SEGD (the Society for Experiential Graphic Design), a multidisciplinary global community of professionals, has announced five new speakers for 2024 SEGD Sports + Entertainment, a two-day event celebrating the intersection of design, sports, and entertainment. This will take place from 10 – 12 April at Circa Las Vegas, hosted by presenting sponsor Daktronics.Â
Introducing the event, SEGD says: “Stadium-adjacent shopping and entertainment districts are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s experience-based economy. SEGD is thrilled to be discussing these emerging districts on a panel at the 2024 SEGD Sports + Entertainment event.
“We have put together a fantastic group of talented and experienced leaders in the phases of district design, planning, and operation.”
Panel participants
Taking part will be Amy Pratt, director of real estate, Dallas Cowboys & Blue Star Land, whose commercial real estate responsibilities include developing, leasing, and marketing The Star District on the 90-acre complex of the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Recently, her role has expanded to include additional commercial and entertainment developments under Blue Star Land across North Texas.Â
Before entering real estate, Pratt was VP of events and tours for Legends, a sports, entertainment, and media firm. She started in sales consulting for the Dallas Cowboys and group sales and sponsorship for the Arizona Coyotes Hockey Club.
Brain Early, VP and general manager of Patriot Place and NPP Development, is another of the newly announced panellists. Patriot Place is New England’s leading mixed-use lifestyle destination. The 1.3 million-square-foot shopping, eating, and entertainment complex in Foxborough, MA, sits next to Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots and Revolution.Â
Between Gulf Oil and Global Petroleum, Early performed several top energy leadership roles before joining BJ’s Wholesale Club. He serves as vice chairman and trustee of Milford Regional Medical Centre, executive faculty and academic adviser for the Dean College School of Business, and board member of the Hockomock Area YMCA.
As managing director of Canopy, Derek O’Hara leads a team that defines, plans and executes complex sports and entertainment projects. Canopy is a new interdisciplinary practice interested in sports, entertainment, and urban placemaking. Janet Marie Smith and Fran Weld founded Canopy from Major League Baseball’s planning and development departments. O’Hara joined Janet Marie Smith and the LA Dodgers in 2017 and directed the 2020 Dodger Stadium Centerfield Renovation.
Panellist Nate Cherry is an urban designer and strategist at City DesignLab. His work focuses on urban development at the intersection of strategy, design, and human behaviour. He has developed master plans that support civic engagement, innovation, and fan experience with multiple sports franchises. In addition to being the author of multiple award-winning books and countless papers on planning and urban design, Cherry frequently speaks at national conferences and is a regular lecturer at Southern California University.
Michelle Stevenson, principal and regional practice director of sports and entertainment at HKS, is a senior project architect who balances her passion for sports trends and amenities with research and innovative technology. She believes that giving design a wholehearted commitment from the beginning to the end results in the best overall experience for customers, supporters, athletes, and their communities.
Stevenson had a significant role in Hollywood Park’s SoFi Stadium and Entertainment District development and the design and construction of the YouTube Theater, Cosm, and SoFi Stadium. She is currently engaged in several significant projects, such as the extensive remodelling of AT&T Stadium.
Panel moderator Mike McCarthy is the VP of DCL (Design Communications, Ltd.), an internationally recognized custom manufacturer of architectural speciality products. He is also the 2023 SEGD Treasurer/Secretary and a member of the 2023 SEGD Board. McCarthy joined DCL in 1999 as a member of the engineering department and now directly oversees DCL’s Boston and New York offices.
SEGD adds:
“This year’s event is more than just a symposium; it’s a breeding ground for the brightest minds in sports and entertainment design. Our aim is to inspire and equip attendees with the necessary tools and insights to create compelling experiences and strengthen brand-audience relationships.”
To register, please click here.
See also: SEGD at 50 – reigniting passion for experiential design
