nearly all of the university’s programs. The Bostock Group, Duke’s $150 million facilities planning organization with a specific focus on football, also benefitted from Cragg’s leadership and vision. Created with the intention of elevating Duke Football while positively impacting all 27 varsity programs, the comprehensive plan began with the 2013 construction of new practice facilities for soccer and lacrosse. Additionally, the group also helped bring to fruition Morris Williams Track & Field Stadium and Kennedy Tower, the press and hospitality tower for Koskinen Stadium, the home of Duke’s soccer and lacrosse teams. Finally, the Scott Family Sports Performance Center, featuring a new Nike team store and a 13,000 square-foot Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning Center, was constructed.

During his time in Durham, Cragg served as the day-to-day contact with Nike, Inc., as part of a comprehensive all-sport partnership. He also held numerous administrative responsibilities within the basketball program, including the coordination of the annual K Academy basketball fantasy camp, the Duke Venture Capital Co-Investment Fund, the Coach K / Fuqua Conference on Leadership and the establishment of the Fuqua / Coach K Center of Leadership & Ethics (COLE).

After arriving in Durham in 1987 as an assistant sports information director, Cragg spent 10 years as Duke’s sports information director beginning in 1990, handling the department’s day-to-day media relations. He also aided in running media operations at the NCAA Men’s Final Four on five separate occasions between 1993 and 2000.

Cragg was promoted to associate athletics director in 2004 before being elevated once again in 2008 to the role of senior associate athletics director.

Cragg plays an active role in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), serving on numerous committees and programs run by the organization. He also received a certificate in advance sports administration from the Sports Management Institute (SMI).

A native of Yakima, Wash., Cragg graduated from The University of Washington in 1986 with a degree in communications. He and his wife, Paige, have two children, Shelby and Michaela.

Marcus DiNitto is managing editor of USA Sports Gaming, which includes BetChicago and BetIndiana, overseeing the editorial direction of the company and making sure it aligns with the company’s broader strategies and objectives. Marcus has been covering sports betting and sports business for 21 years, with stints as managing editor at SportsBusiness Daily, Sporting News and The Linemakers. Marcus has an MBA from UNC-Charlotte.

James L. Dolan is Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG), a leading live entertainment company renowned for its world-famous arena complex, professional sports teams, entertainment properties and historic showplaces. Mr. Dolan also serves as Executive Chairman of MSG Networks Inc., which includes two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks.

In his role at MSG, Mr. Dolan is responsible for the Company’s overall growth strategy and oversight of its operations. He also serves as governor to the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League on behalf of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Dolan has spearheaded an ambitious vision to ensure the Company continues to set the standard for live sports and entertainment. This includes the Company’s plans to build state-of-the-art venues in Las Vegas and London, called MSG Sphere, that will pioneer the next generation of immersive experiences. Mr. Dolan first introduced his strategy for a large-scale music and entertainment focused venue in January 2014 with the successful re-opening of the legendary Forum arena in Inglewood, California. Mr. Dolan was also the catalyst for the restoration of the Company’s cherished national landmark, Radio City Music Hall, in 1999, as well as the famed Beacon Theatre in early 2009. This was followed by the three-year, top-to-bottom transformation of the Madison Square Garden Arena, which was completed in October 2013. MSG’s venues also include The Chicago Theatre, which was built in 1921 as one of the country’s most opulent motion picture houses.

In addition to its portfolio of landmark venues, MSG owns and operates professional sports teams, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, as well as entertainment properties, including the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG has expanded its live offerings through investments in Boston Calling Events, which produces the Boston Calling Music Festival; TAO Group, a hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment dining and nightlife brands; and Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization.

Mr. Dolan has led MSG’s response to local and national tragedies. He played a principal role in organizing several extraordinary benefit concerts, including “12-12-12,” which raised more than $50 million for the victims of Hurricane Sandy; “The Concert For New York City,” which generated more than $35 million in aid for 9/11 victims and heroes; and “From The Big Apple to The Big Easy,” which raised nearly $9 million for Hurricane Katrina relief. Mr. Dolan also supports both MSG’s and MSG Networks Inc.’s ongoing commitment to the community, particularly through the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the non-profit charity that works with both companies to help children throughout the New York metropolitan area.

In addition to his oversight of MSG, Mr. Dolan also serves as Executive Chairman of MSG Networks Inc., which became a standalone media company following the 2015 spin-off of The Madison Square Garden Company. MSG Networks Inc. is comprised of MSG Network and MSG+, which together annually telecast more than 450 live professional games, along with a comprehensive lineup of other sporting events, as well as critically-acclaimed original programming.

Mr. Dolan served as Chief Executive Officer of Cablevision Systems Corporation from 1995 until June 2016, when the leading media and telecommunications company, which served as MSG’s parent company until 2010, was sold to Altice. Prior to his role as Cablevision CEO, Mr. Dolan was Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Media Holdings, the former Cablevision programming subsidiary now known as AMC Networks Inc. Mr. Dolan began his career with Cablevision in the 1970s and held a variety of executive positions before overseeing Rainbow Media.

Mr. Dolan serves on the board of directors for MSG, MSG Networks Inc., and AMC Networks Inc. He is also on the board of The Lustgarten Foundation, an organization he helped found in 1998, which today is the nation’s largest private supporter of pancreatic cancer research. Since its inception, the Foundation has directed more than $165 million to research and assembled the best scientific minds to help find a cure.

Shawn Doss, Executive Vice President for Elevate Sports Ventures, is responsible for managing all aspects of new business acquisition internationally and domestically and ensures successful completion of all Elevate projects. Doss was a founding member and 1st employee of Elevate Sports Ventures. He has been instrumental in securing the firms top clients such as – Seattle NHL, Inter Miami CF, New York Islanders, XFL, Oakland A’s etc. Doss has over 13 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry working nationally and internationally in football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, and arena and stadium management.

Prior to joining Elevate Sports Ventures Doss was a consultant for Legends Hospitality Management, overseeing the sales and marketing of Atlético de Madrid’s state of the art Wanda Metropolitano stadium. Previously, he served as Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service with the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. In New Jersey, he was one of the lead architects of the industry changing flex membership program that has revolutionized the way teams sell sports tickets. Doss began his management career at the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena helping the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers achieve record breaking new sales and renewal campaigns. Shawn began his career in ticket sales for the Phoenix Coyotes, quickly distinguishing himself by consistently finishing as the organization’s top sales person year after year.

Doss, spent his childhood in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Penn State University and graduated with honors with a Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia University. Doss resides in Saratoga, California with his wife Jacqueline and two kids, Naulakha and Luciano. Doss dedicates much of his free time to charitable work, formerly serving as a board member of the Covenant House and presently on the board of the Child Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation.

Bill Edwards joined Thornton Tomasetti in 2017, and offers over 27 years of combined experience and expertise in operational / technical security, counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, surveillance and counter-surveillance efforts. Most recently, he served as the Director of Intelligence for Theater Special Operations Command-North, which required extensive collaboration and partnering across the U.S. whole of government security enterprise. He designed a cohesive and collaborative counter-terrorism network with Department of Defense, Law Enforcement and Inter-Agency partners, while simultaneously bridging strong relationships with coalition partners to further extend his security reach in an effort to protect the homeland. Bill also brings extensive experience in operational / technical security from his combat deployments to Iraq, where he commanded two large bases and operationally operated in Al Anbar, Dhi Qar and Basra Provinces focusing primarily on operations and security in these areas. During this time period, he oversaw the planning and execution of all base infrastructure to include the implementation and operation of complex U.S. base security measures.

Tyler Endres opened Esports Arena, the first dedicated esports facility in the US in Santa Ana, CA in 2015. Today Esports Arena runs leagues, tournaments, broadcasts, large scale and community events across their locations in Orange County, Oakland, Vegas and in 5 Walmart stores. As the Walmart partnership continues to expand, Esports Arena can provide the competitive video gaming experience to the every day consumer all over the country.

Monica Fee is a Property Sales Agent at CAA Sports, a division of leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA).CAA Sports represents more than 1,700 of the world’s best athletes in sports such as baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and Olympic/action sports, in addition to icons, on-air broadcasters, coaches, and other pre-eminent personalities.Beyond on-field athlete representation, CAA provides unique opportunities for clients off-field, in areas including entertainment, licensing, endorsements, speaking, philanthropy, video games, and digital.

Fee is based in New York and represents many of the world’s top sports properties including Formula 1, City Football Group, Madison Square Garden, Golden State Warriors, Red Bull Racing,and the United States Golf Association, among others.

Fee began her career at the William Morris Agency, working in the television department with sports broadcast talent.She transitioned to the agency’s corporate consulting division to work on the NHL account. She joined CAA in 2007.

In 2017, Fee was recognized by Adweekas one of “The Most Powerful Women in Sports,”and Broadcasting + Cable’s“Women in the Game.”

She graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a degree in Psychology in 2004.

Peter Feigin brings more than two decades of dynamic corporate leadership to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he’s charged with spearheading the next chapter of this storied team’s legacy. His talents are the key to helping realize the Bucks’ transformational vision: a championship team playing in a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena that will drive the creation of new partnerships, new jobs and a new sense of community for the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin.

Since taking over as president of the Milwaukee Bucks in October of 2014, Peter has completely reimagined, rebuilt and reenergized the team’s business operations, resulting in substantial increases in attendance, ticket revenue, merchandise revenue, partnership sales and TV viewership. He has assembled a top-flight management team and instilled a new corporate culture marked by accountability, collaboration and fun. The Bucks were named one of Milwaukee’s best places to work in 2017, and Peter’s inspired and tireless leadership was recognized with his being named the Milwaukee BizTimes 2015 CEO of the Year.

Peter was instrumental in driving the vision, financing, planning, design and construction of Fiserv Forum, a $524 million, 17,500-seat sports and entertainment venue in downtown Milwaukee that opened on Aug. 26, 2018, as well as a new state-of-the-art training center for the Bucks, all of which is part of a 30-acre mixed-use development surrounding the project that will seamlessly link with existing developments on all sides to create a vibrant, urban community in the heart of Milwaukee. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that this historic project will be catalytic to the economic development of both the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin.

Throughout his time in Milwaukee, Peter has devoted significant energy and effort to working within the Milwaukee community to accomplish important social and economic goals. Beyond spearheading the development and launch of the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation, he serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public School Foundation, chairs the American Heart and Stroke Association, and co-chairs the African American Chamber of Commerce and the COA Parents of the Year.

Peter’s experience cuts across a wide spectrum of business and entertainment corporations, from the NBA to private aviation, and from digital media and motion pictures to theme parks. Prior to joining the Bucks, Peter served as the Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, a major international entertainment company, where he managed global business units and handled branding and business development. Prior to joining Deluxe, Peter was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Marquis Jet Partners Inc./NetJets, the world’s leading private aviation company. Peter was the driving force behind Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets acquisition of Marquis Jet in 2010 and played a central role in the integration of the two companies. After transitioning post-merger to the same responsibilities at NetJets, he led the company to significant revenue growth.

From 1998 to 2004, Peter worked for the New York Knicks in a variety of roles culminating in his position as Vice President of Marketing. Under Peter’s leadership, profits, season subscriptions and suite revenues increased significantly. From 1993 to 1998, he held sales and marketing positions with Six Flags Theme Parks which was then a Time Warner company.

Peter is a native New Yorker. He and his wife, Natalia, have two children, Alexandra and Thomas. Peter holds a bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College and completed the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business’ Financial Executive Program.

Nicole Feld is Executive Vice President and Producer for Feld Entertainment, Inc., the worldwide leader in live family entertainment. She is an industry leader who focuses on innovation, trend forecasting and dynamic creative strategies to enhance existing properties and manifest new ones that further the organization’s mission, vision and values.

As an executive at Feld Entertainment, Nicole leads creative vision and strategy for many productions including Disney On Ice, Sesame Street Live!, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship and DreamWorks Trolls the Experience. To date, Nicole has personally produced more than 40 shows for the company and was the first woman to ever lead production of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment productions have delighted millions of families in more than 75 countries on six continents.

Nicole began her professional career as a researcher and photo editor at People magazine, sharpening her sense of visual presentation and recognizing the value of these skills in the context of show production and entertaining a live audience. She joined Feld Entertainment ® in 2001 as Assistant Producer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, focusing on talent scouting, a unique skill intrinsic to the success of all Feld Entertainment shows. She then learned every aspect of the business from creative development and operations to sales and marketing.

Recently, she has led the strategic direction of the iconic, world-renowned Disney On Ice brand, elevating it as the most immersive, fan-friendly and innovative production to date. She also took charge of the growth and development of Monster Energy Supercross, bringing the sport to more fans across the country than ever before in arenas, stadiums and on TV. In 2017, she led the reimagination of Sesame Street Live!, a new production that ushers the youngest fans into the magical world of live entertainment through a participatory experience.

As part of a new partnership with NBC Universal, Nicole recently opened DreamWorks Trolls the Experience, which brings the land of Trolls to life in an exciting, immersive exhibit. This innovative production presents a new capability and line of business to the Feld Entertainment portfolio – location-based experiences.

Driven by a commitment to philanthropy and social responsibility, Nicole leads the relationship between Monster Energy Supercross and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The partnership brings athletes and fans together to raise money for St. Jude throughout the duration of the Supercross season. She has also served on the advisory board for Figure Skating in Harlem, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides opportunity, education and empowerment for girls in underserved New York City communities. In 2015, the organization honored Nicole and her sisters, Alana and Juliette, alongside Evan Lysacek and Gloria Steinem. Nicole, Alana and Juliette have also been recognized by the Theatre Development Fund for their shared commitment to accessibility for theatergoers with physical disabilities, as well as individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Among her various accolades, Nicole has been recognized by Washingtonian as one of its “100 Most Powerful Women” and by Venues Today as a “Woman of Influence.” Jewish Women International, an organization for which she served as a board member for many years, has also recognized her as a “Woman to Watch.” She recently served as a member of the MISS USA selection committee comprised of female professionals and selected Cheslie Kryst, an African-American civil litigation attorney from North Carolina, to represent the country as a role model and symbol of female empowerment.

Nicole graduated with a BFA in Photography and Imaging from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She lives in New York City with her husband, Jonathan Strauss, an Emmy®-nominated casting director and producer for film and television, and their two children.

Matt Galle made his name building careers for acts such as Fun., Halsey, and Shawn Mendes. His current roster features artists such as Gucci Mane, Hayley Kiyoko, Lauv, Alec Benjamin, and T-Pain.

He has twice been listed on Billboard’s “40 under 40,” and has been featured on the cover of Pollstar’s Booking Agency Directory. In 2006, Galle launched Photo Finish Records, which includes a diverse roster of alternative and indie pop bands such as Marian Hill, MisterWives, 3OH!3, and SHAED. Before joining Paradigm, Galle cofounded the Bamboozle Music Festival, which ran from 2003 to 2012. Earlier in his career, he helped foster the touring careers of Bruno Mars, Ke$ha, and My Chemical Romance.

After attending Bentley College for two years as an accounting major, Galle transferred to Suffolk University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in marketing. During college, Galle spent his free time promoting concerts and eventually started the Kenmore Agency, a booking agency in Boston, Massachusetts. His interest in the music industry began in high school, where he joined his friends’ bands on tour, acting as tour manager and selling merchandise.

Rick Giles founded the Gazelle Group in 1994 after spending eight years at International Management Group. Giles is a graduate of Princeton University and the Stern School of Business at New York University.

The Gazelle Group creates, represents, and consults across sports and entertainment events. Since its inception, Gazelle has formed relationships with corporate sponsors, teams, venues, and television networks to produce and stage successful events throughout the country in a variety of sports. Gazelle also represents college basketball coaches – facilitating career movement and negotiating their contracts.

Gazelle has many areas of expertise and experience. However, Gazelle’s core business has evolved around the sport of college basketball.

Hannah Gordon rose from being the first woman football beat writer as an undergrad at UCLA to an “influential women in football” (NFL.com) and a Game Changer (Sports Business Journal). As Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, she leads Legal, Public Affairs, Strategic Communications, Risk Management, Fan Engagement, Community Relations, the 49ers Foundation, 49ers EDU, 49ers Museum, and 49ers PREP. She advises on all issues related to both the San Francisco 49ers football team and Levi’s Stadium, including working on events like Super Bowl 50, the College Football National Championship, concerts, and other entertainment. Prior to the 49ers, Gordon worked for the NFL on the salary cap, player contracts, the 2011 lockout, and CBA negotiations. Gordon earned her B.A. at UCLA and her J.D. at Stanford, where she has served as a Lecturer in Law.

Mary Haskett is the CEO and co-founder of Blink Identity, a venture backed company based in Austin, Texas that has developed face recognition products that can identify people at a full walking speed and in any lighting condition. Haskett drives the business strategy and marketing direction, as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the company.

Her first startup was a skydiving school she got involved with when she was a college student. The skydiving school was bootstrapped into a profitable business that owned multiple airplanes, taught thousands of students how to skydive and hosted skydiving competitions broadcast on ESPN.

Haskett next founded a training company that built dozens of online courses for Fortune 500 companies. After that company was acquired by a defense contractor, she stayed on as a VP to lead biometric systems development in the US and overseas. She deployed frequently to Iraq and Afghanistan, and was responsible for deploying the Afghanistan National biometric database. Haskett holds a M.Ed. in Educational Technology from Texas A&M University and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics awarded by the University of Texas at Dallas.

Matthew Hiltzik is the President and CEO of Hiltzik Strategies, a strategic communications firm specializing in corporate and internal communications, crisis management and litigation support, media relations, social/digital analytics and analysis, content creation, and providing advice and counsel to leading companies and business executives and influencers in entertainment, sports, tech, finance, education, and philanthropy.

The firm, founded in 2008, utilizes a multi-platform storytelling approach to help clients develop, shape, and amplify their profiles, narratives, and brands in an increasingly fluid, complex media environment.

Matthew, an attorney who has produced five documentaries (including the award winning ‘Paper Clips’), is an active member of the Boards of The Ghetto Film School, Montclair State University’s School of Communication and Media, The Jewish Week, and The JCRC of New York, and was appointed to the Board of New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

Matthew lives in New York City with his wife Dana and their three children.

Bryan Hinckley is responsible for leading Electrosonic’s US business. His goals are to support customers with optimal solutions that allow them to make informed decisions and allow them to move forward with Electrosonic as their preferred technical partner. Bryan’s expectation is that our customers have “a great experience and want to work with us again and again,” which many customers do. As an admitted tech geek, Bryan began at Electrosonic overseeing projects in Asia and North America and subsequently held a number of management titles, including Business Development Manager for the Themed Entertainment Group. Bryan has been very involved in our work at Los Angeles International Airport, Universal Studios, and our projects in the Middle East.

Hinckley came on board at Electrosonic in 1999 as a project engineer after graduating from Vanderbilt University. He later served as a Project Manager in Taiwan, Japan and throughout North America. He subsequently led Electrosonic’s US Products Division, Design Consulting Team and the Entertainment Sales Group before becoming Vice President of Sales. A third-generation Southern Californian, Bryan grew up just a few miles from Electrosonic’s Burbank headquarters where he now works.

Alan Hoffman is the co-chair of Winston & Strawn’s project finance practice and has extensive experience advising clients on finance transactions involving sports and entertainment facilities. These transactions have been financed both within and outside the United States, and Alan is viewed as one of the leading market practitioners in the field of bank lending and private placements.

Alan has completed transactions in the sports sector for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, New York Islanders, new expansion hockey team in Seattle, Washington, Real-Madrid, LAFC, Orlando City FC, and the USTA in respect of its tennis facilities in Queens, New York. Alan also has extensive experience representing clients such as the Oak View Group in the financing of sports and entertainment venues for various colleges and universities.

Alan received a B.A., summa cum laude, in English and History from SUNY-Albany after completing his first three semesters at Purdue University, and a J.D. with honors from Georgetown University Law Center. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Alan was recognized for his project finance work in the legal 500 US 2018.

As Principal and Studio Leader for the LAB at Rockwell Group , Melissa Hoffman works at the intersection of technology, strategy and architecture, guiding the company’s cutting-edge incubator for innovation within built environments. From new software platforms to compelling virtual experiences, the LAB brings fresh concepts to Rockwell Group’s forward-thinking projects.

Since joining the company in 2009, Melissa continues to grow relationships with some of the greatest multi-national brands, including Google, Intel, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Walt Disney Company.

Prior to Rockwell Group, Melissa held senior positions at Fitch Worldwide (a WPP Company), Gensler, Desgrippes Gobé, and Pentagram. After graduating from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Political Science, she began her career at HBO and worked in television for many years. In August 2009, she wrote and performed her one-woman show, Bossy Girl, as part of Lincoln Center’s “American Living Room” series and is the author of Free Fall (2008), a collection of short stories.

Carly James is an agent at Paradigm Talent Agency based in New York City. She began as an assistant at The Agency Group in 2012, working alongside agent Dave Kaplan, moving over to Paradigm in 2015. She represents a diverse roster of exciting artists which includes IDLES, Fontaines D.C., Julia Jacklin and girl in red.

Robert D. Jordan CVE, is a 30 year veteran in major project development and operations in sports and entertainment venues and public assembly facilities. Jordan is an established voice in the “Smart Stadium” movement typically providing consulting services to traditional sports teams, venues, property owners and developer. The recent development of 1337 Facilities, a JV with esports standards Jordan Rambis and Real Time Strategies, with Venue Road and sports integrator Ampthink, was created to aid Institutions in the concepting, designing, construction, and sponsorship of Campus gaming by developing solutions (software and process) and facilities (brick and mortar) that integrate the best practices of the traditional sports space identified and centered with the requirements and expectations of the gaming ecosystem. The resulting intersection of the esports industry with the traditional sports learned lessons amplifies the expectation that all the electronic systems in all types of modern venues migrate into an integrated operating and content distribution platform that improves the fan and game experience. The resulting integration is a unique platform to bring new activations and experiences to the fans, the partner and all stakeholders for both esports and traditional sports.

Jordan is champion of creating dynamic customer experience platforms and partnerships within the design context of the venues that value revenue and the customer as a common driver of design and activation. Providing subject matter expertise to Leagues and Team Owners in maximizing the relationship of the built environment to the brand, the program delivery and the technology integration to support the revenue generation and the operational cost reduction in Facility Design, team operations and partnership integration.

Prior to Venue Road and 1337 Facilities Jordan was with Van Wagner’s Team and Venue Services group, specializing in technology infrastructure at sports facilities and mixed-use districts. Projects included consulting on SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, plus Little Caesars Arena and the District Detroit, the ballpark and arena both opened in 2017. The AlamoDome and the Mission Rock Development are also projects in the portfolio.

Van Wagner acquired Jordan’s firm, Venue Research and Design, in 2012 as Jordan was working with MLB Advanced Media to update MLB ballparks with a standard wireless (DAS/WiFI) platform across the league. His role extended to consulting for MLBAM on its activation of instant replay in baseball as well as league-wide installations of Pace of Game clocks, Statcast, and iBeacon. Additional milestone projects included VTB stadium in Moscow, Mumbai Cricket in India and consulting on college facilities such as the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium renovation and Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome.

In 2004 Jordan came on board with the NFL’s NY Jets for the development of the West Side Stadium in Manhattan, as the Vice President of Design and Construction. In 2005 the focus moved to the design and development of MetLife Stadium, the $1.65 billion stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., that opened in 2010 for the Jets and New York Giants. He was also part of the development team for the American Airlines Center in Dallas, which opened in 2001 for the NHL’s Stars and NBA’s Mavericks.

Television anchor, legal analyst, trial attorney, actor and best-selling author, Rikki Klieman has earned a sterling reputation as one of the nation’s most celebrated lawyers and legal authorities. A dynamic and versatile communicator, Klieman found success in multiple fields, including television journalism, the courtroom, academia and public speaking.

Rikki is now a Contributor/Legal Analyst for CBS News and is most often seen on CBS This Morning, Evening News and the streaming network, CBSN. She was an Anchor at the Courtroom Television Network from 1994-2010 and a Contributor for the CBS Early Show, the NBC Today Show as well as the E! Network. She has also appeared as a legal analyst on NBC’s Nightly News, ABC, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC. In addition, Rikki continues to inspire the lives of others with her autobiography, “Fairy Tales Can Come True – How a Driven Woman Changed Her Destiny,” which reached the L.A.Times Best Seller List.

She remains Of Counsel to the Boston, Massachusetts law firm of Klieman & Lyons, where she specialized in criminal trial and appellate practice as well as civil litigation. She received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. Prior to her legal career, she was a theater major at Northwestern University who became a professional actress. Following law school, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Walter Jay Skinner of the United States District Court of Massachusetts, and as a prosecutor with both the Middlesex and Norfolk County District Attorney’s offices.

She was named one of the five most outstanding women trial lawyers in the country by TIME magazine. She is often the subject of magazine and newspaper articles and was profiled by CNN. She has been interviewed on countless radio and television programs about various aspects of criminal and civil law and procedure, including, among others, “60 minutes,” “20/20”, “The McLaughlin Group” and a “Nightline Special Report” on rape hosted by the late Peter Jennings.

Ms. Klieman was a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Columbia Law School, teaching a course on Trial Strategies in Major Current Cases. She was an Adjunct Professor at Boston University School of Law teaching trial practice. She lectures across the country on the legal system and taught trial advocacy at the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program at Harvard, the University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Institute, Northwestern University’s Short Course for Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Criminal Defense College, the Western Trial Advocacy Institute and Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College.

She has published numerous articles on criminal law and contributed to a book, “Women Trial Lawyers.” She was featured in a chapter of “Good Will Toward Men” by Jack Kammer and in the national best seller, “A Civil Action” by Jonathan Harr. She writes the bi-annual supplement for “Representing Witnesses Before Federal Grand Juries.” She was the co-editor of a book on cross examination called “Take the Witness.” In addition, she was a columnist about legal issues for the popular LA Confidential Magazine and has written for The Daily Beast.

Ms. Klieman served on the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Supreme Court on the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Board of Visitors for Boston University School of Law. She was a member of the American Bar Association’s National Conference of Lawyers and Representatives of the Media. She currently serves on the Council of 100, a mentoring organization of outstanding alumnae for the benefit of collegiate women and young graduates at Northwestern University.

Ms. Klieman lectures to various business and bar associations as well as charitable and school groups on topics including “Law, Politics and the Media,” “Achieving a Life of Significance,” “Magnificent Motivation,” “Powerful Communication from the Courtroom to the Boardroom,” “Theatre in the Courtroom,” “Visionary Leadership,” and “You Can Have it All, But Not All At The Same Time.”

Returning to acting, Klieman portrayed James Caan’s attorney, Cathy Burson, on NBC’s “Las Vegas” for four seasons and Judge Dana Pearlman on CBS’s “Shark” with James Woods. She appears as Judge Fowler in “Blue Bloods,” and has been a guest star in “NYPD Blue,” “90210,” and “Dr. Vegas.” She portrayed herself on “The Closer,” “Boston Legal” and in the films “Cable Guy” and “American Tragedy.” In movies, she performed in “A Civil Action” and “The Fighter.” She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity.

Rikki is the wife of William Bratton, who served a second term as NYPD Police Commissioner from January, 2014 until September 2016, which created new opportunities to give back to the community. She then served on the Board of Directors of the Police Athletic League (PAL), dedicated to creating a safe place for kids…a passion throughout her life.

From early days of raising funds for City of Hope to later years for City Meals on Wheels, she believes in helping those most often in need – children, families and the elderly. Her great joys have been working as a mentor at Northwestern University and at Court TV and serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Shepherd House, a Boston women’s halfway house for those who suffered from substance abuse problems and were on the road to recovery. She also served on the Executive Board of the ADL (Anti Defamation League) in both New England and New York.

When she and her husband lived in Los Angeles during his tenure as Chief of Police, she pursued her interests of mentoring young people and joining the fight against sexual assault and domestic violence – work in which she has been active for decades. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Rape Treatment Center of UCLA-Santa Monica and the Board of Directors of LA’s Best, an after school enrichment program for disadvantaged elementary school children. For these community endeavors, she was the recipient of various public service awards.

Rikki and her husband live in New York City where she also served on the Board of Directors and the Membership Committee of the Women’s Forum.

Elinor Klavens is a Senior Analyst at the Sports Innovation Lab where she leads research on Smart Venue trends and the future of fan experience. Elinor’s previous market research experience includes Forrester Research, where she was in the Service Delivery Research Team and helped grow the DevOps practice. She also created a research stream on next-generation incident response.

Prior to Forrester, Elinor worked in Bain Capital’s Infrastructure & Operations Department and lived in Europe where she worked for Groupon Goods UK, obtained an MSc in Management from the Cass Business School and a BA (Hons) in International Relations from the University of Sussex.

Tod Leiweke is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and team president for Seattle Hockey Partners. Leiweke is responsible for building a world-class NHL expansion team. He will also be responsible for the redevelopment of the Arena at Seattle Center. This $1.6B enterprise will be transformative to Seattle Center and is the largest private investment in the history of sports in Seattle.

Prior to being appointed CEO in April 2018, Leiweke served as Chief Operating Officer of the NFL for three years where he oversaw day to day operations of the League. These duties included football operations, international operations, marketing, player health and safety, the NFL Network and strategic planning.
From 2010 to 2015, he served as the CEO of Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment where he was responsible for all operations of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Amalie Arena. During his tenure, the Tampa Bay Lightning progressed from non-contender to Stanley Cup Finalist. Leiweke was also instrumental in the development of a major $3B real estate project that today is transforming the Tampa waterfront.

Previously, Leiweke was the CEO of the Seattle Seahawks and Vulcan Sports & Entertainment where he oversaw all functions of the club. In his final season with the Seahawks, Leiweke played an instrumental role in recruiting Pete Carroll and John Schneider to the Seahawks, which resulted in a 2014 Super Bowl win. Leiweke launched the Seattle Sounders FC, which set the standard for all Major League Soccer teams to follow.

Leiweke also led the King County United Way 2009 Campaign that reached the goal of over $100 million dollars raised. That campaign was capped with a climb, and summit of Mount Rainier with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Leiweke was instrumental in launching the annual PGA TOUR’s Boeing Classic golf tournament in 2005, which benefitted Virginia Mason Medical Center and the Benaroya Research Institute.

Additionally, Leiweke served as President of the expansion team the Minnesota Wild, and launched national charity program, The First Tee, which is the largest diversity program in the history of golf.

In 2009, Leiweke was named CEO of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal and also by the Seattle Sports Commission. He is a member of the National Football Hall of Fame and each of the teams he has led have won numerous awards for fan relations.

Craig Levine is Global Chief Strategy Officer at ESL, the world’s largest independent esports company. In his role, Levine focuses on global strategic partnerships and strengthening ESL’s digital platforms and technology to engage fans and players worldwide. Previously, Levine served as CEO of ESL North America where he lead the North American strategy and operations of ESL.

Levine has helped pioneer the esports industry for over 15 years. As a longtime gamer, Levine founded Team 3D, the first truly professional and successful video game team in North America, in April 2002. In addition, Levine also co-founded ESS Agency, an event marketing and technology company specializing in video game entertainment. ESS Agency was acquired by Turtle Entertainment in 2014 to expand ESL’s global footprint to North America.

Levine holds a B.S. in Information Systems and Management and Organizational Behavior from the Stern Business School at New York University.

Kate Lieberman is the Vice President of Guest Services for Live Nation. With more than 10 years of experience in event and operational management in a decentralized organization, she is passionate about leading and motivating teams to create innovative and actionable programs aimed at elevating the service experience. As a senior CX professional for Live Nations US Venues division, Kate is at the forefront of executing complex, division-wide service focused initiatives for the 9+ million guests that attend an event in the company’s US Concerts division across 52+ venues nationwide. She is known for her superior interpersonal skills and uniquely holistic understanding of event management. Kate thrives on leveraging insight to create sustained, effective, best in industry guest experience strategies

Dave Macdonald is a Director of Strategy with AT&T where he is responsible for working with key clients, in the Sport and Entertainment vertical, providing strategic & technical direction to address their business challenges. Dave’s extensive background in delivering customer solutions provides him the expertise and experience to assist our clients in transforming their business through the adoption of emerging technologies.

Dave was appointed to the position of Director of Strategy in 2011. In this role, he works with AT&T clients in the formation of their overall strategy, in support of their key business and technology initiatives. With an innovative approach, Dave brings the “art of the possible” consultative services to emerging technology and services development relating to business transformation. Dave was moved to the Sports and Entertainment vertical in 2018.

Prior to his current position, Dave was an Enterprise Consultant in AT&T’s Global Solution Center Lab. As a founding member of the Global Solution Center Lab, he assisted in the development and growth of the multi-site lab eco-system which provided advanced technology solutions to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. His primary focus in that position was assisting clients by providing strategic thought leadership and best practice recommendations on architecture, security and application integration.

Dave has 36 years of overall experience in IT and business. His experience spans the functional areas of IT Architecture and Infrastructure, Technology Operations and IT Services and Solutions. His experience includes working with clients in Financial Services, Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail and Government. Prior to joining AT&T in 1995, Dave held various technology-centric positions in the private sector.

Dave resides in Brooklet, Georgia with wife Sandra. They have five grown children and one grandchild.

David Marcus is EVP, Head of Music for Ticketmaster, where he is responsible for the company’s concert ticketing division, including ArtistCo, which focuses on designing and delivering technology solutions to more than 700 touring artists and their promoters each year. TM Music’s products give these artists more control over ticket pricing, onsales, and ticket delivery and unlocks detailed insights into fans. Before joining Ticketmaster, Marcus was Chief Commercial Officer at ScoreBig, the country’s first name-your-own-price ticketing platform. Before ScoreBig, Marcus spent 4 years as Warner Music Group’s SVP, Worldwide Artist Services, where he developed new lines of business for the music group, including global touring, ticketing, merchandising, and e-commerce. Previously, he was SVP, Global Music at Ticketmaster, where he built and led an international team that provided sales and marketing strategy and operational support to touring musical artists. Marcus began his career as an entertainment and intellectual property attorney at O’Melveny & Myers.

Michael Martin — a recovering Wall Street Investment Banker — is the Founder and CEO of Effect Partners and r.Cup. He has been an innovator in sustainability and social change marketing almost 30 years, starting with the non-profit, Concerts for the Environment.

Michael developed the first-ever, national global warming campaign and produced multiple Earth Day events on the National Mall. He introduced many of the greening practices currently being used in the music industry today. He has worked with over 200 of the music industry’s leading artists including Jack Johnson, U2, Dave Matthews Band, and Mumford & Sons. He has developed sustainability & marketing strategies for brands including Apple, Toyota, UPS, Target, Clif Bar and Live Nation.

Effect Partners is a social change enterprise, inspiring impactful business solutions powered by music, art and culture. His latest venture, r.Cup, disrupts the wasteful single-use plastic cup at live events. r.Cup reduces the environmental impact of live events with a reusable, recyclable, rental cup program.

Todd Merry oversees Delaware North’s strategic global marketing efforts, spanning all of its operating companies and locations on four continents. He guides its customer-centric mission and leads all sales and marketing efforts. Todd has been involved in the business side of esports for the last four years and previously sat on the board of Splyce gaming.

Madelaine Moeke leads ROSSETTI’s Return on DesignTM service and works with sports venues to identify revenue growth opportunities. Her data-driven approach generates custom solutions for venue owners to maximize investment and guest experience. Madelaine develops advanced cost models to help ownership assess and forecast a project’s potential for revenue generation and social advancement. She is largely responsible for finding ways to bridge the gap between data and design, working with ROSSETTI’s design team to understand the intersected value propositions.

Prior to joining ROSSETTI, Madelaine spent five years with the University of Michigan Center for Sport + Policy, a research-based consulting firm focused on the financial relationships between public and private sectors in the development of sports facilities. More specifically, she concentrated on understanding and analyzing the potential economic impact to a city and residents when franchises move into the urban context. Some of Madelaine’s most notable projects include Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit, Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver.

Madelaine received her BA in Sports Management Business from the University of Michigan and has been with ROSSETTI since 2017.

Josh Moore is a talent buyer at The Bowery Presents. He books hundreds of shows per year in New York City and Brooklyn at Bowery Presents venues including Terminal 5, Brooklyn Steel, Webster Hall and in the open rooms in New York such as Radio City Music Hall, Central Park Summerstage, Beacon Theatre, Hammerstein Ballroom, Brooklyn Mirage and more. Moore has been named Pollstar’s Nightclub Talent Buyer of the Year in 2012 and 2015. In addition, Josh is a founding partner and talent buyer for Cloud 9 Adventures, a company which produces unique destination events in exotic locations. Cloud 9’s events include Holy Ship!, Jam Cruise, One Big Holiday, Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend, Avett Brothers at The Beach, Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky, among others.

Mike Newquist is the Vice President of Event Marketing & Ticketing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”). In this role, he oversees globally all Event Marketing, Event Revenues, Ticketing, and Global Travel. In 2019 alone, the UFC will produce events across the United States, Canada, Mexico, UK, Russia, Brazil, Sweden, Uruguay, China, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Australia, and Singapore.

A 20-year Sports & Entertainment veteran, Newquist began his career in the National Football League with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he spent 8 years and ultimately had oversight of all business operations for the NFL club, reporting directly to team ownership. Prior to joining the UFC, he most recently worked with Ticketmaster/Live Nation in both Los Angeles and Chicago.

Eric Nordness is a Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Hickory Street Capital. HSC is real estate development and investment business owned by the Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball club. HSC was formed to advance the Ricketts family real estate development goals outside of Wrigley Field. Mr. Nordness leads real estate development for the Ricketts family.

HSC recently completed the development of a sports and entertainment district directly west of Wrigley Field, centered around a 30,000 square foot open-air event plaza known as Gallagher Way. The mixed-used development encapsulates the plaza and two six-story buildings that houses a 173-room boutique hotel, 100,000 square feet of retail space and 75,000 square feet of office space. Designed to fit seamlessly into the urban neighborhood environment, this new destination now serves as a year round entertainment destination and the town center of Chicago’s iconic Wrigleyville neighborhood.

Prior to joining HSC, Mr. Nordness was the Managing Member for Salita Development, a boutique hospitality development firm focusing on hotels and restaurants. Eric started his career at Robertson, Stephens & Co, a San Francisco headquartered full-service investment banking firm. Mr. Nordness has experience in real estate development, institutional finance and asset management. He received his B.B.A. in finance from the University of Iowa and a M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in both finance and economics.

David O’Rourke is Chief Executive Officer & President of the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), the operator of Belmont Park, home of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of racing’s Triple Crown; Saratoga Race Course, home of the most prestigious racing meet in the U.S.; and Aqueduct Racetrack.

As one of North America’s premier thoroughbred horse racing organizations, NYRA in 2018 generated $2.1 billion in annual all-sources wagering handle with paid attendance exceeding 1.7 million. It is the cornerstone of New York State’s thoroughbred industry, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to New York State.

O’Rourke joined NYRA as Director of Financial Planning in 2008 and was named Vice President for Corporate Development in 2010. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Revenue Officer and Senior Vice President. In that position, O’Rourke was responsible for NYRA’s business development strategies across a range of disciplines including industry relations, simulcast markets and contracts, television strategy, advance deposit wagering (ADW) operations and capital projects.

During his tenure at NYRA, O’Rourke served as the lead on all content-related negotiations, achieving an increase of more than $20 million in annual revenue. He played a signature role in spearheading the development and growth of NYRA Bets, NYRA’s national Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) platform, now available in 30 states.

O’Rourke also developed and led the strategy and investment in cloud-based video streaming technologies and Apps (NYRA Now), which have enabled NYRA to broadcast directly to various devices from TV to mobile and desktop; and transmit video to traditional TV networks such as FOX Sports and MSG. In doing so, he helped shepherd the dramatic expansion of NYRA’s flagship television broadcasts, the critically-acclaimed Belmont Park Live and Saratoga Live, which feature live coverage nearly every race day from Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

Prior to joining NYRA, O’Rourke was a member of the Zolfo Cooper and Capstone Advisory Group Corporate Restructuring Practices, specializing in multiple operational and financial reorganization efforts in the real estate development, gaming, auto manufacturing, retailing and shipping industries. He also served as Vice President of Operations at Datek Online and was instrumental in helping the company develop into the world’s fourth largest online brokerage.

O’Rourke is a member of the NYRA Board of Directors. He is also a board member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of America; and a member of the Saratoga Race Course Local Advisory Board, and the Management Committee of Equibase Company.

O’Rourke is a graduate of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and earned an MBA from Tulane University.

Jerry Parisi’s responsibilities include MUFG’s coverage origination of relationships within the North American and European professional sports organizations. Clients extend to the respective league offices and local franchises as well as their affiliated venues and regional sports networks. Coverage area includes the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and Formula 1 as well the European football leagues.

Prior to joining MUFG, Jerry was a Managing Director at Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Bank for fourteen years where he was responsible for coverage origination of North American and European Sports Finance as well as the origination and structuring of financing within Real Estate, Gaming, Lodging & Leisure sector.

Prior to Societe Generale, Jerry was a Senior Vice President at Mitsui Nevitt Capital Corporation for ten years where he was responsible for leveraged finance originations.

Prior to Mitsui, Jerry was an Assistant Treasurer at Overseas Shipholding Group for seven years subsequent to his three year analyst role within corporate treasury at The Equitable Life Assurance Society.

Jerry holds a BA degree in Economics & Psychology from St. John’s University, NY and a MBA, Finance from Fordham University, NY.

He holds a CFA designation and is Series 79, 63 and 24 licensed.

As executive vice president of MSG Live, Darren Pfeffer oversees The Madison Square Garden Company’s (MSG) live entertainment events and sets the strategic direction for MSG’s bookings, which includes exploring opportunities to develop new signature events, artist relationships and unique experiences for MSG’s customers. MSG’s entertainment portfolio includes an array of concerts, family shows, performing arts and special events that are presented or hosted in the Company’s diverse collection of venues. Those venues are: Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum and The Chicago Theatre. MSG also produces outdoor festivals through Boston Calling Events, the entertainment production company responsible for New England’s premier music festival – Boston Calling. Since joining MSG in 2017, Mr. Pfeffer has overseen a period of growth within MSG’s live business – including a record-setting number of events across the Company’s venues. With a focus on multi-night and multi-market engagements, notable recent bookings have included: the continuation of Billy Joel’s historic residency at The Garden; Jerry Seinfeld’s residency at the Beacon Theatre; Tedeschi Trucks Band’s multi-year, dual-city residency at the Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre; and Sebastian Maniscalco’s four sold-out shows at MSG. Mr. Pfeffer also focuses on developing relationships with artists and their teams, driving an “artist first” approach that attracts the industry’s top talent across all MSG venues.

Prior to joining MSG, Mr. Pfeffer spent more than two decades at iHeartMedia, a leading media and entertainment company, in roles of increasing responsibility. Before joining MSG, he served as senior vice president of Music and Entertainment Marketing, where he was responsible for overseeing all strategic, operational and promotional aspects of more than 160 iHeartMedia events, including high-profile properties such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, the iHeartCountry Festival and the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina. Starting in 2006, Mr. Pfeffer served as executive producer of Z100’s Jingle Ball, turning the annual holiday concert into an iconic New York City event that is nationally televised on The CW Network. He also oversaw the multi-market iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, which included stops in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and Miami. His experience at iHeartMedia also included spearheading the Company’s B2B event strategy and creating exceptional live experiences at key industry events around the world for leading brands. Mr. Pfeffer began his career at iHeartMedia in 1995 as an intern.

Mr. Pfeffer serves on the board of directors of TAO Group, Boston Calling Events and Musicians On Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.

Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Ltd, Stuart Pringle is not only responsible for the delivery of the world class programme of motor racing events (Formula 1™ British Grand Prix, MotoGP, World Rallycross Championship as well as a number of national Historic meetings) at ‘The Home of British Motor Racing’, but he is also charged with the transformation of Silverstone from solely a motor racing circuit to a far broader leisure business.

Previous circuit management and events promotion experience includes spells as Sporting Director at Silverstone and Motorsport Events Manager at Brands Hatch.
For eight years Stuart was the Club Secretary of the British Racing Drivers’ Club and he also spent five years as the Club Secretary of the Vintage Sports-Car Club, where he oversaw an extensive programme of 35 historic motor sport events annually.

Stuart served for five years as an officer in the Royal Tank Regiment in the British Army and holds a degree in Real Estate Valuation.

Andy Rentmeester is currently the Chief Revenue Officer of LaneOne, a premium experiences company focused on re-imagining the premium ticketing business in the live entertainment vertical. Prior to his time at LaneOne, Andrew was the SVP of Revenue Planning & Operations at The Madison Square Garden Company, overseeing a team responsible for new product development, pricing, analytics, and sales cycle management for $350M+ in ticketing across MSG Sports and Entertainment. He also ran marketing for the New York Knicks and the Oakland Raiders, where he spearheaded the launch of social media platforms, developed the NBA’s first team-focused mobile app, and managed an array of customer acquisition channels and media budgets.

Tim Romani is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of CAA ICON, the industry-leading owner’s representative and strategic management consulting firm for public/private sports and entertainment facility owners and operators, professional franchises and leagues. CAA ICON has demonstrated expertise in consulting for, designing, constructing, commissioning, and operating projects for NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS franchises totaling more than $20 billion in North America and Europe.

Having served as Executive Director of two stadium authorities in Chicago and Denver, he is a proven public sector executive skilled in guiding large, high-profile projects through complex political landscapes. Tim has managed the development of some of the most well-recognized sports and entertainment venues in numerous national and international markets. With offices in Denver, Charlotte, Manhattan Beach and Phoenix, Tim is responsible for guiding strategic direction and new initiatives for the company and leading its domestic and international business development efforts.

CAA ICON has overseen the development, design, and construction of major stadiums and arenas throughout North America and Europe, and is currently underway on new construction or renovation projects for sports facilities and franchises including the Seattle Center Arena, Nashville MLS Stadium, Wrigley Field, the Raiders, Golden State Warriors, AS Roma and Austin FC. In 2017-18, CAA ICON completed new or renovated venues for the Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Colorado State University Rams, Orlando City Soccer, Sacramento Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. CAA ICON’s world-class portfolio is the most extensive in the sports and entertainment industry, and includes The O2 arena in London, PPG Paints Arena, Prudential Center, Sprint Center, Rogers Place, 11 new and renovated MLS stadiums, and the Wrigley Field Restoration project, among many others.

Tim’s innovative and sophisticated approach to project management, particularly in the focus areas of Preconstruction and Project Controls has revolutionized the way sports projects are delivered. Establishing, communicating and managing cost and schedule mandates is the hallmark of how CAA ICON operates on behalf of its clients and sets itself apart from all other firms. CAA ICON is a division of leading entertainment and sports agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Angela Ruggiero is a leading figure in the global sports world, having served as an elite athlete, educator, administrator, innovator, advisor, and board member in the world of sport.

She is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Sports Innovation Lab, a technology powered market research firm focused on the intersection of sports and innovation- with a focus on identifying trends and evaluating technology products and services that will drive the future of sport. The Sports Innovation Lab is the only company in the world delivering objective global sports technology research, powered by a proprietary technology platform.

Ruggiero is a Member of the 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame (as just the 4th woman), a 4-time Olympian in ice hockey, winning a Gold Medal in 1998, Silver Medal in 2002 and 2010, and a Bronze Medal in 2006. In her career, she was also named as the best Player in the NCAA, and the World by The Hockey News.

She currently serves on the IOC’s Digital and Technology Commission, the IOC Ethics Commission and is a Member of the International Ice Hockey Federation Athletes’ Commission. In addition, through Sports Innovation Lab’s partnership with the NFLPA, Ruggiero is a Board Member of the NFLPA’s One Team Collective, the first athlete-driven accelerator.

Ruggiero has served the Olympic Movement on the administrative and board levels for almost a decade. She was a Member of the International Olympic Committee (2010-2018), Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (2016-2018), the organization overseeing the Olympic Movement, and the Chairperson for the IOC Athletes’ Commission (2016-2018), the body representing all Olympic Athletes Worldwide. She has also served on the Board of the United States Olympic Committee (2010-2018), Foundation Board Member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, and Former President and board member of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Ruggiero, was also the Chief Strategy Officer for the Los Angeles 2028 Candidature Committee.

Ruggiero is a graduate of the Harvard Business School (M.B.A.), Harvard College (B.A.), and the University of Minnesota (M.Ed.).

As Executive Vice President of Entertainment at Prudential Center, Sean Saadeh oversees the direction and strategy of growing the entertainment and events business. Saadeh has been working in the arena and entertainment business for 23 years and has been a senior executive at Harris Blizter Sports and Entertainment for over four years.

Under Saadeh’s direction, Prudential Center has risen to a top ten arena worldwide. With more than 175 events annually, Saadeh’s focus has been to partner with strong content providers to grow Prudential Center’s business. In 2018, Prudential Center produced 50 concerts, which has doubled since 2015, when Saadeh took over Entertainment operations.

Prudential Center concerts consistently are some of the most diverse programming in the tri-state area. KPOP, Latin, Urban and Indian concerts have seen amazing growth over the last four years, under Saadeh’s strategic plan. In the last three months, Prudential Center hosted their first eSports event, the 2019 Rocket League World Championships, and the 2019 MTV VMAs.

Saadeh began his career in entertainment at San Diego Sports Arena in booking and marketing, where he held various during his nine-year tenure. He spent five years booking the Gila River Arena (formerly Glendale Arena), the home of the Phoenix Coyotes (now Arizona Coyotes) and doubled their concert business during his time there. In 2011, Saadeh was hired to open the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY and develop their brand-new entertainment and booking strategy. During his time in Brooklyn, Saadeh produced over 500 events including, JayZ, Barbra Streisand and over 60 concerts annually, while also growing the boxing and college basketball programs.

During his free time, Saadeh enjoys golfing, traveling, reading, watching movies, playing his guitar and walking his dog, Goose. He currently resides in Westfield, NJ with his wife, Kenna and his twin daughters Quincy and Taylor.

Kirk Safford joined Lyft as a Business Development Manager in 2015 and now serves as the Director of City Partnerships. He leads a team that develops and executes partnerships with airports, venues, universities, transit and governmental agencies that reflect the community and civic ethos of the company.

Prior to Lyft, Kirk worked in the Financial Services industry at Fisher Investments. Over the course of 9 years he held a variety of roles and managed multiple teams across; marketing, operations, client service, sales, and business development before ending his tenure as a VP of Business Development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and resides in San Francisco, CA.

As Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Marquee 360, Alex Seyferth oversees corporate partnerships for the Chicago Cubs and Marquee Development, inclusive of Wrigley Field, Gallagher Way, Hotel Zachary and the Wrigley Rooftops. Alex originally joined the Cubs in 2013 and was promoted to his current role in 2018. Prior to joining the Cubs, Alex was with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011-2013. Alex graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in philosophy, politics and economics. He earned a Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University in 2010, where he also played baseball.

As President of OVG Collegiate, Dan Shell is building a new college strategy for Oak View Group with the focus on all aspects of monetization of collegiate facilities, including equity facility partnerships, naming rights, management, booking and other college solutions

Before coming onboard with OVG in 2018, Shell served as Vice President of IMG College, assisting with many aspects of the college business, including national and local sponsorship sales, school relationships, and new business development.

Previously, as Vice President of FOX Collegiate Sports Properties, Dan Shell was responsible for FOX’s strategic business development in the college space. He helped create and oversaw the entity that manage the multimedia rights of several collegiate properties including USC Athletics, Georgetown University, Michigan State University, and others, as well as operation of two Las Vegas college basketball tournaments owned by FOX.

Shell came to FOX and USC Sports Properties from a first stint with IMG College, where he most recently served as Director of Regional Sales creating innovative partnerships for blue chip brands across multiple schools around the country. Prior to that, he served as IMG College General Manager of the West Coast Conference Corporate Partnership program.

Before joining IMG College in 2008, Shell spent more than a decade in both coaching and administrative roles at several Division I schools. From 1998-99, he worked as the Men’s Basketball administrative assistant at Pepperdine and then served as the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at the University of Oklahoma from 1999-2001. Shell then moved on to Saint Mary’s College, where he served as the assistant Men’s Basketball Coach from 2001-2008. Earlier in his career, he also briefly held an administrative role at Stanford University.

Recognized for his influence in the sports media industry, Shell is a member of Sports Business Journal’s prestigious “Forty Under 40” Class of 2015.

Shell earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from the University of California. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sabrina and their three children.

Adam Silver was unanimously elected NBA Commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014, by the NBA Board of Governors.

Silver presides over a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, Women’s National Basketball Association, NBA G League and NBA 2K League. He is dedicated to growing basketball around the world, embracing innovation and new technologies, increasing transparency and using basketball to bring people together and promote health and fitness.

Silver has twice been ranked No. 1 on SportsBusiness Journal’s annual list of the 50 Most Influential People in Sports Business. He was also named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, and The Bloomberg 50, Bloomberg Businessweek’s list of 50 people who defined global business. Additionally, Silver has earned Sports Executive of the Year honors at the Sports Business Awards and was named Sports Illustrated’s Executive of the Year.

Prior to becoming commissioner, Silver served as NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer for eight years. He has been instrumental to many of the league’s signature achievements, including the negotiation of three collective bargaining agreements with the National Basketball Players Association; the development of the WNBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League; the partnership with Turner Broadcasting to manage the NBA’s digital assets; and the creation of NBA China.

Before serving as the league’s second-in-command, Silver spent more than eight years as President and COO, NBA Entertainment. Since joining the league in 1992, Silver has also held the positions of Senior VP & COO, NBA Entertainment; NBA Chief of Staff; and Special Assistant to the Commissioner.

Silver was elected to Duke University’s Board of Trustees in 2015 and received the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Chicago Law School. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the board of the Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Before joining the NBA, Silver was a litigation associate at the New York law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he concentrated on media and antitrust cases. He also served as a law clerk to Federal District Court Judge Kimba Wood in New York City. Silver graduated from Duke University and the University of Chicago Law School.

Sara Slane has over 12 years of experience working in the casino gaming industry. Most recently, she was the senior vice president of public affairs at the American Gaming Association (AGA). As a key industry strategist and spokesperson, Slane helped enhance the gaming industry’s reputation and built favorable perceptions among critical stakeholders, including regulators, legislators, the media, and the broader public. Her messages were delivered across multiple platforms, including: testifying before Congress and state legislatures; conducting television and print interviews with major outlets such as CNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times; and delivering remarks at high-visibility forums around the country.

Most recently, Slane managed the most important advocacy victory in AGA history, a campaign to overturn the federal ban on sports betting known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Slane was integral to planning the campaign’s strategy and leading key aspects, including building alliances with sports leagues and policymakers; handling the association’s day-to-day grassroots and communications efforts; and overseeing the development of original research that demonstrated the overwhelming support for legal, regulated sports betting among fans and quantified the economic opportunities for American businesses. Slane’s efforts culminated in the May 14, 2018 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to deem PASPA unconstitutional and clear the way for the gaming industry to offer sports betting under state regulation.
Because of her leadership role, Slane is touted as “the face of legalized sports betting” and deemed one of “the most important and influential voices in gaming”.

Prior to joining AGA, Slane served as vice president of regional government affairs with MGM Resorts International where she spearheaded the largest gaming ballot initiative in the country. Her efforts led to a victory at the polls, the successful awarding of licensure to MGM National Harbor, and the building of the $1.4 billion gaming resort on the Potomac River.

Slane is the recipient of numerous awards, including Sports Business Journal’s Forty under 40, Global Gaming Business Top 25 People to Watch, Gold Stevie Award for Best Communications campaign of 2018, Association TRENDS’ Advocacy Campaign of the Year, and The Hill’s Top
Lobbyist in 2018.

Slane is a graduate of Ohio University and lives in the Washington, D.C. region with her two sons.

Ali Soufan is the Chief Executive Officer of The Soufan Group and Founder of The Soufan Center. Mr. Soufan is a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent who investigated and supervised highly sensitive and complex international terrorism cases, including the East Africa Embassy Bombings, the attack on the USS Cole, and the events surrounding 9/11. Mr. Soufan also serves as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. He is the author of the newly released “Anatomy of Terror: From the Death of bin Laden to the Rise of the Islamic State” and The New York Times Top 10 Bestseller, “The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against al Qaeda,” winner of the 2012 Ridenhour Book Prize.

He is a leading national security and counterterrorism expert, and continues to play a significant advisory role on today’s most sensitive issues. Mr. Soufan had a distinguished career in the FBI, including serving on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI New York Office, where he coordinated both domestic and international counterterrorism operations. He often operated out of hostile environments and carried out sensitive extra- territorial missions and high-level negotiations, and has received numerous awards and commendations for his counter-terrorism work. These include the Director of the FBI’s Award for Excellence in Investigation, the Respect for Law Enforcement Award for “relentless pursuit of truth and bringing terrorist subjects before the bar of justice,” and a commendation from the U.S. Department of Defense that labeled him “an important weapon in the ongoing war on terrorism.”

Mr. Soufan has testified before the U.S. Congress, Presidential Commissions, the British Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee, and appeared as an expert panelist and as a guest speaker at international security forums, both in the U.S. and abroad. He has been profiled, interviewed and has also contributed to leading shows and publications worldwide, including 60 Minutes, Frontline, The New Yorker, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Straits Times, Der Spiegel and Asharq Alawsat, along with news programs and specials on the BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Mr. Soufan’s work has also been detailed in several non-fiction books, including “The Looming Tower” by Lawrence Wright, which was adapted into a 10-part Hulu television series “The Looming Tower” in 2018.

Of Mr. Soufan’s book, “Anatomy of Terror” (Published May 2, 2017, by WW Norton), The New York Times wrote: “Soufan writes with immense knowledge and authority … ‘Anatomy of Terror’ not only tells a gripping story but is filled with insights that put today’s terror attacks by the Islamic State and Al Qaeda in perspective with the history and complicated geopolitics of the region.” Mr. Soufan is an Honors graduate from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania where he received undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Political Science. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Villanova University where he received a Master of Arts in International Relations.

Sean Striegelhas been a professional concert promoter for over 2 decades and is currently Senior Vice President of the Club and Theatre Division at Live Nation. Sean’s responsibilities are overseeing the Club and Theatre business for the New York and New Jersey markets. Beginning his career in Southern California working with such venues as the Coach House and the Galaxy Concert Theater and in 2001 moving to the House of Blues Anaheim. In 2005 Sean received Pollstar’s Nightclub Talent Buyer of the Year award. 2007 Sean moved to New York as VP of Talent on the New York Booking Team. Sean’sprofessional interests focus on the NY/NJ venues as well as promoting National Tours with artists he is personally passionate about.

David Touhey is the president of venues for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, overseeing facilities management, including Capital One Arena, EagleBank Arena and Medstar Capitals Iceplex, and the new Medstar Wizards Performance Center at the St. Elizabeth’s entertainment and sports arena. Touhey oversees all aspects of facility operations, including booking, capital improvements, guest services, operations, box office, event production, information technology, communications, security, engineering, television and broadcast operations, cleaning and concessions. Touhey has been with in Washington DC for the past 15 years and prior to coming to Washington served in a variety of facility management positions with Global Spectrum (now Spectra) in New Hampshire, Colorado Springs, Miami and Coral Gables, FL.

Jim Van Stone is the president of business operations and chief commercial officer overseeing ticket sales and services, corporate partnerships, executive suites, marketing and retail business. Previously Van Stone was Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s chief revenue officer.

He joined the Capitals as vice president of ticket sales and service in 2007 before transitioning to his Monumental Sports & Entertainment role in 2010. Before joining the organization, Van Stone held senior positions with the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Coyotes.

Chrystine Villarreal serves as Mixhalo’s VP of Business Development and leads business partnerships for the company. She was previously Global Programming Director at TechCrunch, where her role was identifying cutting-edge technology to be shared at TechCrunch’s premier tech events; she helped introduce Mixhalo to the world during TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2017. Leading up to TechCrunch, Chrystine worked at Khosla Ventures and ran the national revenue team for BUILD, a national entrepreneurship-focused organization. A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara University EMBA program, Chrystine also leads an energetic household as a mom to four boys.

Dana Warg, a 35-year entertainment and sports facility operations expert directs one of the most diverse entertainment companies in the United States. Warg oversees the entertainment operations of Detroit’s fabulous Fox Theatre, as well as the Little Caesars Arena, home to the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons and various other venues in Detroit and outside the market area. Warg also coordinates the concert bookings and related entertainment activity at Comerica Park, home to the 2012 American League Champion Detroit Tigers.

Previously Warg served as the Senior Vice President Facilities for Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). His responsibilities included overseeing the day-to-day booking and select other operations for all AEG owned and operated venues including STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Toyota Sports Center, and Manchester Evening News Arena (London). Warg was also involved in planning and building several additional facilities including Sprint Center (Kansas City), O2 (London), Berlin National Arena, Nokia Theatre Los Angeles, Club Nokia (Los Angeles) and outdoor stadiums for soccer, concerts and other events in Bridgeview, Illinois and Harrison, New Jersey. He was actively involved in the company’s acquisition of several new sports and entertainment venues.

Prior to joining AEG, Warg served as the Executive Vice President of Programming and Development for Nederlander Concerts. The 35-year industry veteran has also served as Vice President of Arena Operations for SFX Music Group and Clear Channel Entertainment, along with spending 11 years as the CEO of the Target Center in Minneapolis. Prior to his tenure with Target Center, Warg served as a Vice President of Ogden Entertainment where he was responsible for overseeing 33 arenas in North America and Europe.

Barry Watkins is a well-respected communications executive with more than 35 years experience working in the sports, media, entertainment, technology and nonprofit industries. He served as the chief communications officer for The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) for over two decades overseeing all public relations for some of the world’s most iconic venues and sports and entertainment brands. Today, Barry is CEO of Clairvoyant Media Strategies and a highly sought after strategic communications advisor providing his unique insight and guidance to top companies and individuals across the nation.

In 2018, Barry founded a new media training company Clairvoyant Media Strategies. The company is a premium service that works with leading businesses, brands, executives, and talent to help them learn to efficiently and effectively deliver their messages across traditional and non-traditional media platforms. Since its launch, Barry has worked with CEO’s and executives from leading global brands, as well as high profile individuals to prepare for major worldwide events. Barry has also worked with owners, general managers, coaches and players in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

Barry also currently serves as chairman of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a positioned he maintained following stepping down as chief communications officer of MSG in November of 2017 and sits on the Board of Directors for the Vector Group Ltd (NYSE: VGR).

As head of communications for MSG, Barry was responsible for overseeing all communications activities across the company’s sports, entertainment and media divisions. Throughout his tenure, this included sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), and the New York Liberty (WNBA); two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); three television networks: award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks MSG and MSG Plus, and national music network fuse; and a diverse collection of iconic venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston.

His position included setting overall corporate strategy for the company, leading and directing MSG’s senior communications staff, overseeing strategic planning and execution for all company announcements and managing financial reporting for two public companies (MSG and MSG Networks.) In addition to public relations, as CCO, Barry oversaw government affairs and created the company’s VIP services, celebrity relations, photography and corporate events departments. Barry was also responsible for having all senior executives, coaches, players, announcers and Radio City Rockettes professionally media trained. From 2010 to 2014, Barry also oversaw the company’s Human Resources division, where he worked on everything from company culture, morale and internal communications, to helping identify talent at all levels, handling internal issues and the training of over 10,000 MSG employees.

During his tenure as the head of communications at MSG, Barry directed and shaped communications for all of the company’s growth initiatives, including the purchase of multiple venues: Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, Chicago Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA; the spin off of two companies from Cablevision: MSG and MSG Networks; and partnerships with Boston Calling Events, Tribeca Film Festival, the TAO Group and with Irving Azoff for Azoff MSG Entertainment.

Barry was also a key member of the planning team and responsible for all communications and grand opening events surrounding the company’s historic remodeling projects for its iconic venues, including the historic, three-year Transformation of Madison Square Garden and restorations of the Forum, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.

In his 35-year career at MSG, Barry played a major role in all of the company’s philanthropic efforts from helping create and steer the Garden of Dreams Foundation, to serving as a key member of the planning team for charity concerts “Concert for New York” following the September 11 attacks, “Big Apple to Big Easy” following Hurricane Katrina and “12.12.12” following Hurricane Sandy.

Since it was created in 2006, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has worked with 30 partner organizations to harness the magic of Madison Square Garden to brighten the lives of more than 400,000 children who are facing challenges such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care. To raise money for the foundation, Barry created several events including the comedy show “Garden of Laughs,” which has featured top-name comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Sebastian Manifelco, Ray Romano and John Oliver and raised nearly $7.5 million for the Foundation in only five years. In 2015, Barry orchestrated the historic “Mike and Mad Dog Reunion,” bringing the legendary radio team of Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo back together for one sold out show at Radio City Music Hall, which raised over $1.1 million for the Foundation. He also created the “Concert for Dreams”, which debuted at the Beacon Theatre on March 23, 2018, and saw music stars OAR, Gavin DeGraw, Robert Randolph, DMC, Matt Nathanson and lead singers for Counting Crows, fun and the Goo Goo Dolls performing for 2,500 Garden of Dreams children in the afternoon and at a sold-out fundraiser later that night.

Before being promoted to the senior position of running MSG’s communications division, Barry served as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for MSG Networks at a time when the Networks had local telecast rights to every baseball, basketball and hockey team in the metropolitan area. From 1983 to 1995 he worked with the New York Rangers, where he rose through the ranks from a student intern to Communications Director, which included playing a key off-ice role as the team captured its first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. Following the victory, Barry coordinated nearly all activities for the team, including the memorable parade down the Canyon of Heroes.

Throughout his career, Barry, a graduate of St. John’s University, has been awarded numerous accolades. He has won nine New York Emmy Awards as Executive Producer and Writer for MSG Network programming on the Madison Square Garden Transformation, the Top 20 Defining Moments in the Arena’s history and the Garden of Dreams Foundation. While with the Rangers, Barry was a three-time winner of the Dick Dillman Award as PR Director of the year and in 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Jerry Mitchell Award for service to New York hockey. During his time at MSG Network, he created the community service program ‘YES! Make it Count,’ which was a three-time winner of the New York State Gilbert award for community service.

FiveEleven Productions was founded in 2006 by David Weil to provide expert production and technical management solutions to corporate clients worldwide. A degree in Audio Engineering from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music began a career that has spanned the globe. With over 30 years’ experience in both recording and live events, David has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the event industry.

Assistant Commissioner for Intelligence Analysis Rebecca Ulam Weiner manages counterterrorism and cyber intelligence analysis and production for the New York City Police Department’s Intelligence Bureau. She is one of the principal advisors to the Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, and she shares responsibility for Bureau-wide policy development and program management. Assistant Commissioner Weiner coordinates and integrates intelligence analysis and operations and represents the NYPD in matters involving counterterrorism and intelligence.

In March 2010, Assistant Commissioner Weiner became the first representative of local law enforcement to serve in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s National Intelligence Council, where she focused on transnational crime and terrorism. She served previously as Legal Counsel to the Intelligence Bureau’s Intelligence Analysis Unit and as Team Leader for the Middle East & North Africa, overseeing intelligence collection and analysis related to threats associated with those regions.

Prior to joining the NYPD in 2006, Assistant Commissioner Weiner was an International Security Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, focusing on national security and legal issues. She also worked as a biotechnology consultant at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and as a Science & Technology Research Associate at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Assistant Commissioner Weiner graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in History & Literature, and she graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2005 with a Juris Doctorate. She was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in 2006 and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Don White is the CEO and Co-Founder of Satisfi Labs. He is a business strategist and entrepreneur with a long history of bridging complex technology solutions with client needs. Don or Donny as he is best known, is a key voice in the Artificial Intelligence start-up community, regularly providing commentary around the future of AI and its impact on our lives and commerce. Under White’s leadership, Satisfi Labs has grown exponentially YOY by building strategic partnerships across key industries in sports, entertainment, tourism and retail. Prior to Satisfi Labs, Donny spent 15 years at Bloomberg in key roles including Head of Research & Strategy, Head of Product and Head of Sales for the Americas. Eventually making the jump into the start-up world, he was brought on as VP of Sales for Data Hug, a SaaS company that provided sales analytics and predictive forecasting, in order to set them up for acquisition. He holds an MBA from Cornell University and a BBA from Baruch College.

Karri Zaremba is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of Venuetize, bringing 20 years of experience across technology, media, sports and entertainment, and entrepreneurial startups. Prior to founding Venuetize, Karri served in a variety of senior roles at Vubiquity, including operations, commercial delivery, marketing, finance, and project management. During her 7 years there, Karri led efforts around post-acquisition integration (Vubiquity closed 6 acquisitions in 7 years), synergies, scalability, and automation. Prior to Vubiquity, Karri was founder & CEO of Media Gateway, a Dubai-based aggregation model business focused on global content rights aggregation and multiplatform distribution. Karri has a total of 5 start-up ventures under her belt, financed through both Venture Capital and Private Equity. She resides near Venuetize HQ in Tampa, Florida, where she was recently recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as a Business Woman of the Year honoree.

Delaware North

Van Wagner

Hornall Anderson

Teneo Risk

Turnkey Search

MGM Resorts International

Populous

FBI

Milwaukee Bucks

St. John’s University

USA Sports Gaming

The Madison Square Garden Company

SunTrust Bank

Elevate Sports Ventures

Thornton Tomasetti

Esports Arena

CAA Sports

Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum

Feld Entertainment, Inc.

Paradigm

MLS Commissioner

Gazelle Group

San Francisco 49ers

Caesars Entertainment

Elevate

Blink Identity

Hiltzik Strategies

Electrosonic

Winston & Strawn

LAB at Rockwell Group

Delaware North/Boston Bruins

Delaware North/Boston Bruins

Paradigm Talent Agency

1337 Facilities Venue Road

CBS News Legal Analyst

Sports Innovation Lab

Seattle Hockey Partners

ESL

Live Nation

AT&T

Ticketmaster

r.Cup

Delaware North

Live Nation New York

Populous

ROSSETTI

The Bowery Presents

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hickory Street Capital

New York Racing Association

MUFG Bank, Ltd.

MSG Live

Silverstone Circuits Ltd

LaneOne

CAA ICON

Sports Innovation Lab

Founders Entertainment

Prudential Center

Lyft

Marquee 360

Brooklyn Bowl

OVG Collegiate

Populous

Commissioner National Basketball Association

Slane Advisory

The Soufan Group

Live Nation

Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Mixhalo

313 Presents

Clairvoyant Media Strategies

FiveEleven Productions

NYPD Intelligence Bureau

Satisfi Labs

Venuetize

1337 Facilities
Venue Road

Commissioner
National Basketball Association