with Joel Koester, Tulsa Sports Commission's Director of Sports Sales, on hosting Symposium.
CINCINNATI (April 23, 2025) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, today announced a four-year contract extension for its President and CEO, John David. The extension, approved unanimously by the Sports ETA Board of Directors, reflects the continued growth and momentum of the organization under David’s leadership.
Since assuming the role in 2023, David has led Sports ETA through a period of robust expansion, with over a 20% increase in membership, record-breaking attendance at signature events, cutting-edge educational programming, and the development of influential industry research such as the State of the Industry Reports. These annual reports have become a critical benchmarking tool for the sports tourism sector, offering members invaluable data and insights to guide strategic planning and business development.
“John David has brought vision, innovation, and a deep understanding of the sports events an...
Sports ETA President & CEO, John David on Symposium and a newly-released report!
Top 10 States by Economic Impact of Spectator Sports Tourism in 2024 Announced
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (April 16, 2025, 1 PM CT) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, released its latest State of the Industry: Spectator Sports Tourism report, spotlighting the impact of spectator sports tourism across America. The 2024 study revealed that spectator sports tourism generated $47.1 billion in direct spending, powering a total economic impact of $114.4 billion and supporting 664,860 full-time and part-time jobs across the country. It also contributed $8.5 billion in state and local tax revenues. The new data shows that 109.7 million non-local attendees traveled 50 miles or more to attend sporting events in 2024, with 63.5 million staying overnight.
The study was conducted by Tourism Economics, with support from Northstar Meetings Group, the presenting sponsor of the association’s annual “State of the Industry&rdqu...
Part 3: What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments with Tony Leko, Director of Partnerships at 3STEP Sports.
CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – The Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with 3STEP Sports, one of the nation's largest and most connected youth sports club and event operators.
As part of the collaboration, Sports ETA will work alongside 3STEP Sports to generate awareness of its next generation foundation for athlete development, sport leadership, and community engagement.
The partnership will bring 3STEP’s club and event brands, serving 1.5 million athlete participants in nine sports across the country, access to valuable resources and insights to empower its connected team of industry leaders and elevate industry standards.
“We are excited to partner with 3STEP Sports to showcase their impact on the youth sports community,” said John David, President and CEO of Sports ETA. “This partnership allows us to ...
TAMPA (April 7, 2025) -- The 2025 Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Women’s Summit was held in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Final Four and proudly hosted by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. From April 2–4, female leaders from across the sports events and tourism industry—including representatives from CVBs, sports commissions, rights holders, and industry partners—gathered to explore emerging trends and exchange best practices in business, leadership, and advocacy. This year’s Summit marked a milestone moment, with a 60% increase in attendance—making it the largest and most impactful gathering in the event’s history.
Expert Panelists Present at the Sports ETA Women’s Summit
The lineup of keynote speakers included the following:
Claire Lessinger, Tampa Bay Sports Commission
Linda Logan, Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Taylor Obersteadt, WIN for KC
Natasha Reyes, Sport Oregon
Kourt...
What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments: Part Two with Patrick Cansfield, Director of Development at American Junior Golf Association.
TAMPA, FL (April 3, 2025) -– The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) announced today that Marissa Werner, Director of Sports Milwaukee at VISIT Milwaukee, has been named the 2025 Sports ETA Woman of the Year. The award was presented today during the annual Sports ETA Women’s Summit, as part of the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
This prestigious honor celebrates a woman who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment in the sports events and tourism industry.
Werner, who launched and now leads Sports Milwaukee, a division of VISIT Milwaukee, has played an instrumental role in elevating Milwaukee as a destination for premier sporting events and advocating for health and wellness through community engagement.
“Marissa Werner’s recognition as Sports ETA’s Woman of the Year is a testament to her incredible passion for health and wellness in our community as well as her relentless dedication to bringing world-...
What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments with Justin Travis, USA BMX Director of Business Development.