2024 National Youth Sports Summit Convenes Industry Leaders, Addressing Pressing Topics Shaping the $39b Travel and Youth Sports Industry

Summit Features Impact Award Presentation Honoring Softball Legend Jennie Finch

Atlanta, GA (September 24th, 2024): LakePoint Sports, the nation’s premier travel and youth sports destination, is hosting the 2024 National Youth Sports Summit, on Tuesday, October 8th from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm ET. This prestigious annual event will be held at the Champions Center on the globally recognized LakePoint Sports campus. This year’s summit will feature the following sports industry executives, leaders, and key stakeholders:

  • Will McIntosh, President, NBC Sports NEXT
  • Wade Martin, CEO, Baseball and CCO, Unrivaled Sports
  • Steve Horowitz, co-Managing Partner, Inner Circle Sports
  • Lenny Daniels, former President, Turner Sports
  • Tom Farrey, Founder and Executive Director, Sports and Society Program, the Aspen Institute
  • CJ Stewart, former Major League Baseball player, co-Founder/CVO, L.E.A.D. Center for Youth
  • Erik Bakich, Head Baseball Coach, Clemson University
  • Greg Kristoff, former CDO, 3STEP Sports and current Travel and Youth Sports Executive Advisor
  • Maria Martin, Sports Anchor, NBC affiliate / 11Alive
  • Mark M. O’Brien, President and CEO, LakePoint Sports

The noted industry experts will address pressing topics shaping the $39 billion travel and youth sports industry through a variety of panels and discussions, including:

  • The State of the Travel & Youth Sports Industry
  • Influences Fueling the Momentum in the Travel and Youth Sports Industry
  • Headwinds Impacting the Travel & Youth Sports Industry
  • What’s on the Horizon for the Travel & Youth Sports Industry
  • Digital Media and Broadcast Highlights, Innovation and More Impacting the Industry

Additionally, NBA star and Georgia Tech basketball legend Dennis Scott will be featured in a special one-on-one interview with NBC Affiliate and 11Alive’s sports anchor Maria Martin. The interview, titled “The Youth Sports Journey: Player to Parent and Beyond,” will explore Dennis’ unique perspective on youth sports. Drawing from his own career and his current experience as a parent of two highly talented travel athletes, Dennis will provide valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of navigating the sports journey from both the player’s and parent’s perspectives.

The 2024 National Youth Sports Summit will feature a presentation honoring Jennie  Finch, one of the most iconic figures in softball history, and the recipient of the 2024 LakePoint Sports Impact Award, presented by Coca-Cola United. The Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization significantly contributing to the growth and development of the travel and youth sports industry.

Finch, a former collegiate and professional softball player, led the Arizona Wildcats to a Women’s College World Series victory in 2001 and was named a collegiate All-American. She later played a pivotal role in the U.S. women’s national softball team’s gold medal win at the 2004 Summer Olympics and their silver medal in 2008. Recognized as one of the greatest softball players of all time, Finch is a National Softball Hall of Fame inductee, and Time magazine once hailed her as “the most famous softball player in history.”

“We are honored to present the 2024 LakePoint Sports Impact Award to Jennie Finch, a true trailblazer in the world of softball, women’s sports, and an inspiration to athletes everywhere,” said Greg Barckhoff, EVP of Partnerships & Marketing at LakePoint Sports. “Her achievements both on and off the field embody the spirit of leadership, commitment, and impact,” noted Barckhoff. “ Idead characteristics as we honor and celebrate Jennie’s contributions and continued aspirations to make a difference through sports.”

The Summit will attract a wide range of attendees, including sports venue operators, event organizers, travel industry professionals, and brand executives, all looking to gain insights into the continued rapid growth and momentum of the travel and youth sports industry. A Networking Reception & Partnership Expo will create an invaluable opportunity for attendees to connect and collaborate before a series of expert-led panel discussions.

Registration Information:

For more information about the 2024 National Youth Sports Summit and to register, visit National Youth Sports Summit.com.

About LakePoint Sports:

LakePoint Sports, the premier travel and youth sports destination in the country, encompasses a sprawling 1,300-acre campus featuring five premium venues: the Champions Center Indoor Pavilion, the Baseball Village, Publix Fields, the Beach Pavilion, and Terminus Wake Park. Focused on delivering excellence in the guest experience and fostering world-class partnerships, LakePoint annually hosts millions of guests from across the globe and attracts athletes to compete against the nation’s best. Leveraging influential media platforms and pioneering innovative technology, LakePoint Sports is dedicated to setting the standard in travel and youth sports. Visit LakePointSports.com  to learn more.