Ashley Arthingal
Company Name:
International Skating Union
Role Within the Company:
Event Services Manager
Years Working in the Industry:
5
How did you first break into the industry?
Background as a lawyer, worked in IP, Media and Broadcasting, Celebrity Management in legal roles, pursued a Sports Management post graduate course from AISTS Switzerland, got an internship at the ISU, as an intern got to work for several projects and eventually handled major events like the World Ice Skating Day.
What skills and qualifications are most valued in the sports business industry, and how someone acquire them?
A versatile individual is always most valued in my opinion. Someone who has transferable skills and adaptability adds value and brings more to the table. For example, if someone is an expert at communications, if they also have the know-how of something that’s taking over now like AI and how to tap into AI to further enhance communications will be a good skillset to have and will definitely be valued. An individual who works in commercial/marketing /sponsorship having basic legal or contractual knowledge contributes to productivity in completion of tasks and is often valued. As mentioned about the AI example above, with AI potentially looking like taking over every industry in different scopes, a person who is versatile and multi-skilled can be a differentiator to work with AI rather than being potentially replaced by it.
What are the best ways to gain relevant experience in the sports business industry?
As mentioned above, volunteering at events could be a good starting point to gain some relevant experience. Internships at sports organizations will offer real time experience and exposure to inner workings of how sports management works. Up skilling yourself in areas where you think your existing education can be further updated through a diploma or a course can enhance your CV to open doors in that relevant industry. Having conversations with people in the industry via networking events, seminars can be helpful. Conversations through LinkedIn invites for coffee/ chats to understand their roles and seeking professional advice can also be helpful to understand more about their workings and be in their radar.
Good resources you would recommend?
Sports Pro, Sports Business.com, Marketing Dive, and SportsTech X. A bit of science and innovation resources as well to also keep tabs on science and technology and how it affects or changes the world of sports, websites like Live Science, Big Think, Smarter Every Day (YouTube channel), etc.