Past Sports Officiating Summits

Following are themes of previous Sports Officiating Summits presented by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).

2023: Good Sports – Bad Sports – Better Sports Through Officiating

It was all about sportsmanship in 2023 when the Sports Officiating Summit traveled to Riverside, Calif. The historic National Officiating Survey Powered by Referee.com identified sportsmanship as a key in officiating shortages.

2022: Make Officiating Count — Impact. Value. Respect. Reach.

The 2022 Sports Officiating Summit was back in the Rocky Mountains near Denver for the first time since 2007. It was the 40th Summit, and it was opened with a montage of the best Welcome addresses from previous years.

2021: Summit @ Home

The 2021 Sports Officiating Summit took the officiating industry to new heights. With state-of-the-art technical capabilities and a record number of officiating experts, NASO was able to train, celebrate and inspire officials and officiating leaders like never before. This introductory video featured a montage of the best opening ceremony welcomes from past Sports Officiating Summits.

2020: Summit @ Home

The 2020 Summit went virtual, providing a new way to teach and inspire sports officials across the country and around the world. Greg Sankey, Southeastern Conference Commissioner, has a great appreciation for sports officials and their importance to the integrity of the games. His welcome message motivated and challenged officials from all sports and all levels.

2019: Training In Transition

The 2019 Summit in Spokane, Wash., explored training challenges for today’s officials who work in an increasingly difficult environment. The welcome message was delivered by someone who also knows how to work in tough places — Spokane native and former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

2018: Say Yes To Officiating

We said yes to officiating and concentrated on all aspects of recruiting, retaining, supporting and celebrating officials and officiating. With the officiating shortages around the nation many are facing, this year’s theme was timely and necessary. Mike Breen, a play-by-play sports commentator for the NBA on ABC, and the lead announcer for the New York Knicks games, was featured in a welcome video for the event.

2017: Driven by Data — Analytics Demographics Sports Officials

The 2017 Summit explored who we are and what we do from a statistical perspective, providing vital information to use directionally to help officials and administrators make informed decisions on the topics important to our industry. U.S. Army General Ann Dunwoody (Ret.), the first female four-star general in the history of the American Army, was featured in a welcome video for the event. 

2016: Officiating in the Future Sense — Change Mindsets, Build Intelligence

What does the future hold? Do we need to change our mindsets and build our intelligence to become better officials? The 2016 Summit covered the future of officiating from various angles. Paul Ryan was featured in a welcome video for the event. 

2015: The Right Call: Evaluations and Officiating Performance

Calls, no-calls and officiating movements are regularly recorded today. The data and metrics generated feed into an evaluation system designed to measure officiating performance. The 2015 Summit covered evaluating officials from various angles. Condoleezza Rice was featured in a welcome video for the event. 

2014: Whole New Ballgame — Safe, Secure, By the Rules

Like it or not, the role of the sports official is changing. Officials are being instructed to strongly enforce the rules that attempt to keep athletes safer. Officials need to “buy in” to that philosophy to be successful. The 2014 Summit covered safety from various angles. David Hill was feature in a welcome video for the event. 

2013: Game Assignments — Right People, Right Place, Right Time

Grand Rapids, Michigan! The 2013 Summit has become the “Industry Event of The Year.” It marks the sole time in a year when the best and brightest in officiating come together to learn, share and develop the skills we need to make officiating better.

2012: Taking Care of Business — Reliability & Results in Officiating

The kick-off for the 30th Sports Officiating Summit begins in the main ballroom of the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront Hotel. Retired four-star General and 65th United States Secretary of State Colin Powell will provide a pre-recorded welcome. Industry-leading keynote speakers will set the tone for Taking Care of Business: Reliability & Results in Officiating.

2011: Image in Officiating — The Perception • The Reality • The Focus

Designed specifically for officiating leaders, the 2011 Sports Officiating Summit will deliver fresh perspective and proven techniques to help you and your officials be more effective. This year’s theme is Image in Officiating: The Perception. The Reality. The Focus. The program specifically addresses each of those main topic areas and also includes hot-topic sessions covering the “burning” issues we face today. 

2010: Rights • Requirements • Risks  — The Shared Responsibility of Officiating

Learn about the shared responsibility of officiating. What are the responsibilities of not only officials and officiating leaders, but also the people who manage the conferences, leagues and individual games as they relate to officiating? 

2009: Judgment and Decision Making — How Officiating Leaders Make Great Calls

Good judgment and sound decision making skills are important characteristics of every successful and respected sports official. That statement is every bit as true for those who administer sports officiating programs – assigners, trainers, observers, evaluators, state association leaders and conference commissioners. As leaders, you face more decisions about your officials than ever before and your judgments get called into question more than ever before. How do you make the right decisions? 

2008: Officiating to a Standard — Define It • Develop It • Deliver It

Today, more than ever before, officials are held responsible for their actions – whether it is during a game or not. It is important that all officials enforce rules, manage games and build relationships through consistent and appropriate behavior. What is right? Are there standards to follow? What are the standards? Who sets the standards? 

2007: The Power of Persuasive Officiating: Resolve Conflicts • Manage Games • Build Relationships

An official’s ability to “handle” the game is one of the most important skills he or she can possess. Effective communication and people skills are as crucial to successful officiating today as are rules knowledge and mental toughness. 

2006: Officiating and Technology — What Works

The dynamics of the officiating industry are constantly evolving. Developing your programs with technology allows change to happen faster and more effectively, with stability for growth. Officiating and Technology delivers the resources and experts to help define needs, map processes and develop solutions. 

2005: Leadership Officiating — A Bold New Vision

2004: The Official’s Role in Improving Sportsmanship

2003: Accountability in Officiating

2002: Evaluating Officiating Performance

2001: Recruiting and Retention

2000: Training and Technology