From the buzz of a sell-out crowd awaiting kickoff to the thrill of an entertainer stepping back on stage for an encore, sports and entertainment marketing delivers a rush for those interested in these career areas. For members eager to learn from industry professionals, nothing compares to DECA's Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference.
DECA’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference returns to Orlando from January 28 to February 1, 2026.
Set in a city known for its world-class entertainment, the conference connects members with industry leaders through daily sessions featuring sports and entertainment professionals.
Here’s a look at the speakers headlining this year's event.
Meet the Speakers
Nathan Burger
Director of Group Sales | Orlando Magic
Nathan Burger is beginning his tenth season with the Orlando Magic. Nathan specializes in creating legendary moments at the Kia Center and is responsible for managing and developing the Ticket Sales Department. Originally from Indianapolis, Nathan began his career with Pacers Sports & Entertainment for eight seasons before moving to Central Florida.
He actively volunteers with Junior Achievement, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. In his spare time, Nathan likes to play golf, read, and travel the world with his wife, Jen.
Ethan Khlor
Corporate Partnerships Coordinator | Florida Citrus Sports
Ethan Klohr was born and raised in Central Florida, growing up in Clermont and attending the University of Florida in Gainesville. Graduating in 2019 with a degree in Sport Management, he did a few internships in college and post-grad in hospitality and sports.
Currently, he works full-time at Florida Citrus Sports as the Corporate Partnerships Manager, where he has played a vital role in several world-class events held at Camping World Stadium and across the country, including the annual Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Camping World Kickoff, and the FC Series.
In his free time, he loves listening to music and playing drums in an alternative rock band, staying active and playing sports, and supporting his favorite pro (Rays, Bucs, Magic, Lightning) and college (Gators) teams.
Nicole Willis
Senior Editor | Discover Universal Parks & Resort Blog
Nicole Wills is the Senior Editor for the Discover Universal Parks & Resort Blog. A graduate of the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida, she has experience in content strategy, brand storytelling, and project management. Previously, she worked in higher education marketing for UCF’s College of Arts and Humanities and on the agency side of the industry.
When she isn’t working, she’s usually writing, watching a movie, or writing about watching a movie for her Substack newsletter, Girl at the Movies.
Stephen Kubiak
Head of Social Strategy and Content | Universal Destinations and Experiences
Stephen Kubiak is Head of Social Strategy and Content for Universal Destinations and Experiences. In his role, he manages the social teams for Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and owned social media strategy for North America.
He has been with Universal since 2019 and previously worked for VISIT FLORIDA, CBS News, and the United States Air Force. He’s a combat Veteran, Eagle Scout and father of three, who remembers when CityWalk was just a parking lot.
sWooZie
YouTube Personality
sWooZie is a filmmaker, storyteller and full-time YouTuber whose videos have earned over a billion views across the world. By blending cinematic storytelling, humor and authenticity, he built a personal brand that resonates across generations and platforms.
His content shares lessons on creativity, branding and building a career through storytelling.
Erin Murphy
Feature Producer, American Football | EA Sports
Erin Murphy is a Feature Producer at EA Sports with over five years of experience across mobile quality verification, brand marketing, and development. She currently leads all in-game messaging for Madden NFL and College Football, helping connect players to live football content and experiences.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ave Maria University. She is also involved in coaching for Special Olympics and enjoys playing and watching sports.
Kate Thomas
Senior Director, Resorts Marketing | Universal Orlando Resort
Kate Thomas is the Senior Director of Marketing at Universal Orlando Resort, where she is responsible for developing brand strategy and marketing programs designed to increase hotel demand and ensure guests have an elevated and seamless experience while visiting the world-class entertainment destination.
Over the past 20+ years, her career has held various roles in several hotel companies in the areas of Guest Service Operations, Human Resources Recruitment, Executive Administration and Marketing. Throughout this time, she has had the privilege of opening 10 hotels and countless new guest experiences, including digital transformation and immersive entertainment activations, and participating in global advisory boards to help evolve the way the hotel industry evolves marketing and sales initiatives.
Freddy Flynn
Sr. Director of Youth & Event Sales | Universal Orlando Resort
Freddy Flynn is known as the Whatcha Why Guy — a coach who helps college students and young professionals discover their purpose and organizations create true alignment. For 22 years, he has coached sales and leadership professionals in the highly competitive Orlando convention market.
Over that time, Freddy discovered that success at school, on teams, and in organizations comes down to two simple daily questions: “What’s important to them?” …because real connection begins with understanding what others are trying to accomplish. And, “Why’s it important to you?” …a reminder that purpose must always guide our actions. These two questions are the heart of Freddy’s talks: “What’s Important…to You?”
