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Soccer Career Conference during the MLS SuperDraft & United Soccer Coaches Convention
Experience the heart of the action and mix and mingle with some of the most prominent names on the soccer landscape by attending the SMWW Sports Career Conference held in conjunction with the MLS SuperDraft and the United Soccer Coaches Convention, (formerly the NSCAA Convention.) Attendees at this conference consist of club owners, front office personnel, league officials, agents, coaches, individuals on the business side of the soccer and those wanting to work on the business side of soccer.
What:
The SMWW Soccer Career Conference is your opportunity to gain valuable insight into a variety of careers from those working at the highest level in soccer! This two-day career conference offers unique panel discussions and question-answer periods designed to start or advance your career in the business of soccer. The day will be split up into diverse speaker panels; including sports business, athlete representation, scouting, broadcasting, media.
Where:
To Be Determined.
Experience the Heart of the Action!
Network with soccer executives in the MLS, EPL, NWSL, USL, and NASL
Career guidance from well know soccer executives
Insights on who is doing the hiring and what you need to know to get hired
Connect with soccer business career-minded individuals
Mentors who have been where you are and want to assist you with your career
Insider information about changes in the industry that put your career on the fast track
Strategies to catapult your career to the next level
Confirmed Speakers for 2019
Dan Altman - North Yard Analytics Founder
Shea Richard Soma - Xeric Sports Management
Peter Wilt - Managing Dir. USL Madison
Jason Arnold - Capelli Soccer Holdings Technical Director
Glenn Crooks - SiriusXM Announcer
Brooks Laimbeer - Portland Timbers Scout
Lee Fraser - Newcastle United Talent ID and Data Analyst
Tommy Smyth - Philadelphia Union Color Analyst
Matt Pearson - Chicago Fire Academy Scout
John Print - SMWW Agency
Maikel Tsuji - SMWW Agency
Matt Martin - The Soccer Syndicate Director of Scouting
Tim Regan - Bradley University Assistant Men's Coach
Scott Rezendes - The Soccer Syndicate CEO
Oliver Gage - Houston Dynamo Performance Analyst
SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:
Group Discount:
Several University Sports Management programs do attend. If you are interested in bringing your group of any kind, please contact StudentServices@SMWW.com and we provide group discounts for 3-40. (Most individuals attend on their own)
SMWW Welcome Reception
Meet this year's speakers, MLS scouts, agents, media members and the SMWW faculty in a location to be determined! This welcome reception is a great kick-off to the conference, spent downtown in the hub of the MLS Draft & United Soccer Coaches Convention. Drinks and appetizers at the heart of the action after the MLS Draft.
Location To Be Determined.
Networking:
Networking Opportunities: One of the advantages of this conference is the ability to network within the soccer industry. Attendees work for teams, others are looking to break into the industry. Most attendees come alone but make many new friends and peers within the industry. And they return year after year!
SOCCER CAREER CONFERENCE AGENDA
Note: below is the agenda outline from 2019. We share this to give you an idea of what the day is like. Speakers will be different but topics will be similar. The 2020 conference agenda will be constantly changing up until the week of the event. We work with our speakers and panels around their team meetings. Team meetings are scheduled one week prior to the event. However, you can keep checking back as we add speakers. We always have a great schedule. You will love it!
Friday, January 11, 2019
9:00am - 5:00pm - United Soccer Coaches Convention Exhibit Hall"The Business of Soccer Happens Here!"
10am-12noon - Registration Open
Pick up your tickets, name badge, SMWW soccer scarf, and information needed for the event
Meet SMWW President Dr. Lashbrook, MLS Scouts, Agents, and SMWW Staff and Faculty including Lee Fraser, John Print, Tommy Smyth, Matt Martin, Scott Rezendes, and more!
Saturday, January 12, 2019
8:00am - Conference Registration Opens
8:45am - Dr. Lynn Lashbrook Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00am - Analytics Panel
Lee Fraser - Newcastle United FC Talent ID and Analytics
Matt Martin - The Soccer Syndicate Director of Scouting
Dan Altman - North Yard Analytics Founder
10:00am - Scouting Panel
Brooks Laimbeer - Portland Timbers Scout
Matt Pearson - Chicago Fire Academy Scout
Tim Regan - Bradley University Assistant Men's Coach
11:00am - Agent Panel
John Print - SMWW Soccer Operations Director
Shea Richard Soma - Xeric Sports Management
Maikel Tsuji - SMWW Agency/SMWW Alum
Noon - Lunch (included with registration)
1:30pm - 1-on1 With Peter Wilt
Peter Wilt, USL Madison Managing Director
2:15pm - Media and Communications Panel
Tommy Smyth - Philadelphia Union Color Analyst
Glenn Crooks - SiriusXM Announcer
3:30pm - 1-on-1 with Eddie Rock
Eddie Rock - Senior Director of Soccer Operations
4:15pm - Professional Leagues in Soccer
Scott Rezendes - The Soccer Syndicate CEO
Oliver Gage - Houston Dynamo Performance Analyst
Jason Arnold - Capelli Soccer Holdings Technical Director
5:00pm - Closing Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
About The 2020 Event:
What is the United Soccer Coaches Convention and Exhibit Hall?
The United Soccer Coaches Association (formerly the NSCAA) hosts the World's Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches each year. The United Soccer Coaches Convention draws approximately 4,000 coaches from their 30,000-plus members and more than 10,000 attendees over five days. Registration to the SMWW Soccer Career Conference includes entrance to the United Soccer Coaches Exhibit Hall which showcases more than 300 soccer businesses covering 600,000 square feet, making it The Largest Soccer Trade Show in North America. This is a great educational event covering all of the opportunities within the soccer industry. "The Business of Soccer Happens Here!"
MLS SuperDraft
The 2020 MLS SuperDraft conducted by Major League Soccer (MLS) held at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. More information about the draft here. SMWW reserves seats for attendees at the draft so we can all sit together. Wear your SMWW Soccer Scarf included with registration! Experience the MLS Draft live and in person! See executives make their trades and pick in person. Watch as fans cheer, boo, heckle, and chant as the picks are made.
NWSL Draft
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft is Thursday, January 16th, 2020 - the Thursday before the MLS Draft. The NWSL College Draft is an annual event which takes place in January of each year when ten NWSL teams select players who are in their senior season in college or have exhausted their college eligibility. The draft is composed of four rounds. The draft order is determined by the final regular-season standings.
Scholarships
SMWW will award a limited amount of full and partial scholarships for each SMWW Career Conference. You must be 18 years or older to be considered. If interested, fill out an application and submit your resume and a one-page letter explaining why you should receive a scholarship to info@smww.com.
Scholarships do not include lodging or airfare. Those who have completed an SMWW training program will be given preference.
2019 Featured Speakers *Speakers are subject to change.
Note: Due to Team Meetings, speakers are not guaranteed and will change. The closer we get to the date, the more accurate the schedule becomes as executives do not yet know their team meeting schedules.
Keir Radnedge - well-known journalist, WorldSoccer, and broadcaster Sky Andrew - Sports Agent (Clients include: Alex Dowsett, Sol Campbell, and Chris Robshaw.) Aidan Mullally - Tottenham Hotspur Head of Business Development Tommy Smyth, ESPN Soccer Analyst Tom Fox - Aston Villa Chief Executive Tom Glick, MLS New York City FC President Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - Sports Management Worldwide President Jordan Garbutt, Prozone Head of UK Professional Services Darren Eales - Tottenham Hotspur Director of Football Administration Colin Gordon - Key Sports Management Licensed Player Agent by the FA Simon Farrant, Opta Sports - Marketing Paul Molesworth - English Football League Chief Scout John Print - SMWW Director of UK Operations & Licensed FA Player Agent Charles Bruner – Arsenal FC Premium Sales Manager Steve Simmons, Aston Villa European Scout John Guppy, Gilt Edge Soccer Marketing Founder and former President & CEO of MLS Chicago Fire Tony Farrell, Head of International Football with Everton FC Mark Lisi - Sports Marketing Consultant and Player Agent, former MLS Player Matt Martin, Real Salt Lake, Director Academy Scouting Tom Veit, President of Philadelphia Union Chris Canetti, Chief Operating Officer of Huston Dynamo Greg Cotton, Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of Kansas City Wizards Brian Wellman, President of Carolina RailHawks FC Richard Tratford, Wyscout Jim Risher, Executive Director of Eurotech Soccer Academies and Tours Tim Regan, Indy 11 Head Coach Mark Washo, General Manager and President of Washington Freedom Shawn McGee, General Manager of Atlanta Beat Louise Waxler, Associate General Manager of Philadelphia Independence Alex Kotler, Founder of Football Partnerships Cara Joftis, Vice President of Marketing, Philadelphia Union Mike Quarino, Vice President Ticket Sales and Fan Services of Philadelphia Union Rich Searls, Director of Sales and Fan Services of New York Red Bulls Steve Powell, Senior Vice President Business Development of Houston Dynamo Brian Bilello, Chief Operating Officer, New England Revolution Blake Wooster, Head of Business Development, Prozone Sports Mark Gress, Co-Op Coordinator, Business Administration & Sports Management, Drexel University Gavin Wilkinson - GM Portland Timbers (2015 MLS Cup Champions) and GM Portland Thorns NWSL Bryant Pfeiffer - MLS Vice President, Club Services Roy A. Tewell - D.C United Vice President, Ticket Sales and Service David Ross-Williamson - Wilmelsport Partner Agent Justine Stone - Founder, Stone Sports Management Oliver Gage - Houston Dynamo, Performance Analyst Angus Mcnab – Perform Group, Head of Content Distribution for North America Brooke Tunstall - American Soccer Now, Contributing Writer Ricky Clarke - Atlanta Silverbacks, Director of Scouting and Player Recruitment Scott Rezendez - Sporting KC, Domestic Scout
Thank you! We will let you know as soon as conference dates are announced!
Testimonials:
Dana Taylor
Mens Head Coach, Cal State Stanislaus
I have been a Head Collegiate coach in the US for 17 years, have my "A" and NSCAA Premier. I have coached PDL and as well as been a State Director of Coaching. I found this course to be beneficial in so many ways and look to incorporate the information I learned on how to scout opponents and players. I would recommend it for every NCAA Division 1 Coach.
I have been a Head Collegiate coach in the US for 17 years, have my "A" and NSCAA Premier. I have coached PDL and as well as been a State Director of Coaching. I found this course to be beneficial in so many ways and look to incorporate the information I learned on how to scout opponents and players. I would recommend it for every NCAA Division 1 Coach.
Dave Knibbs
Ottawa, Canada
The SMWW Soccer Career Conference is the best sports conference that I have ever attended. The speakers were incredibly well versed in their topics. Tommy Smyth’s presentation was particularly insightful, but each and every speaker made a lasting impression and taught me so much.
The SMWW Soccer Career Conference is the best sports conference that I have ever attended. The speakers were incredibly well versed in their topics. Tommy Smyth’s presentation was particularly insightful, but each and every speaker made a lasting impression and taught me so much.
Mike Slatton
Tampa, FL
This conference is the most effective manner to gain insight and make connections in professional sports. It was better than I had hoped, the speakers were incredible. I’m overwhelmed by how much I learned!
This conference is the most effective manner to gain insight and make connections in professional sports. It was better than I had hoped, the speakers were incredible. I’m overwhelmed by how much I learned!
Ricardo Torres
Sweetwater, TN
My only complaint about this conference is that it was too short! I now have a clear view of the next steps in my sports career and I have a passion and excitement for working in the sports industry again – thank you SMWW, You are amazing!
My only complaint about this conference is that it was too short! I now have a clear view of the next steps in my sports career and I have a passion and excitement for working in the sports industry again – thank you SMWW, You are amazing!
Andrew Appiah
Woodbridge, VA
This conference rekindled my desire to pursue a career as a soccer agent. I enjoyed the networking, scouting strategies and detailed information on how to break into the industry. Everything was fantastic!
This conference rekindled my desire to pursue a career as a soccer agent. I enjoyed the networking, scouting strategies and detailed information on how to break into the industry. Everything was fantastic!
Andrew Ventresca
Virginia Beach, VA
I have learned something new and powerful at each and every SMWW conference I have attended. I come away from each event feeling confident and motivated.
I have learned something new and powerful at each and every SMWW conference I have attended. I come away from each event feeling confident and motivated.
Peter Ntephe
Houston, Texas
It is a credible conference on the backroom business of soccer. A rich array of diverse specialists – scouts, coaches, administrators, ex-players, agents, etc – are the speakers. You will hardly attend any other soccer conference with this quality and diversity of speaking faculty as well as immense networking opportunities.
It is a credible conference on the backroom business of soccer. A rich array of diverse specialists – scouts, coaches, administrators, ex-players, agents, etc – are the speakers. You will hardly attend any other soccer conference with this quality and diversity of speaking faculty as well as immense networking opportunities.
Simon England
Fairfax, VA
This conference has shown me everything that is possible if you pursue your dreams with enthusiasm. I’ve dreamed of working in the sports industry and this conference showed me how to make it a reality. Thank you to SMWW and all the great speakers!
This conference has shown me everything that is possible if you pursue your dreams with enthusiasm. I’ve dreamed of working in the sports industry and this conference showed me how to make it a reality. Thank you to SMWW and all the great speakers!
Iriza Guray
I liked having Eric Wynalda at the conference and listening to what he had to say on his platform for US Soccer President.
I liked having Eric Wynalda at the conference and listening to what he had to say on his platform for US Soccer President.
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Meet this year's speakers, MLS scouts, agents, media members and the SMWW faculty in a location to be determined! This welcome reception is a great kick-off to the conference, spent downtown in the hub of the MLS Draft & United Soccer Coaches Convention. Drinks and appetizers at the heart of the action after the MLS Draft. 
