Join the huddle as the leadership team of the Lakeland Magic, including team President Shelly Wilkes, discuss the successes and challenges of introducing Polk County’s own NBA development league professional basketball team to the area. They’ll share the game plan of developing fans in a new market, building community partnerships, and scoring broad support for a familiar but unique brand.

Online registration ends Monday, April 16.

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Special thanks to our April meeting sponsor,
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About the Presenters:

Shelly Wilkes, President – Lakeland Magic

Shelly Wilkes is the team president of the Orlando Magic G League affiliate team in Lakeland, FL. She is responsible for launching and overseeing the day-to-day business operations of the team.

Wilkes spent 13 seasons with the Orlando Magic and started as a game-night staff member in the marketing department during the 2003-04 season and was hired full-time in August 2004 as group sales coordinator.  She was promoted to group sales account executive in July 2005, then named game presentation manager in July 2006. Wilkes was then promoted to assistant director of event presentation in July 2007, later promoted to the director of event presentation in July 2010 and later named the senior director of live entertainment and production services in July 2015.

Wilkes received her bachelor’s degree in general business from the University of Central Florida in 2002.  She later graduated from the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at UCF in 2004, and earned master’s degrees in both business administration and sport business management.

Wilkes lives in Orlando, Fla. with her husband, Dallas, and their daughter, Quinn.

Michael Rodriguez, Vice President of Sales – Lakeland Magic

Michael Rodriguez is the Vice President of Sales of the Orlando Magic G League affiliate team in Lakeland, FL.  He is responsible for all revenue and marketing partnerships for the team including ticket sales, premium suite sales, and corporate partnerships

Rodriguez spent five seasons with the Orlando Magic and started as a game-night staff member in the premium services department during the 2008-09 season and was hired full-time in December 2012 as a Sr. Partnership Development Manager.  He was later promoted to Senior Manager of Premium and Partnership Sales in 2014. Prior to joining the Orlando Magic organization, Rodriguez lead partnership development for The Walt Disney Company and the Alliance Development group within Walt Disney Parks and Resorts including Walt Disney World and Disneyland from 2008 – 2012.

Rodriguez received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Stockton University in 2006.  He later graduated from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University in 2009, and earned a master’s degrees in sports and recreation administration.

Rodriguez lives in Orlando, Fla. with his wife, Marci, and their two children, Mia (3) and Mason (1).

Jimmy Missouri, Ticket Sales Manager

Lakeland native Jimmy Missouri is coming back to where it all started in his new role as ticket sales manager of the Lakeland Magic. He previously spent five seasons with the Orlando Magic serving as a ticket sales representative and most recently as a group sales account executive.

Missouri primary responsibilities will include oversight of the team’s ticket sales including full season ticket memberships, group experiences, premium products, and employee training and development.

While with the Orlando Magic, he was recognized for his exceptional sales efforts receiving Outstanding Sales Achievement awards for three consecutive years – 2013, 2014 and 2015. He was also named the Community Volunteer of the Year for the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP) in 2014. The highest honor given to a Magic staff member for their efforts in the Central Florida community.

Missouri volunteers his time coaching youth basketball, previously coaching teams at Kathleen H.S. (2011-2012) and the Lakeland Fire (2010-2015) and continues with his passion, mentoring youth. He is a graduate of Kathleen High School in Lakeland and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of South Florida in 2008 and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida in sports leadership and coaching in 2013. Missouri resides in Lakeland, Fla.