During a recent airline trip, UNLV President Keith Whitfield talked with a fellow passenger about the flourishing sports industry in Las Vegas.
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As the 11th president of UNLV since August 2020, Whitfield has witnessed significant changes in the sports landscape during his short tenure.
Notably, the Las Vegas Raiders played at Allegiant Stadium for three seasons, while the Las Vegas Aces and the Vegas Golden Knights achieved championship victories.
Additionally, the city is slated to host major events like the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix and Super Bowl LVIII between November and February.
Proudly proclaiming Las Vegas as the sports and entertainment capital of the nation, Whitfield expressed his belief that this title might even extend to the world.
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Eager to further embrace this status, UNLV announced its collaboration with Syracuse University to organize a groundbreaking sports, entertainment, and innovation conference named SEI-Con, comparable in scope to the esteemed Global Gaming Expo (G2E) and Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
The primary focus of SEI-Con will be the global sports industry, and the event is scheduled for July 16-18 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Attendees can expect an impressive lineup of exhibitors, innovation labs, daily keynote speeches, educational seminars, break-out sessions, and roundtable discussions.
Each day will culminate in lively wrap-up events with live entertainment, promising a memorable experience for all participants.
Whitfield emphasized sports entertainment’s undeniable economic growth and impact on the community, predicting that this is just the beginning.
He views the SEI-Con as a crucial catalyst for further regional economic growth and development.
The conference will be jointly organized by UNLV Sports Innovation, a hub dedicated to integrating the science and business of sports, and Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
The conference announcement occurred at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center during an NBA Summer League game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.
The two-week Summer League garners attention from basketball enthusiasts worldwide with its large crowds and nationally televised games, further reinforcing Las Vegas as a hub for sports and entertainment.
According to UNLV Sports Innovation Chief Operating Officer Jay Vickers, attendees at the conference will have exciting opportunities for education and collaboration, exploring cutting-edge innovations in the sports and entertainment industries.
Vickers highlighted their commitment to nurturing the next generation of sports scientists and business professionals through interdisciplinary education and research initiatives.
President Whitfield expressed his belief that Las Vegas is an excellent testing ground for the convergence of sports and entertainment technology. The partnership with Syracuse University is expected to give the inaugural SEI-Con a strong head start.
Michael Veley, the chairman of Syracuse’s Falk College, provided some eye-opening statistics about the economic value of sports.
He mentioned that a year ago, sports in the U.S. had an estimated economic value of $540 billion. Global sports will generate a staggering $2 trillion in the coming year.
Given this paradigm shift in sports, the conference becomes a perfect venue to discuss and explore emerging sectors.
Veley emphasized the significance of discussing the impact of legalized sports wagering and how it will transform the industry.
The conference in Las Vegas presents a unique opportunity to delve into this topic and its implications.
The SEI-Con plans received a warm welcome from Tina Quigley, CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA).
Her organization considers sports business a vital growth opportunity, a central theme in their 2023 Perspective last month.
Quigley acknowledged that while hospitality and gaming have traditionally been the primary focus in Las Vegas, the city is now experiencing growth and diversification.
Sports, entertainment, and innovation are becoming increasingly integral to the city’s economic landscape, and the SEI-Con aligns perfectly with this vision of expansion and progress.
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