Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to deliver keynote at SBC Summit

Legendary skateboarder turned entrepreneur Tony Hawk is set to give a keynote address to 25,000 attendees at the upcoming SBC Summit. His presentation, titled Tony Hawk - What Keeps The Wheels Turning on a Global Brand, will take place on the second main day of the event, scheduled between September 24-26 at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa. The keynote will be held on the Super Stage in the MEO Arena.

Hawk's address will cover his career from his teenage entry into professional sports, his partnership with Activision, and the founding of his own sporting brands. He will share insights on brand reinvention and maintaining relevance, offering insights into his sustained success.

In anticipation of his talk, Hawk said: "I am excited to be headlining SBC Summit in Lisbon this September. Although the worlds of skateboarding and gambling might seem very different, I believe many parallels and lessons can be very relatable to companies in this industry.”

“Whether it is forming long-lasting partnerships, establishing a successful and recognizable brand, or maintaining relevance in a predominantly digital world, my story can provide valuable insights for all those attending."

Tony Hawk, born on May 12, 1968, in California, began his skateboarding journey at nine. By age 11, he was competing locally, and at 14, he turned professional, joining the Powell Peralta team and starring in the Bones Brigade videos. 

Over the next 23 years, Hawk won 73 titles, was the National Skateboard Association Vert Champion for 12 consecutive years, and earned 16 X Games medals. He also invented more than 80 skateboarding tricks, including the ollie-to-Indy and the gymnast plant. In 1999, Hawk achieved a historic milestone by landing a 900 twist at the X Games. He retired from competitive skating in 2003.

Beyond skateboarding, Hawk has grown the sport through various ventures. He founded Birdhouse Skateboards in 1992, Hawk Clothing in 1998, and 900 Films in 1999. In 2002, he established The Skatepark Project to help build public skate parks in underserved communities. His partnership with Activision led to the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater in 1999, which became one of the most successful video game franchises, with over $1 billion in sales.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC stated: "Tony Hawk is undoubtedly one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century. Not only did Tony revolutionize the world of skateboarding, but through strong branding, incredible athleticism, and genre-defining video games, he brought skateboarding into mainstream pop culture. There are certainly many lessons to be learned from this legend, and I am extremely excited to witness Tony's headline keynote on the Super Stage."

The SBC Summit offers a special discounted price of €400 for access to all three core days, including the exhibition floor, conference content, and evening networking events. Operators and affiliates can apply for free passes to the event.