Sports Facilities: The Performance Center Arms Race: Training Facilities as a Competitive Advantage

Wednesday, September 2 | 12:30 PM ET

Sports Facilities

The Performance Center Arms Race: Training Facilities as a Competitive Advantage

Elite training and performance centers have evolved from operational necessities into strategic business assets. Teams are investing heavily in facilities that support athlete performance, attract talent, strengthen organizational culture, and create new commercial opportunities. This episode will explore how performance centers are being designed, funded, and leveraged to deliver competitive advantages both on and off the field.

What We Will Discuss:

• Why training and performance facilities have become critical tools for recruitment, retention, and athlete development.
• How facility design priorities are expanding beyond traditional training spaces to include recovery, wellness, nutrition, and sports science.
• The role performance centers play in sponsorship, content creation, community engagement, and partnership development.
• Key differences between professional and collegiate facility strategies, including governance, funding, donor involvement, and land constraints.
• Emerging trends that will shape the next generation of athlete-focused facilities.

Who Should Attend:

• Team and athletic department executives
• Facility planners and project managers
• Performance and sports science leaders
• Architects and designers
• Sponsorship and partnership executives
• Venue development professionals
• Athlete performance specialists
• Anyone focused on sports infrastructure and competitive advantage

Featured Speakers (Additional to be Announced)

Chad Blankenship serves as President and General Manager for the Ariat Texas Rattlers. Under his leadership, the Team earned its first PBR Team Series Championship (2023), became the first league team to sell out its multi-day home event, and maintained an unbeaten record on home dirt (9-0) across three seasons. Previously an executive at PBR, he led the formation and launch of the PBR Team Series. His career also spans launching Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey network, marketing ESPN’s college and motorsports properties, leading domestic marketing for NYC2012’s Olympic bid, and working at several leading ad agencies. Chad serves on boards for USA Cycling and the Fort Worth Sports Commission. 

Demetra Thornton, Co-Managing Director in Gensler’s Raleigh-Durham office, is focused on design excellence and working across the firm to ensure that projects continue to push the boundaries of impact, resilience, and experience. She previously served as a Managing Director and Sports Studio Director in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. Demetra identifies real-time emerging trends and drivers that impact her clients’ visions. She is well-known as a thought leader within the sports industry and is regarded as an expert in the design of professional venues and sports-anchored mixed-use developments.

With a strong background in business, Demetra is interested in the intersection of business and creativity. She is always looking to improve efficiencies and elevate design, while balancing the time and budget constraints of a project. She is focused on client satisfaction, technologies in construction, and relationship-building. With more than 15 years of architectural experience, she leads projects large and small from concept through construction. Demetra has served as a board member for the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber (GLAAACC) and is an advocate for the firm’s DEI initiatives as a member of its Global Race and Diversity Committee. In 2021, Demetra was named VenuesNow Women of Live. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Hampton University and a Master’s of Business Administration from UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Registration is free. All registrants will receive a recording of the webinar following the event.

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