About GamePlan

About Gameplan

A better way to do business in sports

GamePlan is The Sports Business Marketplace: four purpose-built events designed to bring the right people together for focused meetings, relevant discovery and relationships that move business forward.

gameplan brand tree approved

Our Mission

To mobilise the passion-led business of sport

Build stronger sports partnerships

By creating focused, community-driven marketplaces where buyers, sellers, sponsors, venues, destinations and operators connect, we can bring brands, rights holders and agencies together to shape stronger sponsorships, activations and commercial partnerships.

Make indoor sport work better

Help indoor sports operators find the products, suppliers and ideas they need to improve venues, programmes and events.

Give sports leaders the right room

Give senior sports event leaders a private room to compare experience, solve operating challenges and make confident decisions about growth.

Open iconic venues to more business

Help planners find and book stadiums, arenas and ballparks for meetings and events, while giving venues a qualified route to new business.

Brand Values

Curation

Quality beats quantity. The right room matters more than the biggest room

Commerical Impact

Give senior sports event leaders a private room to compare experience, solve operating challenges and make confident decisions about growth.

Inclusion

Help planners find and book stadiums, arenas and ballparks for meetings and events, while giving venues a qualified route to new business.

Innovation

The format evolves with attendees, sponsors, suppliers and the market.

Community

Relationships outlast events when they are built with trust and purpose.

Commitments & Obligations

WOMEN IN SPORTS BUSINESS

Design advisory boards, speaker line-ups, hosted buyer cohorts, and sponsored conversations to elevate women leaders across sports, destinations, venues and brands.

YOUTH SPORTS PARTICIPATION

Champion the role of youth and amateur sports in building healthier communities, family travel, and future fans.

DIVERSITY AND ACCESS

Create pathways for underrepresented operators, community-based events, emerging suppliers, and diverse-owned businesses to participate meaningfully.

RESPONSIBLE GROWTH

Support destinations and venues balancing economic impact, resident value, sustainability, accessibility, and event quality.

Social Responsibility

GamePlan believes the business of sport has the power to create meaningful economic, social, and community impact. Our events are designed to support the destinations, venues, operators, suppliers, sponsors, and organizations that help sport bring people together, drive visitation, create jobs, and strengthen communities.

As GamePlan grows, our responsibility is to build marketplaces that are not only commercially valuable, but also thoughtful, accessible, and useful to the industries we serve. That means creating environments where buyers and suppliers can form productive partnerships, where host destinations can showcase their communities responsibly, and where industry leaders can share ideas that improve the way sports events are planned, funded, operated, and experienced.

GamePlan is committed to promoting responsible growth across the sports event economy by elevating practical education, supporting community-minded event development, encouraging smarter partnerships, and creating platforms that help sport deliver value beyond the event itself.

Commitment to Inclusivity

GamePlan is built on the belief that the business of sport is strongest when more voices, perspectives, communities, and organizations have a seat at the table. Sport reaches every type of community, and the marketplace supporting sport should reflect that same range of people, places, and ideas.

Our commitment to inclusivity is reflected in how we build our events, curate our audiences, select speakers, engage partners, and create access for buyers, suppliers, sponsors, venues, destinations, and operators from across the industry. GamePlan will prioritize a welcoming environment where emerging leaders, established executives, diverseowned businesses, regional destinations, major markets, niche sports, and growing organizations can all participate meaningfully.

Inclusivity at GamePlan is not a slogan. It is a business advantage. More perspectives create better conversations, stronger partnerships, smarter solutions, and a healthier sports event ecosystem for everyone involved.

Four Distinct Events. One Commercial Network

GamePlan is not one generic conference stretched across the entire industry. It is a connected portfolio of four event brands—BrandMatch, MatchINDOOR, E.L.I.T.E. and Sports Venue Summit—each curated around a specific buying lane.

Across the portfolio, GamePlan brings together qualified buyers, suppliers, brands, Rights Holders, venue operators, planners and executives through pre-scheduled conversations, high-value networking and hands-on experiences.

Business can't rely on chance encounters.

The sports industry is massive, but the people making its commercial decisions remain scattered across sport-specific conferences, crowded trade shows and disconnected networks. Too often, sellers invest in foot traffic and hope. Buyers lose time filtering pitches that do not match an active need.

GamePlan replaces that friction with smaller, more intentional rooms—built around qualified people, relevant appointments and a clear reason for every conversation.

Qualified Before They Arrive

A Hosted Buyer marketplace is designed around pre-qualified decision-makers. The organizer recruits buyers, confirms their purchasing influence and active needs, and builds their meeting schedules before the event.

Every GamePlan Hosted Buyer is evaluated against five commercial criteria:

Budget

Spending ability or influence over budget

Authority

Control of or influence over decisions

Need

Active evaluation of products, partners or solutions

Timing

A relevant buying or sourcing window

Commercial Intent

More than research or window shopping

The four GamePlan Events

Each GamePlan event serves a distinct buying lane. Together they cover the commercial spectrum of the modern sports economy.

Information

Brand Match

Information
21 - 23 June 2028
Delta Center, Salt Lake City , Utah
Where sports partnerships find their next play.
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Match Indoor

Information
14 - 16 Sept 2027
Palm Springs, California
The marketplace for the business of indoor sport.
View Event
Information

Sports Venue Summit

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Spring 2028
TBA
The professional sports venue meetings and events marketplace.
View Event
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Elite

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Spring 2028
TBA
Where the people shaping sport do business.
View Event

BUILT BY AN EVENT BUSINESS THAT KNOWS HOW COMMUNITIES AND MARKETS GROW.

GamePlan is powered by Raccoon Media Group, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and active lifestyle event businesses. Raccoon has a proven track record of launching and scaling consumer and trade exhibitions that attract engaged audiences, major brands and commercial results.

GamePlan brings that event-building experience to a connected B2B portfolio created specifically for the business of sports.

Gameplan By The Numbers

GamePlan enters the market representing:

$1.65b+in annual buying power across the portfolio

100%of hosted buyers are qualified decision makers

4,000+Curated buyer/seller meetings across the event calendar

4connected event brands, one commercial network

LED BY PATRICK HIGGINS, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

For more than 25 years, Patrick Higgins has worked inside the tourism, meetings, events and sports ecosystem—where destinations, hotels, venues, Rights Holders, event owners and tourism leaders are expected to grow demand, fill rooms, build partnerships and demonstrate meaningful economic impact.

His experience spans destination marketing, meetings and conventions, hosted buyer events, media, sports tourism, sponsorship and business development. Throughout that work, the objective has remained consistent: bring the right people into the right rooms, create meaningful commercial opportunities and turn strategy into measurable outcomes.

Through GamePlan, Patrick is building systems that connect people with purpose across four distinct sports business marketplaces. His work brings together audience development, partnerships, hosted buyer models, sponsorship opportunities and measurable business outcomes to help organizations create demand, acquire events, grow revenue and strengthen their market position.

Hosted Buyer FAQs

What is the GamePlan Hosted Buyer Program?

The GamePlan Hosted Buyer Program is a curated business experience built for qualified decision makers across sports tourism, venues, events, sponsorship, brand activation, fan engagement, team operations, and sports business. Hosted Buyers are selected to participate in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with suppliers, destinations, venues, vendors, brands, and service providers that can help them solve real business challenges, discover new ideas, and build meaningful industry relationships.
Who qualifies as a Hosted Buyer?

Hosted Buyers are senior-level professionals or active decision influencers responsible for sourcing, selecting, recommending, or purchasing products, services, destinations, venues, partnerships, or solutions for their organization. Depending on the GamePlan event, this may include tournament operators, sports event owners, club directors, rights holders, venue leaders, brand marketers, sponsorship executives, meeting planners, team executives, or other qualified sports business professionals.
What makes the Hosted Buyer experience different from a regular attendee pass?

A regular attendee pass gives you access to the event. A Hosted Buyer experience gives you access with purpose. Hosted Buyers receive a curated schedule of pre-arranged one-on-one meetings, enhanced networking opportunities, event access, educational programming, and, for qualified participants, hosted travel support. It is designed to turn three days of networking into months of business development momentum.
What is included if I am accepted as a Hosted Buyer?

Qualified Hosted Buyers may receive complimentary event registration, roundtrip airfare to and from the host city, hotel accommodations, access to networking events, educational programming, marketplace access, meals during official event functions, and a personalized schedule of one-on-one meetings with relevant suppliers, vendors, destinations, venues, or partners. Specific inclusions may vary by event and Hosted Buyer category.
Why is my travel free? This seems too good to be true.

Fair question. It sounds too good to be true because most events ask you to pay to attend, pay to travel, pay for the hotel, and then hope you meet the right people once you get there. GamePlan flips that model. Qualified Hosted Buyers are invited because their time, influence, and purchasing perspective are valuable to the suppliers, vendors, destinations, venues, brands, and partners participating in the event.

The travel support is not a gimmick. It is part of a proven hosted buyer model used across high-value business events around the world. The simple idea is this: if we remove the friction of travel costs for the right buyers, we can bring together a stronger group of decision makers, create better meetings, and deliver more value for everyone in the room.

There is a commitment, though. Hosted Buyers are expected to attend their scheduled meetings, participate in the event, and show up professionally. So yes, your travel may be covered. No, it is not a free vacation with a badge. It is a business opportunity designed for people who are serious about discovering new partners, solving problems, and moving their organization forward.
Is there a catch?

The only “catch” is that Hosted Buyers need to participate. If you are approved, you are agreeing to attend your scheduled appointments, be present for the event, communicate clearly with the GamePlan team, and engage with participating suppliers in good faith. We cover key costs so you can be in the room. In return, we ask that you respect the time, investment, and opportunity being created for you and for the companies you are scheduled to meet.
Do Hosted Buyers have to attend scheduled meetings?
How are Hosted Buyers matched with suppliers?
How many meetings will Hosted Buyers attend?
Can I choose who I meet with?
What is expected of me as a Hosted Buyer?
What kind of suppliers will Hosted Buyers meet?

Depending on the GamePlan event, Hosted Buyers may meet with destinations, sports commissions, venues, hotels, technology companies, apparel and merchandise providers, equipment suppliers, sponsorship agencies, fan engagement companies, event service providers, insurance partners, ticketing platforms, operations solutions, marketing partners, and other companies serving the sports business ecosystem.
Is the Hosted Buyer Program only for people actively buying right now?
Can multiple people from the same organization apply?
What happens after I apply?
Is Hosted Buyer approval guaranteed?
Why should I apply to be a Hosted Buyer?
Which GamePlan events include Hosted Buyer opportunities?
How do I apply?

Hosted Buyer Supplier Guide Q&A

What is the hosted buyer model?
Why is this model more efficient for suppliers?

A traditional trade show asks suppliers to pay for access and then create their own opportunities. The hosted buyer model builds qualified conversations into the experience.
Suppliers spend less time waiting for the right person to walk past and more time having focused conversations with people selected for their decision-making influence, organizational value, market relevance and active business needs.
Why is it more cost-friendly than a traditional trade show?
The model concentrates supplier investment around conversations rather than exhibition space and foot traffic.

It can reduce the resources traditionally committed to:
- Large exhibit footprints
- Freight and installation
- Extensive booth staffing
- Promotional giveaways
- On-site prospecting
- Sorting through unqualified leads after the event
The objective is not simply to generate more names. It is to create more relevant conversations from the time and money invested.
Are supplier meetings guaranteed?
Who will I be meeting with?
Suppliers may meet senior leaders from sports organizations, clubs, facilities, event operators, brands, agencies, rights holders, venues, destinations and other organizations represented within the applicable GamePlan marketplace.
Representative titles include:
- Owner or Founder
- Executive Director
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Chief Revenue Officer
- Chief Events Officer
- Chief Meetings Officer
- Vice President of Marketing
- Vice President of Partnerships
- Vice President of Events
- Director of Operations
- Director of Events
- Director of Sponsorships
- Director of Brand Marketing
- Tournament Director
- Facility Manager
- Travel Director
- Conference Director
- Meetings Manager
- Venue or Destination Decision-Maker
The specific audience depends on the GamePlan event and the supplier’s product or service category.
How are hosted buyers selected?

Hosted buyers are evaluated against five primary criteria:
1. Decision influence
They personally make, approve, recommend or strongly influence relevant business decisions.
2. Organizational value
They represent credible scale, recurring activity, commercial reach, purchasing potential or partnership inventory.
3. Market relevance
Their organization and responsibilities align with the audience and commercial purpose of the event.
4. Active need
They have a current or near-term priority that an appropriate supplier could help advance.
5. Meeting value
A credible supplier in the relevant category would reasonably value a focused conversation with them.
Are buyers qualified solely by job title?
How are suppliers matched with buyers?
Matching begins with the supplier’s offer, target customer profile and preferred buyer roles.
- The process considers:
- The supplier’s products and services
- The problems the supplier solves
- Preferred organization types
- Relevant decision-maker titles
- Buyer purchasing influence
- Current buyer needs
- Category and market alignment
- Participant preferences
The goal is to create meetings with a credible reason for both sides to engage.
Can I choose the buyers I want to meet?
What types of buyers participate in Match Indoor?
Match Indoor focuses on leaders who buy, build, operate and grow indoor sports.

Representative organizations include:
- Volleyball, basketball, cheer, dance, gymnastics and futsal clubs
- Regional and national travel programs
- Tournament and showcase operators
- League, camp and clinic operators
- Indoor sports facilities
- Multi-sport academies
- Organizations that book venues or influence team travel
- Programs planning to launch or expand events
Representative titles include Owner, Founder, Executive Director, General Manager, Program Director, Operations Director, Tournament Director, Facility Manager, Travel Director and Housing Lead.
What types of buyers participate in BrandMatch?
BrandMatch brings together people who invest in, sell, activate and grow partnerships.

Representative participants include:
- Brand marketers
- Sponsorship decision-makers
- Marketing and activation agencies
- Sports properties
- Rights holders
- Teams and leagues
- Venues and events
- Experience owners
- Community and fan-engagement leaders
Representative titles include Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Brand Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, Vice President of Partnerships, Director of Sponsorships, Director of Brand Marketing, Agency President, Account Director and Director of Fan Engagement.
What types of buyers participate in the Sports Venue Summit?
The Sports Venue Summit focuses on event decision-makers who can bring meetings, conferences, hospitality programs and special events to professional sports venues and their destinations.

Representative titles include:
- Chief Events Officer
- Chief Meetings Officer
- Chief Experience Officer
- Global Head of Events
- Vice President of Events
- Conference Director
- Annual Meeting Director
- Director of Meetings and Events
- Event Production Director
- Expo Director
- Meetings Manager
These buyers may influence citywide conventions, corporate conferences, association meetings, trade shows, sales kickoffs, incentive programs, awards events, concerts and hospitality programs.
What types of buyers participate in ELITE?
ELITE focuses on senior sports-business leaders with active growth, operational and revenue priorities.
Their potential needs may include:
New-market expansion

Event launches

Host-city and venue selection

Event operations

Lodging and transportation

Technology modernization

Registration and participation growth

Sponsorship revenue

Ticketing and hospitality

Merchandise and licensing

Media and content

Investment and capital

Participants are selected because they make, approve or materially influence decisions—not simply because they hold a senior title.
What types of suppliers are a good fit?
The model is best suited to suppliers that can clearly explain the business problem they solve and the buyer roles most likely to experience that problem.

Relevant supplier categories may include:
- Technology and data
- Registration and payment platforms
- CRM and marketing automation
- Sponsorship and revenue solutions
- Apparel and merchandise
- Sports equipment
- Facility design and construction
- Flooring, surfaces and infrastructure
- Insurance and risk management
- Event production and audiovisual services
- Hospitality and premium experiences
- Destinations, venues and hotels
- Housing and transportation
- Staffing and workforce solutions
- Ticketing and fan engagement
- Performance, wellness and recovery
- Investment and professional services
What should I expect from each meeting?
Each meeting is designed to be a focused business conversation rather than a full sales presentation.

A productive meeting should help both parties determine:
- Whether a relevant business need exists
- Whether the supplier’s solution could address it
- Who else should be involved
- What additional information is required
- Whether there is a credible next step
The outcome may be a follow-up meeting, introduction, proposal request, demonstration, technical review, site visit or a clear determination that there is no current fit.
How should suppliers prepare?
Before the event, suppliers should:
- Review each buyer’s organization and responsibilities
- Identify the most likely business priority
- Prepare one relevant proof point or example
- Develop two or three useful questions
- Avoid relying on a generic company presentation
- Define the most appropriate next step
The strongest meetings begin with the buyer’s priorities rather than the supplier’s company history.
How should suppliers measure success?
Success should not be measured solely by the number of contacts collected.

More meaningful measures include:
- Relevance of the buyers met
- Level of decision influence
- Active projects identified
- Follow-up meetings secured
- Stakeholder introductions created
- Proposals or demonstrations requested
- Opportunities advanced
- Account intelligence gained
- Pipeline progression after the event
The purpose of the model is to create fewer wasted conversations and more credible paths to business.
What does the hosted buyer model not guarantee?
What is the central supplier value proposition?

The hosted buyer model allows suppliers to stop paying primarily for the chance to be noticed.

Instead, they invest in an experience built around guaranteed, pre-scheduled conversations with qualified decision-makers whose organizations, responsibilities and business priorities align with what they sell.

The most important question is no longer:

“How many people walked past our booth?”

It becomes:

“Did we spend meaningful time with the right people—and what happens next?”

Ready to do business?

GamePlan brings the right people into the right rooms. Whether you are a buyer with budget to deploy or a partner with something worth their time, there is a lane for you.

Explore Partnership opportunities