GPWA AFFILIATE INTERVIEW SERIES attending events. I make it a point to meet new people, connect with old friends, and help others connect with people at these events. It’s truly very rewarding for me! We all work very hard, day in and day out, so events are a way for us to get away from the daily grind and have some fun with colleagues in the industry. I love a good drink and a party so look out for me on the dance floor (Laughs). My best advice would be to PLANAHEAD. If there is someone you’d like to meet or connect with at an event, set that up ahead of time. Don’t just attend and hope it happens. Be purposeful with who you want to meet. Lastly, HAVE FUN! Events are meant to be fun so don’t forget about that part. How has COVID-19 affected you personally and professionally? Have you made any changes to your business strategy in response to the pandemic? COVID-19 only affectedmy business slightly. That period when there were no sports was quite an eye opener. Without sports, there is little need for sports content. Without sports content, I don’t have a company. But luckily that was short lived and sports continued on. Long term, the pandemic helped my business because we saw more companies turn to iGaming and online ways of making money. It opened up more demand for content. Personally, it made me appreciate traveling and doing things. I’m now on a mission to check off my bucket list items, visit the places we want to visit, do the things we want to do, because nothing is guaranteed in the future. What are your hobbies? What do you do when you are not working? I’m a pretty simple guy. I love to work, hang at the local pool or beach. Any chance I get to hear live music, I’m in. My wife and I do regular weekly date nights, mostly consisting of eating out at a new restaurant and enjoying live music. I also collect sports cards withmy youngest son, that’s been fun! Lastly, I’ve taken a huge interest in crypto investing and learning. I’ve bought into a number of coins and NFT projects lately, which has become one of my biggest hobbies. If someone were visiting you in Florida for 24 hours and had never been to the area where you live, where would you bring them and why? There are three places we’d visit here in Orlando: Icon Park at iDrive -- A big Ferris wheel looking out over Orlando, with tons of restaurants and music. Right off of the iconic International Drive. Disney Springs -- This is amust visit as it combines a bit of Disney without the cost. Stores, entertainment, food and overall great vibes. Boxi Park in Lake Nona -- A newer area of Orlando and not quite as well known as the first two. But this is an entertainment area with “box cars” making up the entire thing. Food stands, stage with live music, great craft beers and more. Kid friendly as well with a park and sand volleyball courts. Very cool place if you are near Lake Nona. If you could invite any five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be? Michael Jordan -- I’ve met MJ, but having the GOAT at my dinner is a must. Garth Brooks -- We need some good music at this dinner, who else than Garth? Gary Vaynerchuk -- GaryVee can bring that business angle to the table, and I think he’d be a lot of fun to hang with. Tom Brady -- He’s the perfect mix of athlete, business and cool! Would love to pick his brain. My wife -- Some of you may think I’m crazy for taking up a spot for my wife, but what fun is meeting these four above without being able to talk about with someone afterwards? Name three things that people reading this magazine don’t know about you. I’ve been blessed to have some truly amazing experiences in life: 1. Played basketball with THE Michael Jordan and flag football with Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders. 2. I have partied at the Playboy Mansion. 3. I love countrymusic and a good craft beer. rknuppel G P W A t i m e s . o r g 52
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