2026 AGENDA
TUESDAY, JULY 28
5:00 PM
Registration Opens
Location: Jordanelle Foyer
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Opening Meet & Greet Reception
Location: Jordanelle Foyer
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
8:30 AM
Registration Opens
Location: Jordanelle Foyer
8:30 AM
Breakfast
Location: Jordanelle AB
9:30 AM
Innovation and Impact with Southern Company Chairman, President & CEO Chris Womack
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
A candid conversation with Southern Company’s Chris Womack on leading through innovation, elevating communities, and building strategic sponsorships that strengthen regional identity, deepen partnerships, and drive long-term impact across the sports ecosystem.
Chris Womack, Chairman, President & CEO, Southern Company
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
10:15 AM
Leadership & Innovation: A Conversation with Rob Cohen
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
In this fireside chat, Dan Migala sits down with Rob Cohen to discuss the innovation strategies reshaping the sports and entertainment landscape in Denver. The conversation will explore how technology, venue development, fan experience, and forward-thinking partnerships are driving growth and redefining the future of the market.
Rob Cohen, Owner, Denver Summit FC and CEO & Chairman, IMA Financial Group
Moderator: Dan Migala, Head of Innovation Transwestern S&E & Chief Impact Officer, LAZ
11:00 AM
AI Fluency
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
AI fluency is no longer just a technology question - it’s also a leadership one. This session explores how executives shape clarity, guardrails, and human impact at scale.
A fireside chat with the PGA of America will serve as the opening to the group discussion.
Fireside Chat
Josh Riley, North Central Regional Director, PGA of America
Kevin Scott, CTO & CIO, PGA of America
Moderator: Arlene Rahn, Co-Lead and Facilitator, AI Fluency Program, The Venn Collective
Group Discussion
Facilitator: Matt Dubin, Co-Founder & Head of Client Partnerships, The Venn Collective
12:00 PM
Lunch
Location: Hailstone Terrace
12:30 PM
Buses depart for golf
Location: Lake Level - Event Entrance
1:30 PM
Golf begins
Buses leave for the Center of Excellence
Location: Lake Level - Event Entrance
1:45 PM
Buses depart for Utah Olympic Foundation Park & Museum
Location: Lake Level - Event Entrance
2:00 PM
Buses depart for activities at National Ability Center & Kayaking
Location: Lake Level - Event Entrance
3:30 PM
Buses return from the Center of Excellence
4:00 - 6:30 PM
Hospitality Area (Drinks and Networking)
Location: Hidden Ace Speakeasy at Grand Hyatt
4:30 PM
Buses return from Utah Olympic Foundation Park & Museum and National Ability Center
6:00 PM
Buses return from golf
7:00 PM
Reception
Location: Hailstone Terrace
8:00 PM
Dinner
Location: Hailstone Terrace
THURSDAY, JULY 30
8:30 AM
Registration Opens
Location: Jordanelle Foyer
8:30 AM
Breakfast
Location: Jordanelle AB
9:30 AM
Trusted Data & AI: Powering the Future of Fan Engagement
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
As sports organizations increasingly rely on AI- and data-powered experiences to engage fans, trust has emerged as a critical competitive advantage. In this session, leaders from PwC, and the NFL will discuss how data governance, AI governance, privacy, and consent enable responsible innovation, more personalized fan experiences, and stronger business outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into building trusted data and AI foundations that unlock growth, strengthen fan relationships, and power the future of fan engagement.
Tom Cioce, Chief Privacy Officer, National Football League
Joe DeMarzio, Director, PwC
Moderator: Taylor Bloom, Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
10:15 AM
Sports Leadership: Insights from Neuroscience
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
Dr. Michael Platt will share the neuroscience behind effective leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics, translating cutting-edge research on how the brain evaluates risk, reward, and social signals into practical insights.
Additionally, Dr. Platt will lead an interactive connection exercise workshop designed to help participants experience firsthand how neuroscience principles influence perception, rapport, and group decision-making in real time.
Dr. Michael Platt is author of The Leader's Brain, to help attendees gain the greatest value from the discussion, we recommend reading his book in advance of the conference. You can find it here.
Dr. Michael Platt, Director, Wharton Neuroscience and Author of ‘The Leader’s Brain’
Facilitator: Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
11:15 AM
Networking Break
Location: Jordanelle Foyer
11:45 AM
Leading Through AI Disruption: Growth, Risk, and Workforce Resilience
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
Gain a strategic edge as Dr. Rumman Chowdhury shows leaders how to harness AI for growth, manage enterprise risk, future-proof talent, and lead responsibly through workforce disruption.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, CEO, Humane Intelligence PBC
Moderator: Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
12:30 PM
Group Discussion: Top Tech Trends in Sports
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
In this closing session and executive discussion, SBJ’s Taylor Bloom and Dan Kaufman break down the most important trends shaping the future of sports technology. Drawing on insights from industry leaders in the room, the conversation will examine the business impact of emerging technologies across fan engagement, media, operations, and revenue generation.
Taylor Bloom, Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Business Journal
1:15 PM
Closing Feedback
Location: Jordanelle CDEF
1:30 PM
Closing Lunch
Location: Hailstone Terrace
3:00 PM
