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TEAM TRENDS

TAKING THE LEAD IN SPORTING GOODS

Above, Rawling’s Mike Thompson (center) celebrates with Mike Zlaket, CEO and president of Rawlings (left), and Hall of Fame chairman Larry Aasheim.

Michael Jacobsen

July 24, 2024

A name change to the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) Leadership Conference was part of the continuous evolution of the longest-running event of its kind in the sporting goods industry that began in 1965 — and it showed in the increased attendance and a very strong education program that featured the likes of former MLB star Steve Garvey, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Ann Meyers Drysdale, technology specialist and futurist Crystal Washington, Bill Carter of Student Athlete Insights and a panel discussion on the importance of Artificial Intelligence in the business world. The theme of “Growing Your Business” focused on one of the core tenets of NSGA’s mission at the annual event in late May at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, AZ.

The Leadership Conference concluded with the annual Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony. The Class of 2024 was comprised of of Glenn Barrett (OrthoLite), Cathy Pryor (Hibbett Sports), Karsten Solheim (PING Golf) and Mike Thompson (Rawlings).

The NSGA 2025 Leadership Conference will take place May 18-20 at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

A number of Sporting Goods Hall of Fame members joined the Class of 2024 for an impressive group photo: (from left) Connie Klimenko, Bill Hunt, Glenn Barrett, Ralph Parks, Cathy Pryor, Jeff Lynn, Larry Aasheim, Mike Thompson, John Solheim (son of Karsten Solheim) and Bob Dickman.

**Ann Meyers Drysdale, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, signed a few copies of her book “You Let Some Girl Beat You?” after sharing her lifelong perspectives on women’s athletics.**

**Speed Networking has been one of the most popular parts of the event since its inception in 2017 and this year it was expanded by a half-hour to provide more meetings.**

Brett Mueller and Mueller Sports Medicine brought their Revive recovery chair to help
attendees relax, including *Team Insight* editor Mike Jacobsen (in rear of photo).

A panel discussion took an in-depth look at how technology can accelerate business growth in “Maximizing Business Potential with AI and Analytics.” But were those *real* people on the panel — or AI-generated figures?

The NSGA Leadership Conference has always been all about networking and dozens of team dealers once again took advantage of the opportunity to meet with their colleagues and suppliers at the Opening Night reception.

The stellar lineup of speakers at the Leadership Conference included (from left) 10-time MLB All-Star Steve Garvey, Ashley Thomas of McKinsey & Company, Bill Carter, the founder of Student Athlete Insights and NIL expert, and technology specialist and futurist Crystal Washington.

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