Triathlon Business International (TBI), the industry organization dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon, has finalized the panels and panellists for the 4th annual TBI Conference on 26-28 January 2014 in Marina del Rey, California.
A segment of the schedule will be devoted to event directors including a technology demonstration on the opening day and three panels for event directors to share ideas, collaborate and learn the tricks of the trade. Through a panel format with a total of 15 experts, event directors will dig into technology tools, emergency management and security, and water safety, all hot topics in the event production world today.
General session panels will answer questions such as:
- Are you Spartan?
- Do you like Color?
- Do you Glow in the Dark?
- Do you test for drugs?
- Got Chocolate Milk?
- Can running teach triathlon anything?
- Is there a future in brick & mortar?
The answers to these questions and many more will illuminate opportunities for the sport and business of triathlon during the two-day conference. The panels include:
- Drug Policies and Endurance Sports;
- The Best Marketing Practices Seen Today;
- Non-traditional Events;
- What Can Triathlon Learn from Running;
- Sponsorship: Finding the Money and Providing ROI;
- Triathlon’s Youth: Competitors of Tomorrow; and
- Charity Involvement and Corporate Wellness Initiatives: An Opportunity for Triathlon.
A few of the highlights include:
- Dr Don Catlin and Oliver Catlin from the Anti-Doping Sciences Institute and Banned Substances Control Group will lead the drug policies discussion, which will tie into the keynote speech by USADA CEO Travis Tygart immediately preceding this panel. The Catlins are joined on the panel by Sean Petty from USA Cycling and Paula Newby Fraser, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC).
- The marketing panel highlight will be a presentation and discussion by Hugh Williams, Senior Vice President at Weber Shandwick, about the REFUEL ‘got chocolate milk?’ campaign. Williams is also the creator of the milk mustache campaign. Weber Shandwick is a global public relations agency and the creative team behind the multiple award-winning campaign. Also in this discussion is Threshold Interactive, an award-winning advertising agency that created Nestlé’s Pure Life ‘Hydration Movement’.
- Seasoned veterans from the non-traditional events world will talk about obstacles, colors and running/crawling challenges. Panelists include: Lee Goss, president at Spartan Race; Dan Hill, founder, Electric Run; and Travis Snyder, founder of Color Run. These events are rising in popularity, with most participants competing for the fun of it and being with friends. There are lessons to be learned from their models.
- Running broadcaster, multiple regional Emmy award-winner, and ‘voice of running’ Toni Reavis will be wrangling information from panellists representing the running community, including the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon, Destination Races and Corrigan Sports, and tying lessons learned in running to the sport of triathlon.
- The multi-sport retailer panel will represent both the brick & mortar and online world, and talk about whether there is a future for brick & mortar or is co-existence a reality. Panel experts are from Triathlon Lab, backcountry.com, All3Sports.com and Bicycle Planet.
TBI’s keynote speakers previously announced are Anita DeFrantz, Olympic rowing medallist, International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board member and president of the LA84 Foundation. TBI President Jack Caress will lead off Day 2, followed by Travis Tygart and Gary Roethenbaugh, Managing Director of MultiSport Research Ltd. Rounding out the conference on Day 3, attendees will hear from Thom Richmond, President of California Triathlon.
“I’ve produced and participated in more than 50 endurance sports conferences and this, by far, has one of the best assembled and most diverse field of speakers I’ve seen,” said Mike Reilly, Secretary, TBI; Vice President, ACTIVE Network; and ‘The Voice of Ironman’.
Mike continued, “I look forward to hearing from people outside the tri world, but who bring real-world experience that is valuable for those of us in the multi-sport business.”
The TBI conference will be packed full of information and opportunities for everyone involved in the business and sport of triathlon. Some of the other activities for this year’s TBI Conference include:
- Speed networking – one of the most popular sessions of the conference
- Technology demonstrations
- F.I.S.T. bike fit demonstration by Dan Empfield
- ACTIVE X Workouts; running, cycling trails; swimming at Mother’s Beach outside the door of the hotel
- Hospitality events
- The Active Network Awards Celebration including announcement of top retailers, top manufacturers, best triathlon article, best triathlon photograph and the male and female Ron Smith Award winners
Conference dates, location and costs:
- Date: 26-28 January 2014
- Location: Marina Del Rey Marriott – Marina del Rey, California
- Cost: Triathlon Business International members – US$575 (Until 7 January 2014 with the Holiday Savings Special)
- Non-members – US$750 (Until 7 January 2014 with the Holiday Savings Special)
Registration includes all conference events, meals and one ticket to the Awards Celebration. Non-member registration includes a 1-year TBI membership.
Conference details and online registration are available online.
Triathlon Business International (TBI) is an industry organization dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon. Founded by a coalition of industry leaders, TBI advocates for the interests of triathlon businesses, provides educational and informative programs, and encourages increased participation in the sport.
