CWU News

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Topics ranging from the escalating use of social media in sports to cutting edge event marketing will be among the subjects discussed at the 2017 Central Washington University Sport Business Summit.
 
“One of the hallmarks of CWU College of Business (COB) programs is connecting students with industry professionals,” explained Jeff Stinson, CWU marketing professor and director of the Northwest Center for Sport Business (NWCSB). “Along with their classroom curriculum, our students gain access to the industry through events, like the Sport Business Summit, that help prepare them for entry-level sport-business jobs.”
 
Sponsored by the university’s internationally accredited COB, and hosted by the NWCSB, the summit will be held Saturday, February 11, at the CWU Des Moines University Center, at Highline College.
 
“We’re fortunate to have many leaders from industry that will speak about their areas of expertise,” added Tim Morgan, CWU Sports Business program lecturer, about this year’s summit.
 
Some of the top industry leaders, from professional, intercollegiate, amateur, and corporate sport businesses, scheduled to present at the summit include:

• Russ Stromberg, chief executive officer, Osmosis;
• Sarah Lopez, program director, University of Washington Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership Program;
• Nate Silverman, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Seattle Storm of the WNBA;
• Dean Burke, executive director, Tacoma South Sound Sports; and,
• Melissa Thompson, social media lead, Brooks Running.  

 
In addition, past president and former chief executive officer of Seattle’s Seafair, Beth Knox will present the summit’s opening address. She now serves as president and chief executive offer for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. 
 
During a closing lunch session, industry careers will be addressed. 
 
“Through the summit, our sport business students—and others interested in sport-related careers—learn cutting edge industry practice while building their own professional network with participating executives,” Stinson noted.
 
While the summit is free and open to the public, registration is required. The deadline is February 1. To register, visit www.cwu.edu/business/cwu-sports-summit.
 
Those attending the summit are also invited to attend a CWU Alumni Association pre-game gathering that night, ahead of the CWU men's basketball game at Seattle Pacific University.
 
Media contact: Tim Morgan, College of Business, 509-963-3814, Tim.Morgan@cwu.edu