From the SMA.

Sutton, William A. "Bill"

It is difficult to believe that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Sport Marketing Association (SMA). The brainchild of SMA President elect Gregg Bennett, the SMA has always had a strong commitment to industry and has truly walked its talk about being the bridge between academia and the sport industry. As a founding member, and now in my role as Past President, I have always had a deep appreciation for not only this relationship with the industry, but our commitment to scholarship and research through our premier journal, Sport Marketing Quarterly (SMQ), as well as our annual conference, which offers established researchers as well as aspiring scholars a forum for presentations, discussion, and the exchange of deals and viewpoints.

But there is a third element to the mission of SMA and that is our commitment to developing students in a dual approach that provides them exposure to our own scholars as well as having the opportunity to interact with industry experts. Students have opportunities for poster presentations and case analyses and can elect to participate in a job preparation seminar. Meeting these aspiring young professionals each year has always been a highlight for me.

I am looking forward to SMA X in Orlando for all of the reasons I have previously mentioned, but also for this year's Bill Veeck lecture. Bill Veeck, one of my favorite marketers, was and is still well known for his consumer-centric focus and his integration of entertainment into the sport product and presentation. This year's Veeck lecture will be given by Pat Williams of the Orlando Magic. Williams is a nationally renowned motivational speaker and an author of more than 20 books, including one about Bill Veeck. I can assure you that this presentation will be one of the most enlightening, entertaining, and motivational addresses you will ever have the pleasure of attending.

In closing, I would like to recognize two individuals for their significant contributions to SMA, and without whose leadership and dedication we might not be celebrating our 10th anniversary. Richard "Dick" Irwin, whose leadership in the formative years of the organization helped establish and define SMA, and Eric Schwarz, whose tireless energy, dedication, and acumen as the current SMA President have returned SMA to a prominent role in sport business academia. I am proud of what they have contributed, and fortunate to have been a beneficiary of those contributions.

Thank you for the opportunity to have served you during these past 10 years, and along with my co-host of SMA X, Schwarz of St. Leo University, we look forward to welcoming you to Orlando.

Dr. William A. "Bill" Sutton

Past President SMA

Founding Director, Sport & Entertainment MBA

Program University of South Florida