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SATURDAY January 26...
The 2nd annual Case Cup Competition kicked off on Saturday with 7 Sports Business MBA Programs participating: Arizona State University, University of Central Florida, University of Memphis, Ohio University, University of Oregon, San Diego State University, and Texas A & M University.
SUNDAY January 27...
Taking advantage of their largest Forum turn-out ever, the NFL held a day long Sales Meeting at the Peabody Hotel. Addtionally, the seven Case Cup teams continued with presentations in front of six industry insiders. The panel of judges consisted of: David Abrutyn, Senior Vice President, IMG; Abe Madkour, Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal; Dan Carpenter, Director of Business Development, Memphis Motorsports Park; Andy Dolich, Chief Operating Officer, San Francisco 49ers; Cory Hartquist, Sr. Marketing Specialist, FedEx Affinity Marketing; and David Synowka, Program Head, Sports Mgmt, Robert Morris University.
The 2008 Exhibitors Cocktail Reception was also held on Sunday evening. Exhibitors took a break from setting up their booths and gathered around the Banshee Music Stage for introductions with Ron Seaver and the NSF Steering Committee.
Later on, Memphis Motorsports Park hosted the official "Welcome to Memphis Opening Night Party" at EP Delta Kitchen. NSF Attendees took a short 2 minute walk to Beale Street and enjoyed EP (Elvis Presley's) Delta Kitchen festivities with a live band.
MONDAY January 28...
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2008 NSF Case Cup Winners- Texas A&M
Memphis, TN- The Peabody Hotel, Monday, January 28, 2008
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The big day finally arrived and we started it with the traditional Newcomers Welcome Breakfast. Following breakfast were Opening Remarks & Introductions including the announcment of the 2008 Case Cup winner, Texas A&M. Their team was made up of students: Khalid Ballouli, Blaine Gwinn, Lisa Gorzycki, Bonner Cooper (left to right in the photo). And wasting no time, the Forum moved right into the first Panel, Technology for Today - Presented by Txtstation. Jim Kahler (Executive Director for the Center for Sports Administration, Ohio University) did a great job moderating the panel with technology insiders, Kevin Bertram (CEO, Distributive Networks), Jamie Wells ( VP Strategy & Client Services, MangoMobile), Gordon Whitener (CEO, Action Sports Media), and Michael Falato ( Director of Sales & Business Development, Txtstation).
Also announced during Opening Remarks was our 5 year and 10 year alums...
On the way to reaching that double-digit year and the induction to the NSF Hall of Fame, we take the great pleasure in announcing our 5 year mark. This year we are proud to announce that we have 17 new members hitting their 5th year- we are very happy to celebrate growing the Forum Family. Each of the members received a special NSF watch to thank them for their devotion.
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"Technology for Today" Panel - Presented by Txtstation
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5 Year Alums
Bonner Paddock– Anaheim Ducks
Todd Parnell– Altoona Curve
Bob Derda– Duquesne University
Jeff Yocum– Game Face Inc.
Uri Geva– Infinity Pro Sports
Dennis Mannion– LA Dodgers
Chad Bolen– Memphis Grizzlies
Paul Mocho– Micro Target Media
Dannon Hulskotter– Minnesota Vikings
Howard Goldberg– Scarborough Sports Marketing
Dave Raymond– Raymond Ent.
Jason Backs– Work In Sports
David Steele— Game Day Promotions
Jim Bloom– Free Agent
Barbara Foos– Caliper
Brian Thornton– Ripken Baseball
Bret Polvorosa– SMWW/ Grip
The NSF DECADE Club
Ten Year Jerseys Retired
Chris Overholt– VP of Marketing Partnerships,Miami Dolphins
Jason Bitsoff– VP & General Manager for Sponsorship & Strategic Alliance for Feld Entertainment
Bill Dorsey– Executive Director, The Association of Luxury Suite Directors
Andy Dolich– Chief Operating Officer, San Francisco 49ers
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Inner Circle Luncheon Speaker, Mike Glenn
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The Inner Circle Luncheon was up next with Keynote Speaker, Mike Glenn, President & CEO, FedEx Corporate Services. Mr. Glenn talked about effective use of sports marketing to best build brand and business from the FedEx perspective. Inner Circle members enjoyed this lunch and presentation that was held at the top of the Peabody Hotel, in the neon lit, Skyway Room.
Monday afternoon led right into our first 2 rounds of Breakout Sessions. There were a total of 14 Breakout sessions to choose from just on Monday. All our session leaders did a wonderful job and had the rooms packed with Forum attendees gaining valuable content and contributing ideas within every session attended.
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"And Now a Word from our Sponsors" Panel- Presented by Daktronics
Left to right: Ray Bednar (Bank of America), Peter King (Rogers Communications), Lynn Campbell (AutoZone), Tom Lamb (Lowe's), Samira Zebian (Alltel Wireless)
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And before the Official Opening Night kicked off, it was back to the Peabody Grand Ballroom for the "A Word from Our Sponsors" Panel- Presented by Daktronics. The panel session was moderated by Dr. Bill Sutton (Associate Director & Professor, University of Central Florida). Dr. Sutton and five panelists provided an insightful session that allowed attendees to take away a better understanding of the Sponsors perspective today. Panelists included: Ray Bednar (Sr. VP & Sports Sponsorship Executive, Bank of America); Samira Zebian (Director of Sponsorship, Marketing, Alltel Wireless); Peter King (Director of Sponsorship & Events, Rogers Communications); Lynn Campbell (Marketing Director, AutoZone); and Tom Lamb (VP Marketing, Lowe's Home Improvement).
Then it was a short 20 foot walk and we were into PictureU's Grand Opening of the 2008 NSF Trade Show. The intimate Trade Show hall was filled with vendors, attendees, food, beverages, music, and networking. PictureU Promotions presented the Opening Night and thanks to musician Rick Steff (lead musician with the BB King's house band) and friends for putting on a wonderful show and keepin' the Trade Show energy high, while they performed on the Banshee Music Stage.
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Banshee Music Stage -Grand Opening Night in the Trade Show
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PictureU Promotion's Opening Night in the Trade Show
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TUESDAY January 29...
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"Blending of Sports & Entertainment" Panel - Presented by Banshee Music
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Day two arrived quicker than ever imagined starting bright and early with breakfast in the Trade Show Hall. Then it was to the Peabody Grand Ballroom for Opening Remarks, along with ADchievement finalists and SAMMY Award presentations. Following came one of the morning highlights, the "Blending of Sports and Entertainment" Panel Presented by Banshee Music. This panel moderated by Shawn Hunter (President & CEO, Chivas USA) had no problem entertaining the crowd. To help were panelists, Steve Knill (President, Radiate Music & Ent, Banshee Music/ GMR Marketing); Ed Horne (Sr. EVP Communications, NHL); Brian Deegan (Professional Freestyle Motocross Athlete, Metal Mulisha); and Ethan Green (VP Sponsorship & Talent Brands, WWE).
After the panel, the Forum proceeded into breakout session # 3, lunch in the Trade Show, and then breakout session # 4. Alex Vergara (Disney Sports Attractions) led a breakout session during block 4 and during his session he gave away a 3 1/2 day Disney experiential training Program (valued at $3695)….the winner was Dick Albair (The Bonham Group)! Congrats Dick and thank you Alex Vergara & Disney!
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FedExForum- Home of the Memphis Grizzlies and the NSF Budweiser Gala
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Andy Dolich, COO, San Francisco 49ers
Keynote Speaker at the Budweiser Gala at FedExForum
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Despite the rainy weather that forced us to cancel the Memphis CVB march to FedExForum, things continued to move along as many Forum attendees snuck a peak at the Peabody's famous ducks and headed onto buses for a 2 minute drive arriving at FedExForum for the Budweiser Gala! Forum attendees enjoyed "Behind the Scenes Tours" of FedExForum, home of the Memphis Grizzlies and a taste of their Memphis flavored nachos. After the tours, everyone met on the court for drinks, dinner, and to hear from our keynote speaker, Andy Dolich (COO, San Francisco 49ers). Additionally, this was the time and place of the inuagural SAMMY Award winner...and going down in history as the first ever, Channel One Media took home the first ever NSF SAMMY Award (100% of the funds raised from the SAMMY book benefited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital).
WEDNESDAY January 30...
The third day of the Forum is always a good test to see who the "early risers" really are. Just like Tuesday, Wednesday began with a breakfast buffet in the Trade Show and then it was onto the announcement of the ADchievement Award Winners.
The NSF ADchievement Awards recognize the best sports-themed advertising in eight categories. The categories and winners were:
• Television – Phoenix Suns
• Radio – Minnesota Twins
• Print – Minnesota Twins
• In Stadium / In Arena – Cleveland Indians
• Out-of-Home – San Francisco 49ers
• Sales Collateral – San Francisco 49ers
• Alternative Media – Phoenix Coyotes
• Internet / Web-based – Pontiac Game Changing Performance.
ADchievement Award Winners: Jamie Ruiz, Phoenix Suns; Michael Williams, San Francisco 49ers; Sanaa Julien, Cleveland Indians; Ted Santiago, Phoenix Coyotes |
Additionally, for having the highest quality of advertising across all categories, the San Francisco 49ers were presented with the “NSF ADchievement Overall Award of Excellence.”
For the 2008 NSF ADchievement Awards, more than 500 entries from the sports industry were submitted for consideration. Submissions came from teams representing MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA, and minor leagues, as well as NASCAR, television networks, retail stores, and private corporations.
Following the ADchievement Awards was the fourth and final Panel, "A View From the Top" Presented by Winstead. This panel was moderated by Abe Madkour (Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal) and our top notch "hitters" that filled the stage included: Dennis Mannion (COO, Los Angeles Dodgers); Amy Latimer (Sr. VP Sales & Marketing, Boston Bruins/ TDBanknorth Garden); Mark Rossi (Sr. VP Sales & Marketing, Dover Motorsports); Steve LaCroix (VP Sales & Marketing, Minnesota Vikings); Dr. Bernie Mullin (former President & CEO, Atlanta Spirit); and David Abrutyn (Sr. VP, IMG).
Everyone then caught one final glimpse of the NSF Trade Show for "Taking 10" in the Trade Show and continued on to AutoZone Park for the final 2008 NSF event, "Behind the Scenes Tours & Lunch" at AutoZone Park with Dave Chase (President & CEO, Memphis Redbirds) as our Keynote Speaker.
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The "Behind the Scenes Tours" - On the field at AutoZone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds
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The National Sports Forum would like to thank the city of Memphis and all of its Sponsors for making this the biggest and best Forum yet!! It could not have been completed without all of our attendees, vendors, speakers, partners, sponsors, and hosts...thank you!
We look forward to seeing everyone in 2009 in Phoenix, AZ!
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