Symposium to Explore Changing Landscape of Sport Event Industry

Friday, March 22, 2013, By Michele Barrett

Eight of the sport event industry’s leading executives and visionaries will offer valuable first-hand perspectives during the Syracuse University chapter of Women in Sports and Events’ (WISE) second annual symposium. “A Word to the WISE: Testing the Limits,” will take place Tuesday, April 9, from 2-4 p.m. in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, Newhouse 3, with a reception to follow.

The symposium will be of interest to those considering a career within the sport industry, with a particular focus that will inform students about how to prepare for the changing landscape of the sport event industry.

While interest in traditional sport events continues to grow, there has been a new wave of these events that has taken the sport industry into a new sector. This changing landscape has raised significant questions as to how it will impact the future of sport events. Included in this discussion will be such topics as digital marketing, global growth, event venue operations, risk management, social media and the crossover of traditional entertainment with the new wave of sport events.

SU alumnus Dennis Deninger, professor of practice in the Falk College’s Department of Sport Management and director of the Newhouse Sports Communications graduate program, will moderate the panel discussion that will include :

  • Joe De Sena, chief executive officer, Spartan Race;
  • Patti Fallick, SU alumna, director of broadcast operations, MLB Network;
  • Shana Gritsavage, director of global events, Under Armour;
  • Amy Hobbs, SU alumna, development director, National Wheelchair Basketball Association;
  • Laurie Orlando, SU alumna, senior vice president, talent development and planning, ESPN;
  • Deane Swanson, director of content, ESPN Global X Games;
  • Circe Wallace, senior vice president, Wasserman Media Group; and
  • Mary Wittenberg, chief executive officer, New York Road Runners.

The symposium is free and open to the campus and greater Syracuse community. Parking is available in SU pay lots. For more information regarding the event, contact Kate Veley at 315-443-9816 (koveley@syr.edu) or Jocelyn Brown at 207-664-9926 (jnbrow02@syr.edu). Information can also be found via Twitter, @WISE_SU and Facebook.

WISE is a resource to professional women in the sports and events industries. Through meetings, special events and mentoring programs, WISE offers members the opportunity to gain insight and make connections that can help women receive a competitive advantage in their current and future positions. WISE at Syracuse University, the first collegiate chapter in the country, was founded by the Department of Sport Management in the Falk College.