After a brief change of scenery, the Athletic Business Conference and Expo is leaving Las Vegas and returning to its long-time home in Orlando, offering plenty of opportunities with more than 300 manufacturers, suppliers, architects and consultants in the sports fitness industry. This year's conference and expo will be held Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Orange County Convention Center, which is close to three theme parks: Universal Studios, Sea World and Wet 'n Wild.

The keynote speakers for the conference are Rick Reilly, senior writer at Sports Illustrated, and Tom Morris, philosopher and author. Reilly will speak at noon on Friday, Nov. 30, and Morris will speak at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29.

Reilly, who has been voted the National Sportswriter of the Year 11 times, most recently in 2006, writes the “Life of Reilly” column on the last page of Sports Illustrated. His latest book, “Hate Mail from Cheerleaders and Other Adventures from the Life of Reilly,” includes 100 of his columns from the past six years. Reilly will share his favorite sports stories as well as his thoughts on sportsmanship, youth sports and the human side of sports during his “Sports: The Big Picture” address.

Morris, the author of “If Harry Potter Ran General Electric,” is a former professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. One of America's most active business speakers, Morris uses the words and beliefs of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, and interprets their relevance on leadership, success and personal fulfillment. His address is titled “True Success: The Art of Achievement.”

Dick Hoyt is the special guest speaker for the Facility of Merit awards reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. For nearly 30 years, Hoyt has competed in several marathons and triathlons with his son, Rick, who has cerebral palsy and is a spastic quadriplegic. Rick rides in a wheelchair or a special seat while Dick pushes him in running and bike races, and Rick sits in a small boat while Dick pulls him in swim races. A feature on “Team Hoyt” on HBO's “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” won a Sports Emmy award.

The Athletic Business Conference and Expo's welcome reception is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, at Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios CityWalk. The band 2 A.M. will provide live music.

In conjunction with the conference and expo, the International Council on Active Aging, the Medical Fitness Association and the National Alliance for Youth Sports conferences are also taking place in the Orange County Convention Center.

The trade show grand opening for the Athletic Business Conference and Expo is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29. The trade show also takes place from 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. There will also be a free-throw shooting contest in booth 261 during the trade show. Donations, at$1 each, will help the Daytona Beach (FL) Police Athletic League.

Early-morning workouts are available from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Pre-conference workshops begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28 — the same time as the shotgun start of the Sixth Annual Athletic Business Golf Classic at Mystic Dunes golf course.

Two pre-conference tours also take place on Wednesday. The tour of the Peggy & Philip B. Crosby Wellness Center and the Winter Park YMCA Family Center is from 8:45 a.m. to noon, and the tour of the University of Central Florida Recreation and Sports Facilities takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Crosby Wellness Center and the Winter Park YMCA Family Center are less than a mile apart. Both offer exercise, swimming, indoor cycling, fitness equipment and health and wellness seminars. The Crosby center also provides a child development area.

The last time the Athletic Business Conference and Expo toured the University of Central Florida facilities in 2002, the university had 34,000 students. Today, the enrollment is almost 47,000, and as a result of that growth, Central Florida facilities have expanded. The university has a new 45,000-seat football stadium and a 10,000-seat convocation center for basketball games. Also featured in the Central Florida tour is the university's leisure pool, its recreation and wellness center and park, and its softball complex.

For more information about the Athletic Business Conference and Expo or for registration and exhibitor information, visit www.athleticbusinessconference.com.

2007 Athletic Business Conference and Expo Schedule of Events

Nov. 29-Dec. 1 • Orlando, FL • Orange County Convention Center

For more information and a list of exhibitors, visit www.athleticbusinessconference.com.

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