Three years in, the premier gathering for sports creatives keeps raising the bar.
For three consecutive years, the Gondola Sports Summit has carved out its place as the essential gathering for sports creatives. Spanning two full days at the Denver Art Museum, this year’s summit brought together over 500 attendees and 50+ guest speakers across 15+ sessions; a space for videographers, social media managers, graphic designers, and strategists to share ideas, debate trends, and push the industry forward.
The prestige of the event can’t be denied, and it was a target for many creatives looking to make a name for themselves and absorb knowledge from world-class speakers. Those lucky enough to attend were also treated to a Rockies vs. Rangers MLB game sponsored by Ripple Analytics, a live-content experience designed to inspire new ideas around strategy and storytelling.
Key Speaker Sessions:
Colleen Quigley
Olympic record holder & co-founder, Meridia Pro Track
Colleen Quigley is an Olympic record holder and one of the founders of Meridia, a professional track team. She has her own website that details her story, passions, and goals, a model many creatives should seek to emulate. Her session was shared with three other speakers: Jon Phillips, the New York Road Runners Director of Social; Amanda Brooks, founder of Run to the Finish; and Howard Lao, a professional photographer and entrepreneur. Together, the panel focused on the developments of track and field creative media and the significant increase in content surrounding the sport.
Shahbaz Khan
Head of Social Strategy & Emerging Platforms, NFL
Shahbaz Khan grew from basic content creation into brand strategy development and sponsorships, now leading social strategy for the NFL. His discussion group included Alykhan Ravjiani, Senior Social Media and Content Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays; David Sosna, Executive Producer and Director of Major Media Agency; and Hali Petrick, Head of Content Strategy and Production for the Colorado Avalanche. This group tackled the differing perspectives professionals face when deciding whether to work for a sports team or an agency. Many panelists had been on both sides and offered well-rounded insight for those on the fence about where they want to build their careers.
Alex Onaindia
Founder and CEO, Distinction Agency
Itspikaaa and Distinction Agency’s founder Alex Onaindia shared a panel alongside Aliyah Funschelle, Sports Content Creator and Chantal Rotondo Vice President of The Team. As the sports industry has grown, so too has the way events are covered, how creators are pursued, the costs of hosting, and the expectations publishers hold. The panel also explored what motivates different creators and where the space is heading.
Alex went in depth on how organizations are reshaping their relationships with creators, and how individuals can build lasting brands, from showcasing player personalities to establishing the kind of credibility that opens doors
With the summit wrapped up as of May 20th, anyone who missed out this year should keep an eye out for the 2027 schedule. As this recap makes clear, those serious about a future in sports creative have a lot to gain from attending; endless opportunities, real conversations, and knowledge straight from the people shaping the industry. The summit will return to Denver, Colorado next year, and it’s one worth planning around.