SPEAKERS

Beth Knox, President

Seattle Sports Commission

Beth has organized large-scale, special events for over 30 years as both a producer and consultant in the events, sports and live entertainment industry. 

Her career includes leadership roles in iconic event production, including the Special Olympics 2018 national competition, as well as Seafair and Bumbershoot.

During her tenure at Seafair Beth was instrumental in bringing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon to Seattle (2009), resurrected the City’s Fourth of July fireworks show (2013), produced the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Victory Parade (2014), and Seattle Sounder’s MLS Championship Cup March and Rally (2016; 2019).

Passionate about building community through live interactions and shared cultural celebrations, Beth has been recognized as a Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence, Seattle Reign FC Community Legend, Smart Meeting Magazine Planner of the Year 2018, and Washington Festivals and Events Association 2019 Hall of Fame. 



She serves on the boards of Seattle Fire Foundation, Seattle Police Foundation, ASSET: A Seattle Special Events Team, Washington Festivals and Events Association, Seattle 4 Rotary and Circlewood. 

Tammy Canavan, President & CEO

Visit Seattle

Tammy Blount-Canavan has a passion for elevating leadership and team performance. She has enormous enthusiasm for the destinations industry and a track-record of success in developing resilient, high-functioning teams.

Tammy’s career has spanned 30+ years and two countries, including executive leadership at Visit Seattle, Tourism Vancouver, CEO of the Tacoma Regional CVB, architect and inaugural Chair of the Washington Tourism Alliance, and President and CEO of the Monterey County CVB.

Tammy is a Past Chair of Destinations International. Tammy has been recognized as CEO of the Year, one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry, twice as one of the top 25 Most Influential Women in the industry, Leadership Supplier of the Year in the Meetings Industry, Top 100 Most Inspirational Women in the Meetings Industry, Community Leader of the Year, Leading for Positive Impact Award and Destination International’s Global Leadership Award.

Jeff Blosser

President/CEO of the Seattle Convention Center

Facility management professional with 35 years of experience in all facets of building operations including event management, sales, budgeting, convention and visitors bureau/destination management organization relations and food service management. Worked in Arenas, Stadiums, Convention Centers with many levels of event coordination, operations, sales and marketing and 30 years of executive management responsibilities. International Association of Venue Managers Association members since 1982, National Board member on two different occasions, Convention Center committee chair and several other committee responsibilities.

MODERATOR

Ben Franz-Knight

Partner / Senior Project Manager at Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc.

Ben joined SOJ in 2017 after 15 years of leading two iconic historic destinations through major capital projects, new construction, and community revitalization efforts. As Executive Director of the Pike Place Market, Ben led the successful completion of a $68 million renovation of the historic Market while maintaining operations for the hundreds of small independent businesses. Ben also fulfilled a 40-year-long vision to develop the last parcel in the Market’s Historic District. He helmed the $75 million MarketFront Project from concept through grand-opening, including lease-up of commercial spaces and low-income housing. Ben has proven experience guiding complex civic projects through intense scrutiny and multi-layered stakeholder processes. He is skilled at maintaining project momentum and balancing priorities to ensure project team success. As Executive Director of the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, Ben guided multi-phased infrastructure upgrades including the renovation of the Historic Looff Hippodrome. His diverse experience also includes structuring complex public and private funding models and facilitating business and community development.

Ben grew up in Pullman, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington with a BFA in Sculpture. After a decade in California he and his wife returned to their roots in Seattle with their two children. Obsessed with bicycles since the 3rd grade, Ben still rides nearly every day. He also enjoys chasing waves on the coasts of Washington and Oregon and can be found snowboarding when the Pacific NW slopes turn to waves of snow.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSOR!!!

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, we have sponsorship opportunities available. Please email [email protected] for more information.