Connect is pleased to announce that Pro Football Hall of Fame Wide Receiver and three-time Super Bowl Champion Jerry Rice will participate in an engaging question-and-answer session at Connect Sports, Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Tampa, Florida. The announcement further solidifies Connect as the premier industry event for one-on-one business opportunities and unforgettable experiences, as the company helps to bring about the full recovery for sports tourism.
This year’s event at the Tampa Convention Center comes at a crucial point for the industry. After 18 long months of battling COVID-19 and the related disruptions across the board, the U.S. is ready to move beyond the pandemic. Events like Connect underscore the value of face-to-face events, facilitating future business between elite planners and top-of-the-line venues and destinations.
Rice will field questions as part of a moderated discussion on a stage on Connect’s trade show floor on Aug. 31 at 12 p.m., adding to the experiences both planners and suppliers can enjoy at the marketplace.
“It is fitting that we can welcome Jerry Rice, one of the best NFL players, to our event in Tampa, home of the Super Bowl champions,” said Connect Vice President Patrick Higgins. “We are eager to bring the events industry back together in person to spur new business and enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences. Jerry Rice is a class act on and off the field, and we feel his presence will inspire greatness within the events industry.”
One of the greatest players of all time, Rice is best known for his starring role with the San Francisco 49ers from 1985-2000 and owns many NFL receiving records. Among his on-the-field accomplishments, Rice was Super Bowl XXIII MVP and set a record with 22 touchdown receptions in 1987. A three-time Super Bowl champion, Rice as named first-team All-Pro 11 consecutive seasons and voted to 13 Pro Bowls, is also a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Teams of the 1980s and 1990s and NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team. He was a first-round draft pick out of Mississippi Valley State University.
Since his retirement, Rice’s celebrity has grown beyond the football field. He finished second in the second season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and has appeared on NBC’s “Deal or No Deal,” many other shows. He is also a regular panelist on national sportscasts.
Rice joins an illustrious list of keynote speakers at Connect events, including Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as sports and pop culture stars like Shaquille O’Neal, Peyton Manning, Cal Ripken, Michael Phelps and Nicole Kidman. First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the keynote address this year on Sept. 1.
Only at Connect are event professionals able to hear first-hand from these leaders while also conducting key business meetings with individuals perfectly matched with their needs. It’s this blend of business and unrivaled experiences that sets Connect apart as the industry leader of events.
