London Sports Networker Event

by Lewis Howes | July 26th, 2010 | View Comments

Back by popular request, Sports Networker returns to the international stage one again this fall as it teams up with the UK Sports Network for an exciting sports professionals networking event at the Sports Bar & Grill in London.

When: August 10th from 6pm-9pm

Where: Marylebone Station, Melcombe Place, London NW1 6JJ, United Kingdom

The UK Sports Network is a group founded by Daniel McClaren that strives to share its expertise on sports social media and the industry’s latest trends with sports professionals. Since its inception in November 2009, nearly 1,000 sports professionals now seek the insight and creativity that the UK Sports Network offers.

All sports professionals are welcome to attend this event and learn from the experts on social media and the latest developments in the sports industry. Admission is £10 GBP if you sign up now, and £15 GBP at the door. Stay posted for updates about the event by registering for the event on LinkedIn HERE.

To receive early bird pricing and ensure your spot at this event (as there is limited spacing) register below and we look forward to seeing you at the event! Make sure to add your company name when you check out as this will be included on your name tag.

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ESPYs Allow Fan Voters to Draw Emotional Appeal

by Matt Clark | July 20th, 2010 | View Comments

I first started watching the ESPYS thinking I was going to write an article on the good and bad that happened during the event. I had my first entries all ready to go, I had segments written bashing Janelle Monae for those trifling singing performances between segments, and pieces written showing my utmost appreciation toward Erin Andrews and Brooklyn Decker for attending the award show; obviously because I have the utmost appreciation for their successful careers. Than as the night progressed I began to acquire a different tune about the ESPYS, one of which was not solely concentrated on the awards and entertainment of the night, but rather on the underlying meaning behind this huge event.

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Hockey Nets Food Across Canada

by Sam Chan | July 7th, 2010 | View Comments

There are three stereotypes that Canadians are generally known for: 1. we say ‘eh’ a lot. 2. we’re extremely nice to a fault and 3. we love our hockey. Representing both 2 and 3, Communication student Richard Loat decided to embark on a journey across Canada to play ball hockey while raising money for local food banks along the way. The event, dubbed Five Hole for Food in honor of the most glorious way to score a goal in hockey, is fueled by big name sponsors such as Molson Canadian, Boston Pizza, and Marketwire, along with support from teams in the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.

The idea came when Richard was planning a cross-country road trip and decided to do something a little more meaningful with his miles. Already well known in the hockey social media scene as a blogger for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Richard reached out to other hockey fans across the country, and found the online community to be extremely receptive and supportive. The blueprint for 9 games in 11 days was quickly formed. So far, games have already been played in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, and Edmonton.

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Myths and Realities of Celebrity Golf Tournaments

by Lewis Howes | July 5th, 2010 | View Comments

(This is a guest article by Dan Westervelt)

Celebrity, n. A person who is easily recognized and thus considered ‘famous’ in society.

These people are excellent to have at your golf tournament. They bring not only media attention, but also more money, players, sponsor, fans and sometimes even paying spectators. Because of their WOW factor there are many myths that have sprung up concerning celebrity appearances at golf tournaments and what it takes to get them to come. Actually it is much simpler than you realize. This article debunks some of the more popular myths about getting celebrity players for your charity golf event.

Myth: Celebrity events cost a lot of money to put on because of celebrity appearance fees.
Reality: Celebrities donate their time for the cause. Their usual appearance fees vary anywhere from $5,000-$25,000 per day, but these do not apply because the celebrities have agreed to’ donate their time’.

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Sports Executives Association Event – NYC

by Lewis Howes | May 28th, 2010 | View Comments

The Sports Executives Association (SEA) is excited to host its first live networking event June 24th in New York City. This inaugural, members only, event will be hosted by PlayBeautiful, an interactive, community-driven pop-up venue is celebrating the 2010 FIFA World Cup for 30 days in NYC.

They will be featuring match viewing parties, player appearances, demonstrations and private events including our SEA networking meet-up. PlayBeautiful’s main location at Openhouse Gallery will feature an indoor mini-stadium modeled after Soccer City in Johnannesberg, South Africa.

Be there, Thursday, June 24^thfrom 6-9 p.m. for the chance to network with other SEA members in person. There will be appetizers, cash bar and exciting opportunities to connect in this unique World Cup venue.

If you are not yet a member of the SEA but would like to attend, just sign up here and gain free access. Please RSVP on LinkedIn to let us know if we’ll see you there. You must be a paid member of the SEA or will not be admitted at the door. We hope you’ll join us for this exclusive event.

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London Sports Networking Event Recap

by Lewis Howes | May 20th, 2010 | View Comments

What do you get when over 125 of London’s brightest sports professionals come together?

A successful Sports Networker event!

It was fun teaming up with Daniel over at The UK Sports Network to have the opportunity to connect so many talented individuals working in the sports industry. We were blessed to have Football Fans Census as our premier sponsor as well, and look forward to working with their team more in the future.

After talking with many of the attendees, I realized there is a big need for these events as they are limited on sports business networking opportunities as well as understanding how sports teams and organizations can utilize and measure social media ROI better to increase fan and customer engagement.

Sports Networker and the UK Sports Network plan to do more event in the future, so stay tuned for those announcements. In the meantime, take a look at the slide show below from the attendees at the event.

If you missed this event, or would like to learn about future events, social media in sports tips, or other resources for the sports industry then make sure to sign up for the Sports Networker Newsletter to get weekly updates.

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PLAYOFFS?! Yes, I’m Talking About the Playoffs!

by Sam Taggart | May 11th, 2010 | View Comments

I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a fan of hockey. While I absolutely love most sports (e.g. basketball, baseball, football, golf, tennis), hockey is one sport I’ve never been able to get into. However, last Saturday during Game One of the second round Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, you wouldn’t have known the difference between me and [insert someone who really, really, really loves hockey].

The Flyers were down 4-2 with about eight minutes left in the third period of the game. By the end of the period, the game was tied and headed to overtime. And while the Flyers lost, I couldn’t help but think about how excited and nervous I’d gotten… for a hockey game! Every shot attempt, every rebound, every big hit, they were all reason for a gasp or a scream. What was happening to me? Was I on drugs? Was this real life? Was this gonna be forever?

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Sports Networker Event in London

by Lewis Howes | April 28th, 2010 | View Comments

Sports Networker returns to the international stage when it teams up with the UK Sports Network for an exciting sports professionals networking event at the Sports Bar & Grill in London.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m on May 17, 2010, and sports professionals will have the opportunity to network in what will be one of London’s premier sports restaurants to watch the 2010 World Cup this summer.

The UK Sports Network is a group founded by Daniel McClaren that strives to share its expertise on sports social media and the industry’s latest trends with sports professionals. Since its inception, in November 2009, nearly 1,000 sports professionals now seek the insight and creativity that the UK Sports Network offers.

All sports professionals are welcome to attend this event and learn from the experts on social media and the latest developments in the sports industry. Admission is £10 GBP if you sign up now, and £15 GBP at the door. Stay posted for updates about the event by registering for it on LinkedIn here.

To receive early bird pricing and ensure your spot at this event (as there is limited spacing) register below and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

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Classic Golf Tournament Mistakes

by Lewis Howes | April 27th, 2010 | View Comments

(This is a guest article by Dan Westervelt)

Mistake 1: We’ll rent a golf course that charges a $65 green fees and charge our golfers $165 to play in the event. While this may seem like a reasonable price you must remember that golfers are very familiar with the local courses and their green fees. Better to offer them a higher priced course to justify the increased fee, golfers will pay more for perceived value i.e. it is far easier to sell an event on a $150 course at $250 than a $65 course for $165.

HINT: Private club green fees are now definitely negotiable and sadly, people don’t bother to ask about them about their current rates, you will be surprised by doing so.

Mistake 2: Our format has always worked with our golfers so we’ll stick with what worked last year. The big problem with this thinking is that as golfers improve their needs change, for example a starting golfer is very happy to play in a scramble format. An advanced golfer probably is not, they either want to play their ball throughout the match or at least have a more hands on approach in play. SOLUTION: Before you announce the format, survey the golfers from last year, ask if they would prefer a change?

HINT: This should be a part of your regular tournament promotion activity anyway, as once you have hosted a golfer, you need to stay in touch with them about upcoming events and a short 3 question survey is the way to gain valuable information before making this mistake.

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Pro Athletes Help Fight Childhood Obesity

by Gail Sideman | April 19th, 2010 | View Comments

From the National Football League to the National Basketball Association, professional sports organizations and their athletes are realizing that they could have a positive influence when it comes to getting kids to move off the couch and onto playgrounds and in organized physical education.

Newest to the anti-obesity team isBoston Celtics forward, Paul Pierce, and a coalition of elite athletes from eight different sports who raise funds to fight children’s obesity as part of an effort called ‘nPLAY. A government tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, ‘nPLAY’s primary focus is to financially support physical education and activity programs in low income areas which statistically suffer the highest rates of childhood obesity in the United States.

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