2025 Speakers

This year’s CSEF features an all-star lineup of speakers from across the sports, entertainment, and civic infrastructure world—each bringing bold ideas, real-world experience, and fresh perspectives to the stage.
From stadium executives and team owners to city leaders and industry innovators, these are the voices shaping the next generation of public venues. Get ready to learn, connect, and be inspired by the minds behind the most ambitious projects in the country.

  • Steve Ballmer

    Chairman of LA Clippers and Former CEO of Microsoft
  • Jim Ross

    Mayor
    Arlington, TX
  • Constantine Dimas

    Chief Business Officer
    Loews Hotels & Co
  • Martye Kendrick

    Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
  • Rob Matwick

    EVP, Public Affairs
    Texas Rangers Baseball Club
  • Anna Nash

    Senior Vice President, Market Development
  • Marty Wieder

    Executive Director
    Arlington Economic Development Corporation
  • John Ahrens

    Head of Design and Construction
    Live Nation
  • Chris Bennett

    Director of Sales Execution
  • Peyton Booth

    Principal/Sr. Designer
  • Craig Bojda

    Project Executive
  • Mike Drye

    Partner/Business Development Director
  • David Carlock

    Founder & Principal
    Machete Group
  • Rosa Fleming

    Director, Convention and Event Services
  • Leslie Fangman

    Owner
    Fangman Associates
  • Mike Garcia

    President
  • Katharine D. David

    Office Managing Partner
  • Korey Kirschenmann

    Principal
    ME Engineers
  • Maggie Duff

    Project Engineer
    Turner Construction
  • Andrea Hight

    Shareholder
  • Kelly Holton

    Senior Principal, Brand Activation Director
  • Rob Hunden

    President & CEO
    Hunden Partners
  • Meg McWilliam

    Principal, Senior Architect
  • Hussain Naqi

    General Manager
  • Riki Nishimura

    Principal, Senior Urban Designer
  • Dewey Newton

    Senior Vice President
    Turner Construction
  • Tyler Othen

    Project Manager
  • Jon Niemuth

    Director of Sports, Principal
  • Michael Lockwood

    Senior Principal and Convention Center Director
  • David Stone

    President
  • Thomas Somdahl

    National Account Manager - Advanced Convention Services
  • Kristian Teleki

    Sr. Vice President, Development
    Inspire Dallas
  • Liam Thornton

    Executive VP of Strategy and Development
  • Bruce Yee

    Engineered Solutions Manager
  • Brian Unekis

    Senior Principal
    ME Engineers
  • Chris Canetti

    President
    Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee
  • Ryan Walsh

    Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
  • Dan Schmitt

    Senior Project Manager
  • Victoria Watson

    Associate Principal, Sr Sustainability Engineer
  • Kai Westermark

    Entertainment Venues Leader
    Gensler
  • Robert Burns

    Vice President for Business Development
  • Mike Campo

    General Manager
  • Matt Deimund

    Chief Product Officer
    Dude Perfect
  • Leslie Fangman

    Principal
    Fangman Associates
  • Seth Miller Gabriel

    Principal
    Taft Infrastructure Advisors
  • Kyle Hamilton

    Partner
  • Johno Harris

    Senior Executive Vice President
    Lincoln Property Company
  • Dan Hoffend

    Executive Vice President, Convention Centers
  • Thomas John

    Partner
    Taft
  • Andrew Minick

    Associate Perot/Jain, Texas SuperKings
    MLC Cricket
  • Paula Portz

    Chief Operating Officer
  • Erin Talkington

    Managing Director
    RCLCO
  • Josh Tooill

    Principal - Venues (Sports & Entertainment)
  • Bryan Trubey

    Founding Partner
    OVERLAND Sports and Entertainment
  • Matt Valentine

    Chairman/Founder
  • Greg Verabian

    Partner & Regional Practice Director, Commercial/Mixed-Use