with Stephen Bienko, CEO and Co-Founder of 42U.
with Janette Roush, SVP, Innovation and Chief AI Officer at Brand USA
It is with great disappointment that we must share an important update regarding the 2026 Chief Executive Summit in Columbus.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency earlier today, and city and county officials have issued strong warnings regarding grave risks to public safety associated with Winter Storm Fern. In addition, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office cautioned the possibility of declaring a Level 3 Snow Emergency, meaning roadways are closed and travel is prohibited unless absolutely necessary.
Based on these conditions and out of an abundance of caution, Sports ETA has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Chief Executive Summit.
This decision is especially heartbreaking given the enthusiasm surrounding this year’s event. We were truly looking forward to gathering in Columbus for a Summit that had achieved record registration turnout, reflecting the strength, engagement, and momentum of our Chief Executive community.
This was ...
with Christine Brennan, USA Today Columnist, Commentator, and Best-Selling Author.
Happy New Year! Let us ring in the new year with the January 2026 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! To kick us off, we are going to showcase a sports site from the upcoming 2026 Sports ETA Facility Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. During each Facility Summit (FS), we tour two local sport facilities from our host destination. I am proud to announce that one of our FS showcase facilities will be the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center and USBC Tournament Bowling Plaza.
The Arena & Equestrian Center is the primary space for some of the world’s well-known sports events. The Bowling Plaza is home to the USBA Open & Women’s Championships. Both of these amazing facilities are under one roof at the South Point Casino & Hotel. While not many sports facilities are designed like these two, we are proud to showcase them for their contribution to sports and Las...
Welcome to the December 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! In this final Sports ETA Facility Showcase for 2025, we are featuring the Kalamazoo Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kalamazoo has built a reputation over the years for its ability to host a wide range of local, regional, and national sports events. They have venues of all sizes to fit the needs of many sporting events, and a new facility is in the works. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
The Future of Sports & Entertainment in Southwest Michigan
The Kalamazoo Event Center is a state-of-the-art venue currently in development. It is designed to host collegiate and professional sports, concerts, and community events. Located in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo and anticipated&...
Welcome to the November 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we are changing things up to focus on one key area of the facilities we have showcased in the past, Design and Experience. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
What Does Design and Experience Add to a Facility?
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is a key non-profit promoting community strength through parks and recreation. While 20th-century Parks and Recreation departments mainly managed local sports facilities, the late 1980s and 1990s saw a shift toward partnerships for competition-grade facilities to drive economic development. Currently, modern Parks and Recreation departments are investing in multi-use, hybrid athletic complexes that incorporate tourism, moving beyond traditional offerings. ...
We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for Sports ETA: We have officially welcomed our 100th new member of the year — for the second consecutive year!
This achievement is more than just a benchmark. It’s a testament to the strength of our community, the growing impact of the sports events and tourism industry, and the trust that destinations, rights holders, industry partners, and facilities place in Sports ETA every day.
A Team Effort Worth Celebrating
Membership growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens through intentional relationship-building, consistent outreach, and a deep commitment to delivering value. We want to give a heartfelt shoutout to our exceptional Membership Team:
Michelle Wessels — Senior Director of Membership & Engagement
Glen Schorr — Rights Holder Representative
Brian Graham — Destination Representative
Austin Long — Member Services Coord...
For the first time ever, a delegation of America's premier host cities will visit Lausanne to strengthen global sports tourism partnerships
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The U.S.-based Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), will lead a historic visit of 16 major U.S. host destinations to meet with global sports federation leaders and event organizers in Lausanne, Switzerland from December 3-5, 2025.
This notable visit marks a significant milestone in the international engagement strategy of Sports ETA—the leading and only trade association representing the U.S. sports tourism industry—ahead of a series of global sports events coming to the United States, including the FIFA World Cup 26 and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The delegation will connect with international sports federations and organizations headquartered in Lausanne, widely recognized as the Olympic Capital of the world.
Sports ETA President &...
with Dane Clark, Vice President of Event Operations at RCX Sports.