Two-Day Virtual Conference Features 8 Dynamic Sessions, 23 Powerhouse Speakers and 2 CEUs Workshops

DENVER — Oct. 11, 2022 — The third annual Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS), presented by All In Sport Consulting, today announced the full lineup of sessions and speakers for the two-day virtual conference on Oct. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT each day. Registration is $30 per day and is open at www.adaptedsportlabs.com.

LABS 2022 keynote speakers Dr. Roberta Kraus from the Center for Sport Psychology and Craig Spence, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, International Paralympic Committee, will kick off each morning of the conference. In addition, the dynamic speaker and panelist lineup features adapted sport leaders from Nike, Interbrand, City of Los Angeles, City University of New York, University of Michigan, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, among others, and numerous current and former Team USA Paralympians and coaches. New this year, LABS will offer continuing education units (CEUs) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) for the last session of each day. The full LABS 2022 session and speaker lineup includes (detailed agenda including descriptions and bios available at adaptedsportlabs.com/schedule):

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

9-9:45 AM
KEYNOTE: “Got Game”- Empowering Others to be Consistent Peak Performers

Speaker: Roberta Kraus, Center for Sport Psychology 

10-10:45 AM
Rest to Win! A Panel Discussion on How Rest and Recovery Can Actually Lead to Victory
(sponsored by Lakeshore Foundation)

Moderator: John D. Kemp, CEO Lakeshore Foundation

Speakers:
Cheri Blauwet, MD, Paralympian
Chuck Aoki, Paralympian, USA Wheelchair Rugby Athlete
Johan Latorre, MD, Coach USTA wheelchair tennis team
Stephanie Wheeler, Paralympian, Head Coach Women’s Wheelchair Basketball at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

11-11:45 AM
Next Gen Leadership – Personal Perspectives, Why Disability Representation Matters in the Movement

Moderator: Ashley Thomas, Founder & Executive Director, Bridge II Sports

Speakers:
Ryan Martin, Director of Inclusive & Adaptive Sports, CUNY
Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist, Landscape Structures
Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami (Dr. O), MD, Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services, University of Michigan

12-1PM
*CEUs Workshop: Best in Class – Building a Deep Athlete Pipeline

Moderator: Mary Hodge, High Performance Manager, USA Para Powerlifting

Speakers:
Adam Bleakney, Head Coach, University of Illinois Track Team
BethAnn Chamberlain, U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Emerging Athlete Coach
Keri Serota, Executive Director, Dare2tri

THURSDAY, OCT. 20, OCTOBER

9-9:45 AM
KEYNOTE: Building the Brand for Social Change Through Disabled Sport – Strategies to Activate Locally & Nationally

Moderator: Akilah Carter-Francique, Dean for the School of Education, Health and Human Services, Benedict College

Speaker: Craig Spence, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, International Paralympic Committee

10-10:45 AM
Inclusive Brand and Product Innovation – Disabled Athletes Lead the Way in Expansion

Moderator: Victor Calise, Paralympian, Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Walmart

Speakers:
Megan Lawrence, Global Director of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Nike
Anna Johannes, Strategist Inclusive Design, Interbrand

11-11:45 AM
Adapted Sport and Economic Impact – Contributing to the Sport Industry Bottom Line

Sponsored by Sports Richmond, VA and Tempe Tourism Office

Speakers:
Dawna Callahan, Founder & CEO, All In Sport Consulting
Julie Chavanu, Stitch Marketing Research
Jon Schmieder, Founder & CEO, Huddle Up Group

12-1 PM
*CEUs Workshop: Equal Playing Field: Creating Inclusive & Accessible Sport Experiences for Disabled Athletes & Spectators

Moderator: Dawna Callahan, All In Sport Consulting, Founder & CEO

Speakers:
Michelle Dusserre-Farrell, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, VP, Athlete Engagement
Natalie Sparrow, City of Los Angeles, ADA Coordinator for Pedestrian Rights of Way

“Disability is finally breaking through to the mainstream,” said Dawna Callahan, founder and CEO of All In Sport Consulting and LABS. “From commercials to Oscar-winning movies like CODA to major awards like the ESPYs, we are seeing more representation, more awareness, and more inclusion of people with disabilities. But, this is only the beginning. Every session at LABS is designed to spark conversations and ideas to move adapted sport forward toward real equity and opportunity. Our goal is for attendees to walk away galvanized to make change within their own organizations. Collectively, this will add up to the kind of progress we need for lasting change.”  

Since 2020, the annual LABS conference has drawn hundreds of attendees from throughout the adapted sport industry and beyond with globally recognized industry speakers and sessions featuring best practices and practical knowledge attendees can implement in their own roles. LABS is founded, led by, and highly focused on including experts with disabilities, including Callahan and LABS advisory board members, who bring lived experience to its mission and programming.

The 2022 theme, “Passion, Purpose, Progress” reflects the visibility the adapted sports industry has gained over the last few years and a drive to continue that momentum with passion and purpose to drive progress for social change. LABS 2022 sponsors include Lakeshore Foundation, Sports Richmond, VA, and the Tempe Tourism Office. For more information, visit www.adaptedsportlabs.com.

About All In Sport Consulting

All In Sport Consulting is a Denver-based consulting firm that leads organizations in creating life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities through adapted sport. Through strategic planning, adapted sport program management and implementation, and training and education, All In Sport helps organizations ensure they are in the best position to create opportunities for all who want to experience the power of sport. For more information, visit https://allinsportconsulting.com/.