PAUL SMITHS — Paul Smith’s College and its DECA chapter will host “Adventures in Top Tier Sport,” a panel featuring five sports and event management professionals, on Thursday, Feb. 27.

The discussion, which will include topics ranging from career opportunities and marketing to logistics and legacy after use of facilities, will feature the following speakers:

¯ Molly Mayer, director, Empire State Winter Games

¯ Ashley Walden, project director of the Adirondack North Country Sports Council, World University Games

¯ Gordy Sheer, marketing director, US Luge Association

¯ Greg Borzilleri, race director, Ironman and Rock & Roll Marathon

¯ Jenna Lute, events logistics manager, New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority

Jamie Wilson, assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Paul Smith’s, will moderate.

Athletic event organizers took in $2 billion last year, marking a 4.5% average growth over five years and employing some 13,000 people. From World Cup competition at state Olympic Regional Development Authority venues to the longest-running Ironman in North America, sporting events and the region have long been intertwined.

Lake Placid and surrounding communities are also gearing up for the 2023 Universiade, or World University Games, which some 2,500 athletes are expected to attend. At Paul Smith’s, which offers a bachelor’s degree in management with a sports-and-event track, students and faculty have already begun work on projects associated with the games.

The panel is open to the public and will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Joan Weill Student Center, Pine Room. Refreshments will be served, and seating is limited to 90 participants.