Inspiring voices - broaden your perspective
Our aim is to present a portfolio of personalities and partners that is groundbreaking for the world of sport in terms of diversity, depth and relevance. We are constantly looking to add exciting personalities to our portfolio.
Super Bowl QB Colin Kaepernick, holder of the NFL record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback, took a knee during the "Star Spangled Banner" in 2016 to draw attention to systemic oppression - particularly police terror - against black people. For his stance, he has been denied employment by the league to this day.
Since 2016, he has founded and co-funded three organizations - Know Your Rights Camp, Kaepernick Media and Kaepernick Publishing - that work together for the liberation of Black and Brown people through storytelling, systemic change and political education.
Kaepernick has been honored with several prestigious awards, including Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award, GQ magazine's Citizen of the Year, the NFL's Len Eshmont Award, the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, the ACLU's Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award, and the Puffin/Nation Institute's Prize for Creative Citizenship.
In 2019, Kaepernick helped Nike win an Emmy for the "Dream Crazy" commercial. In 2020, his vegan ice cream flavor "Change the Whirled" from Ben & Jerry's became an instant bestseller and was the first time a black man was featured on a full-time Ben & Jerry's flavor. Change the Whirled has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Know Your Rights Camp.
In 2021, he released Colin in Black & White, a 6-part series on Netflix that focuses on his high school years. The series won two NAACP Image Awards. In 2022, he became a New York Times bestselling author with his highly acclaimed children's picture book I Color Myself Different. The year 2023 was already another turning point for Kaepernick. In February, he executive produced the television series Killing County for Hulu, which deals with police violence in Bakersfield, California, and the possibilities of doing something about it. In March, he published a graphic novel memoir about his high school years called Change the Game. In collaboration with Audible, he has created an audio adaptation of the project, narrated by him in the first person.
Professor Muhammad Yunus is a renowned Bangladeshi economist and social entrepreneur who is known worldwide for his pioneering work in the field of microfinance and his efforts to combat poverty. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. He is the founder of the Yunus Sports Hub, which uses the positive power of sport to tackle social problems and strengthen communities. The focus is on values such as inclusion, social justice and sustainable development.
Yusra Mardini is a Syrian swimmer who has gained international recognition for her courage and determination. In 2015, Yusra Mardini fled Syria with her sister to escape the civil war and competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics for Team Refugee Olympic Athletes. Yusra Mardini's story is inspiring and symbolizes the determination and strength of many refugees around the world who fight tirelessly in search of safety and a better future. She herself is an advocate for refugees and their rights and is an ambassador for the UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency).
Gordon Herbert is a Canadian basketball coach known for his long and successful career in coaching basketball in Europe. He played and coached in Finland for many years and also holds Finnish citizenship. He won the German championship and the FIBA Europe Cup with the Skyliners Frankfurt. Gordon Herbert has been coach of the German men's national basketball team since 2021 and led the team undefeated to win the (first) world championship title at this year's World Cup tournament.
Pic Copyright: DBB/Lucas Kröger
Foster Huntington is an American photographer and author known for his work in outdoor and adventure photography as well as his involvement in the vanlife movement. In 2011, he turned his back on the fashion world of New York and quit his job as a creative at Ralph Lauren. He is best known for his book "The Burning House", in which he asked people from all over the world what things they would save from their house in the event of a fire.
Jonas Deichmann is a German extreme athlete known for his remarkable achievements in long-distance cycling and endurance sports. In 2020, he broke the existing world record for the fastest ride from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego (Panamericana), significantly beating the previous best time. He is currently cycling across the USA and back again. Jonas Deichmann is not only committed to competitive sport, but also to charitable causes and projects. During his long-distance runs, he collects donations for various charitable organizations.
With a remarkable track record that includes clubs such as Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich, Tuchel's achievements as a coach and manager are nothing short of extraordinary.
In 2021, he won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and just one year later the FIFA Club World Cup. His performances on the pitch earned him the prestigious titles of FIFA World Coach of the Year and UEFA Coach of the Year 2022. Before taking the helm at Chelsea FC, he led Paris Saint-Germain to success, securing two French championships and two French Cups in 2019 and 2020. Under his leadership, PSG also made history by reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
Tuchel's successes are not limited to France: he already won the DFB Cup with Borussia Dortmund in 2018. His coaching career began at Mainz 05, where he guided the club's fortunes for five years. As a youth coach, he led Augsburg and Mainz to win the German Youth Championship twice. He recently became German champion with FC Bayern Munich.
What really sets Thomas Tuchel apart is his innovative approach to the game. He is known for breaking new ground, favoring variable forms of training and play and emphasizing principles of action over rigid tactical guidelines. As he once said in a groundbreaking lecture entitled "Breaking out of the routine": "No action in soccer occurs exactly twice." Tuchel's wisdom extends beyond the pitch; in a recent interview he touched on the power of intuition and the importance of mental health, demonstrating his commitment to holistic player development.
Tuchel is not just a coach, he is a game-changer who is challenging the status quo and promoting the power of intuition and mental wellbeing in the world's most popular sport.
Derin Adetosoye is a British TV presenter who rose to fame as the host of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and presenter of the F1 Academy series on Sky Sports F1, making history as the first Black female presenter for an international motorsport rights holder. With her extensive experience in reaching and growing Generation Z, she bridges the gap between the sport and a new, young and diverse audience. She is also a sought-after presenter of live events, ranging from awards ceremonies and conferences to stadium hosting and launch events. She is delighted to be a presenter at this year's ISPO Munich.
Monitoring trends and transformations in the sports and outdoors industry as well as perceiving consumer attitudes, Louisa's global research unearths new inspirations and ideas. Her graphic visions focus toward a balanced future, where sustainability, creativity and performance all merge as one.
Born on 24 September 1985 in Bolzano, daughter of Heiner Oberrauch and Brigitte Andres, eldest of three siblings and mother of two boys. She loves to spend her free time in the mountains: whether mountaineering, ski touring, climbing or hiking. Trekking - for Ruth it is relaxation and adventure at the same time. Above all, however, it is their very personal time-out. In 2020, Ruth began developing the new LaMunt brand, the first brand within the the Oberalp Group (which also includes SALEWA, DYNAFIT, Pomoca, Wildcountry and Evolv), which completely "in-house". Like all brands of the Oberalp Group, LaMunt has also developed its Core in the mountaineering segment, but is aimed exclusively at a female target group. LaMunt is supposed to inspire self-determined women to spend their me-time in the mountains. LaMunt produces textiles without harmful substances. Uses post-industrial recycled cashmere as a sustainable filling for insolated jackets and keeps a transparent product overview. Since August 2023, Ruth has also been appointed Vice President of the entire Oberalp Group. The Oberalp Group is a management-led family business and has been operating for six years. generations in the textile industry. Oberalp is the only brand house in the world that has made a name for itself within the mountaineering industry. different trademarks, on a single theme and a single experience area. specialized: the mountain!
Kashif is currently leading the commercialization of bio-materials for Modern Meadow as VP, Business Development. He has close to 20 years of experience in the Fashion & Textile Industry in various roles. Most recently, he spent six years with PVH in managing innovation for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands with a focus on sustainability via material science and digital innovation tools. He has a B.S in Textile Chemistry Engineering and Masters’s in Textile.
Adam Sarama has been a strategic partner in driving successful initiatives for his customers across multiple industries including print and packaging, supply chain, pharma and medical devices with a strong focus on sustainability. As a Business Relationship Manager at Billerud Managed Packaging, he’s focused on helping retail brands maximise packaging programs to improve supply chain efficiency, control costs and contribute toward sustainability goals.
A progressive pragmatist with 10+ years experience in the field of innovation and sustainability is working 8+ years on multidisciplinary Cradle to Cradle® projects as project manager, content developer, strategists and lecturer. Is part of the EPEA Industry management with a focus on certification services and consults a wide range of industry partners as an accredited Cradle to Cradle Certified® assessor. Pushes business transformations and network collaborations globally. As an internal ISO 9001:2015 auditor, he developed and continuously improves the quality management system of EPEA to assure high quality performance as an Accredited Assessment Body of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program. A highly motivated team player with strong communication and analytical skills that enables him to make a valuable solution-oriented contribution in realizing a future-proof and resilient circular economy.
Sigrid Svedberg's journey as an entrepreneur started over 20 years ago with a focus on sustainable design, circularity utilizing renewable wood fibre materials. She hasworked for the biggest forest and packaging companies in Europe, where she has developed business models and structures with a focus on circular packaging design. Her drive is to make good for our planet.
A common objective through Tobias Bergarp's work life has been to reduce our dependency on fossil-based materials and protect the products and the water and energy that have been invested already – at the same time as reducing CO2 emissions. His drive is making consistent improvements, that often matter more than huge leaps over time.
Jason joined Samsung Down in 2018. As one of the founders of the Downplus system and the REWARDOWN program. Jason has professional experience in the development and traceability of down filling materials.
Rob Swasey joined IDFL in 2021. With a deep knowledge of both quality testing and supply chain certifications, especially recycling audit activities.
Martin Ledwon is Vice President of Sustainability, Marketing and Communications at UPM Biorefining. Before that, he held various senior leadership roles in sustainability and communications within UPM Kymmene, the Finland based pulp, paper, and forest-based renewable materials market leader since 2017. In addition to that, Martin has extensive experience in various sustainability areas on a global scale from his previous roles at Siemens, Tetra Pak and as an independent consultant.
Gerd Unkelbach studied chemistry and has been working on the sustainable production of materials and chemicals based on renewable raw materials since 2005. After roughly 20 years in different positions at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft he changed mid-2022 to UPM as R&D-director polymers and molecular bioproducts. He is a member of various committees and deputy chairman of the board of the BioEconomy cluster.
René Bethmann has over 17 years of experience in the sportswear industry and working for leading brands across Europe. He brought several new technologies into the sportswear world by connecting supply-chain stakeholders, including the upstream chemical industry, to drive responsible product creation. René has long experience in several renewable carbon technologies such as biomass and recycled derived materials and His successes include the development of VAUDE's industry-leading "Green Shape" eco-design tool, which covers the entire life cycle of the product. He is speaker at several global conferences and consulted several industries in the field of sustainable material choices. His aim is to steer the textile industry away from relying on fossil fuels and instead promote a shift toward a sustainable and circular economy, because everyone can make a difference.
Kim Scholze has been with sympatex since March 15, 2021 as Chief Sustainable Community Manager and Head of Storytelling. With Scholze on the board, the company's direction is clear: it's not about making the greatest possible profit. It is about attitude, cooperation and a common striving of the industry for sustainability. “I have been a proud part of the sports and outdoor industry for over 30 years. I have given a face to my belief in sustainability, attitude and change - the creation and maintenance of communication platforms are my expertise. Today I am 100% committed to Sympatex when it comes to thinking in terms of platforms. I personally identify with Sympatex and the company's consistent and transparent strategy and, alongside Dr. Ruediger Fox Managing Director. My main task and responsibility is sales and marketing”, Kim Scholze, CSMO at Sympatex.
With a Bachelor’s in Philosophy and a Master’s Degree in International Management, Marc Schubert began his career in the recycling industry over 10 years ago. After holding various positions with administrative, operational and strategic tasks, he is now Managing Director of REMONDIS Recycling. In addition to his responsibilities for the national collection and global textile activities of REMONDIS, he has been Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO of Looper Textile Co. Within Looper Textile, a Joint Venture of H&M Group and Remondis, he oversees the operational and financial activities
Nicole Kösegi has 20 years of experience in waste management with a focus on textiles and packaging. She has held various strategic management positions at leading international corporations and medium-sized companies in the recycling industry and has been working as an independent management consultant since March 2018. A focus of her work is in the area of take-back-systems and the development of solutions for implementing producers’ responsibility for various types of waste. June 2022: the German Environmental Agency (UBA) commissioned the ReFoPlan project ProTEX: "Evaluation of potential EPR models for textiles in Germany” for which Nicole Kösegi worked as subcontractor. October 2021: Nicole Kösegi leads together with Dr. Edith Classen and Maria Malzacher the working group textiles as part of the Standardization Roadmap Circular Economy of DIN, DKE and VDI. The aim of this roadmap is to provide an overview of the status quo of standardization in the field of circular economy, to identify requirements and challenges and, deriving from this, to formulate concrete needs for action for future standards.
Leonhard’s expertise builds on more than 13 years of social innovation and social business work experience in more than 20 countries. He has incubated, grown, advised and consulted start-ups and established organizations around the globe. Leonhard is the Founder of Studio Nima, the Co-Founder of N3XTCODER and serves as the Educational Advisor to the Yunus Sports Hub and as a Venture Building Advisor to the Yunus Environment Hub, two organizations founded by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus.
Melanie was born and raised in the Austrian Alps and from the day she could walk she was an avid mountaineer, skier and outdoor enthusiast. She completed her degree with honours at the University of Oxford in Economics, Philosophy and Politics. After two years as a management consultant in London and New York working with FTSE200 and Blue Chip clients, she joined the British subsidiary of the European Outdoor Retailer Group >>Yonderland<< as a Strategy Manager. Working closely with C-suite and senior management her responsibilities included the development of a 5-year strategic plan to optimize future growth, various M&As, market rollouts and channel-, price- & product-optimisation. Since 2021 she has taken on the international role of Head of Sustainability creating a cohesive and ambitious environmental sustainability program encompassing better products, carbon neutrality, optimised waste management and protection of our outdoor spaces. Outside or work you will find her climbing, skiing or flying the Alps.
Matthias Gebhard has been Managing Director of Bergfreunde GmbH, one of the largest online specialist retailers for mountain sports, climbing and outdoor equipment in Europe, since 2012. As a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, Matthias Gebhard sees his industry as having a special responsibility for climate protection. He is passionate about the goal of sustainably reducing the carbon footprint in outdoor retail, which is why he launched the "Outdoor Retailer Climate Commitment" (ORCC) climate protection initiative with other outdoor retailers in fall 2021.
Alexandra Letts was born and raised in the Andes, at 2600m but began to enjoy and really live the mountains when she transferred to the South Tyrolean Alps. A qualified Lawyer specialized in Public International Law, International Human Rights Law and International Environmental Law, she entered the Outdoor Industry and the Oberalp Group in 2004. As part of the purchasing team, she introduced the first Code of Conduct for suppliers, with social and environmental standards, and established its endorsement as a precondition for the cooperation with Oberalp. Together with the Quality Department, she initiated what today is the Chemical Safety programme. In 2011, when Oberalp decided to create a central Sustainability Department, Alexandra contributed to building the strategy for the supply chain and product-related issues, was involved in the engagement of important partnerships with various stakeholders, and strengthened ties with industry associations like the EOG and competitor Brands, aware that cooperation is key to making significant impact in this area. As Sustainability Manager, she continues to develop the Strategy of the group. Always with the goal to develop and make products for mountain lovers, of the highest quality, in factories where workers are treated with dignity, and while leaving as little trace as possible in nature.
Tony Wang, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of expertise in the dynamic realm of performance fabrics. Currently serving as the Vice President of Global Sales Business at Singtex, Tony is a driving force behind the company's success.
With a proven track record in the industry, Tony has honed valuable skills as a solution provider and is recognized for his innovation in Research and Development. Passionate about textiles, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, making significant contributions to the evolution of performance fabrics.
Beyond the boardroom, Tony is known for a genuine enthusiasm for the textile industry. Always eager to share professional insights and expertise, Tony thrives on fostering strong connections with customers. In a rapidly evolving market, Tony remains at the forefront, combining experience with a forward-thinking approach to drive Singtex and the textile industry to new heights.
George Yang is a pioneer in sustainable textiles with over 20 years dedicated to developing eco friendly fabric technologies. He founded e.dye Ltd. in 2015 to solve the global problem of textile pollution through core innovations in waterless dyeing, digital color systems, and circular recycling.
Key achievements include:
- Developing groundbreaking waterless dyeing systems that significantly reduce water, chemical use, and carbon emissions
- Creating digital color technology to enable precise color matching and reduce textile waste
- Designing circular recycling processes to recover and regenerate textile waste into new fabrics and yarns
His innovations have earned e.dye international recognition and awards. Mr. George has been invited to share his expertise at major industry conferences worldwide, including two speaking engagements at leading research institutes in Sweden SWEREA in 2013 and RISE Research Institutes in 2018 as well as the upcoming ISPO Munich. His mission is to drive the textile industry towards a sustainable future.
Entrepreneur with more than 20 years in experience the padel sector. Former padel and tennis coach, former owner of padel clubs, businessman and racket sports advisor. Now leading the Padel World Summit, the largest event in history for padel industry and professionals.
Anja Metzger has extensive experience in sports management, marketing, and sales, particularly within the racquet sports and sports technology sector. She previously led the Marketing and Sponsorship Department at the European Tennis Federation in Switzerland. Currently, she is actively involved in developing the Central European market for the sports technology startup Playtomic. In this capacity, Anja establishes partnerships with Padel venues, supporting them in the process of digitalization and activation while fostering strong player communities. Playtomic is a leading app for Padel and other racquet sports globally, offering a user-friendly interface for court reservations, match participation, and interaction within vibrant player communities. Anja Metzger is also the CEO of GotCourts, the leading Swiss racquet sports platform focusing on tennis clubs and players. With a presence in over 50 countries, Playtomic has more than 4,800 affiliated clubs and over 1 million active users.
Annelot is an international journalist, specialised in economics and tourism. She writes for SportGuide, a French business media on sports brands for retail leaders. She also moderates conferences, among which the first edition of the International Sports Tourism Event.
Benedikt Brandmeier has been an employee with the City of Munich since 2016. There, the lawyer was initially head of staff to Josef Schmid, then head of economic development and second mayor Josef Schmid, where he was already closely involved in tourism and events. Around the same time as the pandemic began, he took over the management of this area and, in close cooperation with the private tourism industry to dovetail destination management with the event sector, for example through new and innovative concepts such as "Summer in the City".
Christoph's first experience with Major Events was 1996 and 1998 when he worked as Tour Leader during the EURO 1996 and World Cup 1998 in France. From 2002-2008 he was responsible in regards to operations which included procurement of accommodation, transportation, staff and project controlling for Summer Olympics and all Football World Cups and EUROS for General Public. From 2009 until today he was in charge for operations and Key Account Management with SPORTFIVE and our target groups were sponsors, companies and VIP clients. Additionally he is a freelancer lecturer since 2006 for sport tourism within the studies of sport management.
David Alvarez is a Founding Partner of As Deporte, a leading organizer of sports tourism events in Mexico. He created the Digital Ecosystem Asdeporte in 2000 and founded Actívate México, promoting physical activity aligned with public policies. As a key figure in Mexican triathlon, he co-founded the sport and directed World Triathlon Championships in 1995, 2002, and 2016. David pioneered the first automated timing system in sports and has organized 1500 sports tourism events in Mexico and Latin America. Currently, he's developing a new Digital Ecosystem for Asdeporte to promote tourism in Mexico.
David Evangelista is an experienced PR and communication professional in the sports and tourism branches, with a long tenure in consulting brands and events towards sound communication strategies. He is Partner and Head of Communication of the Vitesse agency, and serves as Head of Media for several major sports events, such as the cycling Tour of the Alps, the MTB and Cyclocross UCI World Cup stages in Val di Sole, the 3Tre FIS Alpine Ski World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio.
David Nordblad, currently the Secretary General of the Scandinavian Outdoor Group, has amassed significant experience in the outdoor industry, primarily in sales positions representing brands, retailers, and distributors. With a profound passion for outdoor activities such as skiing, cycling, and running, David approaches his interests with a business-oriented mindset.
As an award-winning creative, David has been active in the sports & communication environment for more than 15 years. Since 2020 he has been managing director of the sports marketing agency Rapid Peaks. He is also a lecturer and speaker in the areas of innovation management, sports science and sports marketing. Rapid Peaks is here to inspire brands with creative sports marketing solutions focused on purpose and social development goals. From strategic consultancy in the area of sports communication and the activation of sponsoring rights to creating added-value partnerships with clubs, associations, leagues and companies, Rapid Peaks is a highly rated partner.
Dries Verclyte is the lead cycling at VISIT FLANDERS, where he created Cycling in Flanders, a dedicated brand for cycling fanatics worldwide. Cycling in Flanders develops new routes and experiences, co-funds 3 museums and teams up with major races such as Ronde van Vlaanderen and Gent-Wevelgem to foster the passionate cycling community. Dries was the architect of Flandrien Challenge, the definitive STRAVA bucket list challenge for aspiring Flandriens, and was part of the team that brought the 2021 Road World Championships and 2024 gravel worlds to Flanders. Dries loves all things cycling and is perpetually in love with the Koppenberg, especially when it’s wet, slippery and demands technique.
Passionate about outdoor sports, Emmanuel loves surfing and snowboarding. He has been working in the sports industry for 20 years through companies such as Salomon, Rossignol, Billabong, and Dakine. he is now president of the Oxbow, brand, which is a French action sports brand.
Evelina heads up Strava's advertising platform which provides solutions for brands and organizations interested in engaging with the Strava community. She has 13 years of experience working in digital marketing and advertising technology supporting clients from the travel and apparel industry. She holds a postgraduate degree in International Marketing Strategy from ESCEM Poitiers and is particularly interested in the future of advertising and the forces shaping it, including new technologies, consumer behaviour and the increasing importance of authenticity and trust.
Filip Kollar has extensive experience in sports management, marketing, and sales, particularly in the racket sports and sports tech industry. He led the marketing and sponsorship department at the European Tennis Federation in Switzerland. Currently, he is involved in developing the Central European market for the sports tech startup, Playtomic. In this role, he establishes partnerships with padel venues and supports them in the digitalization and activation process, while also cultivating strong player communities. Playtomic is a leading app for padel and other racket sports players worldwide. The app offers a user-friendly interface that allows players to easily reserve courts, join matches, and engage with a vibrant player community. On the other side, Playtomic provides next-generation management software to racket sports clubs, automating many daily activities and facilitating digital transformation. With a presence in over 50 countries, Playtomic has more than 4,800 associated clubs and over 1 million active users. He also serves as the Managing Director of GotCourts, the leading Swiss racket sports platform focused on tennis clubs and players, which has been acquired by Playtomic.
After around 25 years of international professional experience in top management and executive positions in a wide variety of industries with a focus on trade and tourism (for example as Managing Director of Intersport eybl or COO of the Austrian National Tourist Office), the studied geographer is now developing innovation ecosystems, new business models, brands and products. He supports companies, organizations, regions and countries in innovation and sustainability processes.
Florian Lamblin is the CEO of UTMB International. In this capacity, he oversees the development strategy of the UTMB Group, world leader in trail-running events, and its flagship series of 40 events, the UTMB World Series, created in collaboration with the Ironman Group. He is also the main contact for host destinations of UTMB World Series events.
Currently steering Manduka’s presence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, James has been part of the global leadership team since 2018. His broad experience across product, sales, operations and marketing has been gained through senior roles at brands such as Globe International, Sole Technology and Etnies while working in the UK, US, France, and The Netherlands. James is excited to lead Manduka through a period of growth, not only within the wellness and yoga communities but also into other channels, widening the brand’s exposure via collaboration and partnership with like-minded, premium brands. Based in Amsterdam, James and the team are passionate about creating products to positively impact people’s health and well-being.
Jean-Louis Rodrigues has dedicated his entire career to the Sports and Action Sports Industry. Since 2019, he has been the President of EuroSIMA. Since 2020, he has successfully run his own consulting company, providing guidance to brands and groups. Previously, he served as the General Manager EMEA at the Boardriders Group from 2018 to 2020 and as the General Manager EMEA at the Billabong Group from 2013 to 2018. His career also includes roles such as Billabong Wholesale Sales and Retail Manager EMEA (2008-2013), General Manager South Europe at O’Neill (2001-2008), Sales and Retail Manager Europe at Quiksilver (1996-2001), and Key Account and Sales Manager France at Reebok (1992-1996).
Joachim »Helli« Hellinger (57) is a producer and director of award-winning documentaries and high-end commercials. His boutique production house HelliVentures has been specializing in the realm of sports and the outdoors for more than 25 years. In 2001 he created together with Thomas Witt the EUROPEAN OUTDOOR FILM TOUR followed in 2014 by the INT. OCEAN FILM TOUR. Both content brands are being produced, marketed, and distributed by their commonly owned company MOVING ADVENTURES MEDIEN. Helli has studied at film schools in Munich and Paris. Occasionally is invited as a lecturer at media schools or as a judge at international film festivals. Helli lives in Munich and has five children.
Lara Hasagic (37) has been with Brooks Running, the American manufacture for performance running shoes and apparel, since 2017 and is responsible for all Marketing and Communications in the Central territory. Since completing her MSc in International Marketing 12 years ago, Lara has held various Marketing positions abroad before entering the sporting goods industry. She has been playing tennis and hockey since she was little, is a passionate snowboarder and has been living the run happy spirit since starting at Brooks.
Marcos Fernandez has been the Sponsorship Manager at JOMA Sport since 2018, also serving as the Athletics and Trail Running Head of Sponsorship. Prior to this role, he worked as a journalist in a basketball club and a Spanish newspaper, providing additional diverse experience to his current position.
Maurici Carbó, sports & travel professional with a long career in sports & adventure tourism marketing and management of tourism destinations and companies. He also leads Sports Tourism Consulting, a company specialized in the sports travel and sports marketing sector focused in providing the following services: strategic planning & management, market research, marketing & communication, partnerships, business & sales development.
Michi Mohr boasts 30 years of experience in key roles within the boardsports and sports industry, spanning Retail, E-Commerce, and Distribution with brands like Quiksilver, Planet Sports, and POW. A passionate lifelong surfer, he's traveled globally as an athlete and big wave surfer. Originally from Munich, Michi has recently returned after living abroad for 8 years, including time in Galicia. Since 2018, he's been working on Germany's first surfpark project, set to open to the public in summer 2024. As a co-founder, he is deeply involved in partnerships and oversees all surf-related operations at Surftown.
Oliver is a brand and marketing consultant with over a decade of direct experience in the sport and outdoor industries. He is the Managing Director at Brandwave Marketing - one of the world’s leading sports marketing consultancies and the chosen agency of many of the sports industry’s leading brands including adidas, SCOTT Sports, PADI, Hydro Flask, INEOS, SHIMANO, PowerBar and Salomon. As a self-affirmed avid cyclist and trail runner, Oliver is a firm believer in sports as a catalyst for positive change both on a personal, and professional level. This has led Oliver to pursue a career dedicated to building brands that get more people outdoors, active, and loving sport. He is a member of the UK Sport & Outdoor Leaders Forum, sits on the Outdoor Industries Association Development Board, on the judging panel for the ukactive Awards, guest host of the Outside & Active podcast and has mentored tech start-ups as part of the Web Summit Mentor Hours programme. Oliver is also a trustee of the Youth Adventure Trust - a UK based charity supporting vulnerable young people learn valuable life lessons via positive outdoor experiences.
Tourism enthusiast with a lifelong passion for the industry, backed by valuable experiences in the hotel and hospitality sector. Rebeka's journey in the field has been marked by continuous growth, expanding from boutique hotels to global tourism promotion and representation. Throughout her career, she has fostered a deep understanding of the industry, business relationships, event organization, and digital marketing.
Reto Aeschbacher is a brand and communications expert and has been in charge of Scott Sports' brand strategy as CMO and Brand Manager for over 25 years. As a passionate skier, biker and outdoor enthusiast, he has always been fascinated by the connection and synergies between the sports industry and tourism, and with Scott Travel this vision has become a reality. Inspiring customers with products but also with travel experiences is great fun and the best form of customer loyalty to a brand. Scott Travel is a perfect showcase of how networks with tourism, test centers and bike tour providers can be used mutually to bring a brand to life.
Stefan Ehrmeier is a passionate ultra runner, trained trail running guide, outdoor enthusiast since a young age, family man and podcaster. Since spring 2023, he has also been co-founder of SALTY Trailrunning, a company that is involved in the trail running community with races, camps, podcasts and a print magazine, among other things. Anyone who knows Stefan knows how close his sport is to his heart - and with his expertise, passion and enthusiasm, he drives it forward in his very own way.
With nearly a decade of expertise in the dynamic field of event logistics, Tiago Teixeira is the Head of Incoming at Media Travel & Logistics, a key player within the Mediapro Group. Over the years, has honed their skills in orchestrating seamless logistics for events of all scales, from intimate gatherings to large-scale international spectacles. Specializing in audiovisual production teams and equipment coordination, Media Travel & Logistics have been at the forefront of ensuring the flawless execution of logistics for major sports events worldwide. Their portfolio includes iconic tournaments such as the World Cup, CAN, Pan American Games, FIBA, Champions League, to the exhilarating realm of camel racing, among others.
Xavier is a serial entrepreneur (launched startups in Spain, with special focus in legaltech, SaaS and marketplaces), and advisor in startups. He is currently managing Director at Barcelona Sports Hub, impulsed by Barcelona City Hall (Ajuntament de Barcelona) and managed by INDESCAT ( Catalan Sports Cluster) with the mission to consolidate, grow and expand the Sportstech ecosystem, promoting the practice of sport and its relationship with technology in order to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
