Conference Preview: 2025 Connect Sports
Photo credit: Greater Miami CVB
August 25–27, 2025
Miami Beach, FL
Get ready to take your sports tourism game to the next level as Connect Sports at Connect Marketplace lands in Miami this August. With a perfect blend of high-value networking, forward-thinking education, and unforgettable destination experiences, this is the premier event where destinations, rights holders, venues, and event suppliers converge to make deals and shape the future of the industry.
What’s on Tap?
Elite General and Breakout Sessions
Photo credit: Connect Meetings
From can’t miss keynotes to targeted breakout discussions, Connect Sports is packed with industry-specific programming designed to inspire action and innovation. General sessions will deliver big-picture insights from some of the most respected voices in sports tourism, while breakouts drill down into topics like securing bids for major events, leveraging economic impact data for funding, and maximizing fan engagement through digital and onsite experiences.
Interactive Q&A
Forums ensure you walk away with not just ideas, but real strategies to
implement back home.
One-on-One Appointments
This is where deals happen. Powered by advanced AI matchmaking technology, Connect Sports signature pre-scheduled appointments pair sports event organizers with destinations, CVBs,
Photo credit: Connect Meetings
sports commissions, venue operators, hotels, and service providers. Every meeting is tailored
for alignment, ensuring that your time translates into tangible partnerships.
Whether you’re booking a new annual tournament or filling a key weekend on your city’s event calendar, these face-to-face conversations turn introductions into signed contracts.
Trade Show Floor &; Networking Buzz
Step onto a trade show floor buzzing with over 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest event
technology, tourism solutions, and service innovations. Discover new vendors, compare
offerings, and explore tools that make hosting and managing sports events smoother and more profitable. The energy doesn’t stop when the floor closes. Receptions, happy hours, and
exclusive networking events keep the momentum going long into the evening.
Location Perk: Miami Like You’ve Never Experienced It
Views of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Photo credit: Connect Meetings
Upscale Stay & Play Options
Attendees will enjoy Miami’s finest lodging, from chic boutique hotels in South Beach to
sprawling luxury resorts with direct ocean views. With the Miami Beach Convention Center just minutes away, you’ll have the perfect blend of business convenience and leisure indulgence. After a full day of meetings, retreat to rooftop pools, spa treatments, and award-winning restaurants right at your doorstep.
Breezy Beaches & Crystal-Clear Waters
Few conference destinations can rival the postcard-perfect setting of Miami Beach. Just steps from your hotel, you’ll find miles of soft sand, swaying palms, and water so clear you can see the ocean floor. Take an early morning jog on the boardwalk or an afternoon paddleboard session, Miami’s natural beauty is the ultimate mental refresh.
Photo credit: Connect Meetings
Nightlife & Non-Stop Fun
When the sessions wrap, Miami’s nightlife takes over. Experience legendary rooftop bars, live Latin music, craft cocktail lounges, and vibrant dance floors. For foodies, the city’s dining scene is a global tour, from fresh-caught seafood to award-winning Cuban cuisine. The only challenge? Deciding which spot to try first.
Why the 2025 Connect Sports Stands Out
Strategic Face Time: Targeted one-on-one meetings designed to create lasting, revenue-
generating partnerships.
Focused Sports Edge: Every session is built for the needs of sports tourism pros, from securing bids to enhance fan experiences.
Unmatched Locale: Miami’s combination of tropical scenery, upscale hospitality, and energetic culture sets the stage for both serious business and serious fun.
Final Thoughts
Connect Sports at Connect Marketplace isn’t just another conference; it’s a three-day
immersion in deal-making, idea-sharing, and Miami Beach style living. Whether you’re sealing
partnerships, learning from industry leaders, or simply soaking up the Atlantic breeze, this is
where the business of sports tourism meets unforgettable moments. Pack your business cards, your best pitch, and your flip-flops. Miami is ready for you.