ISS '13 Preview: Top 10 Guide

The 8th Annual Ivy Sports Symposium will take place at Harvard Law School on Friday, November 22, 2013.  The Cornell Sports Business Society will be providing regular coverage before, during, and after the event. 

There's many reasons to look forward to this year's Ivy Sports Symposium.  As a preview, I decided to pick out the ten things I was most excited for heading into the event.

10. The Cornell Connection

Cornell University will have the highest number of both alumni panelists and student attendees.  ISS '13 will certainly have a Cornell flavor to it, and interacting with fellow members of the Big Red community will be rewarding in itself.  But more than anything, the overwhelming turnout reflects Cornell's growing presence in the sports industry

9. CEN Boston: The Business of Sports

Okay, this Thursday night event may be Cornell only, but the imminent setting is an awesome opportunity.  We'll get to hear several of the panelists first, and get a jump start on networking with the rest of the Big Red community.  It's incredible experience presented by the Cornell Sports Business Society in partnership with the Cornell Entrepreneur Network.

8. 10 Next Class of 2013

These ten sports business rising stars have some of the most relevant advice students will hear all day.  In addition to the awards ceremony, they'll be in panels all day long.  Just because they may not be a huge name (yet), make some time to hear them talk.  Make sure you introduce yourself, because these powerhouses are on the way up.

7. "In-Stadium Renovations"

This Round 1 panel looks like a hidden gem. The 10:35am time slot puts it up against heavyweight panels such as "Navigating a CBA" and "College Athletics", but improving the stadium experience is perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing sports today.  And who better to hear speak on the topic than esteemed panelists such as Cornell's own John Sergi, Chief Design Officer of Centerplate.

6. "Prepared for the Worst: Crisis Management"

This Round 2 Panel looks to a bit more hard-hitting than most Symposium topics. Alumni Thomas Grilk and Matthew Hiltzik will undoubtedly have some experience and knowledge to share on what can be sensitive issues.  Other panels to consider at 11:55am include "Sports Marketing Successs" and "Sports and Social Impact", which contains Cornell's Todd Jacobson.

5. Lunch

Lunch is always great, and if figures to be especially delicious after a hard day of listening to panels.  It's also good networking time, but make sure you don't miss out some great discussions.  "Entrepreneurship and  Innovation" and "Fantasy & Gaming" will feature Alumni Bo Moon and Andrew Daines respectively, while the Business of Amateurism promises to be insightful well.

4. "The Future of Sports Television"

As if this Round 3 topic isn't interesting enough, Tracy Dolgin headlines a panel of industry leaders. The 2:05pm time slot is as stacked as any, with Charles Baker moderating "Going Global: International Expansion", and Barry Kahn participating in " Ticketing". Three important topics, three impressive alumni.

3. "Athlete Marketing and Representation" 

With Cornellians Jennifer Keene and Lowell Taub potentially rounding out a Symposium favorite, the day just gets better and better. Round 4 panels "Digital Media" and "Dealmakers/Sports Finance" also figure to be popular, so some of us will have a difficult time deciding come 3:25pm.

2.  Networking

Networking doesn't have to mean standing in a long line to talk to a high profile panelists (although this can be awesome too!).   Talking to other students, young professionals, and industry leaders who you have real interests in can be incredibly valuable.  Get to know the rest of the Cornell contingent as well!

1. Learning About Sports

Some times it can get lost in the shuffle, but every attendee has something to learn at the Symposium.  Get exposed to an unfamiliar topic, or learn best practices for an area your interested in. By really listening and learning, you'll actually improve your networking abilities as well.