DR. RICH LUKER WILL KEYNOTE SPORTS & FITNESS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION SUMMIT SHARING MOST RECENT FINDINGS ABOUT THE ONE GROUP OF AMERICANS MOST VITAL TO FUTURE GROWTH OF SPORTS
St. Petersburg, Fla. - September 11, 2017--The founder of the ESPN Sports Poll, Rich Luker, Ph.D., will keynote for the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Summit September 13th in Chicago. Dr. Luker will bring national data to show how the Internet is dramatically impacting the lives of Americans and what the industry can do to re-engage them in sports and fitness.
“The dominance of online technology used by kids has put them in control of their free time, and today 40% of 12-17-year-olds are spending most of the day online” said Dr. Luker. “According to KidSay’s research, over 70% of kids five and older already have their own tablet or smartphone, and 73% of ten-year-olds who have their own smartphone can be online anytime and anywhere. There is a lot of new competition for time that was devoted to playing sports in the past” he added.
However, being online is no longer novel for kids, and signs of technology fatigue are emerging. Less than half of 12-17-year-olds want to spend more time online than they do now. Dr. Luker revealed that 77% of 12-17-year-olds actively do things to get away from being online. “Now, they are looking for ways to be more engaged and have a greater sense of belonging. That presents great opportunities for sports” he said. “Time with family and friends is a higher priority for those playing sports or exercising weekly than it is for those who don’t.”
Dr. Luker’s keynote will document the change of control and cover dynamics that can inspire greater participation in sports. It will also highlight the one group of Americans most vital to the future growth of sports: kids. Luker says, “We can stop there, however. The biggest challenge for the industry is not technology, change, or even control. It is engaging in substantial new ways to draw kids in.” Dr. Luker has been a keynote speaker as an industry trends authority at major conferences, such as those hosted by the Sports Business Journal and, most recently, on an expert panel at the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit.
About Luker on Trends
Luker on Trends provides intelligence on sports, technology, the economy, and free time use so that leagues, teams, and brands can better engage with their customers. The company's Managing Partner, Rich Luker, Ph.D., founded the ESPN Sports Poll in 1994 and it is the first and longest-running national syndicated study on sports fans in America. Interviews are conducted by SSRS with a nationally representative monthly sample of 1,500 Americans age 12 and older. Interviews are offered in both English and Spanish, and data is collected 350 days per year. For the newest insights, please follow @LukerOnTrends on Twitter, LinkedIn or visit www.LukeronTrends.com.
About KidSay
Established in 1993, KidSay has kept clients’ fingers on the pulse of Generation Z kids since the youngest of them was in diapers. KidSay’s mission is to L.E.A.D. - Listen, Empower kids, Advance knowledge, and Drive Business. For nearly 20 years KidSay's direct connection to American kids ages 5-15, highlighted in its flagship Trend Tracker reports, continues to make KidSay a trusted advisor to many of the world’s leading companies. KidSay's headquarters are in the Kansas City area with field offices in New York.
Media Relations Contact
Lydia Dubuisson Luker on Trends Telephone: 818-486-8312 Email: lydia@lukerontrends.com Web: http://www.LukeronTrends.com
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