The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and Singapore-based Picture Board Partners kicked-off the inaugural Leadership Conclave for Sport, Technology & Finance (STF Asia Leadership Conclave) on Friday, August 18th. The select gathering was staged at Singapore Cricket Club in tandem with the first-ever PTO Asian Open.
“Sport proved its centrality in our lives during the pandemic,” said Unmish Parthasarathi, Founder & Executive Director of Picture Board Partners.
“It has emerged as an alternative investment class with fans proving loyal customers and early adopters of digital habits. We saw a need to foster dialogues in a suitable environment between captains of industry in sport, technology and finance. Asia is home to the next billion fans that will come online during this decade and Singapore is at the centre of this global shift.”
Sam Renouf, CEO at PTO, said “Sport, as an industry, is on the cusp of change with new competition formats, fan engagement models, and material sciences encouraging a greener future.
“As a venture backed sport, our vision for the PTO is being realised on the twin pillars of technology and finance. Triathlon has been called ‘the new golf’ for over a decade, but hasn’t lived up to that moniker until the PTO developed a media and tech first approach to the sport.
“We are thrilled to be in the Lion City for the inaugural PTO Asian Open and look forward to working with Picture Board Partners to bring a new audience to Singapore.”
Peter Hutton gave the opening keynote at the summit. He first worked in Asia 30 years ago, rising to MD of ESPN Star Sports before moving to Paris as CEO of Eurosport and currently residing in California having been Head of Sport at Meta.
“The STF Asia Leadership Conclave is a much-needed forum,” Hutton said. “After four decades of continued growth, sport faces the challenge and the opportunity to reinvent itself.
“How to attract and engage fans is still at the core and a lot of fresh thinking, such as the PTO, is emerging at the intersection of sport, technology & finance.”
