Lindsey Vonn and Tom Foley Join ISPO 2026 Leaders’ Summit Lineup
Organisers of ISPO, the world’s leading trade event for sporting goods, outdoor, and winter sports, have revealed the first details of the ISPO 2026 Leaders’ Summit. Among the newly announced speakers are Lindsey Vonn, Olympic and World Cup champion, and Tom Foley, CEO of INTERSPORT International Corporation (IIC).
Their inclusion strengthens an already high-profile lineup of global industry leaders and changemakers.
Global Industry Leaders to Take the Stage
Vonn and Foley will join a distinguished group of speakers, including Jimmy Chin, filmmaker and mountaineer; Celine Del Genes of Decathlon; Hap Klopp, founder of The North Face; Professor Laura McAllister, Vice President of UEFA; Andy Rubin, Deputy Chair of Pentland Group; John Lacy, CEO of Burton; and Pia Heidenmark Cook, former Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group (IKEA).
Together, they will share insights through keynote sessions, fireside chats, and panel discussions.
An Exclusive C-Suite Forum for the Sports Ecosystem
The ISPO Leaders’ Summit is designed as a closed-door, C-suite-focused conference. It will bring together senior executives, policymakers, and industry influencers from across the global sports ecosystem.
Key discussions will address pressing topics such as fair trade, participation, sustainability, and the future of sport-led business. As a result, the Summit aims to provide both strategic insight and practical leadership perspectives.
Lindsey Vonn on Leadership and High Performance
Lindsey Vonn is widely recognised as the most successful female alpine skier in history. Her achievements include Olympic gold at the 2010 Winter Games, four World Cup Championships, and eight World Cup season titles. She remains one of only six women to win World Cup races across all five alpine disciplines.
Recently, Vonn returned from retirement to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team. She is now preparing for a historic comeback ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.
Commenting on her participation, Vonn said she sees strong parallels between elite sport and business leadership. She added that she looks forward to connecting with the leaders behind global sports brands at the Summit in Amsterdam.
Tom Foley Brings Decades of Global Retail Expertise
Tom Foley brings over two decades of experience in global sports retail. Before becoming CEO of IIC, he served as CEO of French retailer Go Sport and previously led its Middle East operations. He also founded the Independent Sports Retailers Alliance in Ireland, which he headed until 2011.
Known for navigating complex retail transitions, Foley offers deep insight into how brands can adapt and thrive in a competitive and evolving market.
€3 Million Investment to Reimagine ISPO from 2026
Raccoon Media Group, alongside partner Messe München, has committed €3 million to transform ISPO from 2026 onward. Notably, €1 million of this investment is dedicated to content across the Summit and Expo.
According to Mike Seaman, Group CEO of Raccoon Media Group, the Leaders’ Summit will feature an unparalleled concentration of industry experience. He added that the event promises valuable insights drawn from decades of leadership across the sector.
Content, Experience, and Engagement at ISPO 2026
ISPO 2026 will extend far beyond a traditional trade show. According to Kate Jamieson, Content Director at Raccoon Media Group, the event will balance commercial insight with emotional connection. The focus will remain on why the industry exists and what inspires people to move.
Across the three-day event, the Expo will host multiple immersive activations. These include a Rail Jam outside the RAI, an interactive Climbing Wall, Summit Sprint, The Runway, an Avalanche Simulation, Shop of the Future, and a VR Powder Run.
In addition, four show-floor theatres will deliver educational content. Popular ISPO features such as the Functional Clothing Swap and BrandNew, a pitch platform for start-ups, will also return. Several fringe networking events hosted by industry associations will further strengthen engagement.
Jamieson added that ISPO 2026 aims to create an immersive experience across all show zones. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure attendees leave inspired, engaged, and confident that their time and investment were worthwhile.
