CheerCon is a national cheerleading industry convention created by Cheer Media LLC — a multi-day gathering for education, business, vendor experiences, media, networking, and celebration.

Is CheerCon a competition?

No. CheerCon is an industry convention. Competitions and championships happen elsewhere — CheerCon is where the people who build, coach, cover, judge, sell, and shape cheerleading come together.

Gym owners, coaches, event producers, brands, athletes, parents, judges, creators, media, and industry professionals across cheer, STUNT, and dance.

Is this connected to The Cheer Awards?

Yes. The Cheer Awards Gala is the headline evening of CheerCon — but it is not the only reason to attend.

Will there be vendor opportunities?

Yes. The CheerCon vendor hall and brand experiences are core to the event. Join the vendor interest list for priority placement information.

Can my company sponsor?

Yes. Title, track, VIP, media, after-party, vendor hall, and category sponsorships will be available. Request the sponsor packet to learn more.

Can I apply to speak?

Yes. We're building the education programming now. Apply to speak or teach and we'll follow up as tracks come together.

Will there be athlete and parent programming?

Yes. Athlete masterclasses, recruiting, NIL, wellness, and parent-focused sessions on scholarships and safety are on the schedule.

When will location and registration be announced?

Dates and location are being finalized. Waitlist members will get the announcement first, along with early registration and hotel block access.

How do I get early access?

Join the waitlist. Waitlist members get first access to location, registration, sponsor and vendor opportunities, speaker applications, and VIP updates.

What does the Early Bird pass include?

The $699 Early Bird Pass includes full 7-day CheerCon 2027 access (August 1–7), all education tracks, masterclasses, vendor hall, VIP lounge access, and priority hotel block. The first 50 Early Bird buyers also get a FREE VIP pass to The Cheer Awards 2027 gala — only 11 of those 50 have been claimed so far.

How many VIP passes are there for The Cheer Awards 2027?

Only 500 VIP passes exist for The Cheer Awards 2027 — a hard cap. The first 50 CheerCon Early Bird buyers receive their VIP pass free with their Early Bird registration. The remaining 450 will be released for purchase separately.

Will single-day or vendor-only passes be available?

We are finalizing pass tiers. Single-day, student, and vendor-only options may be offered later. Waitlist members will hear about them first.

What is the refund policy?

Early Bird passes are transferable but not refundable. If CheerCon 2027 is cancelled, you will receive a full refund or credit toward a future CheerCon event.

Can I transfer my pass to someone else?

Yes. Passes can be transferred to another attendee up to 14 days before the event. Contact support to update the name on the badge.

What does the VIP pass to The Cheer Awards 2027 include?

It includes premium seating at The Cheer Awards 2027 gala, VIP lounge access, priority red-carpet/photo area entry, and admission to the official after-party.

2027 Cheer Media Marquee//CheerCon×The Cheer Awards

CheerCon2027

Waitlist

Aug 1–7, 2027 · Waitlist Open

All of Cheer.
All in One Place.

If you touch this sport in any way — CheerCon is your week.

Coaches✦Gym Owners✦Athletes 18+✦Choreographers✦Judges✦Parents✦Brands✦Media✦Educators✦Event Producers✦Coaches✦Gym Owners✦Athletes 18+✦Choreographers✦Judges✦Parents✦Brands✦Media✦Educators✦Event Producers✦Coaches✦Gym Owners✦Athletes 18+✦Choreographers✦Judges✦Parents✦Brands✦Media✦Educators✦Event Producers✦

First 50 = FREE VIP

11 / 50 CLAIMED

First 50 Early Birds get free VIP entry to The Cheer Awards

VIP passes total

ONLY 500

Cheer Awards 2027 VIP — hard cap. Then it's gone.

Programming

7 Days · 60+ Sessions

Ends with The Cheer Awards Gala

Included

VIP to The Cheer Awards

cheerawards.org →

Opening Keynote

Olympic Gold · Athens 2004

CARLY PATTERSON

Special Guest

U.S. national team member

HAILEY SMITH

Choreographer

SYTYCD · AMAs · 26x Dance Globes

JORDAN JOHNSON

+ Morton Bergue · Robin Bolden · Nicole Graham · David Hanbery · Lauri Harris · Kaitlyn Lyday · more announcing weekly

What is CheerCon?

Where the cheer industry does business.

CheerCon is a national cheerleading industry convention created by Cheer Media LLC. It brings the entire industry together for education, business development, vendor experiences, live media, networking, masterclasses, and celebration.

CheerCon is where the cheer industry does business.
The Cheer Awards is where the cheer industry celebrates.

Built by the same team behind Cheer Daily and The Cheer Awards, CheerCon connects the industry across media, events, ticketing, education, and business.

Cheer Daily The Cheer Awards CheerTix STUNT Daily Dance Daily Cheer Media LLC

Who it's for

Every corner of the cheer industry.

Gym Owners & Directors

Business strategy, staffing, pricing, marketing, retention, tech, and growth.

Coaches & Instructors

Choreography, skill progressions, safety, athlete development, and career growth.

Event Producers

Operations, scoring tech, sponsorships, judging, and season strategy.

Brands & Vendors

Meet the buyers. Booth experiences, sampling, media, and partnerships.

Athletes

Masterclasses, recruiting, name/image/likeness, and career pathways.

Parents

Recruiting, scholarships, safety, and the business of cheer, explained.

Judges & Officials

Calibration, standards, ethics, and the future of scoring.

College, STUNT & Dance

NCAA sport growth, program building, and dance industry crossover.

Media & Creators

Content studios, live interviews, monetization, and brand partnerships.

Industry Professionals

Apparel, equipment, ticketing, insurance, tech, and services.

Event tracks

Programming built for every role.

Gym Owner & Directors Track

Ownership, P&L, staffing, retention, tuition, marketing, and technology.

Coaches & Instructors Track

Skill progressions, safety, practice design, athlete development, and career growth.

Choreography Track

Creative process, music editing, routine construction, transitions, and staging for cheer and dance.

Event Producer Track

Operations, judging, scoring tech, sponsorship, athlete experience, and event growth.

Judges & Scoring Track

Calibration, standards, ethics, scoring systems, and the rules that shape the sport.

Scoring & Technology Track

Scoring platforms, data integrity, live results, and the tech infrastructure behind competition.

Athlete Track

Masterclasses, NIL, recruiting, wellness, and career pathways.

Parent Track

Recruiting, scholarships, budgeting, safety, and the cheer business landscape.

College Cheer Track

Collegiate program building, recruiting, governance, and the path from high school to college.

STUNT Track

The NCAA sport of STUNT — skills, strategy, program development, and growth.

Dance Track

Dance industry programming, choreography, business, and crossover with cheer.

Media & Creator Track

Content, broadcasting, social growth, monetization, and storytelling for the cheer industry.

More than a conference.

The Cheer Awards Gala

Vendor Hall & Brand Experiences

Masterclasses

Business Sessions

VIP Lounge

After-Party

Media Lounge

Networking Events

The CheerCon Leadership Academy.

A signature pillar of CheerCon 2027 — an invitation-only leadership program for high school cheerleaders whose coaches see them as the next captains, culture-builders, and role models of the sport.

Athletes cannot register themselves. Every seat must be filled by a coach nomination.

Captain's Playbook

Leading a locker room, running practice, and holding standards without losing the team.

Voice & Presence

Public speaking, media training, and confident on-camera performance.

Culture & Conflict

Team culture, mental performance, DMs, drama, and hard conversations.

Beyond High School

College, STUNT, NIL, scholarships, and building a long-term identity in the sport.

The Academy Includes

3-day leadership intensive inside CheerCon week
Small-group cohorts led by industry mentors
Keynotes from Carly Patterson, Hailey Smith & Jordan Johnson
Media & on-camera lab in the Content Studio
Captain's certification + Academy letterman patch
Reserved VIP seating at The Cheer Awards Gala
Private nominee-only mixer and photo call

200

Seats

9–12

Grades

To Apply

How Nominations Work

1
Coach submits the nomination
Head coach, program director, or booster director completes the form below on behalf of their athlete. Self-nominations are not accepted.
2
Academy review
The CheerCon Academy team reviews each nomination against the leadership rubric — character, coachability, and community, not just skills.
3
Invitation issued to the athlete
Accepted nominees receive a formal invitation, an Academy welcome kit, and a discounted parent/guardian companion pass to CheerCon week.

Nominee Eligibility

Currently enrolled in grades 9–12

Active member of a school, all-star, or program cheer team

Nominated by a current head coach or program director

Signed parent/guardian consent required upon acceptance

Nominate an Athlete

Coaches only

Day-by-Day Agenda

7 days. One industry. Aug 1–7, 2027.

A high-level schedule of the full CheerCon 2027 week. Session titles, times, and speakers are being finalized — waitlist members get every update first.

1
Day 1 · Sun · Aug 1
Arrivals & Vendor Move-In
Registration opens · Vendor hall build-out · VIP welcome
10:00 AM
Vendor Hall Move-In & Booth Setup
Vendor
2:00 PM
Registration & Badge Pickup Opens
All
6:00 PM
Sponsor & VIP Welcome Reception
VIP
8:30 PM
First-Timer Meetup (Hotel Lobby Bar)
All
2
Day 2 · Mon · Aug 2
Opening Day
State of the industry · Opening keynote · Vendor hall grand opening
8:00 AM
Coffee & Registration
All
9:00 AM
Opening Keynote: State of Cheerleading 2027
Main Stage
10:30 AM
Vendor Hall Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
Vendor
12:00 PM
Industry Lunch (Presented by Title Sponsor)
All
2:00 PM
Panel: The Future of the Sport
Main Stage
4:00 PM
Sponsored Sessions & Brand Activations
Sponsored
7:00 PM
Opening Night Party
All
3
Day 3 · Tue · Aug 3
Industry Education Day
Gym owners, coaches, choreography, scoring, and event production
8:30 AM
Gym Owner Breakfast Roundtables
Gym Owner
10:00 AM
P&L, Pricing & Tuition Deep Dive
Gym Owner
10:00 AM
Skill Progressions & Safety Standards
Coach
10:00 AM
Choreography Masterclass: Building a Winning Routine
Choreography
1:00 PM
Marketing, Retention & Enrollment Growth
Gym Owner
1:00 PM
Practice Design & Athlete Buy-In
Coach
1:00 PM
Music Editing & Transitions Lab
Choreography
3:30 PM
Judges Calibration Workshop
Judge & Scoring
3:30 PM
Scoring Tech & Data Integrity Panel
Scoring Tech
3:30 PM
Event Producer Operations Roundtable
Event Producer
6:00 PM
Owners & Coaches Networking Dinner
VIP
4
Day 4 · Wed · Aug 4
Athlete, Parent & Media Day
Athlete masterclasses · NIL & recruiting · Media & creators
9:00 AM
Athlete Masterclass: Elite Tumbling & Stunting
Athlete
10:30 AM
NIL, Recruiting & College Pathways
Athlete
11:00 AM
Parent Track: Scholarships, Safety & Budgeting
Parent
1:30 PM
Creator Summit: Monetization & Brand Deals
Media
3:00 PM
Live Interview Sessions (Content Studio)
Media
5:00 PM
Athlete Meet & Greet
All
5
Day 5 · Thu · Aug 5
The Cheer Awards 2027 Gala
Red carpet · Awards show · Official after-party
10:00 AM
Vendor Hall Open · Sponsored Masterclasses
All
2:00 PM
Nominee Press Day & Photo Studio
Media
5:00 PM
Red Carpet Arrivals
VIP
7:00 PM
The Cheer Awards 2027 Ceremony
Main Stage
10:00 PM
Official After-Party
All
6
Day 6 · Fri · Aug 6
STUNT, College & Dance Day
NCAA STUNT · Collegiate cheer · Dance industry programming
9:00 AM
STUNT Coaches Summit
STUNT
10:00 AM
STUNT Skills & Strategy Breakouts
STUNT
10:30 AM
Building a Championship College Program
College Cheer
11:00 AM
Dance Industry Keynote
Dance
1:00 PM
Choreography Lab (Dance)
Dance
1:00 PM
College Recruiting & Compliance
College Cheer
3:00 PM
Panel: The NCAA Path for Cheer & STUNT
Main Stage
7:00 PM
College Night Social
All
7
Day 7 · Sat · Aug 7
Industry Summit & Closing
Deals · Sponsorships · What's next for cheer
9:30 AM
Executive Industry Summit (Invite-Only)
VIP
11:00 AM
Sponsorship Marketplace Meetings
Sponsor
1:00 PM
Closing Keynote: What's Next for Cheer
Main Stage
3:00 PM
Vendor Hall Final Hours & Give-Aways
Vendor
6:00 PM
Closing Reception & CheerCon 2028 Reveal
All

Agenda subject to change. Times shown in local event time (TBA).

Opening Keynote

Carly Patterson — Olympic gold, on the CheerCon stage.

Carly Patterson on the 2004 Athens Olympic podium with gold medal

Athens 2004

All-Around Gold Medalist

First American woman to win the AA gold in 20 years.

Olympic gold medalist. Recording artist. Wife and mother of three. Carly Patterson brings a one-of-a-kind story of resilience, reinvention, and chasing big dreams — delivered straight to the coaches, athletes, and industry leaders shaping the next era of cheerleading.

You may know her as the Olympic gold medalist from the 2004 Athens Games, where she achieved her dream of winning the all-around gymnastics title. That moment changed her life and sparked a passion for inspiring others to chase their own dreams with resilience and determination.

After retiring from gymnastics, Carly explored new paths — including a second career in music as a recording artist. Today, as a proud wife and mother of three, she brings the full arc of transition, reinvention, and fulfillment to every stage she steps on.

As a motivational speaker, Carly connects with audiences and encourages them to trust their abilities and their unique journeys — reminding every person in the room that anything is possible.

1-Hour Keynote

Signature motivational talk on the main stage.

Live Q+A

Audience questions immediately following the keynote.

Meet & Greet

Photos, autographs, and Olympic medals on display.

Watch Carly in action — more at carlyspeaks.com

Special Guest

Hailey Smith — U.S. national team member.

U.S. national team member

Special Guest Appearance

Live interview, audience Q+A, and photo meet-and-greet.

Hailey Smith represents the elite of the U.S. national team, bringing world-class athleticism, international competition experience, and a fresh perspective on what it means to perform at the highest level of the sport.

As a Special Guest at CheerCon 2027, Hailey will join us for a live on-stage interview, sharing the journey from gym athlete to U.S. national team representative — including the training, discipline, and mental performance required to compete on a global stage.

Her session will explore athlete identity, the path to national team selection, the pressure of international competition, and how today’s cheerleaders can build resilience, confidence, and a long-term career in the sport.

Hailey’s appearance is part of CheerCon’s athlete-focused programming, designed to inspire the next generation of competitors with voices who have lived it at the top.

Live Interview

On-stage conversation in the Content Studio.

Audience Q+A

Open questions from athletes, coaches, and parents.

Meet & Greet

Photos, autographs, and U.S. national team stories.

Celebrity Choreographer

Jordan Johnson — Hollywood's dance floor, on the CheerCon stage.

26×

USASF Globes

Guest Speaker + Choreo Lab

Main-stage session + master class

Live choreo lab, industry Q+A, and photo meet-and-greet.

Jordan Johnson is one of the most decorated choreographers in the sport — a 26-time USASF Dance Globes champion whose work has moved from the competition floor to the biggest stages in music, film, and television.

Jordan's résumé bridges two worlds most choreographers never touch: a dominant run as a competitive dance coach with 26 USASF Dance Globes, and a professional career choreographing for artists and productions the whole world knows.

At CheerCon 2027, Jordan takes the main stage to unpack the craft, the business, and the mindset behind a career that spans the gym, the arena, and the screen — followed by a hands-on choreography lab for coaches, choreographers, and athletes.

Select Credits

So You Think You Can Dance
American Music Awards
Choreographer for Omarion
Choreographer for Timbaland
Choreographer for Nelly Furtado
DCC: Making the Team — Guest Judge & Choreographer
Bring It On 3
Bring It On 5
26× USASF Dance Globes Champion

Main-Stage Talk

From gym floor to Hollywood: building a choreo career.

Choreo Lab

Live master class — bring your team or come solo.

Meet & Greet

Photos, autographs, and industry stories.

Founder

Shane James — The founder behind CheerCon.

Cheer Media LLC

Founder & CEO

Cheer Daily, STUNT Daily, Dance Daily & The Cheer Awards.

Industry Recognition

UPA Hall of Fame · 35 Under 35

USASF National Advisory Board, 2007–2016.

Shane James is the Founder and CEO of Cheer Media LLC, the parent company behind Cheer Daily, STUNT Daily, Dance Daily, and The Cheer Awards — and the creator of CheerCon, the national cheerleading industry convention where the sport does business.

A former LSU Cheerleader and Associate Publisher of Inside Cheerleading Magazine, Shane has spent more than two decades building cheerleading media. He co-authored Cheerleading: From Tryouts to Championships (2007) and has helped redefine how the industry communicates, celebrates, and grows.

From 2007 to 2016, he served on the USASF National Advisory Board, guiding the evolution of All Star cheerleading. His work has been recognized with induction into the UPA Hall of Fame (2011) and selection to Cheer Biz News' 35 Under 35 (2014).

Select Credits

Founder & CEO, Cheer Media LLC
Creator of CheerCon & The Cheer Awards
Publisher of Cheer Daily, STUNT Daily & Dance Daily
Co-author, Cheerleading: From Tryouts to Championships
USASF National Advisory Board, 2007–2016
UPA Hall of Fame Inductee
Cheer Biz News 35 Under 35
Covered 10 Gymnastics World Championships & 3 Olympic Games

Founder Welcome

Opening the week and setting the vision.

Industry State of the Union

Where cheer media, business, and growth are headed.

Meet & Greet

Photo ops and founder Q+A.

Featured Speakers

Learn from the best in the business.

Olympic champions, world-class performers, coaches, judges, and industry leaders taking the CheerCon 2027 stage.

Carly Patterson

2004 Olympic All-Around Gold Medalist · Keynote

Hailey Smith

U.S. national team member · Special Guest

Jordan Johnson

So You Think You Can Dance · AMAs · DCC Guest Judge · 26x USASF Dance Globes

→So You Think You Can Dance
→American Music Awards
→Choreographer for Omarion, Timbaland & Nelly Furtado
→Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team — Guest Judge & Choreographer
→Bring It On 3 & Bring It On 5
→26x USASF Dance Globes Champion

Shane James

Founder & CEO, Cheer Media & CheerCon

→Founder & CEO, Cheer Media LLC
→Creator of CheerCon & The Cheer Awards
→Publisher of Cheer Daily, STUNT Daily & Dance Daily
→Former USASF National Advisory Board
→UPA Hall of Fame Inductee
→Cheer Biz News 35 Under 35

Morton Bergue

Speaker

Robin Bolden

Speaker

Nicole Graham

Speaker

David Hanbery

Speaker

Lauri Harris

Speaker

Kaitlyn Lyday

Speaker

Founding Partners of CheerCon 2027

The brands building this with us.

A wall reserved for the companies who showed up first. Yours could be here.

CheerTix

Cheer Daily

Official Mediacheerdaily.com

Cheer Dads Unfiltered

Community Partnercheerdadsunfiltered.com

FullOut Energy

Official Energyfullout.energy

Luxe Cheer Apparel

Apparel Partnerluxecheer.com

Build A Bow

Experience Partnerbuildabow.com

Vintage Cheer Merch

Merch Partnervintagecheer.com

Hoppenly

Partnerhoppenly.com

Competition Travel

Official Travelcompetitiontravel.com

HitZero.ai

AI & Tech Partnerhitzero.ai

Open Slot

Your Brand

Claim it →

Want your brand alongside these partners? View sponsorship plans

Call for Speakers · CheerCon 2027

Take the CheerCon
main stage.

We're building programming across 10+ tracks — from gym ownership and coaching craft to athlete NIL, judging, dance, STUNT, and the business of cheer. If you have something the industry needs to hear, apply now.

Gym Ownership & BusinessCoaching Craft & SafetyChoreography & MusicAthlete Development & NILJudging & ScoringEvent ProductionCollege & STUNTDance IndustryMedia, Content & CreatorsMental Performance & WellnessMarketing & RetentionTechnology & AI in Cheer

Early Bird Speaker Deadline

DEC 31, 2026

Apply by Dec 31, 2026 for the Early Bird speaker rate and priority track placement.

✓50% off speaker attendance fee (Early Bird)
✓Priority slot selection across all 10+ tracks
✓Featured in the CheerCon speaker announcement wave
✓Cheer Daily feature interview + Content Studio session
✓VIP invite to The Cheer Awards 2027 gala

Regular speaker applications remain open after Dec 31, 2026 at standard rates and subject to remaining availability.

Dates & Location

August 1–7, 2027

CheerCon 2027 is a full industry week — seven days of education tracks, vendor hall, masterclasses, VIP programming, media, networking, and The Cheer Awards Gala. Location announced soon. Join the waitlist for hotel block and early registration access.

First 50 Early Birds · FREE VIP Entry

Early Bird Pass

$699

→ Full 7-day CheerCon 2027 access (Aug 1–7)
→ All education tracks, masterclasses & vendor hall
★ First 50 Early Birds get a FREE VIP pass to The Cheer Awards 2027 — 11 of 50 claimed
→ Priority hotel block & early registration access

11 / 50

Only 500 VIP passes exist for The Cheer Awards 2027 — hard cap. First 50 Early Birds get theirs free.

Interested in bringing CheerCon to your city or venue? Contact us.

Get in

Join CheerCon 2027.

Tell us who you are and how you want to be involved.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Be part of the first industry week built for all of cheerleading.

Presented by

CheerCon is a Cheer Media LLC production. · Cheer Media Network

All of Cheer.All in One Place.

Where the cheer industry does business.

Every corner of the cheer industry.

Programming built for every role.

More than a conference.

The CheerCon Leadership Academy.

Nominate an Athlete

7 days. One industry. Aug 1–7, 2027.

Arrivals & Vendor Move-In

Opening Day

Industry Education Day

Athlete, Parent & Media Day

The Cheer Awards 2027 Gala

STUNT, College & Dance Day

Industry Summit & Closing

Carly Patterson — Olympic gold, on the CheerCon stage.

Hailey Smith — U.S. national team member.

Jordan Johnson — Hollywood's dance floor, on the CheerCon stage.

Shane James — The founder behind CheerCon.

Learn from the best in the business.

The brands building this with us.

Reach the buyers, decision makers, and voices of the sport.

Take the CheerConmain stage.

August 1–7, 2027

Join CheerCon 2027.

Questions, answered.

What is CheerCon?

Is CheerCon a competition?

Who should attend?

Is this connected to The Cheer Awards?

Will there be vendor opportunities?

Can my company sponsor?

Can I apply to speak?

Will there be athlete and parent programming?

When will location and registration be announced?

How do I get early access?

What does the Early Bird pass include?

How many VIP passes are there for The Cheer Awards 2027?

Will single-day or vendor-only passes be available?

What is the refund policy?

Can I transfer my pass to someone else?

What does the VIP pass to The Cheer Awards 2027 include?

Be part of the first industry week built for all of cheerleading.

All of Cheer.
All in One Place.

Take the CheerCon
main stage.