With the theme ‘Evolution, Revolution’, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announces Rich Luker, founder, ESPN Sports Poll & Luker on Trends; Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president of market insights, MasterCard; Kevin Knight, chief marketing officer, Experticity and virtual reality entrepreneur Derek Belch, CEO, STRIVR as speakers for 2017 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Industry Leaders Summit.

“It’s obvious the sports and fitness industry faces unprecedented disruption–our summit this year will explore the market forces, consumer behavior trends and technologies that are driving change in our businesses,” said Tom Cove, SFIA president & CEO. “Our speakers have been strategically chosen to dive into what’s going on and why, as well as the implications for the future.”

“Today, across generations and income groups, Americans are valuing experiences over things – not just in terms of attitudes they display but more importantly, in the way they are spending their money,” said Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president of market insights, MasterCard. “Being a speaker at the 2017 ILS is terrific! It lets me share the valuable actionable insights we see from our analytics with an audience who can use it to drive their business’ growth.”

The 2017 ILS Agenda is now available online. Featured presentations from the speakers announced above include:

  • Keynote Address: The Future of Sports Growth and Consumption: Rich Luker, Founder, ESPN Sports Poll & Luker on Trends
  • It’s the Experiential Economy! Evolving your Brand to Delight the Changing American Consumer: Sarah Quinlan, Senior VP, Market Insights, MasterCard
  • Where Influencer Marketing Went Wrong, and How to Fix it: Kevin Knight, CMO, Experticity
  • A New Reality: VR + The Implications for the Industry: Derek Belch, CEO, STRIVR

Additional notable speakers and panelists are awaiting final confirmation and will be announced in near future.

Launching this year at the Summit is the inaugural Innovative Product Showcase. SFIA is giving attendees a chance to display new and innovative products that have recently come to market, or are set to be released in 2017. A select number of curated products will be presented in a ‘museum-like’ format. Eligible products include equipment, footwear, apparel, protective, headgear and licensed. For full guidelines and how to apply for the Innovative Product Showcase click here.

Following a successful launch at 2016 ILS, the SFIA ‘Start-Up Challenge’ returns to open this year’s summit. Five finalists will be announced in July; each will present and compete on-site to win the 2017 Challenge, as judged by a select group of investors and industry executives.

SFIA’s annual ILS brings C-level executives from across the sports and fitness industry together to examine pressing issues surrounding their businesses and the economy. The 2017 ILS will be held September 13-14 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.  Last year’s summit was sold out, and with limited space is available, all interested are urged to register today.

Logo courtesy SFIA