The beginning of December is fast approaching, bringing with it the traditional gathering of everyone interested in sports business, marketing, and sponsorship — this year for the first time on a Monday and Tuesday in (S)Portorož. On December 1st and 2nd, our seaside gem will once again host the SPORTO Conference, the largest event in this part of Europe dedicated to sports marketing, sponsorship strategy and activation, and digital innovation.
SPORTO offers a broad look at industry trends through case studies, discussions, and interviews, focusing on sponsorship strategy, brand building, digital communication, athlete branding, Olympic marketing, and fan engagement — all united by one goal: harnessing the communication and commercial power of sport. As always, the programme will feature leading international experts who are shaping the global sports business landscape.
Beyond the main stage, the conference will come alive across other venues — from media talks and live podcasts to the SPORTO Expo, where partners will showcase their innovations.
Action-Packed Two Days
Nick Meacham, CEO of SportsPro, will open the event and unpack key global trends — from shifting media habits and new technologies to rising fan expectations — mapping where the sports industry is heading next.
Ricardo Fort, founder of Sport by Fort Consulting and former global sponsorship head at Coca-Cola and Visa, will share how meaningful partnerships drive real business results — especially ahead of major events like the 2026 Olympics and FIFA World Cup.
Anaïs Guillemané Mootoosamy, Strategic Director at W Conran Design, will show how sport can shape identity, emotion, and culture — using the agency’s award-winning visual identity for Paris 2024 as an example.
Welcome to Wrexham is more than a hit docuseries — it’s a study in modern club development and community storytelling. Shaun Harvey, the club’s strategic advisor, will reveal the story behind Wrexham’s rise and its transformation from a fifth-division team into a global brand. He will be joined by Alexandre Lefebvre, majority owner of Hockey Club Olimpija Ljubljana, who has helped revive the club with ideas drawn from Canada — the home of hockey.
Another Olimpija president, this time from basketball, Emil Tedeschi, CEO of Atlantic Grupa, will appear in the traditional SPORTO Talk to discuss how sport and marketing intertwine in leadership and brand growth.
Maher Labban, Executive Director of Clio Sports, will showcase the most creative global sports marketing campaigns, revealing how award-winning ideas push boundaries and shape the future of fan engagement.
In a rapidly evolving digital world, Michael Harvey, Head of Strategy at WePlay, will demonstrate how creativity, content, and data work together to build and monetise digital audiences.
Malph Minns, founder of Strive Sponsorship, will take a deep dive into proving the monetary impact of partnerships — showing how brands demonstrate ROI and how rights holders can better quantify partnership value.
Lotte Denoo, Head of Loyalty at Club Brugge, will share insights from her work in fan relationship management. Since 2025, she has led the club’s loyalty strategy — from membership and Club Pay to international fan engagement in preparation for the club’s new stadium.
Sha Rasti, Executive Director of Sports Partnerships at OMD EMEA, who leads Apple’s sports strategy across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, will join Luca Borzatta of Telekom Slovenije, co-producer of Brotherhood of the Court, to explore the sports fan of 2030 and how sports content will evolve across platforms.
Pablo Dopico, Director of Growth at Sportradar, will discuss how brands can cut through countless touchpoints to connect authentically with fans, using real-time sports moments to capture attention while staying true to their brand.
A symbol of Slovenian innovation, Elan was built by pioneers 80 years ago — a mindset that still drives the brand today. Domen Gaiman, Global Head of Marketing, will explore how Elan adapts to new challenges, leverages AI responsibly, and builds partnerships that tell meaningful stories for the next generation of skiers.
The long-standing partnership between the SPORTO Conference and the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) will also take the stage. Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer of the Women’s Super League Football, and Sophie Morris, ESA Chair, will discuss the opportunities and challenges of developing sustainable sponsorship in women’s sport.
Among this year’s most notable guests is Colin Jackson. The legendary Welshman dominated the 110m hurdles for more than a decade, held the world record for 13 years, and today serves as International Sports Director of the Wings for Life World Run, which raises funds for spinal cord research. In conversation, he will reflect on his career, the state of athletics, and the global impact of this unique event.
Finally, we’ll come together to celebrate the SPORTO Awards, which for sixteen years have recognised excellence in sports sponsorship and marketing. Together with Mediana, we’ll also reveal the latest SPORTO Brands, highlighting the strongest sports brands in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia.
And, of course, no SPORTO experience would be complete without the SPORTO Party — an evening of networking, good energy, and informal connections that make this community so unique.
SPORTO is calling once again — and there’s still time to join us in (S)Portorož!