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I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses and experiences for passionate communities of…
Articles by Lance
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Find New Ways To Reach More Fans....
Find New Ways To Reach More Fans....
I love to craft strategies and plot the course of ReedPop. Strategy fuses vision, passion, data and insights to create…
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ReedPop in 2021 (A view from 8% into it)
ReedPop in 2021 (A view from 8% into it)
I’ve spent the first weeks of 2021 in optimistic anticipation of the great things we're building at ReedPop. I’m…
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Embracing Failure: My Pandemic Leadership Lessons
Embracing Failure: My Pandemic Leadership Lessons
My wife is a doctor that recently started her own practice. I helped build and now run a global pop culture company…
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Lance Fensterman shared thisI’m an enthusiastic proponent of B2B journalism and appreciate Trade Show Executive Magazine for taking time to highlight some of the accomplishments at Fanatics Fest this year. Often, in the world of events, consumer and fan based events can be overlooked, the acknowledgement of what the platform has become as a live event and media happening is meaningful….and earned. https://lnkd.in/gVYu-p7RHow Fanatics Fest is Rewriting the Rules of Live Event EngagementHow Fanatics Fest is Rewriting the Rules of Live Event Engagement
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Lance Fensterman shared thisHey look, it's me, talking. Flattered that Tim McGuinness invited me to chat with him. Tim and I just missed each other at RX and thus have a slew of good friends in common - all of whom have been on his podcast. I was pleased and relieved to get the call and join him to talk briefly about my career and fumble through answers about my favorite actors and bands.Lance Fensterman shared thisOn behalf of Sterling Advisory Group join me for a brief (22 minute), informal discussion with Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events. Click on this link to view the interview: https://lnkd.in/geicZhKR
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Lance Fensterman shared thisCheck Fanatics Fest this Tuesday on ESPN! Our focus is to delight the fans in the building. But our strategy has always been to turn those three days in New York into something much bigger—creating content and moments that travel far beyond the Javits Center. We produced a livestream of the Fanatics Games. We cut and distributed content from our stages and show floor in real time throughout the weekend. We built a social strategy designed to let millions of fans experience the energy, even if they couldn’t be there in person. The result so far: more than 250 billion earned media impressions. And this Tuesday at 7pm on ESPN, we extend that footprint even further and bigger with the second installment of “Fanatics Fest: All Access.” This is the creation of our amazing friends and partners at Fanatics Studios, is hosted by NBA All-Star and World Champion Karl-Anthony Towns and entrepreneur and media personality Jordyn Woods. The special takes viewers inside this year’s Fanatics Fest and closer to the athletes, creators and unforgettable moments that made the weekend what it was. A great event creates memories for the people in the room. A great content strategy makes the room feel a whole lot bigger. Check out the trailer below—and tune in Tuesday, August 4th at 7pm on ESPN.
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Lance Fensterman shared thisI keep coming back to one thought after four days of Fanatics Fest: The power of fandom and shared experience. Our passions create communities. And when those communities come together around the things they love, there is an energy you simply can’t replicate. I saw it everywhere this weekend at our third Fanatics Fest. I watched KAT let fans touch the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy—literally sharing a championship with the people who helped make it matter. At FIFA Final Weekend, fans of Argentina and Spain packed together to see their heroes. Kids on shoulders, jerseys everywhere, everyone passionately cheering for their team—no matter where they were from. We saw product launches from Disney, KAWS, across Fanatics and so many others. Athletes, influencers and entertainers performed, competed, recorded podcasts, signed, collected and connected with fans. Those moments are why we built Fanatics Fest. There was no blueprint for what happens when you bring every corner of sports fandom together—sports, leagues, collecting, culture, brands, athletes and fans—and give them permission to collide. This platform didn’t exist three years ago. We’ve had to invent it. And every year, we have to reinvent it. Our Fanatics Events team spent every day for more than a year plotting and dreaming about this weekend and how we could absolutely delight our fans. But they didn’t do it alone. Our league partners trusted us to try new things. The collecting and hobby community brought an energy and authenticity that has become core to Fest. And our brand partners didn’t just show up with logos—they took risks and built experiences that made the weekend better for fans. That willingness to try something bold and new is what makes Fanatics Fest special. I could not be prouder of our team or more grateful to everyone who believed in this idea and helped build something that simply didn’t exist before. And we’re only three years in. There is still so much we can do better, try and invent. Fandom is personal. Community is personal. Yet we can experience and share it all together. That’s the Fanatics Fest we dreamed of building. Let’s run it back—only better—in 338 days. #FanaticsFest #FanaticsEvents
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Lance Fensterman shared thisFrom day one, our focus has been on the fans. That mindset has guided every decision we've made as we've built and evolved Fanatics Fest, and now that the show is almost here, I couldn't be more excited to see it all come to life. Our goal isn't just to create a bigger event. It's to create an environment where there's always something happening: a conversation worth stopping for, a new experience to discover, an athlete interaction, a collecting moment, or something unexpected around the corner. The best fan experiences keep people engaged long after they walk through the doors, and that's been a guiding principle as we've continued to evolve Fanatics Fest. Appreciate Sports Collectors Digest for the opportunity to talk about that vision. If you're interested in where we're headed next weekend, you can read the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gVFrZNE7Fanatics revolutionizing card show, sports fan experience with expanding Fanatics Fest NYCFanatics revolutionizing card show, sports fan experience with expanding Fanatics Fest NYC
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Lance Fensterman shared thisEvent people. Happy to share Fanatics Fest with those of you thst are SISO members, use the details below. Michael Armstrong and I will give you a tour and walk backwards the entire time.Lance Fensterman shared thisOn Thursday July 16th, we have the opportunity for an exclusive Fanatics Fest Preview offered to SISO members by our friends and fellow members at Fanatics Events. Thank you Lance Fensterman and colleagues. If you are in the tri-state region, you will receive/have received an invitation. If you would like to attend and are from outside the region, please send a request to anna@siso.org. This invite also includes the Welcome Ceremony. For those interested, there will also be a dinner that evening. Please let us know. This invitation is both time sensitive and limited, so please respond by July 8th. This event is amazing, we covered it at last year's Leadership Conference with Michael Armstrong. Come for Fanatics Fest, stay for dinner and then get tickets to the World Cup Finals or even a watch party. It's an experience!!
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Lance Fensterman shared thisIn a little over 2 weeks we unveil a years worth of scheming at the 3rd edition of Fanatics Fest. There's been an impressive amount of growth and innovation so the team put together an admirably ambitious fan guide including an awesome first timers guide. Handy if you are going and great work to steal if you are in the world of experiential. Kudos to Danielle Vastola, Dani Chaum, Amanda Germain and the entire team. https://lnkd.in/ggAQwVau
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Lance Fensterman shared thisGot to talk media at Fanatics Fest with our friends at Sports Business Journal. I can't overstate how important B2B media is to industries of all kinds and sports is no exception. I jump in around the 24 minute mark but it is all worth listening to. https://lnkd.in/e6d7w9UA
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Lance Fensterman shared thisLove seeing the intersection of sports culture and pop culture come together at Fanatics Fest. You are going to want to see what Activision has planned for this........Lance Fensterman shared thisfor the first time, Fanatics fest nyc will welcome a gaming partner, and we’re proud that Activision will help lead the way. next month, attendees will get their first public opportunity to go hands-on with call of duty: modern warfare 4 multiplayer, along with a few surprises we’re not quite ready to talk about yet. sports, entertainment, and gaming continue to move closer together, and we’re excited to be part of that evolution. see you in nyc. 🗽 Kecia Christiansen, Dylan Finnerty, Bryan Reid, Rick Jennings, Joylynn Johnson, Laura Thomas, Ryan Gordon, Ryan Will, Cody DeBacker
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Lance Fensterman liked thisLance Fensterman liked thisThe newest edition of Trade Show Executive Magazine is here, and this month were featuring the wonderful Nancy Hallberg from Connections Housing. Nancy is such a great person to learn from because of the experience and the passion she has for making this industry better. From co-founding Connections Housing (40 years ago this year, congratulations!) to buying Indoor Ag-Con to now investing in entrepreneurs through the Events Venture Group, she's as informative as she is interesting. Don't miss the interview; check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gdeMD_uX We also have a packed book of features for October, like: 🚧Pardon Our Dust: Find out about the 15 ongoing construction projects and the 21 facilities considering projects in this month's report. ⭐Expo! Expo! Preview: Were giving a rundown of what's on the agenda for the show for shows from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). 📈A Case Study on Growth: Data Center World led the way at the Fastest 50 for 2025 shows, and it continued its momentum into 2026. Find out how the Informa team is leveraging reputation and sector energy to create sustainable growth. 🏆Gold 100 Exclusive Report: TSE's Gold 100 event may have passed but we're giving an inside look at the top 10 shows on the rankings with a special peek at our Gold 100 Directory of 2025 Shows. 🏎️Destination Spotlight: We've heard the buzz, and TSE checked in with the development happening in Detroit to give trade show organizers the scoop on why Motor City is earning people's attention. 🌎A Focus on the Americas: Columnist Jeff Heilman explored the exhibition market in Montreal to find out what's making the city a meetings magnet. If you missed the issues drop today in your inbox, don't worry. Subscribe to get the digital edition delivered directly to you here: https://lnkd.in/ggC5BHZr
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Lance Fensterman reacted on thisLance Fensterman reacted on this20 years of comics, cosplay, creators, fandom and unforgettable moments deserve a big celebration. With fans coming together for another massive weekend at Javits Center, there are plenty of ways for you to get involved and make your mark on the anniversary edition. Want to be part of the celebration? Sponsorship opportunities are still available 🔗 https://lnkd.in/em3Nvq2V #NewYorkComicCon #NYCC #ReedPop
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Lance Fensterman liked thisIt's been wonderful to have the support of the NYC Mayor's Office and Economic Development Corporation for the inaugural New York Games Week!Lance Fensterman liked thisTHANK YOU to NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and New York City Economic Development Corporation for supporting New York Games Week and championing New Yorks growing games industry. Your continued investment in developers, creators, studios, and the future of games is foundational to making NY a great place to live and make games.
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Lance Fensterman reacted on thisLance Fensterman reacted on thisA special way to close an incredible chapter 🇧🇷🏈 As I prepare to wrap up my time at Fanatics / The Topps Company, it feels fitting that one of my final projects was also one of the most special: bringing Topps to the NFL Rio Game at the legendary Maracanã Stadium. For the first time, Topps activated at an NFL game in Brazil, but this was about much more than having a booth at a major sporting event. One of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, during my time building the Topps brand in the region has been helping grow the trading card hobby in a market where the culture is still developing. That means educating new fans on what trading cards are, making the hobby more accessible, creating opportunities for people to rip their first pack, discover their first card and understand why collecting can create such a strong connection with the sports and athletes they already love. Seeing the lines around our activation, families discovering the hobby together, and kids proudly showing the cards they had just pulled was a great reminder of why we do this. There probably couldn’t have been a better setting for one of my final Topps activations in Brazil than the Maracanã. Excited to see where the hobby goes next. ❤️ Keep ripping!
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Lance Fensterman liked thisLance Fensterman liked this🔥𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋!🔥 We are less than 𝑶𝑵𝑬 𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑲 𝑨𝑾𝑨𝒀 from 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 and this is getting huge! Seriously…who doesn't want to rub elbows, make new connections and talk about the future of marketing literally feet underneath the New Year's Eve Ball at the top of One Times Square?! 🌆 The epicenter of New York City. 🌎 The world's most famous intersection. ⚡ And the intersection of Sports Fandom, Creator Culture & Experiential. On October 7, TruNorth X is bringing together an incredible lineup of brand leaders, athletes, creators, sports executives and marketers for 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. Come for the content. Come for the connections. Come for the networking. Come to hear what's next in sports, fandom, creators, culture and experiential. And lets be serious…Come for the VIEW! 👀 October 7. See you at the TOP. 🚀 Huge shoutout to the partners that made this event possible including One Times Square, Elevate, New Tradition, MediaRadar, Inc., Project Worldwide Highmark TechSystems, CityPickle, Expand International, One Way Event Productions, Taylor Creative Inc., House of Sports, Mule Media, HALO Branded Solutions, Bad Brain Media Ltd, Collective X, Illusia Agency, LaunchPad Pernod Ricard 👉 SIGN UP HERE: https://luma.com/q54i7qn6 #TheCreatorPlaybook #TruNorth #SportsFandom #CreatorCulture #ExperientialMarketing #SportsMarketing #AdvertisingWeek #TimesSquare
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Lance Fensterman reacted on thisThis made my day. Nancy - I’ve had the privilege of working with you for many years, and I’ve learned so much from you along the way. Your work ethic, your commitment to winning, and the way you show up every day for your customers and your team are unmatched. Congratulations to you and the entire Connections Housing team on this well-deserved honor!Lance Fensterman reacted on thisThis month’s issue of Trade Show Executive (TSE) features Nancy Hallberg, Co-Founder of Connections Housing. As the organization rings in 40 years in 2026, Hallbeg has her sights set on the future. She shared her perspective on the company’s evolution and decades of customer service, the tech it’s investing in and why collaboration between organizers, destinations and hotels is necessary. Also, we look at how Data Center World AFCOM supercharged growth this year. The show clocked double-digit increases in traditional performance metrics and outpaced the average growth rate of shows in Q2. Informa Connect leveraged strategic decisions to make Data Center World’s expansion not only possible, but sustainable. Next, we preview a much-anticipated industry event. Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition is set for Nov. 16-18 in Milwaukee and will bring together sharp thinkers and breakthrough innovators for connection-building and education. We spoke with IAEE Vice President of Exhibitions and Events Hannah Deters, CEM, CMP, SEPC, to learn what’s new and how attendees can seize its opportunities. Additionally, we survey the leaders of TSE’s 2026 Gold 100 ranking, which spotlights the top trade shows from last year. The Gold 100 Class of 2025 recorded an impressive 41,454,270 net square feet of exhibit space and 106,896 exhibiting companies, and total attendance hit more than 2.8 million. Finally, TSE’s Pardon Our Dust report shares what’s new in venues across North America. With 15 facilities undergoing construction and 21 considering projects, venue management is optimistic that event demand will continue to grow alongside extended exhibit and meeting spaces. Read all of these articles and so much more in this month’s edition of TSE: https://bit.ly/3TatYpT A huge TSE thank you to Nancy Hallberg and everyone else who contributed to this month’s issue. To subscribe to TSE Magazine in print, click here: https://lnkd.in/gdQbTC5Z #ConnectionsHousing #DataCenterWorld #IAEE #ExpoExpo #TSEGold100 #TSEResearch
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Lance Fensterman liked thisLance Fensterman liked thisFanatics Betting & Gaming's CTO on Building a Sportsbook With AI Ian Botts in conversation with Nick Meacham (SportsPro CEO) at SportsPro AI and Tech 2026 Ian Botts runs technology for Fanatics Betting & Gaming, about 920 engineers by his count, gave the funniest, which at an AI conference at 9:30 is a public service. My take: he did the rollout in the right order, and almost nobody does. AI went inside the tools people already used, then a platform made the model a swappable part, and only after that did agents go in front of customers. The usual conference version starts with the customer-facing demo and ends with a slide. A few lines worth keeping: "What problem am I trying to solve?" His answer when the industry told everyone to adopt AI. "I'm nothing but Claude from here to eternity," followed a breath later by "who knows what's going to happen tomorrow." Which is why he built the platform model-agnostic. "Engineers are problem solvers. Writing code is a very small part of building software that is either at scale, works correctly, or God forbid, is actually secure." And on his own coding: he has not shipped production code in a decade, and was asked to stop when it got bad. The full piece on A guy with a scarf covers: 🤖 The sportsbook as a spreadsheet, and why Fanatics bets on FanCash instead of bonuses 🤖 The adoption numbers (4.7 days a week for engineers) and what they do and do not tell you ���� Meemaw and Daisy, the two agents in production, one beside support staff and one building bet slips in chat 🤖 Fuel, the reuse library behind a prediction market built in 100 days 🤖 My reservation about measuring habit instead of outcomes Paid subscribers also get the appendices: Fanatics' three businesses with 2024 revenue by segment, the financials I could source and the ones I could not, a timeline from GSI Commerce to Ontario, and Ian's bio. Those took longer to check than the article took to write. ----- A guy with a scarf is collaborating with Dolby OptiView - Enabling live sports experiences that engage and captivate fans. ----- Representing Mercury Intermedia and Quicksilver StreamFanatics Betting & Gaming’s CTO on Building a Sportsbook With AIFanatics Betting & Gaming’s CTO on Building a Sportsbook With AI
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Lance Fensterman liked thisLance Fensterman liked thisNext week I'm going back home. New York Comic Con. I was there 20 years ago at the first one, worked my into ReedPop and help produce it for 5 years. Now I am coming back with Collectors and team PSA! Come say hi! Booth #1223 https://lnkd.in/eV6R_KMM
Experience & Education
Volunteer Experience
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Board Memeber
JACK NYC
- Present 11 years 10 months
Arts and Culture
I'm proud to serve on the board of directors of JACK and help the organization shape it's long term vision. JACK is an OBIE-winning 50-seat performance venue founded in 2012 in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn by theater-maker Alec Duffy and several co-founders. It's mission is to create radical access to the arts by presenting performance work that reflects the diversity of the city and by involving local residents in the creative process. JACK presents about 250 theater, music and dance performances a…
I'm proud to serve on the board of directors of JACK and help the organization shape it's long term vision. JACK is an OBIE-winning 50-seat performance venue founded in 2012 in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn by theater-maker Alec Duffy and several co-founders. It's mission is to create radical access to the arts by presenting performance work that reflects the diversity of the city and by involving local residents in the creative process. JACK presents about 250 theater, music and dance performances a year and hold community forums on racial justice, gentrification, and police/community relations.
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Volunteer
Endeavor Theraputic Horsemanship
Children
Endeavor is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, American Hippotherapy Association member Facility, Endeavor offers recreation or competition based therapeutic riding lessons for individuals of all levels, hippotherapy, and ground programming to individuals with special needs, at-risk youth, residential facilities, veterans and active service members. We believe that our horses educate, empathize with and empower our participants, their family, and our larger community.
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