CINCINNATI, OH (October 14, 2025) — The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the leading association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced today the addition of Jordan Dillon and Raelyn Dessart to its Membership & Engagement team. Together, they will support Sports ETA’s mission to unite and elevate the organizations and professionals driving the sports events and tourism economy across the nation.

“I’m excited to welcome Raelyn and Jordan to our team,” said Michelle Wessels, Senior Director of Membership & Engagement at Sports ETA. “They both bring incredible passion and fresh perspectives that will help us strengthen relationships, grow our membership, and continue driving engagement and participation across our events.”

Jordan Dillon, Associate Director of Membership & Engagement, Rights Holders

 

Jordan Dillon brings more than 15 years of experience in sports, partnerships, and community engagement to her new role at Sports ETA. Her career has spanned both national governing bodies and local nonprofits, including USA Gymnastics and USA Artistic Swimming, where she built impactful programs connecting athletes, fans, and cities through sport.

Before joining Sports ETA, Jordan served as Executive Director of the Broad Ripple Village Association, where she led community engagement, membership growth, and event strategy. Her background also includes managing national sports tours, large-scale sponsorship activations, and brand partnerships. A graduate of DePauw University, Jordan holds a degree in Communication Arts & Sciences with a minor in Sociology.

“I’m thrilled to join the Sports ETA team and return to the sports events community that has been such a meaningful part of my career,” said Dillon. “Having been on the member side of this organization, I know firsthand how valuable the connections and resources can be. I’m excited to work alongside such a passionate team and help our members make the most of everything Sports ETA has to offer.”

Raelyn Dessart, Associate Director of Membership & Engagement, Destinations & Industry Partners

Raelyn Dessart joins Sports ETA with over eight years of experience in sports tourism, destination development, and stakeholder engagement. She previously served as Senior Sales & Events Supervisor at Visit Central Florida Sports, where she helped recruit and manage more than 300 annual events generating over $215 million in economic impact.

Raelyn spearheaded innovative programs such as the Sweetest Sports Experience and the Visit Central Florida Partner Summit, fostering stronger collaboration among industry stakeholders. During her tenure, Visit Central Florida Sports was recognized as Sports ETA’s 2025 Sports Tourism Organization of the Year.

A member of Destinations International’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, Raelyn also co-founded the Women in Sports Tourism (WiST) Collective and holds STS and RRCA Certified Race Director credentials.

“I’m thrilled to join the Sports ETA team and contribute to an organization that has played such a meaningful role in my professional journey,” said Dessart. “I look forward to supporting our destinations and industry partners, fostering connections, and continuing to elevate the incredible impact sports tourism has on communities across the country.”

“The addition of Jordan and Raelyn marks an important next step in Sports ETA’s growth story,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Over the past two years, we’ve grown membership by more than 20%, increased retention by 7%, and seen double-digit participation growth at every Sports ETA live event. These new roles will ensure that momentum continues while allowing us to provide more one-on-one support for our members. By deepening our understanding of their needs, we can deliver even more impactful education, research, and resources that help advance the entire sports events and tourism industry."

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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.

Contact: Jackie Reau, Game Day
(513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com