I was the youngest attendee (13 years old!) at this conference, but I came out the most interested. This drove my love for all aspects of the game and helping me accomplish my dream of working in baseball.
2023 Baseball Career Conference
Nashville, Tennessee - December 3-4th, 2023
This conference is your chance to meet Scouts, Agents, Player Personnel, Media, and Management in MLB careers. In the process, you'll learn how to advance your career at all levels of baseball!
What are the Baseball Winter Meetings*?
The Baseball Winter Meetings* is an annual event, held each December, in which representatives of all 30 Major League Baseball teams and their 120 minor league baseball affiliates convene for four days to discuss league business and conduct off-season trades and transactions. Attendees include league executives, team owners, general managers, team scouts, visitors from baseball-playing countries, and trade show exhibitors. The 2023 Baseball Winter Meetings* will take place Dec. 4-7th, in Nashville, Tennessee.
*SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or in any way connected with MLB, Minor League Baseball, or the Baseball Winter Meetings.
What is the SMWW Baseball Career Conference?
The SMWW day-long career conference offers unique panel discussions and question-answer periods designed to start or advance your career in the business of baseball. The day will be split up into diverse speaker panels; including scouting, Analytics, marketing, management, media, public relations, digital video editing, athlete representation, broadcasting, and sports career strategies. The Welcome Reception and Networking Lunch offer attendees to network within the business side of baseball.
Why should you attend?
Simply put, if you work in baseball or want to work in baseball, this is a must-attend event!
Our annual SMWW Baseball Career Conference provides people of all ages with a desire to work in the MLB, minor league baseball, and collegiate baseball, insight and exposure they can't get anywhere else. This event puts you in the heart of the baseball universe. Baseball Winter Meetings* are not open to the public, however, the SMWW Baseball Career Conference will give you the opportunity to ask questions of Agents, Scouts, Analysts, Media and Player Personnel including:
- Network with baseball executives at the major league, minor league, and collegiate level
- Career guidance from the well-known major league, minor league, and collegiate level executives
- Insights on who is doing the hiring and what you need to know to get hired
- Connect with sports career-minded individuals
- Mentors who have been where you are and want to assist you with your career
- Insider information about changes in the industry that put your career on the fast track
- Strategies to catapult your career to the next level
*SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or in any way connected with MLB, Minor League Baseball, or the Baseball Winter Meetings.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone 18 years or older working on the business side of baseball, wanting to work in baseball, or baseball fans wanting to learn about the inner workings of the game. (17 and younger may attend with an adult upon request.) This includes executives and staff at the major league and minor league level, MLB employees, scouts, agents, baseball writers and bloggers, baseball-related manufacturers and equipment companies, current, and former professional players, etc.
Where
The 2023 Winter Meetings will take place in Nashville, Tennesse. The host hotel has not been formally announced.
Closest Airport: Nashville International Airport (BNA)
2022 Schedule of Events: (2023 will be posted here as the event gets closer.)
The 2022 schedule will give you an idea of what 2023 would be like!
Sunday, December 4th
3pm - Petco Park Tour - (Optional - RSVP Required. Included in registration.) We can't catch a game but we can get behind the scenes in the ballpark. See "writer's row" in the press box, the dugout, Visitors' Clubhouse and Padres Hall of Fame.
6pm-8pm - Baseball Career Conference Welcome Reception in the Gas Lamp District, exact location to be announced (Included with registration.) The dress is casual.
Monday, December 5th
8 :30am - 5 pm - All day Baseball Career Conference with exciting and informative panels all day is in a Marriott Marquis Conference room. (Included with registration.)
12-1 pm - The Baseball Career Conference Networking Lunch at the Marriott Marquis. (Included with registration.)
5:30 pm - 12 pm - The legendary networking at the Winter Meetings. You are on your own, but our SMWW Staff and Faculty will be available to support and assist you. (On your own.)
Tuesday, December 6th
8am-10am - The Baseball Industry Network Meet Up. (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego) The Baseball Industry Network has over 34,000 members. This is a Linkedin networking group open to individuals working in and/or connected to the baseball industry and you are invited! Bring your business cards and practice your networking skills. The group covers the full gamut of people working throughout the game.
Scholarships
SMWW will award a limited amount of full and partial scholarships for each SMWW Career Conference. You must be 18 years or older to be considered. If interested, fill out an application and submit your resume and a one-page letter explaining why you should receive a scholarship to StudentServices@smww.com.
Scholarships do not include lodging or airfare. Those who have completed an SMWW Training Program will be given preference.
Why Nashville in December?
Nashville offers a ton of sports exposure as the city hosts NFL, NHL, and MLS franchises, along with multiple NCAA Universities. Plus, Nashville is the home of country music and a fantastic cultural hub!
Networking Opportunities: One of the advantages of this conference is the ability to network within the industry with fellow baseball-minded individuals. Some work for a team or baseball organization, some own baseball academies or schools, a few are college students who want to get ahead before graduation, others work full-time in another industry but want to switch careers or scout on the side, while some are looking to break into the industry. All have a PASSION for baseball. Following their presentations, most speakers chat one on one with attendees. Most attendees come alone and find lifetime friends with a love of the game! Many return year after year!



The SMWW event is the best learning experience of the year for understanding how the entire sports market works. I enjoy hearing from a broad spectrum of presenters including executives, front office workers, scouts, players, agents, marketing, and media. I've worked in major league sports for 20 years and find SMWW events fresh and unique.
Ari Kaplan, Moneyball Analyst for Professional Teams
** Please note that the conference fee does not include flight or hotel accommodations.
Walk-up registrations will not be accepted. Please register online in advance. This event is limited to the first 100
Conference Registration includes:
October 13thGeneral Admission :
$500 $400.00 USDCollege Students, Faculty & SMWW Alumni :
$500 $375.00 USDTeam & Agency Employees :
$500 $375.00 USD
2022 Baseball Career Conference Agenda (2023 Agenda will become available close to the event date)
We work with our speakers and panels around their team meetings. Team meetings are scheduled one week prior to the event. Speakers are not guaranteed. However, you can keep checking back as we add speakers and make changes. We always have a great schedule. You will love it!
Sunday, December 4, 2022:
3 - 5 pm - Petco Park Tour (Optional)
6 - 8 pm Our Famous SMWW Welcome Reception at Knotty Barrel East Village GastroPub
Knotty Barrel East Village GastroPub - 844 Market St, San Diego
Come network with baseball executives, SMWW Staff, and fellow baseball conference attendees. Held at the Knotty Barrel Bar. The welcome reception is always a great time. Everyone there is excited about the career conference, learning from each other, meeting baseball executives, sharing a few adult beverages, and playing some games like Cornhole. It's optional…but you really shouldn't miss it! Hor d'oeuvres and first drink will be on SMWW. (Dress is casual)
Monday, December 5, 2022:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm SMWW Baseball Career Conference Sessions:
Diverse speaker panels approximately every hour including scouting, marketing, management, media, public relations, digital video editing, athlete representation, broadcasting, and sports career strategies.
9:00 am - Opening Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
9:15 am - How to get the most out of the Winter Meetings with Dan Evans
9:30 am - The Life and Role of an MLB Agent
- (Moderator) Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President, and Founder of SMWW
- Oscar Suarez, MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- John Boggs, MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- Jared Vasiliauskas, MLBPA Expert Agent Advisor
10:45 am - Break
11:00 am - Baseball Analytics and the future of baseball
- (Moderator) Dan Evans, former MLB GM & former MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- Ari Kaplan, Scoutables President, MLB Analyst, SMWW Mentor
- Scott Bush, SABR CEO
- Cory Schwartz, Major League Baseball Vice President Data Operations
12:15 pm - SMWW Networking Lunch
Marriott Marquis Grand Ballroom Salon Rooms 12 & 13
1:15 pm - It All Begins with Scouting
- (Moderator) Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President, and Founder
- Dan Evans, former MLB GM & former MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- Hank Jones, 40-year MLB Scout, and SMWW Mentor
- Trey Rose, Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Operations Asst Director, SMWW Alum
2:30 pm - Break
2:45 pm - Analytics Panel
- (Moderator) Dan Evans, former MLB GM & former MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- Ari Kaplan, Scoutables President, MLB Analyst, and SMWW Mentor.
- Scott Bush, SABR CEO
3:30 pm - Media Panel
- (Moderator) Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President, and Founder
- Tim Mead, Former LA Angels VP of Communications and Former President of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Kevin Reichard, Baseball Digest, Publisher
4:30 pm - One-on-One with Former New York Mets GM, Jim Duquette
- (Moderator) Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President, and Founder
8 pm - Monday Night lobby networking with the entire baseball industry 8 pm - 12 midnight Join Dan Evans & the SMWW Team as your networking coach in Hotel Lobby, exact location TBA. (*Business Casual)
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 - The Baseball Industry Network Meet-Up (Optional)
8:00 am - 10:00 am at the:
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
1 Market Place (Marina Room)
San Diego
*SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or any way connected with MLB, Minor League Baseball, or the Baseball Winter Meetings.
SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:
2022 Featured Speakers
*Speakers are subject to change.
John Boggs
MLB Agent
Mike Matheny
Kansas City Royals Manager
Scott Bush
SABR Chief Executive Officer
Rick White
Atlantic League President
Dan Evans
Former LA Dodgers GM & former Toronto Blue Jays Scout
Erin O'Donnell
Gwinnett Stripers Assistant General Manager
Emily Jaenson
Reno Aces Baseball Club General Manager
Hank Jones
Former LA Dodgers Scout
Craig Calcaterra
HardballTalk at NBC Sports.com Lead Blogger
Sam Ray
San Diego Padres Manager, Amateur Scouting
Alyson Footer
MLB National Correspondent
Ari Kaplan
Scoutables Founder & Baseball Analytics Leader
Andrew Engel
DataRobot Data Scientist and General Manager, Sports and Gaming
Alexis Collins
Baseball Prospect Evaluation/Writer
Bill Shaikin
Los Angeles Times Sports Writer
Dan Duquette
Former Baltimore Orioles General Manager
Oscar Suarez
MLBPA Agent, SMWW Faculty
Joseph Myers, Ph.D.
Tampa Bay Rays Director of Baseball Performance Science
Gabriel Suarez
San Rafael Pacifics President and Owner
Dan Rosquette
MLBPA Agent
Trey Rose
Assistant, Baseball Operations, Pittsburgh Pirates (SMWW alum)
Sylvia Lind
MLBPA Agent
Phil Van Horn
MLBPA Agent
Lynn Lashbrook
President & Founder of SMWW. Certified Sports Agent. Former NCAA Athletic Director.
Past Speakers
Speakers vary from year to year:
- Dayton Moore, KC Royals, GM
- John Boggs, MLB Agent
- Ned Colletti, LA Dodgers GM
- Peter Gammons, Hall of Fame Writer and MLB Analyst
- Harold Reynolds, MLB Network On-Air Talent, and Fox Sports Analyst
- Joe Hamrahi, Co-Founder 2080baseball.com and Former President of Baseball Prospectus
- Fred Claire, Former LA Dodgers GM, and Well-Known MLB Executive
- Don Welke, Vice President Scouting Operations San Diego Padres
- John Cox, Major League Scout and Pacific Rim Scout San Francisco Giants
- Tracy Ringolsby, Hall of Fame Writer for MLB.com & Baseball America
- Dan Evans, Toronto Blue Jays Scout, Former LA Dodgers GM
- Pat Gillick, 3-Time World Series GM, and HOF
- John Mozeliak, St. Louis Cardinals GM
- Jayson Stark, ESPN Senior Baseball Analyst
- Stan Kasten, Los Angeles Dodgers President
- Jay Miller, Texas Rangers Senior VP
- Tyrone Brooks, Pittsburgh Pirates Director of Operations
- Lee Folger - Baseball America President/Publisher
- Cory Schwartz, MLB Advanced Media Vice President, Stats
- Bill Squadron, Bloomberg Sports GM
- Jerry Crasnick, ESPN and Baseball America
- Rob Neyer, SB Nation National Baseball Editor, and Well-Known Baseball Author
- Tony DeMacio, Director Scouting Atlanta Braves
- Toney Howell, Special Assistant GM LA Dodgers
- Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President and Founder
- Benjamin Hill, Baseball Writer, MiLB.com
- Jeff Idelson, President, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
- Mark Galuska, Director of Marketing and Sales, Columbus Clippers (AAA-Indians)
- Bobby Brett, Brett Sports & Entertainment and Spokane Indians Managing Partner
- Bob Masewicz, Total Sports Entertainment Owner
- John Manuel, Baseball America Editor in Chief
- Tom Whaley, St. Paul Saints, Executive VP & Owner
- Dana Sinclair, Sports Psychologist - Clients include Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, and Portland Trail Blazers
- Ari Kaplan, Scoutables President, Leading Figure in Sports Analytics
- Oscar Suarez, MLB Agent
- Tom Leip, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes President
- Will Carroll - Contributor, SI.com
- Hector Gomez, MLB Agent
- Joe Favorito, Sports Publicity & Marketing Consultant
- Bobby Evans, San Francisco Giants, Dir. of Player Personnel
- Alyson Footer, National Correspondent MLB.com
- Sal Artiaga, Former President of Minor League Baseball
- Dr. Jose Goyos, Ph.D. L.C.S.W. Kansas City Royals Sports Psychologist
- Mike Birling - Durham Bulls GM
- Tom Giordano, Special Assistant GM Texas Rangers
- Scott Akasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers Travel Director
- Maury Brown, Founder and President of The Biz of Baseball
- Larry D'Amato, Former MLB Scout
- Mark Smith, Oakland A's Minor League Video Coordinator
More about the Baseball Winter Meetings*
For those of you who have never experienced the Baseball Winter Meetings*, it is fascinating! This event is the major baseball event of the year. GMs, player agents, executives, managers, and yes, a few players all attend. It's an event worth attending if you are looking to network, and report on the signings and trades that go down, or for fans to feel the energy and excitement. Where else can you have Tommy Lasorda, Bill James, Mike Rizzo, Scott Boras, Bob DuPuy, Billy Beane, Harold Reynolds, Lynn Lashbrook, Dan Evans, and Bobby Cox all within 20 feet of each other? (As reported by Maury Brown) There are also trainers, scouts, media, reps from the leagues, ESPN, Baseball America, MLB Network, MLB.com...it is a plethora of baseball who's who. Attending the SMWW Baseball Conference and walking around will be enough for most of you.
*Note: SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or in any way connected with MLB, Minor League Baseball, or the Baseball Winter Meetings.
Internships
SMWW offers sports internship opportunities throughout the year in both our Portland, Oregon, and Gloucester, England offices. Visit this page for more information. SMWW conducts interviews at SMWW Career Conferences.
Download a Copy of the
2022 Baseball Program Here
Note: Speakers are not guaranteed and will change. The closer we get to the date, the more speakers will know their team meeting schedules.