As we prepare for the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit, Michigan on May 29 and May 30, this episode shares insights, conversations, and real experiences that help explain what the Summit is truly about.

In this episode you will hear three perspectives that bring the Player Development Summit to life.

First, an insight about the Summit and the story behind why Detroit became the host city for 2026. What started as a conversation with Jessica Gray quickly turned into a vision for bringing the Summit to a city with a strong sports culture, passionate professionals, and a growing ecosystem of leaders who care about athlete development.

Detroit's pride, history, and community of sports professionals make it a powerful setting for the next chapter of the Summit.

Next, you will hear a speaker spotlight from the 2025 Player Development Summit featuring a conversation with Tobruk Blaine, founder of The Athlete Career Lab and Director of Player Development at the University of Arizona. In this discussion, she shares insights on leadership, mentorship, creativity, and helping athletes build identity and purpose beyond sports.

Finally, you will hear a reflection from Taja Dotson, who attended the 2025 Summit in Kansas City and shares what the experience meant to her. Her perspective highlights the energy, connections, and powerful conversations that happen when professionals who care about athlete development gather in one space.

This episode also includes an invitation for organizations interested in becoming strategic partners for the 2026 Player Development Summit. The Summit brings together decision-makers, athlete development professionals, athletic leaders, and organizations that serve athletes across youth, college, professional, and international sports.

If you want to attend, speak, or explore sponsorship opportunities, all of the information is linked in the show notes.

The 2026 Player Development Summit will take place in Detroit, Michigan on May 29 and May 30.

If you are not in the loop yet, it may be time to get in the loop.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

As we prepare for the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit, Michigan on May 29 and May 30, this episode gives you a deeper look into what the Summit is really about.

In this episode, you will hear three important perspectives that help bring the Player Development Summit experience to life.

First, a Summit insight that explains the purpose behind the event and why this space exists for professionals who support athletes.

Next, a speaker spotlight from the 2025 Player Development Summit featuring Savannah Bailey, Senior Director of Player Relations at the University of Florida and founder of Gator Made. In this conversation, Savannah shares powerful thoughts on curiosity, leadership, creativity, and what it means to develop athletes beyond the game.

Finally, you will hear a reflection from Sensei Kenny Francis, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Formation and Success at Boston College, who shares his experience attending the Summit and why the event continues to grow as a meaningful space for athlete development professionals across sport.

This episode also includes an invitation for organizations and companies interested in becoming strategic sponsors for the 2026 Player Development Summit. Sponsorship plays a major role in creating the experience, supporting attendees, and expanding the impact of player development across sport.

If you are a leader, company, or organization that serves athletes, athletic departments, or the professionals who support them, this may be a space you want to be part of.

Learn more about the Summit, sponsorship opportunities, speaking interest, and event updates through the links in the show notes.

The 2026 Player Development Summit will take place in Detroit, Michigan on May 29 and May 30.

If you are not in the loop yet, it may be time to get in the loop.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

As we prepare for the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit, Michigan (May 29–30), this episode takes you inside the movement.

This isn’t just a conference recap.

This is the story of how a virtual gathering of 28 people turned into a national in-person summit with leaders from the NFL, NBA, MLS, collegiate athletics, and beyond.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The origin story of the Player Development Summit and how it started in 2023

• What made the 2025 Kansas City in-person summit different from any other sports conference

• Why collaboration, not competition, defines this community

• A powerful speaker spotlight featuring a leader from Monumental Sports & Entertainment

• A real attendee reflection from someone who experienced the summit firsthand

• A direct invitation for strategic partners looking for real ROI in 2026

If you work in:

Player development

Athlete engagement

Player care

Student-athlete development

Athletic administration

Or leadership development in sports

This episode will show you why this summit exists — and why it matters.

The Player Development Summit isn’t about titles.

It’s about impact.

It’s about enhancing the athlete experience through holistic and intentional programs.

It’s about the people who serve athletes being served themselves.

Whether you want to attend, speak, or sponsor the 2026 Summit in Detroit, everything you need is linked in the show notes.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program