In more news from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the group is launching a new Super Regional Series in November, offering a localized opportunity for SFIA members, partners and industry leaders to meet about business insights and topics driving today’s sporting goods and fitness environment. This series links major markets to better serve the 700 brands, manufacturers, retailers, governing bodies and sports leagues that SFIA represents around the country.

The Super Regionals are designed for senior-level and rising career executives in leading critical functional roles for members, as well as regional sports and business leaders. The programs will provide a State of the Industry analysis and explore industry priorities, including growing youth sports and fitness participation, leadership challenges in today’s new work environment, evolving consumer behavior, athlete influence (NIL), brand marketing, intellectual property protection, and the impact of generative AI. Each Super Regional features a fireside chat with a top industry CEO and concludes with a cocktail networking reception.

“With Super Regionals, SFIA is bringing our best content and professional development to where our members live and work,” explains Tom Cove, president and CEO, SFIA. “The intimate environment and accessibility of these events provide a great opportunity to engage within the industry and better serve our valued members.”

The 2023 Super Regional schedule with local start times:

• November 1– Boston, MA: Warrior Ice Arena (Boston Bruins training facility)

• November 9  – Seattle, WA: Brooks Sports Headquarters

• November 15  – New York, NY: Offices of Loeb & Loeb

Confirmed speakers to date for the November Super Regionals include:

• Jim Weber, CEO, Brooks Sports

• Ed Kinnaly, CEO, Bauer Hockey|Cascade Maverik Lacrosse

• Sammer Ahuja, President, GameChanger and Sr. Vice President, Dick’s Sporting Goods

• Haley Skarupa, Olympic Gold Medalist and 3X World Champion, Women’s Ice Hockey

• Rob Knesaurek, Sr. Vice President, Community Development & Industry Growth

• Tom Cove, President and CEO, SFIA

• Jim Brett, President and CEO, The New England Council

• Matt Dubin, Co-Founder, The Venn Collective

• Keith Friedenberg, Chief Analytics and Insights Officer, Endeavor Analytics

• Jacqueline Leamer, Co-Founder, The Venn Collective

These are limited-capacity events, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sponsors for the inaugural Super Regionals are Octane 5, Merchant Cost Consulting, Corsearch, and Loeb & Loeb. Dates and locations for the 2024 Super Regional will be announced in the coming weeks.