New Dates, Virtual Format For 2020 Industry Summit

Dallas TX – The trading card industry’s leading business-to business conference is shifting to a virtual event for 2020 . The Industry Summit, hosted by Beckett Media, will be held Oct. 19-21. The format and date changes were driven by coronavirus-based restrictions.

Ted Barker, Summit director and co-host, announced the changes after re-visiting the scheduled venue, Westgate Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and consultation with key sponsors.

“After visiting Las Vegas last week, it became crystal clear that a virtual format is the best way to celebrate our industry’s incredible success this year,’’ Barker said. “Safety of our attendees is our foremost priority. We’re now refocused on delivering an incredible virtual Industry Summit Oct. 19-21.’’

Registration for the 2020 Industry Summit is available now at www.theindustrysummit.com. The first 350 registrants will receive a valuable assortment of gifts from sponsors, including a VIP gift from presenting sponsor Panini America.

DJ Kazmierczak, Vice President of Sales & Product Development for Panini America, a presenting summit sponsor, noted the virtual Industry Summit will enhance participation opportunities for global attendees, creating an even larger celebration of the trading card industry’s incredible 2020 success.

“The opportunities for all of us right now are too great to go an extended period of time without business collaboration with key industry people. We look forward to this year’s virtual version of the Industry Summit,’’ Kazmierczak said. “Expect the same honest and passionate panel discussion and interaction with the Panini America team.”

Said Jason Howarth, Vice President of Marketing for Panini America: “While it’s unfortunate, we won’t all be able to gather together in what has been a truly monumental year for trading cards – the Industry Summit’s transition to a virtual event still gives us the opportunity to get together and connect and talk about the trading card industry’s resilience during the pandemic, best practices, key learnings and how we continue to move forward.”

The format will be five-hour sessions each of the three days from 12 Noon CDT – 5:00 PM CDT. The date shift allows the Industry Summit team to reallocate the agenda events within the platform. Included will be educational sessions, topical Q&A sessions, breakout sessions with key groups, sponsor booths, keynote speakers, industry awards, private meetings with sponsors/attendees and a virtual Meet The Industry including additional sponsor gifts for attendees who complete every session. Prize drawings will be held several times each day.

For more information on registration and sponsorships, please contact Ted Barker tbarker@beckett.com 817-805-1284 or Alex Soriano alex@beckett.com 619-392-5299.