CINCINNATI (January 6, 2025) – Sports ETA, the official trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced today a new partnership with Rico Solutions, a leader in sustainability solutions for events, to provide a suite of educational offerings for the membership of Sports ETA.

This initiative between Sports ETA and Rico Solutions launched at Sports ETA’s 4S Summit hosted in Chattanooga, Tennessee and will continue throughout 2025. Richmond Region Tourism will also partner as the sponsor of the educational courses focused on sustainability strategies that will be available through the Sports Tourism Learning Institute.

“One of our primary objectives is to discover and offer innovations in the sports events and tourism industry, and sustainability is a critical area for us to share best practices,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Together with Rico Solutions, we will unveil a number of educational offerings to address and implement transformative sustainability opportunities.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Sports ETA to empower growth both in their organization and with their members, with the tools and knowledge needed to embrace sustainability," said Rico Tesio, CEO of Rico Solutions. "Sports and entertainment events hold a powerful platform to inspire meaningful change, driving positive impacts in the communities they engage in and the environment we all share.”

“Sports tourism professionals can make a big impact on sustainability efforts,” said Jerrine Lee, Vice President of Sales at Richmond Region Tourism. “We’re proud of our ongoing partnership with Sports ETA and that teams across the country can learn best practices to create more eco-friendly events. We know the importance and benefits of implementing green practices firsthand, thanks to our Net Zero Emissions option for planners to help offset carbon emissions and make events more sustainable.”

Sports ETA members can learn more about the benefits of the program by visiting the website.

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About Sports ETA

As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners. Sports ETA is committed to the success of more than 750 member organizations and 2,400 sports event professionals. We promise to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities, and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry.  For more information, visit SportsETA.org.

About Rico Solutions

Rico Solutions is a leader in advancing sustainability strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of organizations. Their team combines deep industry expertise with technical innovation to provide actionable solutions that drive measurable progress. From comprehensive assessments to the development of targeted initiatives and resource connections, to GHG reporting and reductions opportunities, Rico Solutions partners with clients to unlock their full potential in sustainability, delivering impactful outcomes aligned with business goals. For more information, visit RicoSolutions.com.

Contact: Jackie Reau, Game Day

(513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com