Turning Signature Events into Economic Engines

Description

Signature events are more than one-day experiences. When done right, they become powerful economic engines that drive tourism, attract corporate investment, elevate brand awareness, and support long-term business growth.
 
Join The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches for an engaging breakfast conversation with the leaders behind some of our most visible sporting venues and marquee events. This discussion will explore how major events are conceived, funded, marketed, and scaled, and how partnerships between venues, organizers, sponsors, and the business community turn moments on the calendar into lasting economic impact for Palm Beach County.
 
Attendees will gain insight into what it takes to build successful signature events, how public and private partners collaborate, and why sports and large-scale events continue to be a critical driver of visibility and economic opportunity across the Palm Beaches.

Panel Discussion:
Moderated by Theo Dorsey, Sports Anchor for ESPN

Theo Dorsey is an award-winning sports journalist currently an on-air host of Theoretically Speaking from 2-4pm EST for ESPN West Palm, Host of Palm Beaches TV Now and Equestrian Life in the Palm Beaches. The Hampton University alumnus also serves as the emcee for the Lou Groza Awards, Orange Bowl FanFest Tailgate and Palm Beach County Sports commission Hall of Fame among other events across South Florida.

In 2018, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters recognized Theo as Best Sports Anchor for his standout coverage of high school athletics, The Masters, and Southeastern Conference football. He later served as a news reporter and fill-in sports anchor at WGHP in Greensboro, North Carolina, before relocating to West Palm Beach.

A graduate of Hampton University, Theo is a familiar voice to local audiences and can be heard discussing football on Fridays on ESPN 106.3 FM's Josh Cohen and The HomeTeam. His work continues to spotlight the intersection of sports, community, and storytelling across the region.

Mike Bauer, General Manager, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

Mike Bauer is in his sixteenth season at the helm of America's busiest ballpark, serving as General Manager of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and Jupiter Stadium LTD. The Florida native is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the 110-acre complex, which is home to six teams and year-round baseball. 

Prior to Bauer's move back to Florida, he spent four years as the Executive Director of Palace Baseball for the Class-A Asheville Tourists in Asheville, North Carolina. With the then Colorado Rockies affiliate, he was responsible for overseeing all operations associated with ticket and sponsorship sales, facility management, marketing and media relations, food and beverage, merchandising, and guest services. The Tourists experienced three of their most profitable seasons in franchise history during Bauer's four-year stint, including setting attendance records in 2006 and 2008. The Ashville organization also achieved many firsts under Bauer including national recognition on marketing campaigns, their first radio and TV broadcast, first live concert in stadium history, and many others. All of these came alongside numerous ballpark enhancements and a $2,000,000 renovation project to the historic McCormick Field.

Before joining the baseball industry, Bauer began his professional journey in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum (now Amelie Arena). Beginning as a Suite Services Manager, Bauer moved up through the organization to Guest Services Manager and ultimately Front of House Manager in 2003. In his final role with the Lightning, Bauer managed a staff of nearly 500 while providing guest services for events such as the Stanley Cup Finals, NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and countless concerts including U2, Paul McCartney, and the Rolling Stones to name a few. 

Todd Fleming, Vice President & Executive Director, Cognizant Classic | PGA Tour

After spending the first decade of his career on the team side of the business within the NBA and NFL, with marquee stops with the Miami Heat and Dallas Cowboys, Fleming brought his experience and expertise to the outsourced service provider and sales agency space by helping launch the sales and marketing services at Legends in 2010.

Fleming served as Vice President and General Manager for Legends through 2021, before ascending to Senior Vice President of Global Sales. During his tenure with Legends, he was tasked with developing new partnerships and engagements both domestically and internationally across Legends' 360 suite of services. Fleming oversaw some of the industry's most recognizable projects over the last decade such as Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas; Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain (Civitas Metropolitano); Legends engagement with A.S. Roma in Rome, Italy; and most recently the 2023 U.S. Open Championship at famed Los Angeles Country Club, helping reimagine and revolutionize the onsite premium hospitality experiences with the United States Golf Association.

Teneka James-Feaman, Executive Director, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority

Teneka James Feaman has served the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority since 2007 and was appointed Executive Director in 2024. She leads strategic initiatives focused on placemaking, economic development, and downtown activation, using creative programming to drive measurable impact for local businesses, artists, and stakeholders. Signature programs developed under her leadership have helped transform Downtown West Palm Beach into a vibrant destination for residents, visitors, and investment.
Teneka holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is a graduate of the ULI Southeast Florida and Caribbean Leadership Institute. She also serves as Executive Director of the West Palm Beach Arts and Entertainment District and sits on the boards of Florida Downtowns, Inc. and the International Downtown Association.