Game On: How Sports Tourism Can Impact Your Community

Join us for an exciting panel discussion with key figures from Richmond sports and events tourism properties. Participating in the conversation are:

Dennis Bickmeier
Executive Director, Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority
Dennis Bickmeier is the Executive Director of the newly-formed Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority, leading the county’s mission of bringing sports and entertainment events to county facilities. Previously, he served as President of Richmond Raceway for more than a decade, guiding the Raceway’s motorsports, Amphitheater, and facility rental efforts.

Jon Lugbill
Executive Director, Sports Backers
As Executive Director of Sports Backers, Jon inspires and motivates staff, volunteers, and donors to promote active living on a daily basis. Lugbill is widely considered to be one of the greatest canoe slalom racers in the history of the sport, winning five World Championship Gold medals and one Silver medal from 1979 to 1989. He’s also on the Board of Directors at SwimRVA and Richmond Region Tourism and serves on the Executives Roundtable at Chamber RVA.

Todd “Parney” Parnell
Vice President and COO, Richmond Flying Squirrels
A veteran of more than 30 years in Minor League Baseball, Todd “Parney” Parnell is one of the most recognizable names and faces in the baseball industry. Due to his exuberant nature and wealth of experience in professional sports, Parney has also become one of the most popular speakers and guest lecturers in the region.

Lori Waran
Track President, Richmond Raceway
Lori Collier Waran serves as Richmond Raceway’s first female track President. Lori launched her career in Washington D.C., entertaining government dignitaries, professional sports teams, and corporations with Sodexho Marriot. After 8 years, Lori and her family moved to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia where she joined Auto Trader and started her nearly 20-year career in the media and communications industry. In 2006, Landmark Media tapped Lori to take the helm of the Richmond-based media company, Style Weekly Media as Publisher where Lori led the team for nearly 15 years. She was the youngest Publisher in the United States for an alternative weekly at that time.