Matthew Lewis is the Chief Operating Officer at Levy, a role he took on in 2022. He is responsible for the strategic, commercial, and operational success of Levy's extensive portfolio and plays a key role in the company's expansion.

Prior to joining Levy, Matthew was a driving force at The Celtic Collection, where he led the Operations, Culinary, and People divisions for all properties within the multi-faceted hospitality group.

An avid golfer himself, Matthew's career has always been rooted in the world of sport, this lifelong connection to the industry makes his transition to Levy a natural fit, where his expertise is now focused on providing exceptional hospitality at iconic sport and entertainment venues.

With a steadfast commitment to innovation in customer experience, my tenure at Riptide Partners has been marked by spearheading venue technology advancements leveraging both customer and employee feedback. We've cultivated a seamless integration between CX and other enterprise systems, enhancing both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. My role as Vice President is a testament to my capacity for strategic leadership and process improvement, skills honed through rigorous experience and a Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

At Madison Square Garden, collaboration across operations was key as I partnered with various departments to fulfill technology requirements, ensuring our iconic venues remained at the forefront of industry standards. My analytical acumen, honed through years of hands-on experience, has positioned me to effectively lead teams in creating scalable, repeatable processes that drive results and foster an environment of continuous improvement.

Dave Cochrane is the Director of Light & Fury, where he oversees the strategic business operations and creative direction.

With over a decade experience in sports graphics production, Dave is dedicated to redefining sports presentation in innovative, creative and captivating ways. From large-scale televised stadium experiences to local matches, his vision is to enhance the fan experience through design, animation, video, and sound.

Collaborating closely with professional teams and leagues, Light & Fury delivers sports presentations across tier-one stadiums in Australia and, most recently, at Allegiant Stadium for the NRL’s foray into Las Vegas.

Dave lives and works in Sydney, Australia, where he began his career at Fox Sports in graphic design for live broadcast. He is also the founder of Hank Mango, a boutique animation studio specialising in motion design and corporate communications.

Contact:

Dave Cochrane – Director

hello@lightandfury.tv

lightandfury.tv

In his fireside chat, Dave will be discussing the topic of “Amplifying the fan experience: The Strategic Role of Game Day Graphics”.

He will go into how video, design and animation enhance in-stadium fan engagement. 

In a packed stadium, what fans see on screen can shape how they feel, what they know, and how connected they are to the match. 

This session explores how thoughtful, well-designed graphics play a vital role in crowd engagement, building atmosphere, and reinforcing the identity of both club and sponsors. It’s not always about bells and whistles, it’s about cohesion, clarity, and emotion. 

From pre-match build-up to player profiles, we’ll unpack how visual communication helps create a seamless match day experience that feels bigger, sharper, and more memorable for lifelong fans and first-timers alike.

With over 25 years at Dawnvale, beginning in 1999, John started with a hands-on approach, installing bars and commercial kitchens. Rising through the ranks from Site Manager to Contracts Director, and now Managing Director, having played a pivotal role in transforming Dawnvale into a full-service main contractor, specialising in fast-track hospitality projects.

Working with clients such as Living Ventures, TGI Fridays, Hickory's, and Tattu, recognised the inefficiencies of relying on external contractors and led the decision to take control by handling all main contracting work in-house. This strategic move 20 years ago allowed Dawnvale to offer faster, more efficient services and deliver complex projects without delays.

Notably, over the past six years, Dawnvale has successfully delivered high-profile projects for MCFC, BCFC, MUFC and ASFC, ensuring on-time, complete handovers. Standout projects include BCFC’s Alliance Lounge and MCFC’s Ardwick pub—both completed in just 4 weeks and worth millions.

Dawnvale’s vision for the next decade is to collaborate with more clubs and design practices, enhancing the fan experience with innovative, accessible hospitality spaces. John continues to lead the company with expertise in planning, managing, and delivering multiple projects on tight timelines, ensuring seamless experiences for clients and fans alike.

Key Skills:
Leadership, Project Planning, Fast-Track Project Delivery, Hospitality Fit-Outs

Simon is the Creative Director of Populous’ specialist brand activation and experiential design group, working with the sports and entertainment sector.

He has been instrumental in delivering major projects including the brand activation of London’s O2 Arena, the multi-venue way finding for the London 2012 Olympics, and the way finding and brand activation for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

More recently, Simon has led brand development projects for FC Troyes and Deportivo La Corona, and the brand activation at Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium and Arena Milano.

James Bradshaw has over a decade of experience leading the development, design, and delivery of iconic real estate projects across the UK and Europe. His work with organisations such as ASM Global, AEG, and the Ambassador Theatre Group has seen him shape landmark venues like The O2, AO Arena Manchester, and OVO Arena Wembley. James has led large-scale redevelopment and refurbishment projects, including a £50 million renovation of AO Arena and the £130 million expansion of The O2’s Entertainment District.

With a focus on strategic planning, innovation, and collaborative leadership mixed with a love of venues and live entertainment, James founded James Bradshaw Consulting to help clients realise their visions for transformative real estate projects. His bespoke advisory services are tailored to each client’s needs, ensuring that every project creates long-term value and drives strategic growth.

Cassandra Calleja is the Head of Business Development & Client Relations at Sports Venue Business and SVB LIVE. She brings over 20 years of experience, working exclusively within the sports industry.

Throughout her career, Cassandra has become a specialist in sports technology. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing the ECAL North American Office in Los Angeles. She has contributed her expertise to sports tech companies such as VenueNext and EngageRM, with her client portfolio including major leagues and teams like the Australian Football League, Cricket Australia, the NBA, NBL, EPL, NFL, NHL, and MLS. Her roles have spanned business development, ticket strategy, fan and client engagement and retention, as well as special event planning.

In addition to driving business growth and managing client relationships, Cassandra spearheads the implementation of SVB LIVE's engagement platform and takes the lead in strategic planning. She leads SVB LIVE networking events across Australia, fostering key industry connections. She is an active blogger and social media user, focusing on the premium hospitality experiences in sports. Through her publications, she provides deep insights into the niche world of sports and live entertainment.

Francis Casado is one of the founders of Mobile Media Content, who comercialises the 3D Digital Venue platform and is currently serving as Head of Business Development. Prior to founding MMC- 3D Digital Venue, that revolutionized Interactive Digital Venue Management for Sports and Entertainment Venue Industry, Francis made his career around the beneficial application of 3D Technology and Virtual Reality for various sectors, including Mobile apps, real state and pharma, amongst others.

A true entrepreneur, skilled in the domains of visualizing and pursuing new innovative business opportunities, creating, coaching and leading teams; Francis has led Mobile Media Content from the front bringing in multiple accolades and awards in fields of innovation and growth from all around the world. Apart from the successes in his academic and professional field, Francis has been having a favorable run as an Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship with Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscasado/

Liverpool FC’s Director of Tourism, Tom Cassidy, has overseen Anfield’s Stadium Tour & Museum transformation into an award-winning, year-round visitor attraction in the Liverpool City Region.

Under his leadership, the club has expanded its tourism offerings with a diverse range of products and experience packages designed to broaden revenue streams and attract visitors beyond matchdays.

Tom brings a unique perspective on the future of stadium utilisation. Liverpool FC are setting a global example for clubs and stadium operators by showcasing that venues can unlock the full potential of their spaces through enhanced infrastructure, innovative programming, and fan-first experiences.

Dan Cook is Head of Ticketing at the Welsh Rugby Union, with over 18 years’ experience in customer experience, digital innovation, and operational strategy, including six years dedicated to ticketing at Principality Stadium. In this role, he oversees the full ticketing journey from purchase to event day, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience for fans at one of the world’s most iconic sporting and entertainment venues, which has hosted major events such as Grand Slam Rugby clashes, blockbuster concerts from global superstars like Coldplay, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, and most recently the opening nights of the eagerly anticipated Oasis Live 25 world tour.

Under his leadership, the WRU ticketing team has delivered a number of industry-leading initiatives, including the launch of a seamless digital ticketing journey and the creation of an online help centre that now supports 1.5 million visitors annually. Most notably, the introduction of fully bespoke accessible supporter guides setting a new benchmark for inclusivity and was recognised with an ESSMA Stadium Award. He has also presented at the House of Lords on the transformative power of sport and its ability to create opportunities for individuals and communities.

Alongside his work at WRU, Dan is COO of Different Breed, a platform that delivers a suite of fan experience tools designed to provide world-class accessible experiences for everyone. The company helps venues and events make experiences accessible, advance EDI goals, meet accessibility compliance, and reduce support cases substantially through insights, customisation, and inclusive design.

Martin Coulthurst is a Director with CAA ICON, a division of leading entertainment and sports  agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

CAA ICON is the world’s-leading owner’s representative and  strategic management consulting firm for public and private sports and entertainment facility  owners/operators, professional franchises, and leagues.  

Martin has more than 15 years of experience managing the development, construction, and  engineering of a wide variety of projects. He most recently served as a project director for the  development of Co-op Live in Manchester; the UK’s only music-first arena.  

He is currently the Project Director working on behalf of Aston Villa Football Club for the  redevelopment and expansion of Villa Park, which will increase the stadium’s capacity and  modernise the stadium to create a world-class sports & entertainment venue.

Mirko is a Sales & Marketing Manager with more than 20 years of experience, having worked in 4 different industries.

He is passionate about sport, information technology and innovation.

His academic credentials include an Executive MBA at Mip, Politecnico di Milano.

Mirko is a self-starter, with professional experience in start-up environment. He joined AS Roma in July 2019 and has been responsible for:

B2B reorganisation

Taking the Business Club from 300 to more than 600 corporate clients

“AS Roma Business Club” foundation

Antonia has over 20-year experience within the hospitality industry, after graduating from university with a design degree, she started her career in the commercial catering industry as a commercial designer, working with High end Hotels like Malmaison, Devere Hotels and Cameron House, designing bespoke champagne bars, glass cold room displays and open kitchens with feature chefs’ tables, created stunning and impactful spaces, with theatre and iconic concepts. 

From here she expanded her knowledge and understanding of the industry diversifying into commercial interior design. Working with companies like Sodexo and Compass, in their varied sectors from BNI, Defence and education. Antonia would work closely with the customer, guiding and advising which materials and finishes complement the scheme, creating complete design packs and working with the contract managers making projects come to life. 

Antonia prides herself on the level of service and support she offers, ensuring all stakeholders are fully informed and included every step of the project. Managing timescales and deadlines, and being involved in all aspects of project management, 

‘It’s nice to see a project through from conceptual design to completion’.  

Keeping abreast on latest design trends and technologies, within the industry Antonia will always be on the look out for new concepts, food trends and influences within the industry. 

Most recently, working on projects like the Container Fan Zone at Burton Albion; this project required a container fit-out for 2 different food offers, with a very quick installation ready for the start of season.

There is always a space that can be converted into an income generating, destination for customers, it’s our job to find that space, come up with a concept and convert it.

Having spent his career working across projects delivering a live experience, Stephen is highly skilled in understanding and managing the nuances of working across the construction sector.

He founded Costudio Consulting in 2019, which has been set up to offer independent construction cost advice to clients across projects in live working environments.

Our primary focus has been to deliver projects across the Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Leisure and Premium Hospitality sectors.

This includes delivering numerous projects in notable arenas such as The O2, AO Arena and OVO Wembley. Our works across venues and theatres include The Halls, Wolverhampton, Phoenix Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton, Bristol Hippodrome, Edinburgh Playhouse and many more across the UK.

www.costudioconsulting.com

stephen.doherty@costudioconsulting.com

As Senior Vice President & General Manager, Co-op Live, Guy’s role sees him spearhead delivery and strategy across the UK’s largest and newest live entertainment arena, rapidly ranked as one of the top three arenas in Europe after just ten months of opening. The arena hosts up to 23,500 fans per event, designed with exceptional acoustics, a world-leading fan experience, sustainability and community engagement at its heart. 

Boasting over two decades of experience in the industry, Guy worked at the NEC Group, starting as an Event Manager and working his way up the business through a number of roles including Arenas Sales (Programming) Manager, Head of Arenas Sales and Events, General Manager of Utilita Arena and Resorts World Arena, before becoming Managing Director in March 2020. 

As well as now fronting Co-op Live, Guy’s career highlights to date include leading the £29 million pound redevelopment of Resorts World Arena in 2009 and the £24 million redevelopment of Utilita Arena in 2014, securing a number of high-profile long term annual events for both venues. 

Guy has previously acted as chair of the LIVE Venues Group and the National Arenas Association (NAA). He was responsible for NAA training courses in emergency planning, crisis management and disability awareness for the NAA.  

Outside of work, Guy is married with two children. He loves spending time with his family, travelling and completing sporting challenges including 2 marathons, the 100-mile Midlands Velo cycling event and the National 3 Three Peaks Challenge. He is also a season ticket holder at Aston Villa FC, a keen follower of cricket, golf and attending concerts and events.

Peter has 25 years of experience leading organisations’ digital transformation and innovation activities for customers in the telecom, cloud, SaaS, and security industries, both cyber and physical.

With Xtract One, Peter is bolstering the physical security technology industry while not only maintaining but improving the customer experience - not just Xtract One’s customers, but their customers also.

With an understanding of the operational challenges their customers face, Peter is driving the organisation towards delivering solutions that replace outdated systems, augment current technology, and enhance existing resources.

Craig is a visionary sports executive with a proven history of successful leadership in dynamic sports-related environments, with expertise and success in strategy development, financial acumen, masterplanning and delivering tangible business outcomes. With a demonstrated ability to drive meaningful change and embrace evolving landscapes, his approach emphasises working collaboratively with diverse stakeholder groups to inform effective, strategic decision-making.  

He is currently Strategy Director at the iconic Warwickshire County Cricket Club (WCCC) and Edgbaston stadium, which delivers £35m of annual economic value and supports 1,000 full time jobs from the 400,000 visitors it hosts every year. Within his role, Craig looks after the Stadium Masterplan and has successfully delivered the first two phases, including a new £32m pavilion, entrance piazza and 375 BTR apartments. This work has now moved onto the £42m phase 3, including new stands, concourse areas and a 146 bed Radisson RED hotel which is due to open ahead of the 2027 Ashes series.

In addition, Craig is the General Manager of the Birmingham Phoenix teams in the Hundred competition and led the project work to execute the recent investment by Knighthead Capital.

Craig joined WCCC from Corporate Finance at EY having originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG. He lives in Solihull and is a keen sporting enthusiast with running, cricket, golf and football being his main sporting passions. He is Vice Chair of the Derby County FC Supporters Board.

Nicholas Freeston is the Director of Client Management, EMEA, at QSR Automations Inc., powered by Crunchtime.

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he drives the company’s innovation strategy and oversees its growing development across the EMEA region. He specialises in scalable enterprise platforms that leverage data-driven insights to achieve measurable business growth and deliver exceptional user and guest experiences.

Tayo is a Sports Leader for Gensler Europe who is passionate about the transformative power of sport architecture to create an experience-focused future that promotes equity, resilience, and wellbeing. An experienced Design Manager, Tayo applies an analytical and creative management approach to architecture, transport, and urban development projects, enabling her to focus on innovative solutions to address complex client challenges.

She excels at solving problems for large infrastructure projects with a focus on evolving sports venues and successfully integrating them into their surrounding environments and communities. Through her experiences playing a fundamental role on several sports venues for the biggest events in the world, she understands the importance of motivating teams to hit critical client milestones.

Tayo’s portfolio includes sports venues for Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Panamerican Games, and large transport infrastructure projects.

Claire Harkness is the Operations Director at the Coventry Building Society Arena (CBS Arena), in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The venue has a 32,600 capacity stadium and a 10,000 capacity arena and conference centre.

Claire joined the arena in July 2023. The pitch management, events and exhibition management, IT, operations, safety and security teams all report into her.

Previously her roles have included Venue Director at Ibrox Stadium, the home of Rangers Football Club and Venue Manager at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool.

Having a career in event management in both sport and entertainment across stadiums and venues, she has worked on Commonwealth Games, Olympic football, The EUROs, Champions League Finals and major concerts by Harry Styles, Bon Jovi, P!nk, Take That, Cold Play, the Killers and Calvin Harris.

With a special interest in stadium design and safety, she is developing a number of improvements across the venue.

Tim Hoddy is the Vice President of Sales for Europe with Uniguest and has spent over 20 years helping organisations rethink how they connect with their audiences through smarter visual communication. From world-famous stadiums to modern entertainment venues, Tim has worked with some of Europe’s biggest names to make the visitor experience more engaging, more profitable, and easier to scale with innovative AV solutions.

What drives him is simple: showing venues that IPTV and Digital Signage aren’t just screens on a wall—they’re powerful tools that can shape the entire venue. Over the last 15 years, Tim has built lasting partnerships by taking a consultative, insight-driven approach. He knows every venue is different, and his strength is turning those unique challenges into long-term value.

An international major event & venue operations leader, experienced in strategic senior roles – uniquely as an event promoter, venue operator, services provider, and project consultant. 

Owner of Hooked On Events (Management) Limited. 

Described as 'the critical leadership glue', proven as 'steadying the ship' in challenging event delivery locations globally. Building and leading event projects, in first time locations (stadia, venues, city centres, Greenfield sites), and leading city stakeholders and new local teams through the journey.

Career highlights include senior roles for Excel The London International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the ABB Formula E FIA World Championship, the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the 1st European Olympic Games Baku, Wembley Stadium Ltd, Ascot Racecourse, Equestrian events and at the Singapore Sports Hub.

Chris Hornbuckle is Vice President of Business Development for Aston Villa Football Club.

For over a decade, Adam has been with Forum by Nowy Styl, driving business development across multiple markets – starting in Poland, then expanding to the UK and Western Europe, followed by the Middle East and North Africa. Today, most of his focus is on the GCC region, where Forum, together with its partner Coastal Holding, is strongly present in the sports venue and public space sector.

Adam is responsible for developing relationships with the A&D (Architecture & Design) community and for building partnerships with global leaders in the venue business, promoting innovative solutions and implementing new technologies into seating and furniture projects. In the UK market, he is recognised for his unconventional presentations, sense of humour, and a touch of Eastern European sensitivity that make his appearances truly distinctive.

Currently, Adam is working on the development of a new Premium Seating line dedicated specifically to the Saudi market, where advanced technologies will find direct application. This initiative, created in cooperation with several renowned partners, represents a truly international project in both scope and ambition.

Reshad Hossenally is the Co-founder and CEO of Boxbar Tech, an award-winning, self-service drinks solution reinventing bar service in the events, venue and hospitality industries.

Having graduated from the University of Leeds in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree focused in Industrial and Product Design, Reshad founded event technology and ticketing platforms, Event Genius and Ticket Arena. The venture processed $900 million across ticketing, access control and cashless point-of-sale payments for events and venues around the world before being acquired by Festicket in 2019.

At Boxbar Tech, Reshad combines his expertise in software and hardware development to create cutting-edge solutions that redefine the bar experience at events and venues worldwide.

Boxbar’s technology is the first of its kind in the world able to dispense a full beverage menu: Draft beer (including Guinness), draft cider, wine, cocktails, spirit and mixer and soft drinks and boasts renowned stadiums, sports clubs, venues and hospitality organisations as partners including ASM Global, Levy UK, Oak View Group, Delaware North, Live Nation, Silverstone, Chelsea FC, Ethara, London Stadium, Birmingham City FC, Southampton FC, LIV Golf, Paris Saint Germain, Stockholm Live, Adelaide Oval and more.  

In its first full year of trading, 2024 saw Boxbar Tech expand to 8 countries, be nominated for 10 and win 3 industry awards, double workforce size and serve hundreds of events globally.

Denise has over 14 years of experience in the hospitality and stadium design and fit-

out industry, where she has built a strong reputation for her expertise in sales,

marketing, and trend analysis. At Dawnvale, she plays a crucial role in driving business

growth by overseeing sales and marketing strategies, while also closely monitoring

industry trends to ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation for both

existing and new clients.

Before joining Dawnvale, Denise was the Head of the Hotel Division at her previous

company, where she successfully led the development and implementation of cutting-

edge technologies aimed at enhancing the guest experience. She was responsible not

only for improving the technology available to staying customers but also for optimising

front-of-house operations to boost efficiency and service quality. Denise’s extensive

background and strategic approach have made her an invaluable asset in delivering

exceptional solutions that meet the evolving needs of the hospitality sector.

Jeff spent 16 years on Wall Street as a trader and launched a digital trading sales vertical for an institutional sales team. His experience with technology, live events and as a Co-Founder of a start-up, establishes a foundation of knowledge in sales, solutions design, implementation and team leadership. In several technical sales roles, he has helped his customers deploy the right solutions and extract the maximum value at the highest level of quality.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University.

Morag Kent is a highly experienced marketeer with the last decade spent in the sports venue and major event sector. She is the Founder and CEO of Raccoon & Bear, a marketing and branding micro-agency specialising in supporting rights holders and caterers alike in developing and promoting hospitality, from fan food up to high end experiences.

Her most recent experience has been with MATCH Hospitality, where she led the marketing for the Official Hospitality programme at Silverstone. This included four British Grand Prix for Formula 1 and MotoGP as well as Silverstone Festival and BTCC with each event requiring a different set of products for motorsport fans eager to experience racing at a higher level. She was part of a team which developed 8 unique hospitality propositions at different points of the track and contributed hugely to the near quadrupling of revenue and covers for the hospitality operation. 

Previously, as Head of Marketing for Sodexo Sports and Leisure (now Sodexo Live!), Morag had a broad remit leading B2B marketing for the brand with regards to business development and content strategy. She also worked on the marketing strategy and promotions for The Open, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Henley Royal Regatta and Royal Ascot. Her final project at Sodexo involved a complete overhaul of their stadia fan food offering, from menu development and pricing through to branding of the kiosks and digital signage. This was rolled out at Hampden Park, Everton FC, Swansea City FC, Brighton & Hove Albion, Blackburn Rovers and the ACC Liverpool.

Jon Lee is the Executive Creative Director and a co-owner at 20.20 Ltd, responsible for setting the vision and direction of the company's creative offerings. He is a powerful advocate of our collaborative and strategic approach.

As well as overseeing the creative direction of the business, Jon is instrumental in the success of their projects, from leading the transformation of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium for over 15 years, he has led the branding and “Arsenalisation” of the entire stadium, including creating the masterplan and design for each of the world leading hospitality experiences at the club.

His expertise in developing successful fan engagement and brand experiences has given Jon the opportunity to lead amazing projects on both sides of the Atlantic. From Manchester City FC, Liverpool FC, Wembley Stadium to West Ham United’s new home at the London Stadium. He has been responsible for changing Ascot Racecourse’s approach to hospitality with the On5 restaurant; and subsequently redefining the brand experience across all the hospitality areas at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky.

Jon has been working closely with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in Toronto on the rebranding and experience definition of the Scotiabank Arena.

His influence is also helping redefine the retail and leisure industry, from the reimagining of Odeon’s flagship cinema at Leicester Square London; defining a new retail platform for mobile operator Three; to redefining the world of affordable fitness with the rebranded experience of UK market leaders PureGym.

jon.lee@20.20.co.uk

Will Mayes is the Founder and CEO of Layrd Design.

Steve McArdle is Director of Stadia and Venues at Global Payments, Inc., responsible for driving innovation and providing technical solutions to stadia, venues and hospitality sectors.

With 25+ years experience in the business of sport, McIntyre first cut her teeth in the industry by running PanStadia magazine, where she was Publishing Editor, before spending 3 years as Publication Director on PanStadia & Arena Management magazine, which included working on the Stadia & Arena Asia Pacific event.

McIntyre launched Sports Venue Business (SVB) in September 2016, which quickly became the leading platform for the sector, delivering insightful interviews, in-depth feature articles and case studies, as well as video interviews, with more than 33,000+ industry professionals across the network.

Between 2018 and 2023, McIntyre and the Sports Venue Business team organised and delivered the ALSD International event on behalf of the ALSD, which grew from 120 attendees in the first year, to an astounding 450+ C-Suite executives by 2023.

For 2024, McIntyre and Sports Venue Business have launched SVB LIVE, featuring a series of global networking events and webinars, all culminating in the annual SVB LIVE Conference and Exhibition, with content driven by an Expert Council featuring industry experts from across the globe.

McIntyre boasts almost 30,000 connections in her LinkedIn account.

As a Business Director for Levy, Amy McKarry oversees the Midlands region, bringing a fresh perspective to the hospitality landscape. Since joining in 2023, she has leveraged her extensive experience from the restaurant industry to transform traditional stadium hospitality into more relaxed, contemporary environments.

Amy's passion for hospitality is evident in her hands-on approach and creative vision.

Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, preparing exotic meals for friends. Her flair for design also extends to her home, where she channels her creativity into interior design projects. Amy's unique blend of professional expertise and personal interests makes her a driving force in redefining the hospitality experience.

Haidee is Chief Product Officer at KAPPTURE / BRISK.

Recognised as one of the industry’s most forward-thinking designers, Dan Meis is a senior vice president and global sports design lead for AECOM’s sports + venues practice.

Known for his bold and innovative approach, Dan has delivered some of the world’s most iconic sports venues, including the first fully transformable arena in Japan, groundbreaking NFL and NBA venues, and the newest stadium in the English Premier League.

Dan's design for Paul Brown Stadium was the first NFL facility to win the prestigious AIA Honor Award, while his work on the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) helped cement its status as one of the top revenue-generating arenas in North America.

His commitment to creating “experiential” architecture has seen his projects redefine fan engagement and live entertainment experiences, with buildings across more than 20 countries that draw millions of visitors annually.

Featured in Time magazine as one of the “100 Innovators in the World of Sports,” Dan has twice earned the Business Week/Architectural Record Award for his designs’ impact on clients’ businesses. He has been named to Sports Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list twice, recognising his influence on the sports industry, and was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2006.

Dan is a Registered Architect in multiple U.S. states, accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Illinois.

Jen took on the role of Managing Director - Arenas at the NEC Group at the end of 2024. She is in charge of leading the teams at bp pulse LIVE and Utilita Arena Birmingham. Her initial focus was on launching the new premium seating and hospitality areas at the Arenas.

Jen joins the NEC Group with over 25 years of experience working in the live events industry. Most recently, she was General Manager at the AO Arena in Manchester where she led a £50m redevelopment project. Before this, Jen was General Manager at first direct Arena Leeds and MD at Kings Place.

Ciaran O’Morain, is co-founder and CEO of Qualflow Systems, the leading provider of high-speed beer dispense solutions, automated beer-line cleaning equipment and line clean monitoring apps to brand managers, brewers, stadium operators and the hospitality industry.

Whilst still quite fresh in the industry, Bethany Parr has been working on these types of conferences since 2018, when she was still a student at UCFB. She thoroughly enjoys seeing how the industry is growing and evolving.

Bethany's professional sports business journey began at Wembley Stadium, within the Capital Projects team, where she worked on various projects to improve the look and feel, customer journey, and health and safety within England's National Stadium. This role allowed her to work with many of the companies taking part in the SVB LIVE event. She is now back at Wembley, working as FA Events Coordinator for The Football Association (The FA).

Bethany spent 12 months working at Formula E, where she was an Event Project Manager, working on race weekends at circuits around the world, and seeing how events work in different markets.

Beginning her 13th season with the Indiana Pacers, wrapping up season 11 with the Indiana Fever and opening a brand-new arena in weeks for G-League team, the Noblesville Boom, there is no such thing as an "offseason" in Dayna's world. 

Dayna's entire 20-year career has been in "ticket ops" - a traditional department name she believes is outdated. Instead she uses "Ticket Technology & Logistics" to show how extensive our skills have become.  It was time spent in the Ticket Offices with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, New York Football Giants and New York Jets, as a Ticketmaster client support specialist, launching a billion dollar venue at MetLife Stadium and traveling the United States providing ticketing support on behalf of the US Men's National Soccer Team as they fought for 2014 World Cup qualification points, that set the stage for Dayna to put down roots in Indianapolis, Indiana and the National Basketball Association in 2013.

In her current role, Dayna focuses heavily on how we can make tech work for our fans, especially those who dislike it.  Her goal is to create efficiencies, simplicities, and best practices in digital ticketing both within your mobile device and your ticketing database. Dayna believes that even the most complicated things can be broken down and taught at a foundational level to 'make it make sense'. 

She spends all her non-existent free time with her husband and three small children who always seem to shatter something or run out of clean underwear at the most inopportune times.

Jacob Regan joined the Dawnvale team almost 10 years ago following 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including managing a 5-star boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant. Jacob fell into the stadium and arena sector 8 years ago, leading to him managing key accounts such as Manchester City, Manchester United and Birmingham City. He is also heavily involved in developing and refurbishing several arena venues.

Jacob specialises in fast-track turnkey projects and has an in-depth knowledge of operational design to maximise profitability. This fast-track approach has led to Jacob delivering several high-performing hospitality suites during short international breaks. This has allowed clubs to take advantage of a half-season rather than waiting for the summer window.

One of his biggest achievements was delivering the Ardwick Pub within 21 days at the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City.

Anthony joined Norwich City as Finance Director in July 2020, having spent five years at Stadium MK Group, where he had held the position of Group Finance Director. His role in Milton Keynes saw him oversee all financial activity at Stadium MK including the Doubletree by Hilton hotel and MK Dons Football Club.

Anthony gained his Chartered qualification with top-20 firm MHA and, prior to joining MK Dons, spent three years at Deloitte with clients in various industries including sport and leisure.

He leads all aspects of Norwich City's finance and technology strategy, along with overseeing non-football operations, including infrastructure & development projects. Working alongside the Executive Committee, Board, and ownership, his primary aim is to ensure long-term financial stability.

As Head of Technology, Harry is responsible for driving technological advancements across all Levy partner venues, evaluating and deploying new digital innovations to resolve known challenges and enhance the guest experience.

In 2023, Harry moved across from Levy’s parent company, Compass Group UK & Ireland, to be part of the wider BUILT by Levy team. In charge of the tech division, his team of experts explore a wide range of technologies, including frictionless solutions, automated beer walls, self-order screens, smart vending, robotics, IoT, AI overlays and unified payments to solve real challenges at venues.

Through their efforts, Harry and his team are continually pushing the boundaries of hospitality technology and delivering tangible benefits to guests, operators and clients.

Tom trained in Architecture before joining Skanska UK Construction as a Designer and Project/Planning Manager. Tom subsequently spent 12 years in major sports event delivery across operations, event and venue planning, contract management and operations, working on three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2015), two Olympic and Paralympic Games (2012 and 2015), two ICC Cricket World Cups/T20 tournaments (2007 and 2010) and the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

In 2018, Tom joined The Parker Company and has expanded the firm’s services to the EMEA market from our UK offices. He leads on client engagement and project delivery, most notably as Project Director on Everton’s new stadium, QPR new training ground and Fulham new stand and hotel.

Alice Sarsfield-Hall is a Director at blooloop, the world’s most read news website for the global visitor attractions industry. She organises blooloop’s events, clients and business development and has been with blooloop for 6 years.

In that time, Alice has grown the events side of the company to include annual Innovation Awards, an online Festival of Innovation, a sustainability conference and four industry Influencer Lists.

She studied English and French at the University of Leeds, where she also completed her MA in English Literature. She is passionate about the visitor attractions industry, often spending her free time at museums or theme parks.

Director of Data/Analytics, Fan Experience and Ticketing at Spain’s Valencia CF since June 2018, Franco is responsible for all data/business insights of the club, while also managing tickets/pricing, fan experience, and customer support departments from a data-driven angle.

Segarra has contributed significantly to the club’s ambitious digital transformation and co-founded the Innovation HUB project. 

A former bank manager and Chief Technology Officer, Segarra has over 16 years of professional experience in different sectors, but with a continued focus on applying technology and performing digital transformations in various businesses. He’s an accomplished leadership football executive that studied the 1st FIFA Diploma in Club Management.

A global leader of Gensler’s Sports practice based in the Washington, D.C. office, Ryan has spent nearly 20 years designing, managing, and overseeing a number of prominent sports facilities across all levels of sport. His knowledge extends from ballparks to arenas and from master plans to economic evaluations.

A former Division I student-athlete, Ryan has a particular passion for player facilities, both dedicated and in-venue. His industry knowledge, coupled with his personal experience, provide his clients a unique perspective that translates to true value from real world experience.

He holds a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering–Construction Management degree from Penn State University and is a Licensed Engineer.

Nick has been involved in the sport, health and fitness industry for more than 30 years. 

He is Head of Infrastructure at Birmingham City FC and Founder / Managing Director of Ardent Sports Limited. Ardent Sports is an international infrastructure delivery partner specialising in sport, leisure and facility excellence that works alongside world leading sports’ organisations, to develop facilities and improve operational performance. 

Nick has created, developed and applied innovative product and service solutions that have benefited elite sports’ athletes and health club members globally.  He works closely with leading sports’ organisations to help define their sports’ infrastructure ambitions, commercial strategy, design and project management. 

Nick has partnered with FIFA, UEFA, UFC, Birmingham City FC, Brentford FC, Manchester City FC, England RFU, Queensland Rugby, New York City FC, Leicester City FC, Munster Rugby, Liverpool FC on the development of infrastructure and products in the areas of; elite sports, functional design & build concepts, commercial, community enhancement, fan experience, pitch construction & maintenance and stadium renovations.

Nick started his career as a professional rugby player, progressing into senior management with two market leading operators in the UK health & fitness industry before returning to his passion of transforming environments in the sports sector.

Becci joined Co-op Live in April 2021 as the Head of Premium Sales and Service. Since then, she has advanced through several key roles, including Sales Director for Sponsorship and Premium, before being promoted to Chief Commercial Officer in July 2025. In her current position, Becci oversees all revenue streams within the venue, encompassing Premium Sales, Premium Account Management, Sponsorship Sales, Partnership Activation, and Special Event Sales. 

Her leadership has been instrumental in driving growth in premium and sponsorship sales, resulting in an impressive 22 partnerships, over 350 premium members worth circa £40m annually. With a strong focus on enhancing revenue generation, Becci continues to contribute significantly to the success of Co-op Live.

Becci has 15 years of experience in the venues industry having worked with a plethora (30+) of diverse venues from historical institutions such as Prince Philip House and Historic Royal Palaces to The O2 arena, where she held the role of Head of Sales for Special and Corporate Events. Here she won and developed key annual events such as The FIFAe World Cup, National Television Awards and Comic Relief. 

Passionate about supporting others and the industry, outside her role with Co-op Live Becci is a mentor for the events and venues sector, working as part of Elevate Mentoring, and previously Fast Forward 15, inspiring and enabling aspiring individuals. 

Ben is a Project Director at Journey, overseeing creative, strategic and technical aspects of major exhibition and multimedia projects. He connects the dots between Journey's talented team and client design teams to deliver experiential projects globally, including Oman Across Ages, Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station and Peak Tramways in Hong Kong – combining his background in architecture with a passion for creating impactful, digital experiences.

Scott Tunnacliffe is a Client Manager at Dawnvale Group, bringing over 19 years of experience in hospitality design, sales, and project management. Having dedicated 10 of those years to Dawnvale, he is a core member of the team.

He began his career at 19, working part-time for a catering company. Within five years, he worked his way up from a sales administrator to an operations manager, gaining valuable operational insight that he applies to his projects today.

As a Key Accounts Manager, Scott oversees projects for high-profile clients, including the Hickory’s brand and venues by Permanently Unique, such as Tattu, FENIX, and Louis. He also specialises in managing large-scale, fast-track stadia and arena turnkey projects.

Scott's primary strengths lie in his ability to deliver comprehensive project management, ensuring seamless, fast-paced projects from start to finish. His expertise in operational design and dedicated account management ensures clients receive a tailored and efficient service.

Lisa Turton is Head of Premium Sales & Hospitality at first direct arena Leeds - an ASM Global venue. She is a member of the senior management team at the 12,500-capacity venue and is charged with maximising revenue through sales of hospitality and conferencing.

Lisa has developed and brought to market new packages and products, and has achieved 96% client and partner retention year-on-year. She is also responsible for devising annual marketing plans to identify sales opportunities and plan market content.

Michiel has been the New Business Manager at Club Brugge since last season. He is responsible for acquiring new (inter)national partners and suppliers to strengthen and expand the Club Brugge family.

He has a background as an account manager at Club Brugge (previous role) and before that in the medical industry.

George R. Vaughan is Technology Director for the YTL Brabazon and Arena project in Bristol, where he leads the development of one of the UK’s newest, most sustainable and technologically advanced smart cities.

Previously, he spearheaded large-scale digital transformation projects at Twickenham Stadium - work that helped secure seven industry awards - and at Ascot Racecourse, where he introduced a pioneering “smart city” approach through multiple groundbreaking initiatives.

Alongside his role at YTL, Vaughan is CEO and Future Vision Strategist of The Digital Line (TDL), a company he co-founded in 2017 to drive innovation across hospitality, healthcare, education, retail and entertainment.

Passionate about equality in tech, he actively supports WIMENA, advocating for women in leadership and serves as an ambassador for Cosmic Girls, a charity inspiring young women to pursue careers in space exploration. He is also a regular contributor to Mondo Stadia magazine and is developing a new societal podcast, launching in 2026.

Fun Fact: Vaughan trekked to Everest Base Camp as part of a 24-person team and played in the highest-ever game of rugby - at over 5,500 metres - raising funds for Show Racism the Red Card and the RFU’s Spire charity.

Alix Waldron: Director of New Stadium Development: 

Alix has spent the past eight years at Everton Football Club focusing on the delivery of the new stadium.

A Graduate in Accounting at Durham University and qualified ACA, she originally joined the Club in 2017, following five years in Financial Audit at KPMG.

Alix’s initial role in the stadium team, as Stadium Development and Project Manager, saw her heavily involved in the public consultation, planning, design development and budgeting for the stadium, at Bramley-Moore Dock.

She was appointed Principal Lead in the project in 2022, shortly after construction began on the £800m stadium on Liverpool’s historic waterfront.

As main liaison with the construction partners and contractors, her comprehensive duties have involved choreographing the “ready for operational” plan during the four-year build and ensuring the project was delivered on time and budget.

Alix was duly appointed as Director of New Stadium Development in March 2024 and continues to manage the operations team at the 52,769-capacity stadium.

Francis Williams is a technology focused professional with over 15 years of experience in delivering cutting-edge stadium and arena technology solutions. His extensive expertise spans working with football clubs and venues across the spectrum, including prominent names in the Premier League.

Francis has a proven track record in the design, installation and implementation of multi-disciplined technology solutions, helping brands optimise their venues and stadiums through technology investments, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation.