The signature event of the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program, the Project Play Summit is the nation’s premier gathering of leaders building healthy children through sports. The 500+ attendees come from across the country and internationally to discover new insights, ideas and opportunities to get and keep kids in the game.

What to Expect from the Project Play Summit

thought leaders

Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

Diana Flores, captain and quarterback of Mexico’s World Champion National Flag Football

Christine Brennan, Sports Columnist, USA Today; Commentator, CNN and ABC News

Greg Olsen, broadcaster and former NFL Pro Bowler

Cal Ripken Jr., MLB Hall of Famer; Co-Founder and Partner, Ripken Baseball; Co-Founder, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

Tatyana McFadden, Paralympic Gold Medalist

unrivaled cross-sector NETWORKING

Our attendees represent all eight sectors that Project Play recognizes as touching the lives of children. With breakout sessions like “How to Partner with Philanthropy” and “How to Partner with Schools,” and intentional time built into the schedule for organic conversation and networking, the Project Play Summit is an unrivaled incubator for cross-sector collaboration.

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS

“In cities all across the country, kids are punished not because they’re not worthy, not because they don’t deserve it, but because (sports) simply doesn’t exist. … I literally stopped playing baseball because I got tired being on somebody else’s tab. ”
— Torrey Smith, two-time Super Bowl Champion; Founder, LEVEL82
“Adaptive sports have changed the entire course of my life. I’m going to go to college because I have the life skills that wheelchair basketball has taught me.”
— Josephine Portell, high school athlete and founder of wheelchair basketball camp for disabled elementary school girls
“ It’s really important to create a safe environment where mental health is real. I grew up in the Southeast part of D.C., where nobody talked about mental health. (On our team) we embrace it and make it easy to talk about.”
— Mike Locksley, Head Football Coach, University of Maryland; Founder, National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches

Turning Talk into Action

25+ organizations made or announced new commitments at the 2024 Project Play Summit, including:

Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott creates youth sports council

Aspen Institute announces 63% youth sports participation goal by 2030

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank issues challenge to support high school athletes

Maryland becomes the first state to endorse Children's Bill of Rights in Sports

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Baltimore mayor creates youth sports council

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World Cup hosts commit to youth legacy

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Under Armour CEO issues challenge to support high school athletes

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Project Play previews first statewide initiative in Colorado

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Aspen Institute announces 63% youth sports participation goal by 2030

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Maryland becomes the first state to endorse Children's Bill of Rights in Sports ◆ Baltimore mayor creates youth sports council ◆ World Cup hosts commit to youth legacy ◆ Under Armour CEO issues challenge to support high school athletes ◆ Project Play previews first statewide initiative in Colorado ◆ Aspen Institute announces 63% youth sports participation goal by 2030 ◆

Local Solutions

Interested in being a part of the Summit?

Sponsorships are still available for the 2025 Project Play Summit in California. Contact Katherine Quinn at katherine.quinn@aspeninstitute.org for more information.

Watch Past Summit Highlights