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TODAY’S SPORTS FANS: Building the Foundations

For our eighth birthday, it gives us great pleasure to welcome back one of our favourite Summit speakers, offering world-class insights in his Keynote address on Fan Engagement, on 22 June in Dublin.

Building a relationship with fans requires careful strategy and robust support. Fan engagement is a 365-day-a-year practice. It’s not a monologue. It’s a dialogue, and that generates excitement about the team.

We’re delighted to welcome back one of our favourite speakers who’ll be explaining how his organisation has
embraced fans, data and partners to deliver the very best in fan engagement for Canada’s finest athletes.

Chris Overholt, CEO & Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee, has more than 20 years’ experience in the elite echelons of the sports industry, establishing himself as a leading and trusted voice in the sporting and business worlds.

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Chris joined the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) in 2010 as Chief Executive Officer and since then has helped the organisation achieve unprecedented growth in all areas of its commercial operations. 

Reporting to the COC’s Board of Directors, Chris is also tasked with oversight and accountability for the Olympic Movement in Canada, all COC National Sport Development programs, and its Olympic Games preparation and event operations. He leads all aspects of the COC’s commercial enterprise, including: finance, human resources, sales and marketing. He works closely with the COC’s 52 National Sports Federations to provide the tools they need to develop the next generation of Olympians.

With an extensive background in sports sales and marketing in the United States and Canada, Christopher’s business expertise is matched by his dedicated team leadership. Through his 25 years in business, he has led day-to-day business development strategy for a number of organisations, partnering with some of the world’s biggest companies to leverage their brands and properties.

Prior to joining the COC, he served as VP and CMO for the Miami Dolphins, where from 2006 to 2010, he reported to the CEO and served as senior business executive responsible for sales and partnership sales. Before moving to Miami, he acted as the Executive Vice-President of Business Operations and CMO with the Florida Panthers.

 Christopher’s career in the sports industry began with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in 1996, where he spent seven years delivering industry-leading results for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors.

Hear exclusive insights from Chris (alongside 40+ world-class speakers) at the Summit on 22-23 June at Croke Park, Dublin. Full attendance list here.

 

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