Thursday, September 27, 2018

5:20 – 6:45 PM Happy Hour Networking Reception

7:00 – 9:00 PM Dinner & Awards Ceremony

FEATURING: Greg Gadson, Decorated Army Commander & New York Giants Honorary Captain 9:00 – 11:00 PM Informal Gathering, Ship Tavern *Optional

This casual and lively restaurant, located in The Brown Palace Hotel, offers a vintage pub atmosphere and a great place to catch the latest sports games. Join SFIA and your fellow attendees at the tavern to sample its exceptional micro-brewed beers and wines.

*All general summit sessions will take place in the Grand Ballroom

6:30 – 7:30 AM Morning Run/Walk *Optional

Early risers are welcome to join SFIA for a run or walk to take in the beautiful landmarks of the Mile High City.

8:00 – 8:30 AM Breakfast Buffet

8:30 – 9:15 AM Breakfast with Matt Powell: Best Practices for Brands & Retail in the Internet Age

Join Matt Powell for breakfast and an interactive discussion of marketplace trends and what brands and retailers can do to win in the internet age. Matt, a well-known and often quoted expert in the sports industry, will be presenting the trends and forces shaping our industry and its future. Matt will assess the industry across various categories, discuss the forces impacting manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and provide his predictions for the coming year. Drawing upon NPD’s sales tracking data, his 40+ years in the industry, and insights from what has been successful in other industries NPD tracks, Matt will focus on best practices and what manufacturers and retailers can do to thrive in today’s rapidly changing marketplace.

Matt Powell, Vice President & Senior Industry Advisor, The NPD Group

9:15 – 10:15 AM KEYNOTE ADDRESS Fireside Chat with Merril Hoge

Merril Hoge is passionate about sports, science and kids. And, after notable careers in the NFL and with ESPN, he’s not afraid to ask the tough questions. He’s also resilient, having almost lost his hand as a child, losing his mother as a teenager, surviving cancer and open-heart surgery, and seeing his football career cut short by a serious head injury. As an author and social commentator, Merril channels his passion, toughness and resiliency. He wrote his first book, Find a Way, about his life journey, and is now finalizing a potential blockbuster, which explores the national debate around concussions and the future of youth sports. Join us for a candid conversation with Merril to learn about his work and findings—it’s guaranteed to be eye-opening.

Merril Hoge, Former NFL Player & ESPN Analyst, Author 10:15 – 10:45 AM Networking Break

10:45 – 11:30 AM Challenge the Status Quo Within Your Organization

It is recognized that inclusion and diversity in leadership leads to improved creativity and innovative thought in decision-making, and facilitates an authentic connection to consumers. This panel will discuss the foundations for developing a diverse talent pipeline, with a gender focus. It is well-documented that companies with women in leadership outperform competition, and it is estimated that women control over 80% of consumer spending. However, in the U.S., women currently hold only 14.6% of executive officer positions; and the sports and fitness industry statistics are comparable. Join this provocative, interactive discussion on how our industry can achieve these business benefits by expanding pathways for women’s advancement. Hear from executives on how leadership can identify, recruit and maintain a diverse set of talent.

Gwen Manto, Former EVP & Chief Merchandising Officer for Sports Authority & Dick’s Sporting Goods Jennifer Harned, President & General Manager — Bell & Giro, Vista Outdoor Jim Weber, CEO, Brooks Running MODERATOR: Kalinda Bogue, Principal, Artichoke & Owl Strategic Development Consulting

11:30 – 12:00 PM The Taxing World of Tariffs — How Trade Policy is Affecting the Sporting Goods Industry

International sourcing is a part of most sports and fitness product enterprises and trade compliance is a critical part of how companies do business. How you approach these issues directly impacts your firm’s financial performance. In these uncertain times for international trade, how do you plan for the future? Disruptive U.S. trade policies make it hard to accurately gauge their impact and deploy effective countermeasures. It is important to understand the prospects for additional tariffs, options to limit your exposure and the political landscape the industry is facing. David Cohen will discuss the current climate, potential for new tariffs and provide information on industry options to avoid them.

David Cohen, Operating Committee Member, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. 12:00 – 1:30 PM Lunch & Closing Remarks