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.

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!

Why Sports Professionals Must Attend Conferences

by Lewis Howes | March 16th, 2010 | View Comments

Have you ever attended a sports conference?

Most sports professionals who have know how valuable they are.

Things change when you meet people face to face. I don’t know how the chemicals in our bodies transform when we actually see how someone looks, listen to the sound of their voice, touch their hand when we greet, and observe how they interact with others… but somehow you just know when you meet with someone if it will be a mutually beneficial business relationship.

These new connections can help you get to where you want to be in life, and throughout your sports career.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Attending sports conferences is the best way to connect with many of the top sports executives in the industry. However, it can be time consuming, and cost a lot of money along the way.

This is just one of the reasons to join the Sports Executives Association. This will allow you to still meet and stay connected to those top sports professionals, but from the comfort of your home or office and at the time which is most convenient for you.

Watch below to learn more about the pros and cons of attending conferences and write in the comment section below some of the benefits your have seen from attending conferences and meeting sports professionals face to face.

Sports Professionals Networking Event: Buenos Aires

by Lewis Howes | March 8th, 2010 | View Comments

During my stay in Argentina I have had a number of Sports Networkers looking to meet up. Since I’m only here for a few more days before I leave for SXSW I decided to put together a Sports Networker meet up in Buenos Aires to bring together some of the best minds in the industry.

This is more of a meet up instead of a large Sports Networker event, but I’m expecting a great turn out.

The event will be held at the well known Hard Rock Cafe in Recoleta starting at 7:00pm on Wednesday March 10th.

Here is the address:
Av. Pueyrredón y Libertador
Buenos Aires Design
1119 – Buenos Aires

This event is free to attend so bring your co-workers, dress casual, have your business cards ready, and let’s have a fun night connecting with some great sports professionals in the Buenos Aires area. See you there!

In the Trenches: Building Your Network

by Lewis Howes | February 15th, 2010 | View Comments

(This is a guest article by Cabe Flesher)

As the old saying goes, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and this can’t ring more true than in the wide world of sports, specifically sponsorships sales. We are out there everyday trying to get in the door somehow and we have all heard the phrase, “Oh, I know someone I can call or email”.

Well, speaking from the trenches, it’s best to build on that network as much as possible. Networking now isn’t always about hitting the latest local networking event, which we all know is filled with the same sales people trying to sell each other and vying for the for real buyers in the room. It’s more about reaching out to our peers on a national level trying to develop a bond there that will someday pay off. Let’s face it we got into sponsorships because we want to get paid. So however you can achieve that should be your goal.

10 Ways to Land Jobs at Sports Conferences

by Lewis Howes | February 10th, 2010 | View Comments

SportsBusiness 03 (This is a guest article by Jason Kobeda)

The ability to network has become an essential skill for those seeking employment in the sports industry. When I began pursuing a career in the NFL, I quickly learned how much competition there was. I traveled to the Senior Bowl week of practices and NFL Combine, where NFL personnel congregate during the off-season to evaluate talent. This presented rare opportunities to meet key people and I returned the following three years while completing my degree.

These are a few methods I used to put myself in the same room with the NFL personnel who had the power to hire me. These tips relate to football events, but are transferable to other sports business conference, MLB Winter Meetings, NBA Combine, etc.

1. Write introductory letters: Anytime you know you’re going to see someone that’s important to your career search, always write them a letter beforehand telling them what you want to do and that you’re hoping to meet them at the event. It is then much easier and more effective to approach that person and say, “Mr./Mrs. —-, my name is Jason Kobeda, it’s nice to meet you. I’m not sure if you got my letter last week, but may I have a minute of your time to discuss potential internships in your department?”

Top 9 Ways To Break Into Sports

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

star5112 (This is a guest article by Mark Washo)

I host a weekly online Sports Management chat as an Adjunct Professor for Sports Management Worldwide where I’m able to invite guest speakers from within the sports industry to participate. Over the past few months the students have learned from executives at many top teams, companies and agencies.

I also have been on the sports conference circuit in the past year, participating in numerous sports business panels. Whether I am sitting on a panel or facilitating chats, I hear the same reoccurring advice about how to break into the sports industry. Here are some tips from recent calls to help give sports job seekers a head start.

1. Network, network, network- build your pro sports Rolodex

One of the most important things you can do when trying to break into sports, is to build your Rolodex of professional sports contacts. Learfield’s Mary Lee Gilliland comments “Job seekers should seek out events and opportunities to meet as many sports executives and people working in the industry as they can. The first place sports executives look when they have open positions, is within their own network. I receive dozens of e-mails a year from my friends in the business asking me if I know of candidates that would be qualified for their open positions.”

Create a Presence: The Influence of LinkedIn Groups

by Tyler Johnson | December 17th, 2009 | View Comments

Last May I was kicking back with Lewis Howes at a Chicago Cubs game, not knowing in two weeks time I would be doing the same thing with another colleague, Jude LaRose. Still digesting the LinkedIn knowledge Lewis dropped on me, Jude and I ended up not paying much attention to the play on the field and instead spent most of the time hatching a plan.

In working with LinkedIn, I have started to see the value in being a part of different groups and organizations that can benefit my career. With a desire to become more actively involved, we decided to start a group in Chicago for sports professionals working in the area.

How to Network at a Sports Symposium

by Darren Heitner | December 1st, 2009 | View Comments

darren 02 We are about to enter Sports Symposium season. This Friday is the granddaddy of them all: The Princeton Sports Symposium. Amongst the panelists are former Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox general manager Roland Hemond, Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci, President of Ponturo Management and chairman of the Leverage Agency sports marketing firm Tony Ponturo, IMG agency’s executive vice president of sports programming Barry Frank, etc.

Other fantastic symposiums that are right around the corner include the UF Sports Law Symposium on January 29, 2010 and the University of Miami’s 13th Annual Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium on February 5, 2010. Travel costs in this economy are not always easy to justify, but these events are some of the best places to learn about the business of sports. They are also the premier spots to network with the sports industry’s leaders.

The Huddle: Nothing Beats a Team

by Frank Agin | November 30th, 2009 | View Comments

golf 01 The sights and sounds of summer are arguably the best of the year. Ask most anyone and they will list summer as one of their favorite times of year.

If you ask why, you will get a variety of answers. Some will cite the long, sunny days filled with enjoying time at the beach. Others might mention backyard cook outs with family and friends. Still others will bring into the conversation an occasional round of golf.

The game of golf is unique in that there is something in the game for everyone. You can start playing when you are young and enjoy it until you are in retirement years. As long as you are able walk a few feet and swing your arms, you can play golf (not necessarily well, but you can still play).