Life Time Sea Otter Classic Summit Announces Speakers and Programming for 2023 Event

MONTEREY, Calif. (March 15, 2023) – The Sea Otter Classic Summit, which is owned and produced by Life Time, announces the speaker line-up for the second annual event taking place April 17-19 at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. Summit speakers include leaders from the outdoor and various specialty industries, along with non-profit organizations' founders, sustainability experts, and retail executives.

“We are thrilled to welcome such an elevated gathering of leaders to speak at this year's Sea Otter Classic Summit,“ said Kimo Seymour, President of Events and Media at Life Time. “We’ve honed in on speakers who will deliver key insights into the trends and challenges facing our shared industry. Additionally, the Summit's timing brings the incredible opportunity for brands to directly engage with consumers at the Sea Otter Classic  April 20-23.” 

2023 Sea Otter Summit Speakers:

Day 1 - Tuesday, April 18-

Opening Keynote: Burning the Playbook to Build Perpetual Impact 

Bryce Phillips,  interviewed by Scott Kerslake

Evo Founder and CEO, Bryce Phillips, will share his journey of living through a perpetual re-invention of traditional retail and travel over evo’s 22-year trajectory. As part of the keynote  Scott Kerslake, an outdoor industry veteran will be interviewing Philips and diving into what helped mold Bryce into the leader we see today. As Phillip’s mentor, Kerslake has seen evo trajectory through the past, present and into the future. Scott and Bryce will dive into their personal journeys, relationships and the business decisions that helped to grow their businesses into industry leaders. 

Exploring the Intersection of the Cycling Industry, Business, Tribes and Land Management Reform on Federal Lands

Len Necefer, Aaron Mike and Jon Yazzie

This panel will explore the complex intersection of the cycling industry, business, tribes and current land management reform on Federal Lands. It will delve into the challenges and opportunities for the cycling industry and businesses operating in and around federal lands, as well as the potential impacts on Native American tribes and their cultural and natural resources. The panelists will discuss the role of land management reform in addressing these issues and promoting sustainable economic growth, while also preserving the unique and valuable resources of federal lands. The discussion will touch on topics such as access to public lands, environmental sustainability, economic development and the cultural and social implications of land use decisions.

Continued Expansion of Outdoor Recreation

Ajay Pant

Pickleball has gained tremendous popularity in recent years and is currently considered one of the fastest-growing sports. Ajay Pant, VP, of Life Time Racquet Sports, will discuss Life Time's growth and investment to become the largest provider of Pickleball in the nation, along with the opportunities for businesses to engage in this thriving sport and capitalize on its increasing popularity.

Consumer Trends Panel

Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, Erik Saltvold, Rich Tauer and Elysa Walk

Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga of Omnitalk, a respected retail podcast and blog that’s taken the lead position for retail journalism serving big retail, marketplaces, and retail tech, are bringing their famous “Fast Five” podcast format live on stage at the Summit. They will also host a panel with Erik Saltvold of Erik's Bike and Board, Rich Tauer from Quality Bike Parts,  and Elysa Walk, Chief Business Officer for Burton. They will cover upcoming consumer trends from the voice of brands and retailers.

Day 2 - Wednesday, April 19-

Using Your Business Voice for Positive Change 

Adam Cramer

Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance, a nonprofit organization that protects and promotes outdoor recreation by uniting outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands, will speak about the positive change leaders can make by using the voice of their businesses. 

Climate Change and Sustainability Initiatives

Lia Colabello

Planet+Purpose Solution’s Managing Principal, Lia Colabello, will share her work with major organizations in providing strategic guidance to help launch sustainability initiatives. Colabello has worked with the likes of Costa Sunglasses, Nuun Hydration, AFTCO, Innersense Organic Beauty, OnPoint Group, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, Ki Futures, and more to provide strategy, helping clients identify, prioritize, implement and communicate sustainable business practices.

Investing in the Future

John Bastian

John Bastian, Director at Baird in the Outdoor, Enthusiast and Healthy Living Consumer Products sector, will discuss micro and macro trends in the mobility space,  recent investment projects, what investors should be focused on now, and what is ahead in the future. 

Closing Keynote:  Urgent Optimism & Driving Business Change through Perpetual Reinvention

Chris Speyer

Chris Speyer, Vice President of Merchandising and Co-op Brands at REI, will talk about brands' needs to continuously adapt to new market trends and customer needs to stay ahead. This approach requires companies to be agile, flexible, and data-driven, as well as to be able to pivot quickly and make changes to their operations, products, and services based on customer insights.

For more information and to register, visit www.seaotterclassicsummit.com. Summit attendee numbers are limited to ensure the most effective, in-person networking, workshopping, and problem-solving. Attendees are also welcome to purchase tickets for the Sea Otter Classic Summit Aquarium Dinner, the capstone to the 2023 Sea Otter Classic Summit executive event.

About the Sea Otter Classic Summit

The Summit occurs just before the largest consumer cycling event, the Sea Otter Classic. This next-level executive gathering is designed to equip and inspire attendees to drive growth and impact through their businesses and brands at a pivotal time of growth and opportunity in the outdoor recreation industry.

https://seaotterclassicsummit.com/

About Life Time, Inc.

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The company's healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.