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.

with Hank Pivarnik, Global Account Director at Sonesta International Hotels.

Endurance sports events – like triathlons, marathons, and cycling races – are powerful drivers of tourism, community wellness, and destination branding. When aligned with local priorities, they generate significant economic returns, strengthen civic pride, and leave lasting legacies. This white paper outlines a framework to help communities and organizers unlock their full potential. Key Takeaways: Endurance events are complex, two-way education, shared language and strategic planning between event producers, host destinations and facilities is vital for event success. Alignment of short- and long-term goals should be part of agreement negotiations. (profit vs. public good, short-term tourism vs. long-term community value) Key Elements (ex. event planning, data collection, community communication) must stay deliberate and collaborative annually. Information silos, gaps in data and a lack of fresh and ongoing storytelling weaken the case for continu...

with Vince Trinidad, Sports ETA’s Facilities Programming Adjunct.

with Keytra Lewis, Associate VP of Spokane Sports. 

Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we are featuring the Western Sports Park in Davis County, Utah.  This is an expanded facility north of Salt Lake City that increases the sports facilities landscape of the region and the State.  Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.   The Western Sports Park, One “Seamless” Investment to the “Amusement Capital”  Davis County is home to a rich history, diverse activities and unique scenery. It might be the smallest county in landmass in the state, but they are the third most populated county in Utah.  Located approximately 20 minutes north of Salt Lake City, they proudly proclaim that they are the “Amusement Capital” of the state for their offering of adventures and opportunities not offered elsewhere in the state.  The team at Discover Davis...