Tony Hawk to SBC Summit: From skater to businessman

Tony Hawk, the man who turned skateboarding into a life-changing brand, is coming to Lisbon to share his story at the SBC Summit. He will take to the stage on the Super Stage at the MEO Arena to tell the thousands of attendees how he made his name on the global stage.

His keynote is called “Tony Hawk – What Keeps The Wheels Turning on a Global Brand.” He will talk about his journey from teenage skater to business success. Hawk will also discuss how he worked with Activision on his famous games and how he has continually reinvented his brand to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

“I’m really looking forward to speaking at the SBC Summit. It may seem like skateboarding and gambling are completely unrelated, but there are a surprising number of lessons that can be applied to both. It’s about building strong partnerships and making sure your brand continues to stand out.”

Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk’s Journey: From Skatepark to World Fame

It all started when Tony was nine years old and his brother gave him his first skateboard. From that moment on, he was hooked. He quickly started competing and turned professional at 14. He joined Powell Peralta’s famous Bones Brigade team and became a star in the skateboarding world.

In the 23 years that followed, he won an impressive 73 titles, including the title of National Skateboard Association Vert Champion for 12 years in a row. But his most legendary moment came in 1999 when he landed the first ever 900 twist at the X Games. That was the moment that cemented himself in the history of skateboarding.

From Skating to Business

After his retirement in 2003, Tony was anything but idle. He started building a business empire. In 1992, he founded Birdhouse Skateboards with Per Welinder, one of the largest skateboard brands in the world. He also launched Hawk Clothing, a children’s clothing line, and started his own media company, 900 Films.

But his biggest business success came in 1999 when he teamed up with Activision to release the video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The game became a huge success, with the franchise selling over $1 billion worldwide. Tony also remained active in the skating community by founding The Skatepark Project in 2002, a non-profit organization that builds skateparks in underserved neighborhoods.

SBC CEO Rasmus Sojmark on Tony Hawk

SBC founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark is excited for Tony’s keynote. 

“Tony Hawk is one of those icons who has not only changed a sport, but has also established himself as a global brand. He has accomplished so much, both in and outside of skateboarding, that we can all learn something from him. His keynote will be a real highlight.”

Rasmus Sojmark, SBC founder and CEO