While there are ways to grow your network in the digital space, don’t underestimate the value of building relationships in person as well.
In the sports business world, the size and strength of your professional network is vastly important. While there are ways to grow your network in the digital space, don’t underestimate the value of building relationships in person as well. One of the best ways to do this through attending networking events and conferences.
Some of these conferences can seem a little pricey at first, however many give registration discounts to students with just a “.edu” email address. For all the fresh college grads (and the soon to be grads) out there, here are a few events coming up in the next few months where you can you start building connections with new professional contacts, hear some great speakers, and have a little fun as well.
Sport Management Worldwide Conferences
Sport Management Worldwide is a company that offers online courses for those looking to start or advance their careers in all aspects of the industry. Head coaches, GMs, directors of player personnel and scouting, agents, and media members all are usual speakers at SMWW conferences.
There are two SMWW events happening this summer: Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft on June 22nd and the Basketball Career Conference in Las Vegas on July 8th. The registration fee for the Hockey Career Conference also includes tickets to the opening rounds of the NHL Draft.
https://frontofficesports.com/career-fundamentals-pt-1-success-through-service-3896ed5acb5
The earlier that you register for these conferences, the more money that you will save. For example, early bird registration is still available for SMWW’s Basketball Career Conference until April 30th. After that, the registration fee for students jumps from $175 to $275. It literally pays to be prepared with these events.
The Sports and Entertainment Alliance in Technology hosts a series of collaborative discussions, case studies & panels at several events throughout the year centered around how new technologies can benefit all arms of the business. Members of the organization include representatives from hundreds of sport organizations from throughout the world.
https://frontofficesports.com/career-fundamentals-pt-1-success-through-service-3896ed5acb5
Michelle McKenna-Doyle, Senior VP of the NFL has called SEAT conferences “the best gathering of sports and entertainment technology professionals in the marketplace.” Plus, this event will be a chance to see the new state of the art Atlanta Braves and Falcons stadiums as those facilities will play host to certain presentations.
If you register yourself this one by April 21st (that’s this Friday), you pay $499 which saves $200 off of what you pay for a single registration otherwise. Or, you can sing up yourself and a friend for $399 per person or a group of three or more for $325 per person. The date set for this conference is July 16th.
As the business of eSports continues to grow, here’s an opportunity to learn the finer points of the multi-faceted sub industry. Here’s a sample of what to expect from conference’s agenda:
The program includes speakers from and networking opportunities with important eSports entities like Blizzard, Activision, Team Liquid, and Twitch. The student rate for registration for this event at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles from May 18th–19th is $399.
Eighth International Conference on Sport & Society
For our friends in the United Kingdom, this conference takes place July 10th and 11th at Imperial College in London. The content of the conference will consist of presentations from all over the world centered around these themes: Sporting Cultures and Identities, Sport and Health, Sports Education, Sports Management and Commercialization, and a special focus on Gender Identity in Sport. A small number of Emerging Scholar Awards will also be awarded to “outstanding graduate students and emerging scholars who have an active research interest in the conference themes”.
https://frontofficesports.com/career-fundamentals-pt-1-success-through-service-3896ed5acb5
Registration prices vary, but students can still register for the conference at a price of $275 (US). You can also still sign up to attend the conference virtually for a price of $150 (US) if you’re a student and can’t make it across the pond.
2017 Intersport Brand Engagement Summit
The theme of this conference hosted by Sports Business Journal will be to “discuss innovative, and authentic ways to engage fan passion through meaningful brand experiences.” Speakers include author Adrienne Weiss and Chicago Bulls/White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. If you work in digital marketing or experiential marketing, this seems like a home run. The conference runs May 31 to June 1 in Chicago.
The registration cost of this one for the student crowd is a bit steep at $1,595 for SBJ paid subscribers and $1,795 for everybody else. That registration cost does include a ticket to the May 30 Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field, continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments, conference documentation and admittance to the networking receptions on May 31.
What sport conferences are you looking forward to this summer? Let us know in the comments or tweet them to @frntofficesport.
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