NSC Sports Investment Summit looks to address challenge of funding

Following the ongoing success of the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention (NSC), the event’s organisers are launching a new event to address the “once-in-a-generation” challenges and opportunities of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Featuring senior executives from the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia and a range of other stakeholders, the NSC Sports Investment Summit is designed to be a strategic, targeted gathering for the industry’s most influential leaders, delivering insights into the complexities of the sports ecosystem.

Setting the scene for the Summit, the event organisers state “this Summit is not just about addressing today’s issues - it’s about forging the path to a vibrant and dynamic future for Australian sport.”

They add “Australia’s sport and recreation industry stands at a crossroads. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, the opportunity to capitalise is immense - but so are the risks. The calls for increased investment are growing louder, and the need for innovative funding mechanisms has never been more urgent. But will the industry evolve fast enough to attract the necessary capital? Or will the window of opportunity close, leaving Australia’s sporting future in jeopardy?”

Being held at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park on 19th and 20th November, the Summit will bring together senior executives in sport, government, traditional sports funders, and the new wave of industry investors - from joint ventures and equity investors to public-private partnerships, philanthropists and sponsors.

Key topics, discussions and speakers
Transformation vs. Investment: Should we prioritise attracting more investment, or must we first overhaul the sports ecosystem to make it more appealing?

Craig Tiley, Chief Executive of Tennis Australia, will share his vision for transforming sport, exploring innovative strategies to create a sustainable future and engage with governmental, financial, and commercial sectors to reshape sport’s relevance and economic viability.

Exploring Investment Vehicles: What are the best investment avenues for various sports, environments, and events? Stirling Mortlock, founding partner at XV Capital; David Reid, Vice President, FIBA; and Sarah Cook, Chief Executive, Rowing Australia will lead discussions on strategies and reinventions needed to attract investors.

Understanding Investor Objectives: What drives potential investors from the public sector, commercial entities, or philanthropies?

Monetising Sport: Workshops will delve into monetising sport through entertainment partnerships, leveraging sports IP and media platforms, and exploring technology partnerships for revenue opportunities, featuring Jason Hellwig, Chief Executive of Swimming Victoria, and Sue Hunt AM, Chief Executive of  Australian Sport Foundation.

Building Partnerships, Not Just Sponsorships: Understanding what sponsors seek now and into the future, focusing on opportunities to support sport, recreation, and participation and build communities with partners.

Data-Driven Revenue Strategies in Sport: Unlocking Revenue Potential Through Advanced Analytics. Discover how data-centric strategies can revolutionise revenue generation and commercialisation in sports. Gain insights from Josh Gormaz, former Analytics Manager at SoFi Stadium and current Chief Product Officer at EngageRM (USA), as he delves into the cutting-edge technologies and methodologies used in the US sports industry. Learn how teams, leagues, and venues can harness these innovations to drive unprecedented revenue growth and maximise their commercial impact.

Leveraging Assets: What channels, products, services, and intellectual property can be harnessed to boost revenue, expand reach, and increase engagement?

Rethinking Models: How can sports organisations overhaul their commercial and structural models to capture emerging opportunities?

Who Holds the Keys to the Future of Sport?
The Summit will critically analyse who holds the power to attract future investment - athletes, rights holders, national sporting organisations (NSOs), leagues, media, facility owners or event organisers? This is not just another conference; it’s a transformative movement that demands the attention of global and national leaders from sport, government, and the investment sectors. Together, we will explore opportunities, confront challenges, and discover solutions that will shape the future of Australian sport.

The Conversation Begins
The transformation of sport kicks off over dinner on day one, as international sports journalist and Emcee, Tracey Holmes leads a thought-provoking discussion with industry leaders.

Martin Sheppard, Chief Executive of event organiser Smart Connection Company, advises “the NSC Sports Investment Summit is where the future of investment in sport is forged. It’s not merely about attending an event; it’s about being part of a movement that will shape the next era of sport in Australia. We are at a crossroads, and this summit is our opportunity to lead, innovate, and transform.”

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