From Suites to Sweets: The Growth of Premium Hospitality Experiences at Sports Venues

Wednesday, April 24 | 12:30 PM ET

From Suites to Sweets: The Growth of Premium Hospitality Experiences at Sports Venues

What we will cover:

The growth and importance of premium hospitality experiences at sports venues across the globe, including:

• Luxury suite design, construction and operations
• Premium seating offerings and sales strategies
• Suite holder hospitality and luxury experiences

Who should attend:

• Representatives from sports teams and leagues working in venue operations and hospitality
• Representatives from teams and leagues working in ticketing and suite sales
• Venue operators and managers
• Hospitality vendors and suppliers
• Agencies working with brands and rights holders
• Architects and design firms working with venue operators and sports teams
• Technology companies offering solutions for venue operators, vendors and brands working hospitality

Featured speakers

Demetra Thornton is a Co-Managing Director in Gensler’s Raleigh-Durham office, Demetra 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.

Kevin J. Gessay is a senior global executive with 25 years of brand storytelling in luxury category through premium hospitality, communications, influencer, and experiential marketing. Kevin is currently Vice President of Chargers LUX, a first of its kind sports hospitality membership program for premium clientele at the Los Angeles Chargers. The innovative program connects Charger's suite owners to the Los Angeles lifestyle through exclusive entrée to best-in-class hospitality, business, and entertainment benefits year-round, at no additional cost.

Kevin previously worked 17 years at worldwide entertainment public relations and marketing agency, PMK-BNC; specializing in bringing together the worlds of entertainment and lifestyle brands. The last five years of his time at the firm, Kevin was named Managing Director of the London office, managing global operations, and acting as client liaison for international luxury brands whilst coordinating personal publicity and appearances for actors, musicians, producers, and directors.

Kevin is originally from Tolland, Connecticut and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Eighteenth Century English Literature from Providence College in Rhode Island. Kevin currently resides in West Hollywood, California.

Dustin Vicari is the Executive Vice President of Property Sales for Elevate, an award-winning, full-service consulting firm supporting high-performing organizations in sports and beyond. In his senior leadership role, Vicari is responsible for providing revenue maximization strategies and solutions in annual and event-based premium hospitality for client sports teams, brands, venues, events, and properties. Over the past four years at Elevate, Vicari has represented and supported rightsholders across the NFL, MLB, PGA TOUR, MLS, NWSL, USL Championship, Showtime Boxing, Bellator MMA, Alterra Mountain Company, and more.

The 20-year industry veteran’s expertise in identifying and implementing revenue-driving strategies for professional sports franchises is derived from experience with industry-leading brands, teams, and venues, including the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the New Nissan Stadium, NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant Stadium, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and Levis’ Stadium, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium, the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, and more.

Prior to his tenure at Elevate and Sacramento Republic FC, Vicari served as Vice President of Sales and Service of Legends Global Sales for the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant Stadium. In this role, Vicari worked closely with the Raiders Executive Team to develop a national deposit conversion strategy and new business sales plan for suite and PSL sales initiatives. Vicari was responsible for a record-breaking $1.3 billion in combined premium COI during his two years with the Raiders; developing and leading Allegiant Stadium’s PSL, suite, and loge seating marketing, sales, and service execution plans; which resulted in a historic stadium sell-out.

Prior to arriving in Las Vegas, Vicari worked on behalf of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons as the General Manager for Legends Global Sales at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In this role, Vicari was responsible for the hiring, training, and management of 35 Sales and Service Associates. Vicari constructed a multi-dimensional PSL Sales and Marketing Campaign that maximized both the relocation conversion of the current Georgia Dome season ticket holder base and new business. His management and leadership in advance of the opening of the Atlanta Falcons’ $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium resulted in nearly $300 million in PSL revenue.

Vicari worked for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium from 2007-2011. During his first two years as a Sales Consultant with the Cowboys, Vicari focused on selling both club and reserve seat options, breaking industry revenue records for PSL sales totaling over $600 million. Following the 2009 season, Vicari was promoted to a Suite Sales Consultant, responsible for securing long-term suite lease partnerships and luxury suite rentals for all AT&T Stadium events, including Super Bowl XLV.

Registration is free. All registrants will receive a link to watch the recording once the session concludes.

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