SGMA Brings Industry Leaders To Washington For Town Hall Summit

The sporting goods industry’s leading brands and strategists will convene March 5-6 in Washington, D.C. for the second annual Industry Leaders Summit (www.leaders.sgma.com). Hosted by the board of directors of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), this event will explore catalysts for growth and value for the industry. SGMA’s inaugural Industry Leaders Summit last year attracted more than 70 presidents, CEOs, and chairman from manufacturers, retailers, and sports franchises.

The 2007 Industry Leaders Summit will focus attention on how the ‘Street’ values companies — from existing assets to key growth drivers. The discussion will thread across several important elements of building brand equity, from maximizing marketing ROI in an online world to building brand authenticity and credibility through multicultural marketing to the significance of consumer control in brand management.

Recognizing the fundamental shift in the power of the consumer, the Summit will also host a panel of leading retail and manufacturing brands to dissect this issue. Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods; Tom Raynor, CEO of Fleet Feet; Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour; and Tony Palma, CEO of Easton-Bell Sports will share their ideas on how both groups can mutually enhance the customer experience.

Several subject matter experts will facilitate the dialogue and exchange among Summit participants, dissecting how value is generated today and where it will migrate tomorrow:

o Joe Pellegrini, Managing Director of Wachovia Securities, and Peter Breck, Managing Director of Rosewood Capital, will help the group understand what drives value from the ‘Street’s’ perspective;

o Erin Patton, Founder and Principal of The Mastermind Group, will share his experiences launching one of the most noted sports products in recent years, the Starbury sneaker and apparel brand;

o Scott Meyer, CEO of Yfly.com and Clay Walker, President of Fantasy Sports Ventures, will assess consumer trends and realities in an online world;

o Ray Kurz and Lewis Leibowitz, partners at Hogan & Hartson LLP, will convey important legal considerations in protecting your brand equity;

o Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary, will discuss the role of crisis communications in brand management, sharing experiences across politics and sports business.

“Events like this which can generate provocative discourse for our members are a part of SGMA’s present and future,” said Tom Cove, president and CEO of SGMA. “Our board of directors has established SGMA’s role to enhance the vitality and opportunities of the sporting goods industry. By bringing together the industry’s best minds for an open dialogue and debate, we can collectively gain in our understanding of and relationships with the sports and fitness consumer. The power of this event is in the strength of the participants. ”

SGMA also invites the industry to Washington, D.C. on March 7 for an important advocacy day on Capitol Hill. National Health-through-Fitness Day is our industry’s annual legislative event asking Congress to expand opportunities for physical activity in America. This year, SGMA will be promoting federal funding of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP), benefiting P.E. programs across the country, and our industry’s signature issue, the Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT), a tax incentive option which promotes physical activity and fitness for all Americans. For more information or to register, please visit www.getinvolved.sgma.com.

SGMA, the trade association of leading industry sports and fitness brands, enhances industry vitality and fosters sports and fitness participation through research, thought leadership, product promotion and public policy. SGMA produces signature industry events including the Spring Market trade show, Sports + Technology Convergence, Industry Leaders Summit and National Health-through-Fitness Day on Capitol Hill. More information about SGMA membership and SGMA’s Sports Research Partnership can be found at www.sgma.com