CINCINNATI (March 17, 2026) – Three leaders in the sports events and tourism industry will be enshrined into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame, powered by Albuquerque Sports Commission, at the organization’s annual Symposium in April. The new Hall of Fame members announced today are:

• Tara Green, Principal, Public Realm Strategies, OJB

• Ray Palmer, President and CEO, Pensacola Sports

• Tammy Dunn, Executive Director, Snohomish County Sports Commission

Induction into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame represents one of the highest honors in the sports events and tourism industry, recognizing individuals whose careers have helped shape and advance the field.

The three honorees will be formally inducted during the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as part of the association’s annual celebration of leadership in sports tourism. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame, sponsored by Albuquerque Sports Commission, recognizes individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on the sports events and tourism industry through leadership, innovation, and service.

“Each year we recognize pioneers who have helped shape and grow the sports events and tourism industry,” said John David, President and CEO of Sports ETA. “Tara Green, Ray Palmer, and Tammy Dunn represent decades of leadership, innovation, and commitment to building destinations and communities through sports.”

Tara Green

Tara Green has built a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years in sports, event management, and civic placemaking.

Currently serving as Principal, Public Realm Strategies, of OBJ, Green advises major public space projects, sports venues, and mixed-use developments on programming, governance, and sustainable operations. Her work focuses on creating vibrant civic spaces that bring communities together through events, recreation, and cultural programming. Earlier in her career, Green held senior leadership roles across the sports and tourism industry. She served as Chief Revenue Officer of the American Airlines Center, Chief Operating Officer of the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, and Vice President of Sports Marketing for Visit Dallas.

Her event portfolio includes some of the world’s largest sporting events, including the Super Bowl, NBA All‑Star Game, NHL All‑Star Game, FIFA World Cup, and numerous NCAA championships. Green also served as chair of the National Association of Sports Commissions, now known as Sports ETA. She later became president of Klyde Warren Park, where she helped establish the park as a thriving civic hub that became financially self-sustaining within four years of opening. Her leadership has contributed to numerous nationally recognized urban projects, including The RiverFront in Omaha and Aggie Park at Texas A&M University, earning multiple honors from organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Ray Palmer

Ray Palmer has spent more than two decades growing sports tourism in Florida’s Gulf Coast region. As President and CEO of Pensacola Sports, Palmer has guided the organization through a period of significant growth since joining as executive director in 2002.

Under his leadership, Pensacola has expanded its event portfolio to include high school all-star series competitions, firefighter games, open water swimming championships, fishing tournaments, and numerous collegiate events.

Major championships hosted during his tenure include the Sun Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships and the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship, alongside community awards programs, scholarships, and youth initiatives.

Palmer has been deeply involved in Sports ETA leadership, serving as Chairman of the Board and contributing to numerous committees shaping the industry’s growth.

A lifelong resident of Pensacola, Palmer has also been active in civic leadership. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and has received the Florida Sports Leadership Award. In 2026, he was named for the third time to the Inweekly Power List recognizing the 100 most influential people in the Pensacola region. Known for his enthusiastic advocacy of his hometown, Palmer often describes Pensacola as the “Western Gate to the Sunshine State” and proudly promotes the community as a destination where “thousands live the way millions wish they could.”

Tammy Dunn

Tammy Dunn is widely recognized as one of the sports tourism industry’s most dedicated and influential practitioners. As Executive Director of the Snohomish County Sports Commission, Dunn has played a key role in positioning the region north of Seattle as a destination for amateur and professional sporting events.

Dunn began her career in sports tourism in 2005 as a part-time sports marketing manager with the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau while also working in arena operations and parks and recreation. Her commitment to building relationships with event organizers and venues quickly elevated the region’s profile.

Today, the Snohomish County Sports Commission collaborates with 18 communities across the county, helping secure national and international competitions across a variety of sports including tennis, ice sports, badminton, and emerging activities such as pickleball.

During Dunn’s tenure, the region hosted major events including Skate America, the Fed Cup, and multiple national amateur championships. Dunn has also guided the organization through challenging economic periods, including the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, helping the region adapt and recover while continuing to deliver measurable economic impact through sports tourism. Her work has helped strengthen partnerships among local governments, venues, event organizers, and corporate partners, reinforcing Snohomish County’s reputation as a collaborative sports destination.

Celebrating Industry Leadership

The 2026 Hall of Fame selection committee included respected industry leaders Hill Carrow, John Bisignano, Linda Logan, Janis Burke, and Clay Partain. The committee evaluated nominees based on career achievement, service to the industry, and the lasting legacy of their leadership in advancing sports events and tourism.

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.