ESPNW SPORTS SUMMIT | TOYOTA

REWATCH THE espnW: WOMEN + SPORTS SUMMIT

All of our Summit conversations are available on-demand here.

The espnW: Women + Sports Summit took place October 23-25 at the Ojai Valley Inn. The 14th annual Summit gathered together a world-class group of leaders across sports, business, and entertainment for an inspiring and action-packed two days in a breathtaking setting.

THE DETAILS

Date: Monday, October 23 - Wednesday, October 25, 2023

How to participate: If you want to watch any of our Summit conversations again, they are available on demand here.

2023 SUMMIT AGENDA
All times PT
12:00 PM
On-Site Registration and Summit Welcome Suite Open
5:00 PM
espnW Summit Welcome Reception + Dinner
6:30 PM
Summit Opening 
6:45 PM
espnW Keynote Conversation
Jill Smoller, pioneering sports agent and partner at WME, sits down with Hannah Storm to discuss her career journey and experience representing some of the most successful athletes in the world.
7:25 PM
U.S. Department of State & espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program Showcase
Introduction by Lee Satterfield / Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs

Featuring the 2023 GSMP delegates with Julie Foudy
7:50 PM
A Conversation with Laura Gentile
Featuring Rachel Epstein, Vice President, ESPN and espnW Marketing with Julie Foudy 
8:10 PM
espnW Opening Night Reception
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
12:00 PM
On-Site Registration and Summit Welcome Suite Open
5:00 PM
espnW Summit Welcome Reception + Dinner
6:30 PM
Summit Opening 
6:45 PM
espnW Keynote Conversation
Jill Smoller, pioneering sports agent and partner at WME, sits down with Hannah Storm to discuss her career journey and experience representing some of the most successful athletes in the world.
7:25 PM
U.S. Department of State & espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program Showcase
Introduction by Lee Satterfield / Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs

Featuring the 2023 GSMP delegates with Julie Foudy
7:50 PM
A Conversation with Laura Gentile
Featuring Rachel Epstein, Vice President, ESPN and espnW Marketing with Julie Foudy 
8:10 PM
espnW Opening Night Reception
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
7:00 AM
Morning Sports Activities Presented by Gatorade
8:15 AM
Breakfast Served
9:00 AM
Morning Welcome
9:10 AM
The Selling of Women's Sports
A conversation with industry experts at the forefront of driving investment and growth in women’s sports through innovative advertising frameworks and strategic partnerships.

Featuring Sara Gotfredson / Founder, Trailblazing Sports Group, Deidra Maddock / Vice President, Sports Brands Solutions, TWDC, Stephanie Marciano / Head of Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Ally and Susie Piotrkowski / Vice President, Women's Sports Programming & espnW, ESPN with Sarah Spain 
9:40 AM
The First Investment Fund for Women's Sports
Featuring Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Monarch Collective, an investment fund exclusively focused on investing in women's sports, teams, leagues, and adjacent rights-based revenue streams, with Julie Foudy.
10:10 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Women of F1 and F1 Academy
In the ultra-competitive and fast-paced world of Formula 1, hear from women who are carving out opportunities for themselves in the paddock, in broadcast, behind the wheel, and beyond.

Featuring Bianca Bustamante / F1 Academy Racer, Kate Jackson / Vice President of Production, ESPN, and Stephanie Travers / Deputy Team Principal at Team X44 and Senior Development Officer, Mission 44 with Nicole Briscoe
11:10 AM
World-Class Athlete Panel
A conversation with game-changing female athletes. 

Featuring Victoria Azarenka / Former World No. 1 and 2x Grand Slam Champion, Aliyah Boston / WNBA Rookie of the Year, Indiana Fever, Nicky Nieves / Paralympic Gold Medalist, USA Volleyball with LaChina Robinson
11:50 AM
Lunch
12:50 PM
ESPN Films Presents: Candace Parker: Unapologetic
A first look at the brand new ESPN Films documentary. 

Featuring Candace Parker / 3x WNBA Champion, Las Vegas Aces with Elle Duncan
1:30 PM
The Evolution of the LGBTQ+ Community in Sport

LGBTQ+ athletes have competed since the start of sport, but sport has not always been a safe space to display a full expression of self. Panelists will tackle topics of inclusivity and how societal acceptance has evolved in women’s sport.

Introduction by Susie Piotrkowski / Vice President, Women's Sports Programming and espnW, ESPN
Hosted by E.R. Fightmaster / Actor, Grey’s Anatomy, Artist and Activist
Featuring Layshia Clarendon / WNBA All-Star and WNBPA Vice President and Nikki Hiltz / 4x USATF National Champion
2:00 PM
W. Power Talks

Single-topic talks by industry leaders and experts in their fields. 

2:40 PM
Breakout Sessions
Three distinct interactive sessions where on-site attendees debate, discuss, and workshop topical subject matter across the women + sports landscape. 
4:00 PM
Afternoon Wellness Activities Presented by Gatorade
5:30 PM
Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM
Dinner
6:40 PM
Toyota Everyday Heroes
Honoring individuals creating change and opportunity for women and girls in their local communities through sports. 

Presented by Elle Duncan and Danelle Umstead
Featuring Mechelle Lewis Freeman / TrackGirlz and Peggy Turner / TIRR Memorial Hermann Hotwheels
7:00 PM
espnW Evening Keynote and Musical Performance
Performance by Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, & pianist, Regina Spektor, following a conversation with Sarah Spain
8:00 PM
Level Up Celebration + Reception
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
7:00 AM
Morning Sports Activities Presented by Gatorade
8:15 AM
Breakfast Served
9:00 AM
Morning Welcome
9:10 AM
Freezing Time: Female Athletes and the Pursuit of Parenthood

Hear from the women who negotiated the first-ever high-profile partnership around egg freezing and family planning for female athletes, and the experiences of athletes on their IVF and egg freezing journeys. 

Featuring Susan Ansman / Feature Producer II, ESPN, Kaillie Humphries / Team USA & Canada Bobsled, Lindsay Kagawa Colas / EVP, Talent + The Collective, Wasserman, and Nneka Ogwumike / Professional Basketball Player, Los Angeles Sparks with LaChina Robinson

9:50 AM
espnW Keynote Conversation

Featuring Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone / Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Sprinter & Hurdler with Elle Duncan

10:20 AM
Women at the Helm

A centerpiece Summit conversation showcasing leading voices and influential female executives across sports, business, and entertainment.

Featuring Nicole Kankam / Managing Director of Marketing, USTA, Isaura Morales / Head of US Sports Partnerships, Meta, and Marissa Solis / SVP, Global Brand and Consumer Marketing, NFL, with Sarah Spain

11:00 AM
Summit Close and Thank You
GALLERY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This is an exclusive, invitation-only event. In the event that you can no longer attend, we will issue you a full refund up to 4 weeks prior to the start of the event (on or before September 25). If you cancel your registration after September 25 we are unable to refund your registration fee, but you may either transfer your registration to a colleague or defer your registration to next year’s event.

The total registration fee is $3,500. This includes resort lodging for three days/two nights, Summit-sponsored events and activities, all meals and all receptions throughout the Summit.

The Registration Fee for the Summit covers your resort lodging for three days/two nights, Summit-sponsored events and activities, all meals and all receptions throughout the Summit.

All payments are processed and charged when your credit card information is submitted. You will receive an order confirmation in your email. If you have any questions about the Summit, please contact [email protected].

The average daytime high in the Ojai area in October is 70 degrees. The overnight low averages 42 degrees. In short, bring a sweater / jacket - it can be a little chilly.

The Summit is a casual, athletic environment. We encourage you to dress comfortably. Feel free to bring a dressy-casual outfit for dinner and cocktails, but don't forget your athletic gear for sports activities!

LAX and Santa Barbara Airport are the two recommended arrival airports. LAX is approximately 2 hours from the resort and SBA is approximately 1 hour from the resort. Once you’ve arrived there are several ground transfer options.

Ground transfers between LAX and Ojai Valley Inn:

  • We will be providing limited shuttle service between LAX and Ojai Valley Inn, departing at pre-specified times on October 23rd and 25th. Additional details to come, check back often!
  • Car rental or car service
  • Uber/Lyft (note there may be limited availability for rides to LAX from the resort)

Ground transfers between SBA and Ojai Valley Inn:
  • Car rental or car service
  • Uber/Lyft (note there may be limited availability for rides to SBA from the resort)
  • No shuttle service will be provided between SBA and Ojai Valley Inn

We will be providing limited shuttle service between LAX and Ojai Valley Inn, departing at pre-specified times on October 23rd and 25th. No shuttle service will be provided between SBA and Ojai Valley Inn.

Additional details to come, check back often!

If you are not taking the provided shuttle service from LAX to Ojai, please plan to arrive between 12pm and 4pm Monday, October 23. The Summit will begin at 5:30pm. Please note that check-in time at the Ojai Valley Inn is not until 4pm so your bags will need to be stored by the hotel if your room is not yet available when you arrive.

Bring your ideas, your energy and your enthusiasm! Other suggestions: sun block, moisturizer, lip balm, sunglasses, sports wear, and a sweater, jacket or wrap for cooler evenings.

The in-person Summit is by invitation only. If you have questions please contact us at [email protected].

Influencers like you. Business, brand and agency executives, professional athletes, experts, and leaders in the educational and non-profit sectors.

Prior to The Summit, you will receive a questionnaire that asks for additional information and allows you to choose your preferred sessions and activities.

The schedule will include keynote speakers and presentations, work sessions and interactive panel discussions, as well as sports activities and evening receptions. Please refer to the agenda section of the site for details. Click here

Registration is free! Register today and the link to view live will be sent via email on October 23rd. Once it is sent, click the link to join, watch and enjoy!

Please email [email protected] (or use the link at the bottom of every page) and we'll get right back to you.

ABOUT THE RESORT
OJAI VALLEY INN

Tucked within the Topatopa Mountains in the mystical Ojai Valley, the iconic AAA Five-Diamond Ojai Valley Inn continues to redefine luxury, beckoning travelers since its opening in 1923 to the tranquil setting known as “Shangri La.” Located 90 minutes north of Los Angeles in the chic bohemian enclave of Ojai, the resort balances the relaxed glamour of Southern California with reverence for the unspoiled natural beauty of the region for an unrivaled experience that embodies the authentic spirit of Ojai. Sprawled across 220 lush, oak and olive tree studded acres scented with wild sage and lavender, Ojai Valley Inn offers an abundance of freshly renewed settings, activities and amenities for inspired escapes including: the 31,000 square foot Spa Ojai and its surrounding Spa Village, The Artist Cottage, a working artist studio and apothecary for instruction in aromatherapy oil blending; a historic, George C. Thomas designed golf course; apiary and immersive beekeeping program; multiple pools and more than five dining concepts including signature restaurant Olivella, the sole restaurant between Los Angeles and Northern California to hold both the Forbes Four Star and AAA Four-Diamond designations. New for 2019, the resort introduced The Farmhouse at Ojai Valley Inn, a 20,000 square foot epicurean event center, connecting world-class food culture, sublime indoor/outdoor settings and bucket list events.

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Ojai Valley Inn
905 Country Club Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(855) 697-8780
ojaivalleyinn.com