We kick off the 7th annual CSEF Conference with opening remarks from Jim Ross, the Mayor of the City of Arlington.

Discover how Arlington, Texas—known as the Entertainment Capital of the state—has transformed into a powerhouse for both community development and economic growth. From hosting world-class sporting events and drawing millions of visitors annually to strategically attracting investment in hospitality, esports, and culture, Arlington is more than just a fun destination. It’s a case study in how a city can leverage its entertainment assets to enhance infrastructure, boost tax revenue, create jobs, and elevate quality of life for residents and businesses alike. Learn how this centrally located city between Dallas and Fort Worth is building a dynamic, inclusive, and business-friendly ecosystem—proving that in Arlington, success and excitement go hand in hand.

Rob Hunden, President & CEO of Hunden Partners, will share key insights and best practices from decades of real estate and economic development advisory work. This session will highlight transformative projects across North America, including examples from our conference host state of Texas, such as Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving and Dallas. Learn how public-private partnerships can generate catalytic mixed-use entertainment districts if the proven strategies for success are followed. Attendees will walk away with actionable guidance on how to evaluate, plan, and execute high-impact projects that deliver long-term economic impact.

CSL International, a leader in tourism and event facility planning, and ASM Global, the world's leader in public assembly facility management, team together to discuss where the world of public assembly facilities should (and will) go in a world that is increasingly prioritizing environmental, societal, and economic sustainability.

In this session, the team will begin a conversation about how public assembly venues and their surrounding districts can foster sustainability in some often overlooked and interesting ways. As the most visited and visible assets in many destinations, public assembly venues can and should be showcases of monumental sustainability initiatives that inspire the broader tourism industry.

Choosing unique and authentic over national brands within an entertainment or convention district can foster sustainability. Creating greater venue use flexibility can limit the need to build and operate more and larger environmentally damaging projects. Venues can also be central to sustainability in the context of preserving destination culture and history. And the common perceptions of venue sustainability and reduced carbon footprint are still highly relevant.

This discussion will focus on how community alignment and engagement, along with destination stewardship and sustainability goals, can influence the evolution of public assembly venues and their surrounding districts.  

Attendees will gain a detailed knowledge of how communities throughout the U.S. and the world have worked together to ensure their venues and districts are inclusive, authentic and sustainable economic impact generators. Attendees will also learn about first step strategies to work with their local leaders to plan for future environmental and cultural sustainability through a broad lens.

This presentation will foster a discussion as to how event venues of today are responding to four pillars of sustainable tourism development: economic, residential quality of life, cultural, and environmental. Each of these pillars will be presented in detail, enriched by case study examples of successful venue and district projects from around the world featuring real-world and projected foot traffic, economic impacts, hotel room nights, and other quantifiable and qualitative benefits of each project. 

Amphitheaters have come a long way, and other indoor and outdoor entertainment venues have also evolved over time. Hear from leading facility planning, design, and ownership/operations experts about how entertainment venues continue to adapt to changing audience, artist, financial, and other conditions. With examples from existing and planned venues (as well as yet-to-be-realized concepts), we will discuss strategies related to customer experience and technology offerings, environmental concerns, facility flexibility, revenue and economic impact generation, and partnering opportunities.  

More and more, research is showing the impact that the physical space around us can have on our brain health. Large-scale built environments that promote shared experiences via destinations have the potential to create a ripple effect of positive impacts cognitive well-being, and in turn, on human engagement and business. These districts not only stimulate economic growth but also create vibrant, healthy spaces where individuals thrive. Destination mixed-use, designed on sound cognitive and economic principles, can satisfy the aspirations of all stakeholders, driving sustainable success and community vitality. In this presentation we will share both emerging research and prominent case studies that drive home this point.

Behind every high-stakes performance is an infrastructure that doesn’t flinch. For engineers and venue developers, today’s challenge is designing emergency electrical backup systems that do more than just meet code—they must ensure life safety, protect critical electrical equipment, and offer the redundancy needed to weather any disruption. Whether integrating generators, preparing for temporary power, or rethinking resiliency from the ground up, this session explores how forward-thinking teams are making smart trade-offs and building reliable systems that keep venues ready for whatever game day—or showtime—demands.

As cities invest in the next generation of convention centers, there’s a growing recognition that these developments must do more than serve visitors—they must reflect, preserve, and elevate the communities and cultures that shape them. In this conversation, leaders from Inspire Dallas, Matthews Hospitality and the City of Dallas will explore how to ensure large-scale hospitality projects are inclusive, locally grounded, and future-facing. From design decisions to community engagement strategies, this panel looks at how convention centers can become cultural landmarks that belong to the people.

Today’s arena projects are more than just places to host games and concerts—they’re catalysts for community engagement, economic growth, and year-round activation. This panel brings together developers and the construction team to unpack the evolving strategy behind modern venue development relating to early design decisions and construction challenges.  Panelists will share insights from some of the most ambitious and multifaceted projects in the country. Discover what it takes to design build a venue that stands the test of time in an ever-changing market.

The value of creating mixed-use entertainment districts around sports venues is well known, but finding the right mix of uses is never simple. These districts need to work financially, all while serving the often disparate needs of team owners, developers, and communities. We’ll explore how to create highly unique destination districts that are active year-round by including the right amount of public domain to serve both game day and non-game day visitors. To make a destination district like this pencil, the needs of all stakeholders must be met, with the right program mix, the flexibility to adapt over time, and the right parking strategies to create the greatest sense of place and therefore the greatest returns.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Houston and Harris County are gearing up to deliver a world-class experience on and off the field. This session brings together leaders from the sports, venue, and tourism sectors to share how they’re coordinating efforts across NRG Park, public infrastructure, and hospitality to ensure the entire community shines on the global stage.

Whether you're pursuing a major international event, aiming to attract a national championship, or positioning your venue for high-profile bookings, the panel will offer valuable takeaways. From logistics and legacy to fan experience and cross-sector collaboration, this session provides a winning playbook for cities and counties looking to raise their game.

Join us at this special evening networking reception for all attendees. Enjoy drinks and light fare while meeting with exhibitors, speakers, and conference delegates. 

A tech visionary turned sports industry powerhouse, Mr. Ballmer brings a rare perspective that blends innovation, leadership, and a deep passion for redefining the fan experience through smart infrastructure investments. As one of the most influential owners in professional sports, Mr. Ballmer has reshaped how venues are envisioned, funded, and developed—from his historic $2 billion acquisition of the Clippers to his latest project, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. Mr. Ballmer will share candid insights into: 

• The future of privately-funded venues and public-private collaboration
• Lessons from the Clippers' arena journey—from The Forum to the Intuit Dome
• How tech, fan experience, and community priorities can shape the next generation of stadium and arena development

From June 11 to July 19, 2026, the FIFA World Cup will occur in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.  Local organizing committees in each of those host cities are actively planning for matches, fan festivals, and other related events.  This panel will discuss ongoing efforts to prepare for the world’s largest sporting event. 

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Conference!