Sports in JAX - an Economic POWER PLAY

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Event Details

When:

September 20, 2018 11 AM - 1 PM EDT

Where:
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Overview

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Pre-Registration will close 2 days prior to the event. Walk-ins are welcome.
 
If you need further assistance, please contact acgnorthflorida@acg.org

Speakers

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Griffin

Steve Griffin (Moderator)

Seven Bridges Radio, LLC
President & General Manager

President & General Manager, Seven Bridges Radio, LLC, January 2007-Present.

Griffin launched WJXL-AM 1010 in April 2007, programming Jacksonville’s only live and local Sports Talk radio station.  Added 92.5 FM in 2012.  Celebrated 10 years as dominant sports position in market in June 2017.  Flagship radio station for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Operational responsibility for a staff of 40.  Married for 28 years to Teresa.  Two sons, Austin, 27, UF and Wake Forest Law, and Ryley, 18, rising Freshman at Methodist University.  Jacksonville resident for 16 years.   

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Bob O

Bob Ohrablo

ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
President/Partner

Ohrablo has more than 30 years’ experience in the pro sports and entertainment business.  He was the leading force behind the Jacksonville Icemen and currently manages the growth of the team and sport on the First Coast as President.  After their first season, the Icemen have ingrained themselves in many areas of the community and were 4th in the 27 team CHL, averaging just under 6,000 fans per game (36 games).   Ohrablo was recognized recently as the ECHL co-Executive of the Year.  Prior to that he was the founding partner of the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and led the team’s growth, managing various aspects of that team’s marketing, sponsorship/ticket sales and community efforts. The Solar Bears were leaders in the ECHL in many major revenue areas.  Ohrablo left to pursue an opportunity with VisitOrlando, the largest tourism association in the United States where he served as Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, creating programs with companies such as American Express, Emirates, Sunglass Hut among others.

Ohrablo’s experience spans six professional hockey teams including teams in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, ECHL (Orlando, Jacksonville), and the NHL (Florida Panthers). While at the Florida Panthers, Ohrablo led major growth in sponsorship, which contributed to the team being named the 2008 Sports Business Weekly Business Stanley Cup winner. In 2008-09co-produced the Bermuda Music Festival with performers such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, UB40 and many others.

He is also an adjunct instructor at Endicott College near Boston and teaches a Masters level Sports Sponsorship course.

Ohrablo believes strongly that teams have a responsibility to give back to their communities. He has served on boards including various Boys and Girls Clubs, Junior Achievement of Central Florida and Nap Ford School Foundation Board. In addition, Ohrablo served on Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Project DTO Committee, creating a plan for Downtown Orlando for the next 10 years. He is a member of the JaxChamber Board of Governors and a Committee member of JaxUSA Military Issues and Business Development Committees.  He is also a member of the Board of the Episcopal Children’s Services in Jacksonville.  Ohrablo and his wife Dr. Sue Ohrablo, live in Jacksonville Beach.  They have one daughter, Liz, who is a CPA for DHG in Jacksonville.

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Verlander

Alan Verlander

Airstream Ventures
Founder & CEO

As founder and CEO at Airstream Ventures, Alan is responsible for the management of all business units while also leading the staff. He is a servant leader who always places relationships at the core of his business and life. With over 24 years as a sports executive, Alan has led and worked some of the nations largest events including: NCAA Basketball Tournament, Davis Cup, Navy vs. Notre Dame Football game, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Spartan Race, Florida vs. Georgia Football Game and US Men’s and Women’s Soccer matches. He has led organizations over the last 15 years, including working as the Director of Athletics at Jacksonville University, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment for the City of Jacksonville and the Chief Executive Officer of the Jacksonville Sports Council. Alan graduated with his B.A. in speech communications from Samford in 1994, where he earned three varsity letters in baseball. He earned a master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University.

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DeMartino

Mike DeMartino

Jacksonville Jaguars
Vice President, Corporate Partnerships

DeMartino has been involved with the professional sports industry for nearly 25 years.  He was part of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils for 15 years.  With the Devils, DeMartino held various capacities with most of his time titled Senior Director in the Corporate Partnerships area.  In 2007, DeMartino was heavily leaned on as the Devils launched a new state-of-the-art arena - Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.  After the transition, DeMartino accepted a Vice President position with the Devils to run the high-end hospitality division which included all suite and club seat sales.  From there, DeMartino accepted a position with the NFL’s New York Jets as Senior Director - Group Manager.  DeMartino managed the suite sales team for the Jets in newly furnished MetLife Stadium located in East Rutherford, NJ.  In 2013, DeMartino chose to depart from the Jets to become the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.   Still present, DeMartino continues to manage a sales team that can stake claim to being #1 in new business sales in the NFL several times over the last 5 years.  While nearly doubling overall revenue from 2013, the Jaguars have leaped approximately 10 other NFL teams in total sponsorship revenue.  Mike graduated with a BS Degree in Sports Management from Rutgers University in 1995.

Hosted by: ACG
Chapter
North Florida
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