LONDON, July 11,
2024 /CNW/ -- Renowned professional skateboarder
turned entrepreneur, and iconic video game legend Tony Hawk is slated to deliver a keynote address
to 25,000 attendees, at the upcoming SBC
Summit.
The keynote titled, "Tony Hawk
- What Keeps The Wheels Turning on a Global Brand" is
scheduled to open the second core day of the event, which is taking
place at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa between the 24-26 September. The highly
anticipated keynote will occur on the 'Super Stage', located
in the MEO Arena.
Hawk will offer delegates an in-depth overview of his
illustrious career, covering his introduction to the professional
sports arena as a teenager, his landmark partnership with
Activision game studios, and the founding of his iconic sporting
brands. He will also share strategies for maintaining relevance
through brand reinvention, providing insights into his approach to
sustaining success and innovation over the years.
In anticipation of his upcoming
address, Hawk expressed: "I am excited to be
headlining SBC Summit in Lisbon
this September. Although the worlds of skateboarding and
gambling might seem very different, I believe many
parallels and lessons can be very relatable to companies in this
industry.
"Whether it is forming long-lasting partnerships, establishing a
successful and recognisable brand or maintaining relevance in a
predominantly digital world, my story can provide valuable insights
for all those attending."
Born in the Golden State of California on May 12, 1968, Tony
Hawk received his first skateboard, a blue fibreglass
Bahne, from his brother at the age of nine. By the age of 11, Hawk
began entering local skateboarding competitions, and in 1982, at
just 14 years old, he officially became a professional skater. He
signed with the Powell Peralta professional
team and starred in the famous Bones Brigade videos,
marking the beginning of his illustrious sporting career.
The subsequent 23 years, saw Hawk
win 73 competitive titles, including being named
the 'National Skateboard Association (NSA) Vert
Champion' for 12 consecutive years and
earning 16 "X Games" medals. Hawk further cemented
himself as an innovator of the sport by inventing more than
80 unique skateboarding tricks. Among these tricks are the
ollie-to-Indy, the gymnast plant, the frontside 540-rodeo flip, and
the Saran wrap.
In one of skateboarding's defining moments, Hawk executed a 900
twist (2 1/2 turns) at the 1999 X Games, a feat that had never been
performed before. In 2003, Tony officially retired from competitive
skating.
Away from the deck, Hawk continued to grow the sport with a
variety of successful partnerships and branding deals. In 1992,
Tony founded Birdhouse Skateboards (originally
Birdhouse Projects) with ex-Powell Peralta professional
skateboarder Per Welinder. In 1998, Hawk and his family
created Hawk Clothing, a line of children's skate
apparel, and in 1999, he founded the media company 900
Films. In 2002, he established The Skatepark
Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), a nonprofit
skateboarding organisation that helps communities build public
skate parks for youth in underserved communities.
Tony Hawk's most successful
partnership came in 1999 when he teamed up with global gaming giant
Activision to release Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Activision went on
to release 16 more video games under the 'Tony Hawk' name and
reported a staggering $1
billion in sales, making it one of the most successful
video game franchises of all time.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC said:
"Tony Hawk is undoubtedly one of the
most iconic athletes of the 20th century. Not only did Tony
revolutionise the world of skateboarding, but through strong
branding, incredible athleticism, and genre-defining video games,
he brought skateboarding into mainstream pop culture. There are
certainly many lessons to be learned from this legend, and I am
extremely excited to witness Tony's headline keynote on the Super
Stage."
Secure your spot at the upcoming SBC Summit with a special
offer granting access to all three core days of the event,
including the exhibition floor, conference content, and evening
networking parties, all for the discounted price of just €400.
Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for free passes
to the event. If you are an operator, you can apply for a free pass
here, if you are an affiliate, you can apply for a free pass here.
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SOURCE SBC Events Limited