OK, folks, it’s game time. We’ve been planning the inaugural GeekWire Sports Tech Summit for months, and the day is finally here.
We’ve got a fantastic lineup of speakers, parties and activities planned for the conference, taking place at locations around Pioneer Square on Tuesday, July 12th and Wednesday, July 13th.
It’s going to be a busy 36 hours, so make sure to follow this FAQ closely if you’ve secured your ticket to this one-of-a-kind event. Fewer than 10 Sports Tech Summit passes remain, so if you want to attend, go here to purchase your pass this morning.
A big thanks to presenting sponsor Comcast for helping to make this year’s event possible. Here’s everything you need to know about the big show this week in Seattle.
GeekWire Sports Tech Summit Location: Opening night party, presented by Microsoft, on July 12th at The Ninety (406 Occidental Ave. S.) and main conference at Safeco Field 1st base concourse on July 13th (1250 1st Avenue South).
Dates: July 12-13
Times: The opening night party at The Ninety on July 12th will take place from 4:30 pm to 7 p.m. The main conference on July 13th at Safeco Field will take place from 7:30 am to 4 p.m., followed by a party in The ‘Pen at Safeco Field and the Sounders FC match at 7:30 p.m. at CenturyLink Field.
Agenda: We’ve got an amazing lineup of speakers from across the sports and tech industries, including fireside chats with LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer; Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber; and Senior Vice President and General Manager of digital media at NBC Sports Group Rick Cordella. You can see the full agenda under the “agenda” tab on the Sports Tech Summit registration site.
Food & Drink: No need to search for your own meal — we’ve got you covered. Light breakfast will be served and lunch will be available to all attendees, sponsored by OfferUp. We’ve also sprinkled coffee, snack and beverage breaks throughout the day to keep the energy flowing. Our parties will have plenty to eat and drink. You should not leave hungry or thirsty.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi will be available throughout the Summit. Just look for the network MarinersWifi.
GeekWire Summit Welcome Party at The Ninety: Kick off the GeekWire Sports Tech Summit in style on Tuesday, July 12th, with heavy appetizers and drinks at the Sounders private party space, The Ninety (406 Occidental Ave. S.). The Sports Tech Summit Welcome Party, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., is open to all GeekWire Summit attendees, speakers and sponsors. You do not need your Summit ticket to enter.
Twitter: We’ll be using the hashtag #gwsportstech for the event, and also monitoring the Twitter stream for questions from attendees during the various sessions. Tweet early, and often.
Parking: Paid parking is available at the Seattle Mariners’ parking facility, just south of Safeco Field. Just tell the attendant you are with the GeekWire Sports Tech Summit, and you will receive a $10 special rate, which will allow you to park at the garage throughout the day and throughout the Sounders match that evening. Make sure to park on levels 4 or 5, and then take the skybridge across to the stadium. The conference is taking place on the first base concourse, and registration is located just after the skybridge.
Summit Entrance: The Summit entrance is located on the south side of Safeco Field. All attendees will enter through the Safeco Field Garage on Edgar Martinez Drive South, take the elevator to Level 5, and walk across the skybridge to the First Base Terrace Club.
Drop-off location: For those using alternative transportation, the drop-off location is Occidental Ave. S at the corner of Edgar Martinez Drive S. next to the Safeco Field Garage.
Tickets: A limited number of tickets are still available, but we are very close to selling out. Go here if you want to purchase one of the remaining tickets.
Do I need to bring my printed ticket to get in? No. We will have your name on file, and your badge ready for you. Just check in at registration, and we will take care of the rest.
Parties: Heck, yes. We’ve got a full slate of fun parties that will help you connect with other leaders in sports tech. The action will get rolling at 4:30 pm on July 12th, with the opening night party at The Ninety. (406 Occidental Ave. S.) Connect with some of your fellow Sports Tech Summit attendees, and grab a signature cocktail, courtesy of Microsoft. Following the conclusion of the Sports Tech Summit conference on July 13th, we will head to the ‘Pen area of Safeco Field for the Road to Rio after party, presented by Xfinity. We’ll have snacks and beverages, plus a fast-pitch competition, giveaways and other surprises. Following that party, Sports Tech Summit attendees have the option to attend the rooftop deck party for GeekWire Sounders Day, presented by EMC/Isilon. Located at 505 1st Avenue South, this marks the fourth annual Sounders Day, bringing together Sounders fans for cold beverages and BBQ in an amazing setting. (NOTE: Your Sports Tech Summit badge will serve as your entry pass for the Sounders Day party)
Dress code: It’s Seattle in the summer time, so casual attire rules the day. Just remember that many of us will be headed to the Sounders match later on the evening of July 13th, so plan accordingly.
Gregg Rogers golf experience: About 25 Sports Tech Summit attendees will get the chance to improve their golf games with high-tech instruction from Gregg Rogers in a golf simulator at Safeco Field. If interested, sign up for a 3-minute swing analysis at the registration desk in the morning. This activity will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. near the bullpen area of Safeco Field.
Mariners’ control room tour: We also have spots for about 25 folks to take a tour of the Seattle Mariners’ control room, which powers one of the biggest LED screens in sports. This tour will take place at lunch on July 13. If interested, sign up at registration in the morning.
Sounders game: If you purchased a Sports Tech Summit pass that includes a ticket to the Sounders match at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, your match ticket will be provided in your name badge when you check in at registration. Remember, bags larger than 14″ X 14″ X 6″ are not permitted on game days inside CenturyLink Field, though there is a bag storage area at the stadium. We also suggest people stow bags in their vehicles after the Summit, and before arriving at the match.
If you have any questions, please email us at events@geekwire.com.
We are looking forward to seeing you at this week’s event.
A big thanks to all of our sponsors for the GeekWire Sports Tech Summit.
Presenting Sponsor: Comcast
Gold sponsor: Windows 10
Silver sponsors: Wave Business, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Moz, OfferUp, Delta Dental, Zerto, VRCinematic.
Supporting sponsors: Sounders FC, Eiger Marketing, Alltech, Storytie, Tagboard, Bootstrapper Studios, Strideline.
