2025 SLS Agenda
| 9:00–9:30 AM | Arrivals & Check-In |
| 9:35–9:45 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks Maura Regan, President of Licensing International |
| 9:50–10:20 AM | Keynote: Winning On and Off the Field Join Ahmad Nassar, the CEO of Winners Alliance, to learn how pioneering strategies in group licensing, sponsorships, and partnerships are opening up new frontiers in the world of sports licensing. Ahmad Nassar, CEO of Winners Alliance and Executive Director of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) Steve Scebelo, President of REP Worldwide |
| 10:25–11:05 PM | Everything You Need to Know About Digital Product Passports Experts in the brand protection and sports merchandising landscapes come together to discuss the importance of digital product passports and how this advancement in brand protection will affect the industry moving forward. Moderator: Bill Patterson, EVP of Product Authentication at Octane5 Matt Dunn, President & Chief Technology Officer of Octane5 Andrea Green, Advisor and US Ambassador at Products of Change |
| 11:10–11:50 AM | Research Presentation: The Current Score in Sports Licensing Alex Kerman, Senior Director of Business Operations & Research at the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) shares new research on the consumer behaviors driving trends in the sports licensing landscape. Alex Kerman, Senior Director of Business Operations & Research at the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) |
| 11:55 AM–12:55 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00–1:30 PM | Winning Big at Retail Industry experts share the retail trends that will help brand owners and licensees score in stores and online. Moderator: Elizabeth Foster, VP of Content & Communications at Licensing InternationalJohn Knudson, Owner of Coleman House |
| 1:35–2:15 PM | Licensing with the Leagues Sit down with senior executives to gain insights into the global growth of the major sports leagues and find out what they’re focused on in 2025 and beyond. Moderator: Steven Heller, President of the Brand Liaison Angie Clift, Senior Manager of International Consumer Products at NFL Lisa Piken, SVP of Global Partnerships at NBA Toni Schutté, Senior Manager of Licensing at NFL |
| 2:20–2:40 PM | Coffee & Networking |
| 2:45–3:15 PM | Scoring with Girls’ Sports Anjelika Temple, Chief Content Officer at Rebel Girls, discusses the launch of Rebel Girls Sport and shares the keys to connecting with future sports fans, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Maura Regan, President of Licensing International Anjelika Temple, Chief Content Officer at Rebel Girls |
| 3:20–4:20PM | Roundtable Networking Participants will move to a new table every 15 minutes (four rounds) Anti-counterfeiting: Ivan Esmeral, Co-Founder at Podqi College Athletics: Karen Dertinger, Managing Director at The Ohio State University Gaming & eSports: Michelle Perez Barruos, General Manager of Feenix Studio Fashion: LauraAnn Lamando, CEO of FanGirl Fashionista Distribution: Steven Heller, President of the Brand Liaison NIL: Jim Cavale, Founder and Chairman of Athletes.org Outdoor Sports: Simon Waters, President of Licensing and Entertainment at Revelyst Research: Alex Kerman, Senior Director of Business Operations & Research at the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Sports Betting: Evan Davis, Gaming and Sports Practice Lead at Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld Trading Cards: D.J. Kazmierczak, SVP of Operations at Panini America |
| 4:25–5:05 PM | The Next Big Thing in Sports Industry experts will share the new approaches being taken to launch the next big sports property. Moderator: Veronica Hart, Chief Growth Officer at RWS Global Germaine Gioia, President of Playlife Co. Ryan Olli, Senior Manager of Licensing at Winners Alliance Stacey Vollman Warwick, Head of Commercial at League One Volleyball |
| 5:10–5:15PM | Closing Remarks Maura Regan, President of Licensing International |
| 5:15–7:00 PM | Networking Reception |