Steve LaCroix speaks with “Next Steps Forward” host Chris Meek about his successful 30-year career as a sports and entertainment executive. Having served as the Minnesota Vikings’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer from 2001 to 2020, LaCroix will provide a glimpse into what it’s like to work for a major sports franchise, how he adjusted to being an effective leader during the pandemic – including what it was really like for the players to play games without fans in the stadium – and will reflect on the Vikings’ long and storied history. A sports enthusiast his entire life, LaCroix found that he could combine his passion for athletics with his knack for marketing and will break down the often overlooked business side of sports. In addition, he will provide an inside look at what it’s like working for a high profile league which undergoes intense media scrutiny and constant fan attention, while balancing giving back to the community and monitoring the needs, particularly those related to mental health, of players. This is a conversation that Vikings fans and football and sports lovers alike will not want to miss!