Hashtag Sports and Its Efforts to Go Beyond a Traditional Sports Conference

Chiney Ogwumike takes a selfie on stage at last year’s event. (Photo via Hashtag Sports)

*Front Office Sports is a Media Partner for Hashtag Sports 

Remember the last time you were at a conference? Was it a blur because all you did was Tweet and kinda pay attention to the panels while answering emails from your boss?

If that is the case, you’re probably not alone. In fact, the next conference you go to, take a look around and see who is doing the exact same thing you are. While that may not be the only reason Hashtag Sports is trying to deliver a conference worth listening to, the event is looking to break down traditional conference barriers and deliver three days worth of immersive learning and networking from some of the leading minds in the industry today.

If you are considering attending, but haven’t yet pulled the trigger on a ticket, here are our five reasons why Hashtag Sports should be on your must-attend list this summer.

• Tracks

This year, the event will have seven different tracks covering everything from how athletes are making the most out of the massive social media followings they have built to how sports betting will change the current and future landscape of the sports industry. Whether you are bringing your whole team or just yourself, each day will have you soaking up knowledge that you can take back to your job and make an impact.

• SportsFronts

The sports industry’s version of Upfronts, SportsFronts will bring together media companies like Bleacher Report, Barstool Sports, and tech companies like Hulu, and YouTube over the course of one day to showcase how they are bridging the divide between consumers and brands and achieving growth and acclaim because of that. The day, hosted by LZ Granderson, will finish off with a live podcast and will put the icing on the cake of three engaging days of panels and keynotes.

• Keynotes

Speaking of keynotes, thanks to a rise in athletes becoming more vocal in both business and social and political activism, the event will see four keynotes, two of which from athletes leading their way in their respective off the field endeavors. Ryan Howard of SeventySix Capital will get the third day started alongside Wayne Kimmel as they break down the role athletes are playing when it comes to startups. Hope Solo will get day two started as she dives into the importance of diversity in leadership and how athletes can leverage their celebrity when it comes to post-career opportunities.  

• Extracurriculars

Although listening to panels all day is fun, we all know that attending these types of events is more about the hands you shake and the cards you get. To cultivate these connections, Hashtag Sports has built in a party on night one, a comedy hour on day two, and a startups and investment networking party on day three. In case you didn’t meet your new #sportsbiz BFF during one of the panels or connect with an old colleague, the evenings will allow for plenty of time for that to happen.

• Atmosphere

If you haven’t made it to Hashtag Sports before, one of the most noticeable differences is the atmosphere. Thanks to a location in the Times Center, mingling is encouraged, conversations are easy, and people are open to learning about what it is that you have going on. Being in NYC also adds a new level to the experience as you are a short Uber ride away from any meeting you want to take in the city. By the time lunch is over, you will be back in time to catch the second half of the day.

While we are a media partner of Hashtag Sports and are obligated to write a piece like this to promote the event, we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t truly believe in what the team over there is doing. This will be our second experience at the conference and if it is anything like last year’s, you won’t want to miss it.

If you want to check out the conference, use the code FOS20 for 20% off of your ticket price!

*Front Office Sports is a Media Partner for Hashtag Sports