Real sports creatives. Real speakers. One community.
2025 COMING SOON
About
Connect
2024 Recap
MLC CONNECT is an exclusive gathering of major level creative minds & artists from around the nation in the pro sports creative media industry. The objective is to “connect” these professionals through an experiential digital community and annual gatherings. To learn, teach, share new techniques, ideas, concepts, philosophies, software & best practices – to inspire and challenge one another. To nationally network with creative leaders & artists within the field of pro sports and gather industry-leading knowledge that can be applied to individual sports markets. MLC CONNECT is a pro sports community that helps creative makers push the industry forward. Community members take their brands to the next level in marketing, advertising, entertainment and culture, while building creative value and directly impacting the core objectives for your pro sports organization.
Welcome to MLC CONNECT. A place to truly gather, learn, return, apply & share.
HOW TO
QUALIFY FOR MLC CONNECT
Are you a full-time creative for a pro sports team, college or sports-based organization? If yes, please continue to register. If no, unfortunately you do not qualify for MLC CONNECT. Although we respect everyone’s career, MLC CONNECT is an exclusive creative conference for the sports industry. Thank you for your understanding.
If you do not qualify, your registration is subject to further review and/or refund. Refunds will be subject to a 10% transaction and inconvenience fee. When in doubt, email us before you register. Thank you for respecting our qualification policy.
The Connect Experience
An exclusive gathering of major league creative minds & artists from around the nation in the pro sports graphic design industry. The objective is to connect these creative professionals in one city for an annual three-day industry conference. To learn, teach, share new techniques, ideas, concepts, philosophies, software & best practices – to inspire and challenge one another. To nationally network with creative leaders & graphic artists within the specific field of pro sports design and gather industry leading knowledge that can be applied to individual sports markets.
Includes in your registration:
• Welcome Pack
• Workshops & breakout sessions with vetted industry experts
• Discussions related to design, photo, video, motion, illustration, social media, and leadership
• Private networking mixers
• Direct access to your sports creative peers
$995
16
Speakers
6
Breakouts
3
Mixers
Location
FORD FIELD
Home of the Detroit Lions
2000 Brush St
Detroit, MI 48226
Enter through Gate G.
Past
Speakers
Hear from our past speakers to see what makes MLC Connect an inspirational powerhouse.
2024
Schedule
Click on each day for more info.
7:00-10:00 PM
WELCOME MIXER
@ Detroit Shipping Co | 474 Peterboro St, Detroit, MI 48201
8:00 AM
DOORS OPEN + CHECK-IN
@ Ford Field | 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226
9:00-9:10
DAY 2 KICKOFF & WELCOME MESSAGE
9:10-9:55
LIVE RECORDING OF THE CREATIVE ATHLETE PODCAST
Christine Zambetti, Design Director, Titans | Ross Yoshida, Sr Design Director, Dodgers | Chris David Garcia, Founder & Creative Director, Major Level Creative
DESIGN | STRATEGY
10:05-10:55
CREATORS BEHIND THE CULTURE
Mekale Jackson, Sr Director of Global Social Media Strategy, Under Armour
DESIGN | PHOTO | VIDEO | STRATEGY
11:05-11:50
DECISION SCIENCE OF CREATIVITY
Alex Knodel, VP of Marketing Strategy & Insights, Titans | Ryan Mills, Sr Manager of Project Management, Dolphins | Kate Sessoms, Sr Solutions Consultant, Wrike
DESIGN | PHOTO | VIDEO | MOTION | STRATEGY | TECH
11:50-1:30
LUNCH BREAK
Make a friend and grab a bite in downtown Detroit
1:30-2:15
SOCIAL + PRODUCT ENGAGEMENT
Akshay Ram, Social + Product Engagement, Adobe
DESIGN | VIDEO | STRATEGY | TECH
2:25-3:10
LEAGUE BREAKOUTS
Small group discussions based on the league you work for – NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, MLB, OPEN
DESIGN | PHOTO | VIDEO | MOTION | STRATEGY | TECH
3:20-4:05
BRANDING THE MOMENT
Justin Wright, Art Director, NFL
DESIGN | PHOTO | MOTION | STRATEGY
4:15-4:25
CLOSING REMARKS
4:30-6:00
HOTEL & DINNER BREAK
6:00-9:00 PM
DRINK & DRAW + MEDIA HEADSHOTS
@ Ford Field | 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226
2024 Recap
Sponsors
Gain valuable exposure for your brand and help us ensure the success of our 10th annual conference by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor!
Want to build valuable connections with creatives from around the world? Become a sponsor for the 10th annual conference and join us in 2025.
Why
The value of Connect is and will always be our extraordinary community of pro sports creatives. A unique space that cultivates personal, professional relationships with kindred individuals and equips creative makers to collaborate, challenge each other, and ultimately push the industry forward. To put it simply, direct access to people who do what you do across the nation.
This community continues past the three days we are together in person and will support you throughout your entire career.
Get here and experience the cultivation for yourself.
Sports Innovation Summit
Imagine your designs and creative vision being brought to life with cutting-edge tech! The Sports Innovation Summit, happening alongside MLC Connect, showcases the exciting future of sports advancement.
Explore AI, VR, and data-driven strategies that reshape fan engagement, sustainability, and investment. Attendees will collaborate with sports tech leaders, investors, and founders at the Sports Innovation Summit and fuel their creative engine while redefining the future of sports with game-changing innovations.
More information on 2025 coming soon. Remember, the Sports Innovation Summit requires separate registration.
Learn More