2026 Agenda
Monday, May 18
6:00-9:30 PM
Sports Business Awards: Tech Location: "The Venue" at The Hard Rock Hotel, NYC
Featured Host:
Andrew Hawkins, Analyst, ESPN, President & Co-Founder, StatusPro, Former NFL Player
Tuesday, May 19
8:30-10:45 AM
Tech Leader Alliance Private Meeting Members Only
10:00-11:00 AM
Tech Seminar
Hosted by Honeywell Location: Microsoft Office Learn more about the topics discussed here
Ronnie Bryant Chief Information Officer, Hornets Sports & Entertainment
Tara McAdam Kassal Managing Partner, Ascent Cities
Kirk Rabius Senior Sales Representative, Honeywell
Dani Stern Senior Director Product Management, Honeywell Invite Only, Inquire to Attend: jtong@sportsbusinessjournal.com
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Tech Seminar
Hosted by Next League Location: Microsoft Office Learn more about the topics discussed here
Tech Seminar
Hosted by Next League Location: Microsoft Office Learn more about the topics discussed here Tim Brady SVP, Strategy & Solutions, Next League Scott Gutterman Chief Digital Officer, Next League Nick Rend VP, Interactive & Emerging Platforms, NASCAR
Anthony Santora Managing Director, IT, USGA
Cara Verwholt
VP, Performance Marketing, NASCAR
Invite Only, Inquire to Attend: jtong@sportsbusinessjournal.com
State Of The Industry At Tech Week
12:45 PM
Doors Open for Registration Location: The Times Center, NYC
1:05 PM
Opening Remarks
Taylor Bloom Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal David Nugent Co-Founder & CEO, Next League
1:15 PM
Navigating the Evolving Ticketing Landscape: A Conversation with Ticketmaster’s Global President
Saumil Mehta Global President, Ticketmaster
Moderator: Dan Kaufman
Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
1:50 PM
From Passion to Purchase: Emotional Intelligence in Live Sports
Matt Fleckenstein Chief Product & Technology Officer, Genius Sports
2:05 PM
From Field to Frame: Reinventing the Broadcast with Animated Alt-Casts
Phil Orlins VP, Production Technology & Innovation, ESPN
Michael "Spike" Szykowny VP, Edit & Animation, Graphics Innovation & Creative Production, ESPN
2:20 PM
The Queens Crossover: A Leadership Journey in Sports Innovation
Lewis Sherr President, Business Operations, New York Mets
Moderator: David Nugent
Co-Founder & CEO, Next League
2:50 PM
From Reactive to Predictive: The Future of AI in Live Events
Kate Dramstad
Director, Engineering, SeatGeek
3:05 PM
Industry Insight
Transitioning Your 5G Network with Confidence: Lessons Learned from Citi Field
Oscar Fernandez SVP, Technology, New York Mets
Michael Zeto Chief Commercial Officer, Boingo Wireless
Moderator: Dan Kaufman
Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
3:20 PM
Networking Break
Hosted by American Tower
3:55 PM
Industry Insight
How the Pacers Built a Retail Media Network for Sports Fandom
Joey Graziano Chief Commercial Officer, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Eric Herd Global Head, Sports & Emerging Products, Yieldmo
Li-Shen Lee Global Head, Converge by Deloitte for Sports
Moderator: Taylor Bloom
Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
4:10 PM
Industry Insight
Live Sports, Built for You: AI and the Rise of Broadcast Personalization
Brian Josephs
VP, The Americas, Sportradar
4:25 PM
Cutting-Edge Technology and Strategic Road Maps for New Facilities
Katee LaPoff CTO, Oak View Group
Andrew McIntyre SVP, Technology & Innovation, Tennessee Titans & Nissan Stadium
Justin Stahl CTO, United Center & The 1901 Project
Moderator: Ethan Joyce
Staff Reporter, Ticketing and Tech, Sports Business Journal
4:55 PM
Innovation, Ownership, and Opportunity: A Conversation with Rashaun Williams and Steve Cannon
Steve Cannon Co-Founder & CEO, Harbinger Sports Partners
Chairman, Avalon Action Alliance
Former Vice Chairman, Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment
Rashaun Williams Founder, CIO, Harbinger Sports Partners Guest Shark, ABC’s Shark Tank Limited Partner, Atlanta Falcons
Moderator: Joe Lemire
Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
5:30-6:45 PM
Cocktail Reception & Networking
Location: The Times Center, NYC
Wednesday, May 20
8:30 AM
Doors Open for Registration & Breakfast
8:45 AM
SBJ Connect: Structured Networking
SBJ Connect: Structured Networking is a facilitated networking experience focused on:
- Connecting attendees through guided conversations and topic-driven discussions
- Sharing insights and exchanging ideas
- Building lasting professional relationships in a structured yet relaxed setting
RSVP Required.
9:40 AM
Opening Remarks
9:45 AM
Building a Modern Sports Franchise: Growth, Innovation and Technology
Jess Smith President, Golden State Valkyries
Moderator: Jenn Azara
Director, Tech & Women’s Sports Content, Sports Business Journal
10:20 AM
The IBM Technology Driving UFC Insights
Adrienne Barber
VP Global Partnerships, TKO
Jonathan Collins Program Director, IBM Build Engineering
10:35 AM
Industry Insight
From Fiber to Fandom: Engineering a Seamless Digital Experience at Miami Freedom Park
Jason Caliento Chief Commercial Officer, Boldyn Networks
Devon McCorkle
President, Miami Freedom Park
Chris Quarve Director, In Building Solutions, AT&T
Brian Tillinghast
Major Accounts Manager, HPE
Moderator: Taylor Bloom
Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
10:50 AM
Networking Break
11:20 AM
Scaling Sports Technology: Driving Innovation Across the NHL, NBA, MLB, and AEG
Krishna Bhagavathula EVP & CTO, NBA
Sean Curtis CTO, MLB
Peter DelGiacco CTO, NHL
Diana Lovati SVP & Global CISO, AEG Worldwide
Moderator: Taylor Bloom
Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
11:55 AM
Connected Arenas: The Next Generation of Intelligent, Digitally Enabled Venues
David Lehanski
EVP, Business Development and Innovation, NHL
Juan Picon
President, Americas, Honeywell Building Automation
Greg Turner
Chief Solution Officer, Honeywell Building Automation
Moderator: Dan Kaufman
Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
12:15 PM
Industry Insight
Accelerating Intelligence: NASCAR’s AI Strategy with OpenAI
Richard Bowman Director of AI, NASCAR
Kaelin Sprawls Go to Market, Open AI
Moderator: Dan Kaufman
Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Hosted by Lumenalta
1:40 PM
Technology Leadership in New Sports Leagues
Scott Harniman SVP, Innovation and Media, United Football League
Andrew Macaulay CTO, TMRW Sports
John Spade CTO, Athletes Unlimited
Moderator: Rob Schaefer
Staff Reporter, Sports Business Journal
2:15 PM
The VIP Evolution: How AI and Technology Are Redefining the Fan Journey
Charlie Myers CTO, Monumental Sports and Entertainment
David Wolf Partner, KPMG
2:30 PM
From Activity to Impact: How Data is Rewriting the Rules of Sales Productivity
Darolyn Pierce VP, Data, Analytics & Insights, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
2:45 PM
Transforming with Intention: AI Leadership in a Changing World
Michael J. Jabbour AI Innovation Officer, Microsoft
Moderator: Taylor Bloom
Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Leaders Club Members Meet
Location: Daintree Rooftop Bar & Lounge
(Members Only, Inquire to attend with RMiranda@sportsbusinessjournal.com; Full Details HERE )
3:15pm – 3:30pm – Arrival at Daintree Rooftop & Lounge
3:30pm – 3:45pm – Leaders Club Welcome & Networking
3:45pm – 4:15pm – Fireside Chat with Ryan Dillon, Gotham FC
4:15pm – 4:30pm – Breakout Discussion
4:30pm – 6:00pm – Networking Drinks
3:15 PM
Closing Remarks
3:30 PM
