Completely blown away by the knowledge shared by the speakers in Nashville!
2024 Baseball Career Conference
Dallas, Texas - December 8-9th, 2024
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!
2024 Baseball Career Conference Agenda*
*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 8, 2024:
12 noon - 2 pm CST - Registration Opens at the Sheraton Suites Market Center Dallas (2101 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207)
2:00 pm CST - Bus* loads for Welcome Reception at Globe Life Field. Home of the Texas Rangers
2:30 pm CST - Bus* leaves Inn at the Opryland Hotel for Globe Life Field
*A tour bus is available to sign up for to be transported to the Welcome Reception. It is a $10, non-refundable, fee to reserve your seat. More information is available upon registration. The tour bus will depart at 2:30 pm CST.
3 pm - 4 pm CST - Tour of Globe Life Field
- Park in Parking Lot B
4 - 6 pm CST - Baseball Career Conference Welcome Reception
Welcome Message from:
- Dan Evans, Former LA Dodgers GM, and SMWW Mentor
- Ari Kaplan, Scoutables CEO, and SMWW Mentor
- Hank Jones, Former LA Dodgers Scout, and SMWW Mentor
- Oscar Suarez, MLB Agent, and SMWW Mentor
- Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President/Founder
6:30 pm CST - Bus returns from Globe Life Field to Sheraton Suites Market Center Dallas
Monday, December 9, 2024:
8:00 am Registration Opens at the Sheraton Suites Market Center Dallas (2101 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207)
8:45 am - Opening Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President
8:55 am - How to get the most out of the Winter Meetings with Dan Evans, former LA Dodger GM
9:00 am - It Starts with Scouting. One-on-one with an MLB Scout
- (Moderator) Dan Evans, Former LA Dodgers GM, SMWW Mentor
- Hank Jones, Former LA Dodgers Scout, SMWW Mentor
9:45 am - Break
10:00 am - The Business of Media in Baseball
- (Moderator) Dan Evans, Former LA Dodgers GM, SMWW Mentor
- Jayson Stark, The Athletic, Senior Writer MLB
- Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, Senior Writer MLB
10:45 am - Break
11:00 am - The Art of Representation with MLB Agents
- (Moderator) Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President/Founder
- Oscar Suarez, MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- Taylor Jacobson, MLB Agent
- Jim McNamara, MLB Agent
- Larry Lundy, LMG Group President, SMWW Mentor
12:15 pm - Lunch
1:15 pm - The Fastest Way to a Job in Baseball
- (Moderator) Ike Worth, SMWW Business Operations Manager
- Dan Hessling, Texas Rangers Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales
- Russ Kerschen, Texas Rangers Manager of Premium Sales
2:00 pm - The Life of an MLB General Manager
- (Moderator) Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President/Founder
- Dan Duquette, 3x MLB GM of the Year, SMWW Mentor
- Jim Duquette, Former MLB GM
2:45 pm - Break
3:00 pm - The Impact of Analytics and AI in Baseball
- (Moderator) Dan Evans, former MLB GM & former MLB Agent, SMWW Mentor
- Ari Kaplan, Databricks Head of Evangelism, MLB Analyst, and SMWW Mentor.
- Alexander Booth, Databricks Solutions Architect
- Estaban Navarro Garaiz, Teamworks Senior Techincal Product Manager
3:45 pm Break
4:00 pm - The Behind the Scenes of the Winter Meetings
- (Moderator) Dan Evans, Former LA Dodgers GM, SMWW Mentor
- Manny Colon, Oakland A’s Director of Minor League Operations
- De Jon Watson, Houston Astros Special Assignment Scout
- Scott Bush, SABR CEO
5 pm - Closing Remarks
5:15 pm Dinner on your own
8 pm - 12 midnight - Monday Night lobby networking with the entire baseball industry. Join Dan Evans & the SMWW Team as your networking coach in the Hilton Anatole. Watch Media Row in action.
2201 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 - The Baseball Industry Network Meet-Up (Optional)
8:00 am - 10:00 am:
Hilton Anatole Lobby
2201 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
*SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or in any way connected with MLB, Minor League Baseball, or the Baseball Winter Meetings.
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 three 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 2024 Baseball Winter Meetings* will take place Dec. 8-11th, in Dallas, Texas
*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 offers 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.
Texas Ranger Globe Life Stadium Tour
Tour the brand-new, state-of-the-art home of the Texas Rangers! Enjoy a guided history-rich tour behind the scenes journey to areas like Chuck Morgan's PA Booth, private suites, luxury lounges, and possibly the Texas Ranger's home Clubhouse, where you can see the player's locker room!* Followed by drinks in the Globe Life Texas Rangers Left Field Sky Box. (*facilities not guaranteed.) After you register for the conference a link will be sent to you to sign up for the tour. (small additional fee includes bus and tour)
Texas Ranger Globe Life Stadium Tour:
Sunday, December 8th:
2pm - Load buses at Sheraton Suites Market Center, 2101 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
3pm - Texas Ranger Globe Life Stadium Tour
4pm - 530pm Light appetizers, beer and wine
6pm - Return bus from stadium to Sheraton Suites Market Center to network in hotel lobby
Baseball Career Conference Sessions:
Monday, December 9th, 8am-5pm:
Location: Sheraton Suites Market Center Conference Rooms
2101 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
Monday, December 9th, 7pm-late night:
Legendary networking with "the who’s who" of baseball in the Hilton Anatole Lobby
Tuesday, December 10th 8am-10am:
The Baseball Industry Network Meet-Up (Optional) (Recommended for job hunters)
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 2024 Winter Meetings will take place in Dallas, Texas.
Closest Airport: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) or Dallas Love Field (DAL)
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 Dallas in December?
Dallas offers a ton of sports exposure as the city hosts NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS, and MLB franchises, along with multiple NCAA Universities. Plus, Dallas is home to amazing food 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 120
Conference Registration includes:
December 9thGeneral Admission :
$500 $500.00 USDCollege Students, Faculty & SMWW Alumni :
$500 $500.00 USDTeam & Agency Employees :
$500 $500.00 USD
SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:
2024 Featured Speakers
*Speakers are subject to change.
Jayson Stark
The Athletic, Senior Writer MLB
De Jon Watson
Houston Astros Special Assignment Scout
Tyler Kepner
The Athletic, Senior Writer MLB
Dan Hessling
Texas Rangers SVP, Ticket Sales
Taylor Jacobson
MLB Agent
Jim Duquette
Former MLB General Manager
Manny Colon
Oakland A's Director of Minor League Operations
Russ Kerschen
Texas Rangers, Manager of Premium Sales
Dan Evans
Former LA Dodgers GM & former Toronto Blue Jays Scout
Scott Bush
SABR Chief Executive Officer
Larry Lundy
LMG President/Founder
Hank Jones
Former LA Dodgers Scout
Ari Kaplan
Scoutables Founder & Baseball Analytics Leader
Dan Duquette
Former Baltimore Orioles General Manager
Oscar Suarez
MLBPA Agent, SMWW Faculty
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.