Conference
X Games Forum
X Games Forum Launches Full-Day Conference & Networking Event
Full-Day Conference & Networking Event Thursday June 27, 2024
Ventura, CA - X Games, the leading action sports competition and lifestyle brand, and Group Y, the original collective of youth marketing, action sports and entertainment professionals, will launch the first X Games Forum on Thursday, June, 27 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds ahead of the weekend’s competitions.
Introducing the X Games Forum
Details
X Games Forum will be a full-day conference targeted at uniting the action sports and youth culture communities to explore the state and future of action sports. Panels and speakers will dive into topics driven by progression, authenticity, expression, community, culture and content. The speakers include top athletes, industry professionals and thought leaders.
Additionally luminaries like Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi will delve into the transformative potential of the X Games League. Don’t miss out on this pivotal moment in sports history!
Getting to X Games / Studio X
The Forum will be held in the Industry Lounge, on the west side of the venue, and marked in roughly the right of our Venue Map. More information about getting to the venue itself can be found on our extensive Getting to X Games Page.
The Speakers
- Selema Masekela - Chief of Sports Culture, & X Games Host
- Kristen Beat - X Games Reporter
- Marlyss Auster - President & CEO Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau
- Peter Adderton - Founder of MobileX and Boost Mobile
- Lucy Block - Pro Rally Driver, Founder Block House Racing, President 43 Institute
- Eric Burge - Vice President, Publicis Sports
- Cherie Cohen - Chief Revenue Officer, World Surf League
- Devin Dismang - Director, Content at X Games
- Brian Garofalow - CEO, Skullcandy
- Vicki Golden - Four-time X Games FMX medalist
- Brandon Graham - X Games Host
- Scott Guglielmino - X Games COO
- Brooklinn Khoury - Skateboarder, Model
- Jason Krutzch - Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, Vice President, Marketing, Content & Communications
- Ashley Laporte - VP of Purpose & Impact, Burton
- Thayer Lavielle - EVP, Wasserman / The Collective
- Jack Mitrani - X Games Host
- Jeff Moorad - CEO of MSP Sports Capital and Executive Chairman of X Games
- Jahm Najafi - Chairman of MSP Sports Capital
- Shaun Neff - Entrepreneur & X Games Investor
- James Ort - Partnerships, Actions Sports & Adventure, BRP
- Jaime Owens - Founder, Closer Skateboarding Magazine
- Paul "P-Rod" Rodriguez - Eight-time X Games Skateboard Medalist
- Hannah Roberts - BMX Olympic Medalist
- Joe Schroeder - Mayor of Ventura
- Ryan Sheckler - Seven-time X Games Skateboard Medalist
- Jamie Starr - Head of Brand Marketing, Backcountry
- Mikey Taylor - Thousand Oaks Council Member & Former Pro Skateboarder
- Damon Way - FACT. CEO + Founder, DC Shoes
- Ryan Williams - Nine-time X Games BMX Medalist
- Pam Zam - Executive Director, 43 Institute
Schedule
8:30 am - Check-in, Breakfast & Networking
9:30 am - Owner’s Welcome & Ventura Mayor’s Welcome
- Jeff Moorad, CEO of MSP Sports Capital and Executive Chairman of X Games
- Jahm Najafi, Chairman of MSP Sports Capital
- Joe Schroeder, Mayor of Ventura, CA
9:45 am - Women Driving Innovation and Progression in Sports
Panel will focus on the female athletes pushing progression in sport, both on and off the board. Through engaging panel discussions with female athletes and sports industry leaders, this panel will discuss how to continue the surge behind women’s sports worldwide, forge personal connections between female athletes and explore the elements needed for exposure, progression and growth of women’s sports.
- Host: Kristen Beat - X Games TV talent
- Thayer Lavielle - EVP, Wasserman / The Collective
- Hannah Roberts - BMX athlete
- Cherie Cohen, Chief Revenue Officer, World Surf League
- Vicki Golden – Four-time X Games FMX medalist
10:30 am - The Art of Storytelling & Future of Content
No matter the medium, the power of a great story will always reign supreme. This panel will explore how storytelling drives engagement, builds emotional connections and shapes the narrative of brands. In the new short form content world, panelists will discuss innovative approaches to storytelling and how to reach new audiences.
- Host: Brandon Graham - X Games TV talent
- Brooklinn Khoury – Skateboarder and Model
- Ryan Williams – Nine-time X Games BMX medalist
- James Ort - Partnerships, Action Sports & Adventure, BRP
- Devin Dismang - Director, Content at X Games
11:15am - The Return on Investing in Action Sports
Investors and partners discuss why they invested in marketing to the action sports community via the X Games brand. What successes and measurable benefits were achieved and what it means for the future of the brand to have athletes & industry leaders on the board and how brands can remain authentic while expanding.
- Host: Ashley Robbins - VP X Games partnership sales
- Peter Adderton – Founder and CEO, MobileX & Boost Mobile
- Ryan Dickerson – CMO, SONIC Drive-In
- Eric Burge – Vice president, Publicis Sport
12:00pm - X Games Future - X Games League
X Games COO Scott Guglielmino takes a deeper dive into X Games League
12:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - Ken Block / 43 Institute
Talk about the inspiring life of Ken Block, celebrating his achievements in motorsports and action sports, and his enduring legacy through the 43 Institute. The discussion will focus on how the 43 Institute continues Ken's mission by creating opportunities for exceptionally driven individuals, offering grants and support to help them achieve their dreams, and leveraging the extensive network of creatives, business leaders, and top-level athletes that Ken cultivated throughout his career.
- Host: Selema Masekela, X Games host & chief of sport
- Pam Zam - Executive director, 43 Institute
- Lucy Block - Pro rally driver, Founder Block House Racing, President 43 Institute
2:00pm - Curating a Community
This panel leads the discussion on creating an inclusive community within sports. It will dive into how to build welcoming spaces, amplify diverse voices and create a thriving community. If you can see it, you can be it.
- Host: Selema Masekela - X Games host & chief of sport
- Ashley Laporte – Vice president of Impact and Purpose, Burton
- Briana King - Skateboarder, model, actress, community organizer - Display Only
- Lindsey Klucik - Co-founder, GRLSWIRL
2:30 pm - Retail Revolution
The panel explores the changing face of retail in action sports, apparel, and hardgoods, as youth purchasing habits evolve beyond traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Explore emerging avenues of youth consumption, from online platforms to social commerce, and uncover strategies to adapt to this dynamic retail landscape.
- Host: Shaun Neff, Entrepreneur & X Games investor
- Jamie Starr - Head of Brand Marketing, Backcountry
- Brian Garofalow - CEO, Skullcandy
3:00 pm - X Games Impact to Cities and Communities
The panel explores how action sports events like the X Games attract hard-to-reach demographics, revitalizing venues and cities by driving tourism, fostering community engagement, and boosting economic growth.
- Host: Jack Mitrani - X Games Host
- Marlyss Auster - President / CEO, Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau
- Jason Krutzsch – Vice president, marketing, content & communications - Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission
- Mikey Taylor - Pro skateboarder, Thousand Oaks Councilmember
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Happy Hour / Networking / Athlete Meet & Greet in Industry Lounge / Venue Tours
Legends Talk
The talk explores the careers of the world’s best skateboarders – what drives them, how skateboarding has changed, the role X Games has played in their careers and what’s next.
- Host: Jaime Owens - Editor, Closer Skateboard Magazine
- Paul “P-Rod” Rodriguez - Eight-time X Games Skateboard Street medalist
- Ryan Sheckler - Seven-time X Games Skateboard Street medalist
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Real MTB Winner Reveal Live Show
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Downtown Skate Jam
Pricing
Forum General Admission - Includes panels, lunch, breakout sessions, networking hour, athlete meet & greet, venue tour, plus a three-day general admission ticket to X Games Ventura for those planning to stay for X Games
Forum Gold Admission - Includes VIP seating for panels, lunch, breakout sessions, networking hour, venue tour AND exclusive merch package plus a three-day Industry Lounge pass to X Games Ventura
Online Access - Includes access to digital library of panels and Group Y Lifetime membership
Group Pricing - Includes discounted rates for companies registering groups
Student - Are you a college student interested in attending? Send us an email for special student pricing!
Media Information
- Interested in attending as media? Please register via our X Games Ventura media application below.
- If you're interested in speaking at the forum, please contact Group Y directly.
- If you're interested in sponsoring the forum, please contact Group Y directly.