Unmissable Sports Forum - "The Business of Global Sport"

This is a major sports business event!
For the first time, the most influential commercial business leaders and the brightest minds connect with travelling football clubs for the Unmissable Sports Forum — a Perth-only event bringing together leaders from Global Football, Australian Sport, Tourism and Investment.

Featuring Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Sport & Recreation, The Honourable Rita Saffioti
Business Events Perth - Bradley Woods AM Chair
Collingwood FC - Craig Kelly, Chief Executive Officer
Manly Sea Eagles - Jason King, Chief Executive Officer
Melbourne Storm - Justin Rodski, Chief Executive Officer
Perth Bears - Ben Gardner, Assistant Coach
West Coast Eagles - Richard O'Connell Executive General Manager Community & Game Development
Tourism WA - John Lee, Commissioner
Optus Stadium - Greg Sleigh, General Manager Commercial
Palermo - Giorgio Brambilla, Chief Revenue Officer + Salvatore Di Chiara, Chief Financial Officer
Representatives from AC Milan, Inter, Juventus

This limited-capacity gathering places some of the world's most influential sporting and business minds on one stage.

One city. One stage. One opportunity.

Join us as we explore the growing economic, tourism and commercial power of major sports, uncovering how global sporting events and clubs are shaping investment, visitation and business outcomes. With unprecedented access to industry leaders and decision-makers, this is a unique experience that is unlikely to be repeated.

Secure your place before tickets sell out.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Created for those building, funding and shaping the future of sport.
Business leaders
Sport executives
Government
Investors
Commercial decision-makers
Brands, sponsors & agencies
Athletes & player representatives

Watch Event Highlights See what makes this event unmissable

"The Business of Global Sport"
Friday 7th August 2026
Optus Stadium
River View Room 3
8.30am - 12pm

No refunds

Unmissable Sports Forum Speakers

Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Sport & Recreation, The Honourable Rita Saffioti

Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Sport & Recreation, The Honourable Rita Saffioti

Rita has served as a senior Cabinet Minister across multiple portfolios since the Labor Government was elected in 2017, including Transport, Tourism, Planning, Lands, Ports, and Treasury.

As a Minister, Rita quickly gained a reputation for being hard-working, driven, and focused on delivering outcomes for the people of Western Australia.

BRADLEY WOODS AM

CHAIR, CEO Australian Hotels Association (WA), Adj Professor, Distinguished Government Relations Hotel Hospitality & Tourism Leadership

Bradley is one of Australia’s most respected tourism, hotel and hospitality leaders, with over 30 years’ industry experience. He has served as CEO of the Australian Hotels Association (WA) since 1998 and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law. Bradley has a degree in International Business Relations and chairs several key organisations, including Business Events Perth, the Australia Day Council WA, Hospitality Group Training. He is also Co-Founder of Healthy Mind Menu Inc. and served on the Board of Tourism Australia for six years and Ronald McDonald House Charities for ten years. Bradley received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the tourism and hospitality industry, and to the community of Western Australia in June 2026.

Craig Kelly

Chief Executive Officer

Craig Kelly is the Chief Executive Officer of the Collingwood Football Club, bringing together elite sporting experience and more than 30 years of leadership in sports management, commercial strategy and business development. A member of Collingwood’s 1990 AFL Premiership team, he played 122 AFL games before co-founding TLA, one of Australia’s leading sports marketing and talent management agencies.

Returning to Collingwood as CEO in 2023, Kelly has focused on driving sustainable growth, commercial innovation and organisational excellence while strengthening the club’s position as a leader in Australian sport. His extensive experience across elite sport, media, partnerships and business has established him as one of the industry’s most respected executives.

AC Milan Football Club

Inter

Palermo

Juventus

Richard O’Connell

Executive General Manager of Community and Game Development

Richard O’Connell is one of Australian sport’s leading growth and participation executives, driving community engagement and game development initiatives that connect thousands of participants with sport each year. As Executive General Manager, Community & Game Development at the West Coast Eagles, he leads programs focused on grassroots participation, talent pathways, inclusion, and long-term growth across Western Australia. Richard brings valuable insights into building strong sporting communities, developing future talent, and creating lasting impact through sport.

Justin Rodski

Chief Executive Officer at Storm Group - Melbourne Storm & Sunshine Coast Lightning

Since joining in 2021, he has been recognised for driving commercial growth, strengthening fan engagement, and leading strategic initiatives that have helped maintain Melbourne Storm’s position as one of Australia’s most successful sporting organisations.

Prior to Melbourne Storm, Rodski spent more than a decade at Essendon Football Club, where he held senior executive roles and built a strong reputation in sports administration, marketing, and stakeholder engagement. He is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading sports executives, known for combining commercial success with a strong focus on culture, leadership, and community impact

Ben Gardiner

Assistant Coach

Ben Gardiner has one of the most extensive and impressive coaching CVs in the game.

For more than two decades he has held coaching roles at top clubs including the Sydney Roosters, the Cronulla Sharks, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers.

Most recently he was an assistant coach at the Penrith Panthers and was part of the club’s premiership-winning years of 2023 and 2024. Gardiner is also the coach of the Samoa national team.

He has a deep connection with the North Sydney Bears, having previously been head coach at the club in the NSW Cup.

Gardiner was announced as Assistant Coach of the Perth Bears in June 2025.

“I can’t wait to work closely with new people in Western Australia and build a hugely successful team over the next five years as we promote rugby league and grow the game,” he said.

View All Speakers

Why should I come?

Hear directly from world-renowned football clubs and Australian sporting powerhouses shaping the future of sport and business.
Gain exclusive insights into the economic, tourism, and commercial impact of major sporting events and global sporting brands.
Network with influential leaders from sport, government, tourism, investment, and the corporate sector in one room.
Learn how global football clubs are leveraging innovation, fan engagement, and commercial partnerships to drive growth.
Discover the opportunities major sporting events create for cities, businesses, and investors across Australia.
Be part of a unique forum bringing together AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Palermo FC, and leading Australian sporting organisations on one stage for the first time.

Tickets

Unmissable Sports Forum | Optus Stadium | Friday 7th August

Unmissable Sports Forum Ticket - "The Business of Global Sport"

$149

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Optus Stadium

Optus Stadium and the surrounding park is located east of the Perth Central Business District, on the Burswood Peninsula. With views of the picturesque Swan River and Perth city in the west and the foothills in the east, this 60,000-seat, world-class, multi-purpose Stadium hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events including Australian Football League, International and Big Bash League cricket, soccer, rugby league and union, plus concerts. The surrounding Stadium Park precinct provides year-round access for visitors of all ages to enjoy the nature playgrounds in the Chevron Parkland, the BHP Boardwalk and Amphitheatre, picnic and barbecue areas, public art, recreational facilities and the opportunity to dine in the buffet or ala-carte restaurants that overlook the Swan River. In July 2022, Optus Stadium was awarded Venue of the Year at the Stadium Business Awards in Manchester and was previously voted the Most Beautiful Sports Facility in the World in the Prix Versailles 2019 international architecture awards.

FAQ's

Can you buy tickets at the door?

No, this event will sell out, and all tickets must be pre-purchased

Is there parking?

Yes, parking options are available at the venue