WICS
Sofia Tech Park, Sofia, Bulgaria
2023-06-20
  • Home
  • About
    • WICS Videos
    • Venue
  • Program
  • Speakers
  • Set & Send Boulder Comp
  • Request a Ticket
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
    • WICS Videos
    • Venue
  • Program
  • Speakers
  • Set & Send Boulder Comp
  • Request a Ticket
  • Contact Us

The WICS 2023 speakers list is coming soon...


2019 Speakers


Bill_Brooks

Bill Brooks

Founder, MyClimb

Bill is the founder of MyClimb, an app that brings climbers together.

Bill has been climbing since he was five years old and he says that he was lucky to have his first climbing experiences in the beautiful setting of Joshua Tree, California, where he still enjoys visiting every year.

Read more
Laura-Allured_short

Laura Allured

Marketing & Communications Manager, Climbing Wall Association

Laura oversees the CWA’s Industry Research Program, including the annual indoor climbing industry study.

Read more
Steve

Steve Guillou

Co-Founder and CEO, Arkose&Co

Steve is 32, he graduated from the most prestigious french university and started his career as a consultant for the French Football Federation and the IOC. Steve has been climbing for 10 years and deciding to create Arkose in 2013 to fill the lack of climbing gyms in Paris at the time.

Read more
Pjung

Paul Jung

Director of Routesetting, The Cliffs Climbing + Fitness
Paul Jung is currently the Director of Routesetting for The Cliffs Climbing + Fitness. He has worked in the industry just shy of 10 years and has set both commercially and competitively for the greater NYC community.
Read more
Chris

Chris LoCrasto

Owner and Routesetting Director, Summit Climbing Yoga and Fitness,

Chris Locrasto is an owner and Routesetting Director of Summit Climbing Yoga and Fitness, and CEO of Premium Holds.

Read more
f9cd3c29-db6e-4586-889b-9531b075d4ab

Patrick Andrey

Business Developer, Camp5 Climbing Gym

Patrick Andrey is business developer of Camp5 Climbing Gym and Managing Director of SMA, representing Walltopia in the Asia Pacific Region.

Read more
Greg

Grégoire De Belmont

General Manager, Arkose&Co

Greg is a 42 years old climber, he has been climbing for over 25 years and knows quite well the climbing scene.

Read more
Michael_resized_for_site

Michael Schöpf

Sports Manager, Austrian Climbing Federation

Michael Schöpf, 38 years old, from Tyrol (Austria) was active as a cross-country skiing youth coach in the Tyrolean Ski Federation and graduated as Master of social and economic science at the University in Innsbruck before he was joining the Austrian Climbing Federation in 2008 as Sports Manager.

Read more
Lyn

Lyn Barraza

General Manager, Touchstone Climbing Berkeley Ironworks

Lyn is currently the general manager of Touchstone Climbing’s busiest gym, Berkeley Ironworks, but has been at the helm of a total of four Touchstone gyms in her sixteen years in the industry.

Read more
Lorant

Laurent Laporte

Routesetter

Laurent is a routesetter and hold maker with more than 30 years of experience. He is one of the first international setters and his craft is widely recognized and cherished by the world’s climbing community.

Read more
YDRAY-_K8A8679

Susana Braz

Business Development Manager, Indoorwall Climbing Centers

Passionate about climbing and retail expert with more than 18 years’ experience in high volume and growing businesses. She has joined the climbing industry as a Expansion director for Indoorwall Climbing Centers, company with 10 centers and 3 new openings in 2019.

Read more
p-a

Per-Anders Dagborn

Fitness gym owner, Sports Club Vallentuna AB

Started with first fitness gym in 1983. Sold 5 gyms in 1998 with 26.000 members. Gross revenue increased in the 15 years from SEK 700.000 to 70.000.000.

Read more
Andy_Ried

Andy Reid

CEO, Mile End Climbing Wall

Andy designed and built Mile End Climbing Wall – the first dedicated climbing facility in the UK – in 1986. A former Chair of the Association of British Climbing walls, Andy helped create the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS).

Read more
TLDC David Minton

David Minton

Director, The Leisure Database Company

David is a fitness industry entrepreneur with an international footprint and 30 years’ experience. He is founder and Director of the successful and unique Leisure Database Company which audits and reports on the industry.

Read more
Doug

Douglas Miller

Co-Founder, Sales Makers

Doug Miller co-founded Sales Makers in 1980 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Doug moved to Europe; in 1994, to introduce the Sales Makers approach and has worked with over 900 Clubs throughout the world, in total.

Read more
Dave Ayton

Dave Ayton

Managing Director / Awesome Walls Ireland

Dave has been climbing obsessed for over 20 years since starting to climb in his local Granite quarry in Dublin. Dave has experience of working in many different climbing facilities and in various capacities: instructor, outdoor leader, route setter, coach, trainer,  duty manager and now director and wall owner.

Read more
Robin Dahlberg, foto Jonas Paulsson

Robin Dahlberg

Safety Manager, Klättercentrets

Robin has been climbing for over 25 years and been working full time with climbing the last 15 years, as a route setter, instructor and educator but also dedicated to create a learning organisation in safety aspects as part of the Swedish Climbing Federation.

Read more
Cody_Roth_Vertical_Life

Cody Roth

Service and Development Specialist, Vertical-Life

Cody Roth, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been climbing since the age of 10. He now resides in South Tyrol, Italy, home to Vertical-Life and world class climbing.

Read more
Photo Peter Pircher

Peter Pircher

Sales Manager, Vertical-Life

Peter Pircher has been working as a Sales Manager for Vertical-Life since 2016. Among other things he is responsible for the distribution of software solutions for climbing gyms.

Read more
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Ivaylo Penchev

CEO, Walltopia

Ivaylo Penchev is a serial entrepreneur. He has founded and is actively involved in a number of companies – Walltopia, AFCM, Auxionize,  Extrapack, HRT, CompositeX.

Read more
Lance Brock

Lance Brock

Founder and Director of Development, Climb Nashville

Lance Brock grew up in middle TN and went to the University of Tennessee and studied architecture. He practiced architecture for about 7 years before deciding to open Climb Nashville.  He was a sponsored climber for about 10 years and served on the board of directors for the Access Fund.

Read more
Rich Emerson

Rich Emerson

CEO, The Climbing Academy Group Ltd and Chair, ABC

Rich Emerson is CEO of The Climbing Academy Group Ltd and Chair of the Association of British Climbing Walls.

Read more
Lillian_Sportrock

Lillian Chao-Quinlan

President and Principal Owner, Sportrock Climbing Centers

Lillian Chao-Quinlan is the President and principal owner of Sportrock Climbing Centers, one of the first commercial indoor rock climbing gyms in the USA. During her tenure, Lillian has managed three expansions within their facilities.

Read more
IMG_5269

Bozhidar Oreshkov

R&D Scientist, Climbmat

Bozhidar Oreshkov is the head R&D scientist of Climbmat. He has a PhD in the field of Physics.

Read more
irina

Irina Staneva

Investment Manager, Board Member of Walltopia

Irina has been focused on investments and growth partnerships within the Walltopia group since 2012.

Read more
Nate_McMullan

Nate McMullan

Chair of the Route Setting Association / Managing Director of Climbing Wall Services

Nate McMullan is the Founder and Chairman of the Route Setting Association, which oversees qualifications and standards of safety for Route Setting.

Read more
Peter Zeidelhack

Peter Zeidelhack

Operations Manager at DAV Climbing Center Munich-South

Peter is a seasoned routesetter with almost 20 years of experience in the field. He has established himself as a specialist in commercial routesetting and is well-known for his expertise in safety procedures. Peter is the head of routesetting training for the German Alpine Club (DAV), where he trains and educates routesetters on best practices. In addition to his role as a trainer, Peter also manages two climbing gyms and is responsible for routesetting in four gyms, with a total climbing surface of 16,000 square meters.

Read more
portraits-9-1-n93t6rsfxoydamhuo7np8el3ino43yxzf0vm95239w

Hilary Harris

Founder/ CEO, evoROCK + FITNESS, INC.

Hilary Harris is the founder and co-owner of EVO Rock + Fitness. She oversees the strategic business and brand development for EVO as well as oversees the marketing and events at the Louisville location.

Read more
Dan_2

Daniel French

Founder and Executive Director , Composite-X

Daniel French is founder and Executive Director of Composite-X – the World’s largest climbing holds producer.

Read more
Jeffery Bowling

Jeffery Bowling

Marketing, IT and Business Development Manager, Touchstone Climbing and Fitness

Jeffery Bowling is a seasoned professional with almost 30 years of experience in the climbing industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and is currently serving as the Marketing, IT, and Business Development Manager at Touchstone Climbing and Fitness – a leading indoor rock climbing company known for its size and reach globally. As part of the senior management team and an owner, Jeffery plays a crucial role in driving the success and growth of the company.

 

Read more
SAMSUNG CSC

Ani Manova

Art Director, Walltopia

Ani Manova began her journey at Walltopia in 2012, starting out as a Graphic Designer.

Read more

2018 Speakers


Photo Peter Pircher

Peter Pircher

Sales Manager, Vertical-Life

Peter Pircher has been working as a Sales Manager for Vertical-Life since 2016. Among other things he is responsible for the distribution of software solutions for climbing gyms.

Read more
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Ivaylo Penchev

CEO, Walltopia

Ivaylo Penchev is a serial entrepreneur. He has founded and is actively involved in a number of companies – Walltopia, AFCM, Auxionize,  Extrapack, HRT, CompositeX.

Read more
Adam

Adam Koberna

President, Walltopia USA

Adam Koberna is the President of Walltopia USA. With a over 20+ years experience in the climbing wall industry, Adam has helped guide gym owners through the climbing wall construction process to make their vision a reality.

Read more
IMG_5269

Bozhidar Oreshkov

R&D Scientist, Climbmat

Bozhidar Oreshkov is the head R&D scientist of Climbmat. He has a PhD in the field of Physics.

Read more
irina

Irina Staneva

Investment Manager, Board Member of Walltopia

Irina has been focused on investments and growth partnerships within the Walltopia group since 2012.

Read more
Nate_McMullan

Nate McMullan

Chair of the Route Setting Association / Managing Director of Climbing Wall Services

Nate McMullan is the Founder and Chairman of the Route Setting Association, which oversees qualifications and standards of safety for Route Setting.

Read more
Peter Zeidelhack

Peter Zeidelhack

Operations Manager at DAV Climbing Center Munich-South

Peter is a seasoned routesetter with almost 20 years of experience in the field. He has established himself as a specialist in commercial routesetting and is well-known for his expertise in safety procedures. Peter is the head of routesetting training for the German Alpine Club (DAV), where he trains and educates routesetters on best practices. In addition to his role as a trainer, Peter also manages two climbing gyms and is responsible for routesetting in four gyms, with a total climbing surface of 16,000 square meters.

Read more
Christian_Popien

Christian Popien

CEO Climb-Inn Klettersport / Co-Founder HardMoves Boulder League

Christian is one of the founders of the new “Bahnhof Blo – Bouldercafé”  boulder gym in Wuppertal, Germany and as part of his role as CEO at Climb-Inn also the Managing Director of the DAV Climbing Centre, the Wupperwände.

Read more
Chris_McFarland

Chris McFarland

Operations Director, Momentum

Chris is the Operations Director for the rapidly expanding Momentum Indoor Climbing. Starting at the front desk in 2011, he has worked almost every position in the gym and strives to improve operations from the ground up while focusing on the customer experience.

Read more
Rob4

Robert Parer

Director, Founder and Route Setter, ICP
Rob is the founder of Australian based company ICP. Having originally made his name coaching and route setting it was a natural progression to setup ICP, a company focused around route setting services and indoor climbing products. 
Read more
Joe_Zentmyer

Joe Zentmyer

Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer at First Ascent Climbing & Fitness

Joe Zentmyer is co-founder and CFO of Chicago-based First Ascent Climbing & Fitness, one of the fastest-growing gym operators in the United States.   First Ascent has opened 4 locations since starting operations 3 years ago and has more in development.

Read more
Bild Andre

Andre Friderritzi

Project Manager and Authorised Signatory at Bänfer

Andre has been leading a part of Bänfer since 1986. He is not only the inventor of the patented fall protection system, but also a member of the German DIN committee for artifical climbing structures.

Read more
Dean_Privett

Dean Privett

Sales Manager, Walltopia USA
Dean has held nearly every job in the indoor climbing industry, but found his passion in route setting.
Read more
Jeremy_Wilson

Jeremy Wilson

Owner of Lakeland Climbing Centre

Jeremy set up The Lakeland Climbing Centre in 1995 and became one of the 4 partners in The Yorkshire Climbing Company in 2014.  Together, the two companies own and operate the Kendal Wall, VauxWall West and East, HarroWall, the Depot Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.  They have a further 3 projects currently under development and are the largest owner and operator of climbing walls in the UK. 

Read more
Bucher

Christoph Bucher

Founder Outdoor Consulting GMBH & GM Walltopia Germany and Switzerland

Christoph has been actively climbing since 1983. For the past 20 years he has been consulting climbing gym owners and has designed over 40 000 sq.m (430 000 sq. ft) of climbing surface for walls of various purpose throughout the years.

Read more
Vasil_Sharlanov1

Vasil Sharlanov

Head of Design and Architecture, Walltopia

Vasil Sharlanov is specialized in the design and architecture of all sorts of climbing facilities, as well as family entertainment centers (FECs). 

Read more
Dimitar_Petrov_BIG_D

Dimitar Petrov

R&D Manager, Safety Engineering

Dimitar Petrov has been with the Walltopia Group for over 13 years. Currently, he is R&D Manager of Safety Engineering, where he is responsible for the development and manufacturing of new products related to climbing safety.

Read more
Bild Andrea

Andrea Rothe

Project Assistant and Sales at Bänfer

Andrea has been a part of the Bänfer Bouldering team for more than 8 years. She is a trained vendor in sports articles. Together with Andre Friderritzi, she supervises the clients in Germany and worldwide and is his support. 

Read more
Sebastian

Sebastian Smith

Managing Director, Store Capital

Sebastian is a Managing Director in one of the fastest growing REITs in USA STORE Capital. He joined their team in 2016 working with real estate brokers nationwide to source acquisitions that meet STORE Capital’s investment criteria.

Read more
DimitarGeorgiev

Dimitar Georgiev

CEO, Gym Realm Technology

Dimitar Georgiev is CEO of Gym Realm Technology JSC, and has more than 10 years of experience in the IT sector. The company develops a Gym Management software that is specialized in helping fitness and climbing gym operations.

Read more
Photo Matthias Polig

Matthias Polig

Founder and CEO, Vertical-Life

Matthias Polig is co-founder and CEO of Vertical-Life, national route setter, guidebook author, climbing event manager with a passion for innovation and technology.

Read more
Boriana_Petrova

Boriana Petrova

COO, Walltopia Active Entertainment

Boriana has been with Walltopia for over 12 years. She started as an engineer and quickly worked her way up to becoming the Engineering department’s head, and the developer of most of Walltopia’s Active Entertainment products.

Read more
JD Headshot

Jack Doran

Business Development Manager / Portman Asset Finance

Jack is a Business Development Manager at Portman Asset Finance; a UK based financial services firm providing funding solutions from £10,000 to £2million+. Prior to joining Portman Finance in 2017, Jack received a degree in Business Economics from the University of Portsmouth before gaining a multitude of experience from a FinTech start up in London to a global technology company.

 

Read more
Evgeny_Angelov

Evgeny Angelov

Chairman of the Bulgarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association

Evgeny Angelov is Chairman of the Bulgarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. In parallel, he is Partner at PostScriptum Ventures. Previously, Evgeny was the Economic Advisor to the President of Bulgaria and the Deputy Minister of Economy. His focus in the public sector has been on economic, investment and innovation policy formulation and implementation.

Read more
Alan_Cassidy

Alan Cassidy

Director of the Climbing Academy

Alan is Director of the Climbing Academy. He has been climbing indoors and out from a very young age, and a routesetter for many years before becoming involved with The Climbing Academy group’s second gym in Glasgow.

Read more
portraits-9-1-n93t6rsfxoydamhuo7np8el3ino43yxzf0vm95239w

Hilary Harris

Founder/ CEO, evoROCK + FITNESS, INC.

Hilary Harris is the founder and co-owner of EVO Rock + Fitness. She oversees the strategic business and brand development for EVO as well as oversees the marketing and events at the Louisville location.

Read more
Harald Swen portret2

Harald Swen

Safety and Technology, Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association
Harald is in charge of all technical advice and guidance about safety related stuff at the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Federation NKBV besides a lot of other responsabilities.
Read more
Lucas_Kovalcik

Lucas Kovalcik

Co-Founder of the Gravity Vault

Lucas Kovalcik co-founded The Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gyms in 2005. The Gravity Vault now owns, operates and franchises climbing facilities throughout the Northeastern United States.

Read more
Ward-v32

Ward Byrum

Director of Route Setting at Earth Treks Climbing & Fitness

Routesetting for twenty years, Ward is currently the Director of Routesetting for Earth Treks Climbing & Fitness.  He oversees all routesetting operations at their five soon to be seven locations.

Read more
JoeA

Joe Anderson

Owner,  Hoosier Heights Climbing & Climb NuLu

Joe is the owner of Hoosier Heights Indianapolis, Hoosier Heights Bloomington, Climb NuLu, and Climb Cincy. Joe’s experience as both a sole owner and partner in small, mid, and large sized markets has given him insight into the successes and challenges facing the climbing industry going forward.

Read more
UrbanClimb-5

Alexander Cox-Taylor

CEO/Owner at Urban Climb

Alexander has been at the helm of Urban Climb, one of Australia’s largest indoor climbing companies for the last 10 years, in that time he has been a part of the exciting growth witnessed in the climbing industry.

Read more
Tonde-chalk

Tonde Katiyo

Competition & gym route setter / IFSC Commercial Route setting program coordinator / FFME National Setting Instructor

Tonde Katiyo is an international route setter and an international personality in general. Born in Paris, he moved to Zimbabwe where he started climbing at the age of 12.

Read more
Frank_Blaeser

Frank Blaeser

CEO KletterFABRIK-Köln

Frank Blaeser is owner and CEO of Kletterfabrik Cologne. He has been a climber for about 35 years.

Read more
charlotte

Charlotte Bosley

VP of Retail and Brand at Earth Treks | Planet Granite

Currently the VP of Retail and Brand working with both the Marketing and Retail departments for Earth Treks | Planet Granite.

Read more
Dan_2

Daniel French

Founder and Executive Director , Composite-X

Daniel French is founder and Executive Director of Composite-X – the World’s largest climbing holds producer.

Read more
12049286_10153212708251288_523376995839132919_n

Brian Block

Business Unit Director-Climbing North America, Black Diamond
  • Business Unit Director-Climbing Sales at Black Diamond
Read more
a2a85571-606c-47e3-979a-dda136d3686c

Killko Caballero

Owner of Totem Escalade

Killko Caballero is a serial-entrepreneur, having spent over 20 years launching, and working with, several technology startups in Silicon Valley. Upon his return to Europe, Killko decided to combine his passion for climbing and startups, and co-founded TOTEM Climbing in 2016, a chain of bouldering gyms which now counts four locations in Switzerland.

Read more
Gregor Jaeger

Gregor Jaeger

Owner/ CEO Kletterfabrik Köln

Gregor is a sports scientist, and Owner and CEO of Kletterfabrik Köln. He has been a climber for almost 40 years, and has participated in WC 1990, EC 1991, and Rockmaster 1992 and 1995.

 

Read more
Jeffery Bowling

Jeffery Bowling

Marketing, IT and Business Development Manager, Touchstone Climbing and Fitness

Jeffery Bowling is a seasoned professional with almost 30 years of experience in the climbing industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and is currently serving as the Marketing, IT, and Business Development Manager at Touchstone Climbing and Fitness – a leading indoor rock climbing company known for its size and reach globally. As part of the senior management team and an owner, Jeffery plays a crucial role in driving the success and growth of the company.

 

Read more
Jason Kehl in Hueco Tanks 2/2018

Jason Kehl

Professional climber, Climbing Wall Designer, Climbing Holds Shaper

Jason Kehl is a renowned American professional rock climber who has earned recognition for his exceptional highball bouldering skills, artistic contributions to the climbing community, and expertise in hold shaping. In 2006, he received the prestigious Everest Award for his outstanding achievements in climbing. Jason is also a trailblazer, becoming the first climber to successfully boulder a 5.14d graded route “The Fly” at Rumney, New Hampshire. With a passion for climbing and travel, Jason has lived a nomadic lifestyle for over a decade, residing in his van to pursue his climbing adventures.

His quest for the perfect line has led him on a path that intertwines climbing and art so they are one and the same. Jason shares his vision with the climbing industry as So iLL Holds head shaper, and Earth Treks Climbing Center’s head wall designer.

Read more
Ken_Haller

Ken Haller

Creator, Klimbz

Creator of Klimbz, Ken studied interactive media at NYU and has been designing and developing websites and apps for over 10 years. He has been climbing for over 15 and coaching for 10 years.

Read more
SAMSUNG CSC

Ani Manova

Art Director, Walltopia

Ani Manova began her journey at Walltopia in 2012, starting out as a Graphic Designer.

Read more
Matt Roberts

Matt Roberts

President of Vertical Adventures

Dr. Matt Roberts is founder of The Kernmantle Group, an economics research and training consultancy and acting President of Vertical Adventures, a rock-climbing gym in Columbus, OH. 

Read more
Jeff

Jeff Pedersen

CEO & Co-founder, Momentum

In 1982, Jeff and a college roommate taught themselves to climb in Rock Canyon in Provo after purchasing a copy of Royal Robbins’ Basic Rockcraft to guide them.

Read more
WICS Newsletter Subscription

If you want to subscribe to WICS newsletter, please submit the form below and click the link in the email you will receive in order to confirm your subscription.

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy

Contact Us

Manage Cookie Consent
We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Preferences
{title} {title} {title}