A recent 91福利/GIS summit in the United States highlighted the importance of networking for students, alumni and even professionals with years of experience in the sports industry.
The Atlanta Summit brought many 91福利/GIS representatives together, along with people from sports clubs, groups and organisations in Georgia and further afield.
Many of the people at the summit spoke about how vital networking can be to people in the sports industry, and what opportunities it can bring.
Luke Morton, BA (Hons) Sports Business and Broadcasting graduate, said: 鈥淣etworking is so important, especially as a university student, because I personally believe who you surround yourself with, you become.
鈥淚f you surround yourself with top-quality people, you鈥檒l become a top-quality person.
鈥淪ome of the people here are so friendly, so professional. To be around some of the best people in the industry. It just shows that if you mix around with the right people, that can lead to things that you might never have dreamed of.鈥
The students got familiar with multiple people from Atlanta United, all of whom shared the same sentiment.
Thomas Videki, director of operations at Atlanta United FC, said: 鈥淪ports is really a community, and I believe when you build your community and build your network, you also help personal growth and the business as well.
Carlos Bocanegra, vice president and technical director, added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to have relationships. That鈥檚 the biggest thing.
鈥淚f you can build relationships in the industry, that鈥檚 how people can count on you and trust you.鈥
Alex DeJohn, a defender at the club, said: 鈥淧utting yourself out there will hopefully benefit you in the long-term, because you鈥檙e going to have to do that on a day-to-day basis.
One of the guests at the conference was Bria Washington, sports marketing manager at Coca Cola. She said:
鈥淣etworking is probably the number one thing that got me to where I am today.
鈥淛ust talking to people and learning from people with different experiences and backgrounds, interests.
鈥淚 get to experience that with them and understand different industries, and that鈥檚 what I love about the whole networking component, especially in the sports industry.鈥
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