SFIA Announces Additional Judges for SFIA ‘Start-Up Challenge’

Source: Sports & Fitness Industry Association

Uproar PR to Provide Free PR Campaign to Winner

Silver Spring, MD, May 17, 2016 – The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) adds two new judges to its 'Start-Up Challenge' panel. This group of experts will evaluate finalists at the 2016 SFIA Industry Leaders Summit (ILS) in Denver, Colo., September 14-15, 2016.

Jim Weber, SFIA Board Member, CEO of Brooks Running Co. and Dan Arment, President of Riddell, will join an experienced group of judges including:

•    Adam Peake, Executive Vice President Category Management, Under Armour
•    Chris Clawson, SFIA Chairman, President, Life Fitness
•    Bob Puccini, SFIA Immediate Past Chairman, President, Mizuno USA
•    Michael Savage, SFIA Secretary/Treasurer, CEO, Empower Fitness
•    Tony Armand, CEO, United Sports Brands
•    Jonathan Ram, Executive Vice President, New Balance
•    Mike Zlaket, President & CEO, Rawlings Sporting Goods

One worthy company will leave the 2016 ILS with a free year of SFIA membership, a spotlight in the SFIA Insider Blog, additional exposure through SFIA’s marketing channels and a commemorative plaque.

Announced today, the winner will receive a free public relations campaign from Uproar PR, an award-winning international firm specializing in sports and fitness companies.

“We are fortunate to work with multiple sports and fitness companies, both well-established names and promising start-ups, that are making big moves in the industry,” said Catriona Harris, co-founder and partner at Uproar PR. “SFIA has its finger on the pulse of all the innovations taking place in the sports and fitness industry, and is providing start-ups with an amazing opportunity to show key decision makers what’s next in athletics. We’re excited to be involved with this year's Start-Up Challenge and show our support for the sports industry’s leaders.”

Two weeks remain for up-and-coming companies to submit their pitch to become one of the five finalists chosen for the 2016 ‘Start-Up Challenge.’ Stadia Ventures, a ‘sports innovation hub for entrepreneurs, industry partners and investors,’ will join the SFIA in the vetting process.

Interested companies may apply for the 2016 SFIA ‘Start-Up Challenge’ by clicking here.

“Since opening registration on May 1, we’ve seen a great amount of industry support,” said John Peters, Senior Director of Sales, Member Services, SFIA. “With so many new, innovative companies in the technology sports sphere, choosing only five has been challenging.”  

At the 2016 SFIA ILS, finalists will be given 10 minutes to pitch their ideas and introduce their company to industry executives, C-suite attendees and members of the SFIA Board of Directors. Each of the finalists will receive publicity in the lead-up to the 2016 ILS, special recognition during the annual Industry Leaders Summit Awards Dinner and real-time feedback from executives.  

ABOUT SFIA: 

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit www.sfia.org.