ALL IN SPORT CONSULTING IS EXCITED TO SHARE RECENT NEWS!
SEPTEMBER 17, 2025
Paralympic Games and the Business of Adapted Sport Take Center Stage at Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium Oct. 29 & 30
Industry-Wide Economic Impact Study Results Announced at LABS 2025
All In Sport Consulting today unveiled the full agenda and speaker lineup for the 6th Annual Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS), taking place virtually on Oct. 29 and 30. LABS is the premier event at the intersection of disability, sport, and business, convening hundreds of leaders, influencers, and innovators for critical discussions about the movement’s economic and social power. The conference will run each day from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. MT via Zoom. Registration is now open at adaptedsportlabs.com, with an early bird rate of $225 for general attendees through Sept. 30. Special discounted rates are available for students and groups.
Now in its sixth year, LABS 2025 presents another dynamic lineup of thought-provoking sessions and collaborative discussions designed to advance the movement and galvanize real-world change, including:
DAY ONE – WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
THE MOVEMENT’S MOVERS AND SHAKERS
9-10 AM: Road to LA28 and SLC34: Advancing Paralympic Sport in the U.S.
Speaker:
Kyle McKinnis – Director, Paralympic Performance, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
10:15-11:15 AM: Pioneering Innovation: Advancing Sport Experiences Through Disability Inclusion
Speakers:
Rory Cooper, PhD, PLY – National Medal Laureate and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Pittsburgh
Steven Dowd – Board Chair, Para Rowing Foundation
Anna Johannes, PLY – Founder, On the One Hand Consulting
Josh Schneider – Co-Founder/Chief Operating Officer, The Dented Puck
11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Expanding Sport Opportunities Within the Movement – Reaching Intersectional Participants and Athletes
Speakers:
Akilah Carter-Francique, PhD – Dean of Education, Health, and Human Services, Benedict College
Dr. Michael Cottingham – Associate Professor Sports and Fitness Administration and Director of Adaptive Athletics, University of Houston
Ryan Martin – Director, Adaptive Sports Program, City University of New York
12:45-1:45 PM: Sport as a Launching Pad to Disability Employment: Unique Perspectives on Sport Career Pathways
Speakers:
Chanel Keenan – Blogger and Brand Advisor, CMoreThanSports
Stephane Leblois – Global Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Strategic Consultant
David Ortiz – Executive Director, Ignite Adaptive Sports
Emily Seelenfreund – Executive Director, BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation
DAY TWO – THURSDAY, OCT. 30
THE ECONOMIC POWER OF ENGAGING THE DISABILITY MARKET IN SPORTS
9-10 AM: The Economic Impact and Community Transformation of Hosting Large Adapted Sport Events (Sponsored by Turnstone and Visit Fort Wayne)
Speakers:
James Adler – Director of Sport Sales, Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission
Cole McKeel – Vice President of Partnerships, Huddle Up Group
Gerald Taylor – Sports Sales and Events Manager, Richmond Region Tourism
Jazmin Zavala – Sports Sales Manager, Visit Fort Wayne
10:15-11:15 AM: Mega Sporting Events and Leaving a National Disability Legacy (Sponsored by ADA Lift Rentals of America)
Speakers:
Ann Cody, PLY – Global Sports and Events Expert
Cat Raney Norman, OLY, CFRE – VP, Development and Athlete Relations,
Salt Lake City 2034
Natalie Sparrow – Chief Accessibility Officer, City of Los Angeles
Majd Steitieh – Director, Growth Strategy, U.S. Soccer Federation
11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Expanding the Business Case of Disability Fandom
Speakers:
Ken Early – Director, Community Relations, St. Louis CITY SC
Matthew Gardner – Senior Director of Customer Insights, Portland Trail Blazers
Sharon Holmes – Manager, Disability Services, Arizona Diamondbacks
Jonathan Kaufman – Founder, J Kaufman Consulting and Coaching
Kleo King, Esq. – Senior Director of Accessibility Operations and Counsel, United Spinal Association
Jordan Rutner – Director of Analytics, Sports Innovation Lab
12:45-1:45 PM: Fan Technology – Advancing Gameday Experiences for Disabled Fans (Sponsored by UpLift by Lexia.Solutions)
Speakers:
Jason Altmann – Chief Operating Officer, P-X-P
Josh Barney – Chief Executive Officer, SEAT Conference
Antyush Bollini – Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, OneCourt
Linda Mastandrea, PLY – Senior Manager of Accessibility and Safeguarding, FIFA World Cup 2026
Jeff Runnels – UpLift Created By Lexia.Solutions
“With two Paralympic Games coming to the United States over the next nine years, the sport business community must understand and engage in what is being called ‘the next great sport investment’ – disability sport,” said Dawna Callahan, founder and CEO of All In Sport Consulting and LABS. “Whether through facility design and renovation, grassroots and youth sport development, hosting accessible sporting events, fan engagement, cutting-edge technology, or product and apparel design, disability is a driving force in shaping the future of sport. LABS is the place to learn and tap into this amazing community of sport leaders and innovators.”
Since 2020, findings from the adapted sport industry’s only economic impact study, conducted by All In Sport Consulting in partnership with Stitch Marketing Research and Huddle Up Group (HUG), have been announced at LABS. This year, the findings will be shared during “The Economic Impact and Community Transformation of Hosting Large Adapted Sports Events” session, which kicks off the second day of LABS from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
LABS 2025 is presented by Florida’s Sports Coast and sponsored by ADA Lift Rentals of America, Lakeshore Foundation, Turnstone, UpLift by Lexia.Solutions, and Visit Fort Wayne. For more information, including session and speaker details, visit adaptedsportlabs.com.
About All In Sport Consulting
All In Sport Consulting, presenter of the Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS), is a Denver-based consulting firm that leads organizations in creating life-changing opportunities through sport for people with physical disabilities. We work with organizations of all kinds to design and create fully inclusive programs, experiences, and environments for people with disabilities. For more information, visit allinsportconsulting.com.
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
New Study Reveals Economic Impact of Adapted Sport Events Approaches $144 Million in the United States
Report Demonstrates Consistent Growth of Adapted Sport Industry in U.S. Economy, Survey Respondents Anticipate Continued Boost from LA28 Paralympic Games
DENVER — Nov. 13, 2024 — The total economic impact of adapted and para sport-related events nationwide totaled approximately $143.9 million in 2023, according to the adapted sport industry’s preeminent economic impact study conducted by All In Sport Consulting in partnership with Stitch Marketing Research and Huddle Up Group (HUG). The latest economic impact results demonstrate an increase of approximately 3.45 percent over last year’s findings, reflecting consistent growth of the industry in the U.S. The findings were announced at the 5th Annual Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS), a two-day virtual conference presented by All In Sport Consulting on Nov. 6 and 7.
“The findings from this year’s economic impact study demonstrate the continued growth of the adapted sport industry and fortify the business case for adapted sport events, which benefit both the athletes who compete in their respective sports and the hosting communities,” said Dawna Callahan, founder and chief executive officer of All In Sport Consulting. “When we established the first economic impact report four years ago, we set out to measure the true economic footprint of the adapted sport industry. Since then, the data we’ve gathered support the adapted sport and disability community as the formidable economic force that we are and our place in sport business conversations.”
Study organizers conducted the first-ever economic impact study for the adapted sport industry in 2020, reflecting pre-pandemic activity from 2019. The inaugural study reported an annual economic impact for adapted sport events ranging from approximately $80.5 to $134.2 million. A follow-up study in 2022 reported an annual economic impact of $77.8 million for 2021 events. In 2023, the study reported an economic impact totaling $139.1 million, an increase of approximately 78 percent over the previous report, demonstrating a strong post-pandemic recovery for 2022 events. The latest study reported continued growth with a total economic impact of more than $143.9 million, reflecting data from 2023 events.
“Since the study began, we’ve seen growing participation from organizations wanting their voices heard,” said Nate Heckman, President of Stitch Marketing Research. “Adapted sport organizations have been instrumental in helping us capture a more accurate picture of the industry’s economic significance, providing communities with compelling business reasons to host events and building robust support for competing athletes.”
For this year’s study, organizers collected detailed expenditure and budget data between July 17 and Oct. 2, 2024, from a sampling of U.S.-based adapted sport entities to capture and project the economic power of the national adapted sports industry. Organizers emailed surveys to 292 contacts representing 207 organizations. Data from 44 organizations are included in the report.
Study Highlights:
- The organizations represented in the survey account for approximately 14 percent of the total number of adapted sport organizations in the U.S. market.
- The average economic impact of adapted sport and para events (only) from reporting organizations totaled $12,529,729 in 2023.
- Therefore, the total economic impact of adapted sport and para events can be extrapolated at approximately $143,996,966 annually.
- The study also found that adapted sport organizations are excited about the increased visibility and awareness the LA28 Paralympic Games will bring to the Paralympic movement in the U.S.
- The Paralympic Games are seen as a catalyst for growth in athlete participation, volunteerism, and sponsorship. Organizations also see the Games as an opportunity to showcase Paralympic athletes and their capabilities to a wider audience.
“This is the fourth consecutive year the Huddle Up Group team has worked with the Adapted Sports LABS conference to report on the economic impact of the adapted sports industry,” said Cole McKeel, Vice President of Partnerships with the Huddle Up Group. “Factoring in the impact of local participants, day-traveler participants, and overnight participants, it is evident that adapted sports are a thriving part of the sports tourism industry. Our consulting work shows communities across the country are placing more of an emphasis on these events and for great reason.”
The findings from the “Adapted Sport: Economic Impact Survey Findings Report” were announced for the first time during “The Economic Impact of Disability Inclusion in Sport and Across the Community – Expanding the Business Case” session at Adapted Sport LABS on Thursday, Nov. 7. The full report is available for download here. The study was established by All In Sport Consulting and is sponsored by Richmond Region Tourism and the Tempe Tourism Office.
About All In Sport Consulting
All In Sport Consulting is a Denver-based consulting firm that works with organizations to create life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities through adaptive sport. Through services including strategic planning, adaptive 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.
About Huddle Up Group
Founded in 2012 as a sports tourism industry consulting company, the Huddle Up Group has a successful track record of leading sports organizations through strategic growth and increased community collaboration. The Huddle Up team has extensive experience in building cohesive organizations and external relationships while collaborating with volunteer boards, donors, elected officials, hospitality community leaders, and various corporate partners.
About Stitch Marketing Research
Founded in 2007, Southern California-based Stitch Marketing Research is a marketing intelligence consultancy, delivering insights on your marketplace and what moves it. Stitch MR’s unique proposition: a discovery process that evolves from the creation of new intelligence through new research. Stitch MR brings the human equation to the front and center of the marketing and strategy disciplines. We’re not just about cold numbers. Stitch Marketing Research delivers strategic insight to a wide range of organizations, from Fortune 100 to start-up, from automotive and healthcare to higher education and sports and fitness.
OCTOBER 17, 2023
Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS) 2024 Announces Full Speaker and Session Lineup for Nov. 6 & 7
Results from This Year’s Adapted Sport Industry Economic Impact Study Will Be Released for the First Time at LABS
DENVER — Oct. 2, 2024 —
The fifth 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 November 6 and 7. LABS is a unique event, providing a rare and valuable opportunity to be part of the conversations that are advancing the movement, changing the narrative, and catalyzing much-needed change for people with disabilities everywhere. The conference runs from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. MT each day via Zoom. Registration is $200 for regular attendees and $75 for students, and is open at adaptedsportlabs.com.
This year marks the fifth anniversary for LABS since it began during the pandemic in 2020. Each year since, the event has convened hundreds of attendees to engage with dynamic speakers, including industry leaders, innovators, influencers, and current and retired Paralympians, for collaborative sessions and panels. This year’s LABS session and speaker lineup features:
DAY ONE – WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6
THE PEOPLE POWERING THE ADAPTED SPORTS MOVEMENT
9-10:15 AM Creating a Leadership Collective – Leveraging Sport Advocacy for the Broader Disability Community
Speakers:
Keely Cat-Wells – CEO, Making Space
Oluwaferanmi Okanlami – Family Medicine/Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation/Urology, University of Michigan, Adaptive Sports and Fitness
Ileana Rodriguez, PLY – CEO and Founder, I Design Access
10:30-11:45 AM The Women Leading and Creating Change In the Movement
Speakers:
Sarah Adam, PLY – Paralympian, Wheelchair Rugby Silver Medalist, Team USA and Occupational Therapy Professor, Saint Louis University
Jen Armbruster, PLY – Executive Director, Adaptive Sports Northwest
Christina Schwab, PLY – Paralympic Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Head Coach, Team USA
Noon-1:15 PM Best Practices for Disability Inclusion and Youth Sports – No Excuses, Let’s Get ‘Em in the Game!
Speakers:
Brian Bell, MBA, PLY – Paralympian, 3x Gold Medalist Wheelchair Basketball, Team USA and Visa Business Associate
Patty Cisneros Prevo, PLY – Children’s Author, Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes
David Greig – Development Director, ParaSport Spokane
Megan MacDonald, PhD – School Head, Exercise, Sport and Health Sciences & Professor of Kinesiology, Oregon State University
Teresa Skinner – Executive Director, ParaSport Spokane
DAY TWO – THURSDAY, NOV. 7
THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE ADAPTED SPORTS MOVEMENT
9-10:15 AM Big Brands in Sport Product and Technology – Disability Inclusion’s Impact On the Bottom Line
Speakers:
Dedra DeLilli – Vice President of Marketing Communications, Toyota North America, Toyota
Kaitlyn Jones – Senior Accessibility Product Manager at Xbox, Microsoft
Emily Jagos – Innovation Apparel Design Director, Adidas
10:30-11:45 AM The Economic Impact of Disability Inclusion in Sport and Across the Community – Expanding the Business Case
Speakers:
Stasha Carrasquillo – Chief Marketing Technology Officer, Turnstone Center
Kleo King, Esq. – Senior Director of Accessibility Operations & Counsel, United Spinal Association
Jazmin Zavala – Sports Sales Manager, Visit Fort Wayne
Noon-1:15 PM Advancing the Disability Sport Narrative – A Focus on Athleticism in Media
Speakers:
Beth Haller, Ph.D. – Co-founder/Co-director, Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment, National Center on Disability Journalism, Board Member
Lacey Henderson, PLY – Sport Psychology Practitioner and Broadcaster, Parallel Performance Sport Psychology Consulting LLC, NBC Universal
Craig Spence – Chief Brand & Communications Officer, International Paralympic Committee
“The timing for LABS 2024 couldn’t be better,” said Dawna Callahan, founder and CEO of All In Sport Consulting and LABS. “We’ll convene on the heels of the Paris Paralympic Games and after the torch has been passed to LA28. We’re excited to continue the momentum around disability sport at LABS as it sparks conversations and ideas that not only move adapted sport forward toward real equity and opportunity, but also strengthen its power to create social change.”
Since 2020, findings from the industry’s only economic impact study, conducted by All In Sport Consulting in partnership with Stitch Marketing Research and Huddle Up Group (HUG) and sponsored by Richmond Region Tourism and Tempe Tourism, are announced at LABS. This year, the findings will be released during “The Economic Impact of Disability Inclusion in Sport and Across the Community – Expanding the Business Case” session taking place from 10:30-11:45 a.m. MT on Thursday, Nov. 7.
The 2024 theme, “Sport Changes Everything,” reflects the idea that sport for the disabled changes society, creating an inclusive community for all. Sport has the power to weave its positive impact into community infrastructure, transportation, legislation, education, and employment.
LABS 2024 is presented by Florida’s Sports Coast. Sponsors include Hamilton County Sports Authority, Lakeshore Foundation, Turnstone, and Visit Fort Wayne. For more information, including the full LABS 2024 agenda and speaker details, visit adaptedsportlabs.com.
About All In Sport Consulting
All In Sport Consulting, presenter of the Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS), 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 allinsportconsulting.com.
OCTOBER 17, 2023
New Industry Study: Economic Impact of Adapted Sport Events Reaches Nearly $140 Million in the United States
Report Reveals Growing Footprint of Adapted Sport Industry in U.S. Economy, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
DENVER — Oct. 17, 2023 — The total economic impact of adapted and para sport-related events nationwide totaled approximately $139.1 million in 2022, rebounding to surpass pre-COVID levels, according to the industry’s preeminent economic impact study conducted by All In Sport Consulting in partnership with Stitch Marketing Research and Huddle Up Group (HUG). For the survey, the organizations collected detailed expenditure and budget data from a sampling of U.S.-based adapted sport entities to capture and project the economic power of the national adapted sports industry. The findings were announced at the 4th Annual Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium (LABS) presented by All In Sport Consulting on Oct. 11-12, 2023.
MARCH 8, 2022
All In Sport Consulting Named to Valuable 500’s – Valuable Directory
Today we are proud to announce All In Sport Consulting is one of only 77 organizations globally to be listed on Valuable 500’s Valuable Directory – a unique resource featuring expertise within digital, physical, and cognitive accessibility, as well as tools for inclusive recruitment and branding practices.
The Valuable Directory is made up of 77 consultants, suppliers, and solutions providers – all of which have demonstrated extensive experience in their fields. All listed organizations have been highly recommended by thought leaders in the disability space and selected by an independent expert review panel. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the consultants, suppliers, and solution partners listed, including All In Sport Consulting led by CEO Dawna Callahan, are female founded or led.
Hosted within the Valuable 500’s Digital Hub, the Valuable Directory connects members with disability experts around the world to assist them to progress commitments into action. This is the first directory of its kind as it has been created by disabled people for disabled people.
“We are so thrilled for All In Sport Consulting to be recognized for our ongoing work toward ending disability exclusion and be selected among this prestigious group of disability experts from around the world,” Callahan said. “We are excited to partner with the Valuable 500, a world leader in disability inclusion, and can’t wait to share our disability inclusion expertise with the Valuable 500 companies globally.”
#Disabilitylnclusion #DisabilitylsOurBusiness #TheValuableDirectory
MARCH 11, 2021
ISSSSC Hosts Panel Discussion of Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sports
On March 11, San José State University’s Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change (ISSSSC) hosted “Equitable Futures for Womxn in Sport,” an online dialogue about gender equity in sports with three industry thought leaders.
The event, moderated by ISSSSC Executive Director Akilah Carter-Francique and Assistant Director Amy August, featured Dawna Callahan, ’02 MS Recreation Management, CEO and founder of All In Sport Consulting; Jenny Lim, program manager at Canadian Women & Sport and Danielle Slaton, director of external relations at Santa Clara University.
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