NEW SPEAKERS, PARTNERS & AGENDA ANNOUNCED
1 Mar 2023
Media Release
Global thought-leadership conference SportNXT has today announced another distinguished row of international and domestic sporting sector leaders as speakers, along with a detailed agenda and returning commercial partners.
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee headlines ten new speakers confirmed to feature at SportNXT 2023. During his tenure, Mr Parsons has overseen two Paralympic Games, the world’s third largest sporting event, and launched the #Wethe15 campaign to transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities. The influential global leader will travel to Melbourne to deliver a keynote address, and lead a crucial panel discussion, about the Paralympic Movement, the power of sport, and inclusion.
Mr Parsons is another impressive keynote speaker to feature alongside the more than 50 world-class global thought leaders that will speak at SportNXT 2023. Also announced today are: Sir Rod Eddington, Independent Chair of the Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029; Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany; Victoria 2026 CEO Jeroen Weimar; ARLC Commissioner Kate Jones; Lisa MacCallum Author and Co-Founder of Inspired Companies; Jacqueline Comer the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Areto Labs; Chief Innovation Officer of Be. by Animoca Brands Martin Beecroft; Executive Director, Strategy and Coordination, Victoria 2026, Dr. Bridie O’Donnell, and Catapult CEO Will Lopes.
Along with Mr. Parsons, the end-March event in Melbourne will also feature keynote addresses or interviews with:
- Tesla and The Technology Council of Australia Chair Robyn Denholm, who will tackle the ‘new normal’ across business, sport and society;
- in-depth interviews with two of global sports most recognisable and influential leaders, prominent US sport bosses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan;
- Peggy O’Neal AO, Chair of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, and one of Australia’s most credentialed leaders in business and sport, will give her views on female leadership and share the vision of Victoria 2026;
- AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan will reflect on his time at the AFL and his view on the industry’s future; and
- Chatri Sityodtong, Founder and CEO of ONE, Asia’s largest sports media platform, will discuss what it takes to break through in an increasingly crowded and noisy market.
A panel of global leaders featuring Greg Barclay (Chair, International Cricket Council), Ramez Sheikh (MD, NBA Asia) Michael Miller (Exec Chair, News Corp Australasia) and Kate Roffey (President, Melbourne FC and CEO, State Sport Centres Trust) will examine macro trends across the industry, looking at the state of sport now and giving a glimpse into its future.
The commercialisation and sustainability of women’s sport will be interrogated by Nick Hockley (CEO, Cricket Australia), Amanda Laing, (Chief Commercial and Content Officer, Foxtel Group), Kate Jones (Commissioner, ARLC) and Rachel Froggatt (Away We Go – Matike Mai).
SportNXT2023 also welcomes back doyen of sports broadcasting David Hill AM as he attacks the ever-evolving blend of art and science in live sports production with SportNXT Chair Eddie McGuire AM.
The conference will see a rare coming-together of rival broadcasters Sky NZ (Sophie Moloney) and Foxtel Group (Patrick Delany) who will appear with DAZN co-Founder James Rushton to dissect the uprise of sport streaming and the fight back of linear television.
A deep dive into the opportunity that Australia’s upcoming Golden Decade of sport could bring to the nation will be a feature with Sir Rod Eddington (Chair, Rugby World Cup 2027 & 2029), Jane Fernandez (COO, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023), Catherine Clark (CEO, Paralympics Australia) and Dr Bridie O’Donnell (Executive Director, Strategy and Coordination, Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games).
Delegates interested in sports investment and future funding will be eager to hear from Stephen Evans (Managing Director, Silver Lake), Larry Kestelman (Executive Chairman NBL), Manoj Badale (owner, Rajasthan Royals) and Ravi Krishnan (CEO, Stepathlon) as they unpack the risks and opportunities that changing, non-traditional and new funding models for sport have for the industry.
SportNXT 2023 will also feature specialised concurrent breakout sessions featuring more global and domestic leaders in sport, allowing attendees to deep dive further into sports marketing and fan engagement trends, emerging and core commercial opportunities, innovative technology, and the changes in traditional and social media.
Partners return
SportNXT is delighted to welcome back returning event partners Crown Resorts (Premium Partner), Odgers Berndston (Gold Partner)and MI Global Partners (Silver Partner), in addition to new silver partner MKTG Sports + Entertainment. The three returning organisations will be partnering with SportNXT for a further two years, highlighting the growing influence and opportunity the summit presents for brands seeking to engage with the sporting ecosystem.
Crown Resorts Chief Brand Officer, Danielle Keighery, said: “Crown Resorts is thrilled to be back on board as the Premium Partner of SportNXT. Sport and major events make up a large part of Melbourne’s DNA, and Crown is proud to play a central role in supporting that. By partnering with SportNXT, we hope to help future-proof Melbourne’s mantle as the sporting capital of Australia.”
International delegation
The event continues to draw significant global talent and global interest, with the Victorian Government, through its trade facilitation and promotion agency Global Victoria, confirming over 80 global sports industry business representatives from 14 countries will attend. Representatives from China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom will descend on Melbourne in March.
The Hon Steve Dimopoulos MP, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events said the SportNXT conference brings together global sports leaders in Melbourne and helps to cement our reputation as Australia’s sporting capital.
“Sport is much more than a game in Victoria – it is a key component to our major events industry and delivers a major boost to our economy each year.”
“We’re Australia’s sporting capital and that means more than just the best matches being played in Victoria – it means sport is one of Victoria’s economic drivers. Conferences like this demonstrate our leadership in this industry.”
Staged at Melbourne & Olympic Park’s state-of-the-art facility CENTREPIECE, SportNXT runs from 28-30 March.
Delegate passes are onsale now and attendees are encouraged to take advantage of an early bird discount only available until the end of February.
For future announcements and more information for delegates, sponsors and stakeholders please visit www.sportnxt.org.
Partners
Crown Resorts – Premium Partner – Accommodation and Entertainment Partner
Crown Resorts is one of Australia’s largest entertainment groups. In Australia, Crown owns and operates two of Australia’s leading integrated resorts, Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth, as well as Sydney’s latest premium hotel resort and dining precinct at Crown Sydney.
Odgers Berndston – Gold Partner – Executive Search and Recruitment Partner
Odgers Berndtson is one of the world’s leading executive search firms, recognised globally throughout the sports and entertainment industry with the trust of governing bodies, organisations, teams, clubs, and leagues in both the public and private sectors for over two decades.
MI Global Partners – Silver Partner
Over the last 21 years MI Global Partners have been leading and partnering to deliver the world’s best events, sport and place projects, including every Summer Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 and every Rugby World Cup since 2003.
MKTG Sports + Entertainment Australia – Silver Partner
MKTG Sports + Entertainment is an entity of global sports powerhouse dentsu Sports International (DSI). With local offices in Melbourne and Sydney, the team works closely with its DSI colleagues across North America, Europe, and Asia. MKTG provides clients a full suite of marketing services, including sponsorship consulting, research and analytics, brand experiences and events, in-stadium creative brand development and management. Locally, MKTG is the largest holder of stadium venue commercial rights in the Australia and has deep specialism in stadium, event operations and sports presentation management services. Learn more at MKTGAustralia.com.
The Australian – Domestic Media Partner
The Australian is aspirational and alive to the possibilities for our great nation. We are a newspaper first and foremost, a broadsheet no less with a bold and proud place on newsstands across every corner of the country.
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