Triathlon Business International (TBI), the industry organization dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon, has announced the first of its line-up of keynote speakers for its 5th annual conference on 25-27 January in Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, California.
The opening keynote address on Sunday afternoon will be an in-depth interview by Slowtwitch Editor Dan Empfield of Felix Walchsöffer, CEO of the Challenge Family of events.
Monday morning will then open with a keynote by Scott Brown, President of Universal Sports Network, broadcast rights owner of the ITU World Triathlon Series.
Empfield will be talking to Walchsöffer about his view of the growth of triathlon in America with Challenge’s recent announcement of its joint venture partnership with the Rev3 Series and the Challenge Americas Championship that kicks off in May 2015 at Challenge Knoxville.
Empfield and Walchsöffer will also discuss what’s happening internationally – as Challenge Family was recently announced as the host for the 2016 European Triathlon Union Long Distance Triathlon Championships.
Universal Sports’ Scott Brown will be speaking about broadcasting sporting events in today’s world with today’s technology; what is possible and what challenges are faced, particularly in the sport of triathlon. Universal Sports and Brown have extensive experience in broadcasting Olympic and endurance sports including triathlon, marathon and cycling.
Felix Walchsöffer – speaking Sunday 25 January 2015
Named as one of the ‘Most Important People in Triathlon’, by Triathlete Europe magazine last year, Felix Walchsöffer heads a series of races with many unique features including: athletes being encouraged to cross the line with their family members; events allowing participants to compete as a relay team; inclusion of a festival of other events such as 5K fun runs and parties as part of an event; and instead of flying in its own staff, Challenge Family races draw heavily from local clubs and municipal groups for volunteers and staff.
Scott Brown – speaking Monday 26 January
Scott Brown joined Universal Sports as Senior Vice President and General Manager in August 2011, and was elevated to President in May 2013. Brown has oversight of all aspects of the network’s operations, while retaining responsibility for legal matters. Before joining Universal Sports, Brown spent nine years with Fox Cable Networks and prior to Fox, Brown worked for five years as Corporate Counsel for Amgen, and also served as an associate for Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy.
Brown and Walchsöffer are the first announced conference speakers of a ‘stellar group of experts who are triathlon storytellers, fact-finders and shapers-of-the-sport on an international level, and who will provide practical, functional and motivational information through multiple general sessions, panel discussions, topical breakout sessions and case studies.’
The TBI Conference will be packed full of information and opportunities for everyone involved in the business and sport of triathlon. As the organization notes, ‘This is where the business of triathlon will get done.’
The Event Director’s track will continue from last year focusing on the issues and needs of this segmented group of industry professionals. Some of the topics and activities for this year’s TBI Conference include:
- Speed networking – one of the most popular sessions of the conference
- Panel discussions on: what’s new in triathlon; legal issues and challenges; business-to-consumer topics related to pricing, event experience, athlete suggestions to race producers; what can be learned from CEOs
- General Sessions: current research; social media; preview of the ITU Grand Finals and World Championships in Chicago; hot topics
- Event Director Breakout Sessions: financial management tools; business-to-business topics including minimizing litigation, sustaining the bottom line; top 10 items every race director should know
- The Ron Smith Awards Celebration including announcement of top retailers, most innovative triathlon product; top 5 triathlon highlights of the year; top events for the year; best triathlon article, best triathlon photograph and the male and female Ron Smith Award winners
- ACTIVEX morning workouts, and guided running and cycling routes
Sponsors of the 2015 TBI Conference include The ACTIVE Network, Ashworth Awards, FinisherPix, MyLaps Timing, Tritats, Chronotrack, Interbike, Endurance SportsWire and IRONMAN.
Triathlon Business International is an industry organization dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon. Founded by a coalition of industry leaders, Triathlon Business International advocates for the interests of triathlon businesses, provides educational and informative programs, and encourages increased participation in the sport.
