Vital topics of discussion ranging from the evolving sports media landscape to emerging superpower sports nations will be tackled in a packed conference programme at the SportNXT 2024 in Melbourne from March 19-21.
The upcoming edition of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading annual sports conference will attract a global array of speakers and attendees to the Melbourne & Olympic Park Precinct for engaging discussions that will dig into essential themes at the heart of the industry.
Over the first of two days of high-level sessions, stellar speakers will tackle essential topics, including emerging digital and technological innovations, diversity, social media, commercial quandaries and much more.
The opening session on ‘the state of sport’ will set the tone for the conversations to follow, with the NBA’s chief technology officer Krishna Bhagavathula joined by Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins, Sport New Zealand group chief executive Raelene Castle and Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland.
Casey Wasserman, the globally renowned leader in sports, music and entertainment, will then provide unmissable insights into his roles as chair and CEO of sports marketing and talent agency Wasserman and chairman of LA 2028 in a virtual keynote.
After a session that will delve into diversity issues in the sector, media’s ever-shifting landscape will be explored by key figures such as FIBA Media managing director Andrew Ryan and Rebecca McCloy, executive director – commercial, sport, at Foxtel Group.
Following a lunch break, the conference will transition into three simultaneous ‘breakout’ style sessions centered on Commercial & Revenue, Emerging Digital and Technology, and Social Media. The breakout format enables delegates to delve deeply into the areas most relevant to them or their organisations at present.
The first day will conclude with consecutive sessions spotlighting the rising influences of Qatar and India, followed by an inspiring keynote from Julie Uhrman, co-founder and president of Angel City FC. Uhrman will elaborate on how the co-founders have propelled the club to become one of the world’s most valuable women’s sports teams, whilst staying true to their commitment to give back to the local community in a meaningful way.
Day two will begins with a focus on the countdown to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Andrew Liveris, president of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, will provide the latest on how the smallest region to ever stage the summer multi-sport spectacle is harnessing communities across Australia and beyond.
With ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro among the keynote speakers on day two, delegates will be given the opportunity to discover the latest trends, challenges and opportunities surrounding next-gen sports fans and the commercialisation of women’s sports before a series of breakout sessions in the afternoon.
From personalisation and digital fan experiences to sustainability and AI-driven marketing, speakers will debate some of the most important issues facing sports organisations and enterprises worldwide. These breakouts will provide essential context for the summit’s penultimate session on the globalisation of sport, featuring illustrious panellists such as the NFL’s head of Europe and APAC, Brett Gosper, and LaLiga’s international development director Octavi Anoro.
The conference programme will then wrap up with a focus on the power of collaborative learning, drawing on expertise from across the sporting world as organisations and businesses seek to drive sustainable growth.
As the home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam, Melbourne’s credentials as an event host are renowned worldwide, and an optional third day of the summit will give delegates the opportunity to tour the city’s famous sporting facilities.