Wednesday, May 21, 2008

8:00 a.m.
Exhibits Open
Registration
Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks:
Richard Weiss, Publisher, SportsBusiness Journal

8:45 a.m.
Team and Facility Presidents Speak Out on Key Business Challenges Ahead
The responsibilities of running a franchise or facility are countless...and they grow by the day. Our cross-section panel of presidents, including Frank Coonelly, Pittsburgh Pirates; Rich Gotham, Boston Celtics; Len Komoroski, Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena; Peter Luukko, Comcast-Spectator; Kevin Payne, D.C. United; David Samson, Florida Marlins; and Gillian Zucker, Auto Club Speedway, will discuss their greatest challenges in leading their businesses and the industry trends they are tracking.

10:00 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break hosted by

10:30 a.m.
Working With Corporate Partners on Seamless Brand Integration
Corporate sponsors are continually seeking innovative ways to integrate their brands and messaging into facilities and the fan experience. In this session, Brian Goerke, PNC Financial Services Group; Stan Kasten, Washington Nationals; Dori Silverman, Coca-Cola North America; and Steve Stubelt, Sony Electronics Sports and Solutions Group, will highlight how they have collaborated with the Nationals to integrate their brands into the new Nationals Park.

11:15 a.m.
A Look Inside: Verizon Center's Role in Revitalizing a District
Now celebrating its 10th year, the Verizon Center has been instrumental in revitalizing D.C.'s Chinatown district. You will hear Peter Biché, Washington Sports and Entertainment; John Stranix, Stranix Associates; and Matt Williams, Washington Sports and Entertainment outline how they worked with local planners and officials in developing the area during the past 10 years and how they have kept the arena vibrant, financially successful and content rich.

12:00 p.m.
Luncheon hosted by

One-on-One Interview
Vinny Cerrato,
Executive VP, Football Operations, Washington Redskins

1:30 p.m.
Game-Day Innovations: Offering the Ultimate Fan Experience
As entertainment options continue to expand, so do sports fans' expectations. And teams and venues are continually exploring unique and engaging events that elevate the fan experience for season-ticket holders as well as casual fans. Liza Cartmell, ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment; Matt Coppola, Comcast-Spectacor; Juan Rodriguez, SMG-Reliant Park; and Derek Schiller, Atlanta Braves, discuss the innovative programs that they implemented to create the "Ultimate Fan Experience."

2:30 p.m.
Community Relations Initiatives That Support Your Franchise Business Model
Community relations, whether it is an organization's own foundation or a community effort the team supports, is becoming more and more closely aligned with the franchise values and business model. You will hear from Judy Holland, Washington Wizards and Verizon Center; Sue Petersen, San Francisco Giants; Emily Robbins, Dallas Cowboys; and Kerryann Tomlinson, New York Rangers, as they discuss how they built strong programs and successfully aligned the community relations with business objectives.

3:15 p.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break hosted by

3:45 p.m.
Utilizing the Facility as a Catalyst for Incremental Non-Game-Day Revenue
Many multipurpose facilities that leverage their property and catering services to offer an array of entertainment options have flourished in the past few years. During this session you will hear from Eric Bresler, AEG; Wil Gorman, Brewers Enterprises; Jimmie Sacco, Heinz Field; Kala Sorenson, Houston Astros; Chuck Steedman, Fenway Sports Group and Boston Red Sox; and Kelly Urquhart, Detroit Lions, on how they have developed ventures outside their respective sports to generate incremental revenue.

EVENING AT THE BALLPARK

4:45 p.m.
Cocktail Reception hosted by

Attendees pick up game tickets at Proskauer Rose Cocktail Reception

6:00 p.m.
Buses depart for Nationals Park

7:00 p.m.
Evening at the Ballpark hosted by

All attendees are invited to join us at the Nationals Park as the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies

Thursday, May 22

7:30 a.m.
Exhibits Open
Continental Breakfast

8:15 a.m.
Anticipating the Changing Marketplace to Create Facilities for the Future
Why are facilities suddenly becoming "old" after just 20 years? How do you keep current in today's "what's new" environment and how do you constantly stay in sync with shifting consumer preferences? Dave Howard, New York Mets; Joe Leccese, Proskauer Rose; Dennis Mannion, Los Angeles Dodgers; Bernie Mullin, The Aspire Group; and Daniel Zausner, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, will address these and other issues, and provide their perspective on building facilities that can stand the test of time and adapt to changing market needs.

9:15 a.m.
One-On-One Interview
Victor MacFarlane
San Francisco real estate executive Victor MacFarlane is founder and managing principal of MacFarlane Partners, one of the leading real estate investment management firms in the U.S. In 2007, MacFarlane became managing partner and majority investor in D.C. United Holdings, which owns and controls the operating rights to MLS's D.C. United. In this One-On-One interview, you will hear from MacFarlane as he discusses his entry into sports ownership and how he applies his real estate practices to endeavors in the sports industry.

10:00 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break

10:30 a.m.
CASE STUDY: Philadelphia Phillies: An In-Depth Look at Stored-Value Ticketing
Stored-value ticketing is being touted as a key driver for incremental revenue. However, the front-end expense to incorporate the software into your existing systems can be daunting. John Weber and Josh Barbieri of the Philadelphia Phillies will outline how the Phillies have successfully implemented stored-value ticketing into their systems and enhanced the fan experience, all while improving the club's merchandise and concession sales.

11:15 a.m.
Charting the New Ticketing Frontier
Let's talk ticket sales. Ticketing continues to be a vital part of any sports and entertainment business model, but developing a viable ticketing strategy and harnessing the technology that fits that strategy continues to be a challenge. How are organizations motivating sales staff; implementing stored-value ticketing; incorporating voice messaging sales efforts; and redesigning their premium seats to improve customer retention and drive group sales? You will hear from Seliece Fulweber, Houston Rockets and Toyota Center; Jeff Garner, Altoona Curve and Greensons Baseball; Tom Garrity, Minnesota Swarm and Minnesota Sports & Entertainment; Ben Shapiro, Golden State Warriors; and Tom Sheridan, Chicago White Sox, as they discuss their strategies on filling the house.

12:00 p.m.
Sessions Conclude

SITE TOUR
12:30 p.m.
Depart for Nationals Park

1:00 p.m.
Nationals Park Site Tour sponsored by

2:30 p.m.
Depart Nationals Park