Join top venue executives and industry leaders in Phoenix to share tactical sustainability solutions for the live event industry. Connect with forward-thinking peers at this year's GOAL Invitational and celebrate the impactful successes of GOAL Members in their pursuit of GOAL Medals at the Inaugural Venue & Event All-Stars Award Ceremony.
GOAL Invitational
Following the success of the inaugural event in Seattle, the invite-only GOAL Invitational returns to celebrate and recognize the latest efforts of GOAL Members, discuss challenges and emerging opportunities for sustainability in live entertainment, and connect with over 100 sustainability leaders and solutionists.
Delve into innovative strategies for reducing carbon footprints, discover the latest in biophilic venue design, and learn how digital engagement is transforming fan experiences. Gain insights into climate justice from Indigenous perspectives and see how corporate partnerships are driving sustainability initiatives forward.
Location: Arizona Biltmore; 2400 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Tentative Agenda (subject to change)
08:00am: Breakfast
08:45am: Welcome & Opening Remarks
08:55am: Opening Keynote
09:15am: Indigenous Perspectives on Environmental Justice
On Indigenous Peoples Day, join us for a powerful conversation on Indigenous perspectives in environmental justice, featuring Dina Gilio-Whitaker, author of As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock, and Dr. Debonair Oates-Primus (VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Oak View Group). Dina, a leading scholar and activist, will discuss the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping sustainability and justice movements. Together, Dina and Dr. Deb will explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and sustainability, highlighting how these insights can influence the future of the sports and entertainment industries. Drawing from key themes in her book and advocacy work, Dina will offer profound insights on creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
09:45am: Next Up: Forecasting Future Venue Design (Presentation and Q&A)
Join sustainable design leaders Kathy Berg (Principal, ZGF Architects) and Emily Carlip (Associate Principal, Holmes) as they showcase cutting-edge projects that are reshaping the future of venue design. Drawing on their work for notable venues like the San Antonio Spurs’ Victory Capital Performance Center and the Seattle Storm's Center for Basketball Performance, Kathy and Emily will discuss key trends influencing the industry. Learn how they’re incorporating occupant wellbeing, sustainable materials, and gender equity into venue design, all while addressing the unique challenges of sports and entertainment spaces. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in an interactive Q&A, exploring the emerging trends shaping the next generation of sports venues.
10:15am: Break
10:30am: Counting Carbon: Insights into Emissions (Panel)
Delve into the critical issue of carbon emissions in sports and live events. Our panelists - Madeleine Smith (ESG Director, Warner Music Group), Sara Tomkins (Sustainability and Community Director, Co-op Live), and B Treat (Director of Sustainability and Transportation, Climate Pledge Arena & Seattle Kraken) - will explore where emissions manifest throughout event operations, from venue construction and energy usage to transportation and waste management. Panelists will highlight innovative strategies and technologies aimed at reducing carbon footprints and achieving sustainability goals. Moderated by Bryan Hollaway (Net Zero Cloud Capability Leader, Slalom).
11:10am: Live Demo of Salesforce Net Zero Cloud’s Venue Comparison Dashboard
11:20am: Partnering for the Planet (Panel)
Join key leaders - Sofi Armenakian (Head of Sustainability, Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena), Rishi Jain (Director of Impact, Liverpool FC), Michael Sciortino (GM, UBS Arena), and Nicole Juntunen (Sr. Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Footprint) - as they share success stories of impactful partnerships between sports venues, teams, and corporate brands. Panelists will share how they’ve aligned brand values with environmental goals, navigated challenges, and engaged fans in innovative ways to drive positive change. This discussion will offer valuable insights into how strategic collaborations can enhance brand reputation while making meaningful contributions to environmental stewardship in the sports and entertainment industries.
12:00pm-01:00pm: (Optional) Lunch & Learn: Ask the Experts (Open Q&A); Solution Provider Connections
01:00pm-04:00pm: (Optional) 1-on-1 Working Sessions and Workshops with GOAL. Contact us to sign up!
Venue & Event All-Stars Award Ceremony
Following this year’s Invitational, celebrate excellence in sustainability at the Venue & Event All-Stars Award Ceremony! GOAL has team up with OVG's Stadium, Arena, and Theater Alliance to host an elegant evening of celebration and innovation - recognizing organizational sustainability achievements and individual operational accomplishments.
Dress Code: Attendees are encouraged to 'Come as you are,' with business casual or cocktail attire also welcome.
Location: Annexus Social Club, Footprint Center
We are excited to announce that this year’s Venue & Event All-Stars Award Ceremony will take place in the Annexus Social Club at the Footprint Center.
Tentative Agenda (subject to change)
05:45pm: Transit to Venue
06:30pm: Happy Hour
07:00pm: Tackling Sustainability with NFL Player Kelvin Beachum
Get ready for an inspiring fireside chat with Arizona Cardinals' Offensive Tackle and environmental champion Kelvin Beachum and Phoenix Suns’ Television Play-by-Play Voice Kevin Ray at Footprint Center before the Venue & Event All-Stars Award Ceremony.
Beachum is a Texas native and 13-year NFL veteran, currently with the Arizona Cardinals. He is an SMU graduate ('10, '12) and Executive Board member, a member of the Players Inc. Advisory Committee, the Players Coalition, and the Donors Choose Advisory Board. He is a two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee (2018, 2021) for his commitment to philanthropy, sustainability and community impact alongside his career excellence on the field.
Along with his NFL and business commitments, Beachum is passionate about ending hunger, providing clean water access, advocating for education equity, and encouraging minority youth to pursue STEAM disciplines while addressing the digital divide. Don’t miss this chance to hear how Kelvin Beachum is tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our planet—and winning.
07:30pm: Dinner & Awards
Check out Last Year’s Invitational
Extend your stay to attend the VenuesNow Conference, October 15 & 16!
REGISTER HERE AND USE GOALVN24 FOR $100 DISCOUNT REGISTRATION CODE
The GOAL Invitational will be held at the Arizona Biltmore. For hotel block information, please register for VenuesNow Conference. For reasonable rates off-site, we suggest the 'AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore', ‘Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore’, or another hotel conveniently located near the Arizona Biltmore.
Stay Tuned
More details, including featured speakers and a full schedule of events, will be available soon. Make sure to save the date and prepare to join us in Phoenix for a transformative experience that will drive positive change in our industries.