In the world of sports event planning, the stories behind the scenes are as compelling as the action on the field. The One-on-One Interview Series is your exclusive gateway to the insights, experiences, and visions of the most influential figures shaping this vibrant industry. From visionary leaders and innovative entrepreneurs to state-of-the-art facilities and the architects behind them, this series offers an unparalleled exploration of the sports event planning ecosystem.
Each interview is more than a story; it’s a blueprint for success in organizing memorable, impactful sports events. Join us as we uncover the strategies, trends, and insights that are driving the industry forward. This is your opportunity to glean wisdom from top-tier professionals and apply their hard-earned knowledge to your own events.
Stay tuned to our One-on-One Interview Series, and take your sports event planning to the next level.
Growing up in his early childhood home in Dagenham, United Kingdom (U.K.), Jamie “Dirk” Diaz Ruiz would’ve been hard-pressed to predict a meteoric esports career that includes holding a lead position in the NBA 2K League broadcasting booth since the League’s inception.
Club basketball founder. High school assistant athletic director and varsity coach. NBA public relations assistant. Director of operations. Tournament director. Boys and Girls Club sports director. Youth national and international championship winner.
Through and through, Andy Hansen is a proud Coloradoan. An equally avid fan of sports and family, Hansen grew up in the resort town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he helped run Blue Sky Adventures, the family rafting, fishing and biking business of 40 years and counting.
Bicycle motocross (BMX) is life’s work and play for John David. It’s been about a quarter century since his college days at Louisiana State University introduced him to what became his career path, but some of David’s earliest and fondest BMX memories include he and his oldest sister knocking on their dad’s door in the wee hours of the morning to ask if they can go to the track.
While nobody has a blueprint for navigating through COVID-19, Al Kidd, CEO of Sports ETA, the national trade association for sports tourism, has put his decades of business experience to use in managing through these unprecedented times. This interview, conducted in early November, captures what the organization has done to help its members stay informed and emerge intact when the pandemic has subsided.
With approximately 61 million people with disabilities living in the United States, adapted sports organizations (also known as adaptive sports or parasports) are often seeking ways to expand athletic inclusion for participants with disabilities. One such way is to host a symposium, like the recently held 2020 Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium, which took place October 15 and featured more than 850 sport leaders logging into the remote session.