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...
What happens when you combine the high-octane energy of NASCAR with the timeless tradition of Major League Baseball?
Tomorrow, Bristol Motor Speedway will answer that question as it transforms from raceway to ballpark for the MLB Speedway Classic, a first-of-its-kind matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves.
This isn't just a game. It’s a visionary hybrid sports event that blends two iconic fanbases, two powerhouse leagues, and a destination bold enough to dream big.
🚧 The transformation: From oval to diamond, with more than 18,000 tons of gravel, synthetic turf, and custom-built clubhouses, all inside NASCAR’s "Last Great Colosseum."
🤝 The collaboration: MLB, NASCAR, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development working together to create an unforgettable fan experience.
🎤 The festival: A full lineup of concerts featuring Tim McGraw, Pitbull, and Jake Owen, plus food trucks, fan zones, carnival rides, ...
We’re excited to unveil a brand-new White Paper that explores one of the most critical relationships in sports tourism—the partnership between Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Parks & Recreation Departments. With 81% of all sports tourism events hosted at Parks & Recreation facilities, fostering strong collaboration isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for success.
To complement this valuable resource, we’ve also developed a customizable PowerPoint template (membership required) to help you effectively communicate the power of sports tourism to your Parks & Recreation stakeholders.
Key Takeaways from the White Paper:
Importance of Collaboration: Parks and Recreation Departments manage the majority of sports tourism facilities, making them essential partners for DMOs.
Challenges to Overcome: Differing missions and priorities can create roadblocks in collaboration.
Strategies for Success:
Strengthening co...
Sports tourism is making a major impact, generating $39.7 billion in direct spending, supporting over 635,000 jobs, and contributing $12.9 billion in tax revenue in 2021 alone, according to Sports ETA’s State of the Industry Report. As this sector continues to thrive, the focus is shifting toward sustainable growth—balancing environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
For destination marketers and event organizers, adopting sustainable practices isn’t just ethical—it’s a strategic move that enhances destination appeal, boosts community benefits, and drives long-term economic success. This white paper dives into actionable ways to integrate sustainability into sports tourism, creating memorable events while securing lasting value for communities.
Key Takeaways from the White Paper:
Triple Bottom Line: Sustainability means balancing environmental, social, and economic goals for impactful sports events.
Going Green: Focus on wast...
The sports events tourism industry is expanding rapidly, with destinations competing to host events of all sizes. While traditional metrics like visitor spending and hotel occupancy remain essential, earned media offers a powerful, untapped opportunity to measure the broader impact of sports events.
Key Takeaways:
Earned Media Value (EMV): Represents unpaid, organic publicity from media coverage, influencer mentions, and social sharing—capturing the intangible impact of media impressions.
Sports ETA Earned Media Calculator: Provides a groundbreaking tool to quantify EMV, enabling destinations and Rights Holders to measure and report media awareness and overall impact effectively.
Broader Event Value: EMV highlights the significance of events beyond overnight stays, showcasing audience reach, brand visibility, and media exposure.
Enhanced RFPs: Including EMV in event proposals helps Rights Holders present a comprehensive and compelling case for their event’s e...
The newest edition of the Sports ETA Playbook is out now! Take a break and check it out.
Download your copy here, and remember to share it with a colleague.
Are you maximizing your brand’s revenue potential? Our latest merchandise white paper helps you learn how to create a customized brand solution through merchandise sales.
Key Takeaways:
Increased Revenue: Merchandise sales provide an additional revenue stream that can significantly boost your event’s financial performance.
Enhanced Fan Engagement: Offering event-specific merchandise creates a deeper connection between fans and the event, enhancing their overall experience.
Brand Visibility: Branded merchandise acts as a walking advertisement, increasing visibility and awareness of your event.
Memorabilia: Merchandise serves as a tangible memento, allowing attendees to relive their experience long after the event has ended.
Data Collection: Merchandise sales can provide valuable data on consumer preferences and behaviors, informing future marketing strategies.
View the White Paper Here
Thank...
Navigate the complexities of insurance and it’s requirements in the youth and amateur sports industry while addressing the financial risks associated for all stakeholders.
This white paper explores the essential insurance types required to protect the youth sports industry from financial risks. It covers the needs of event organizers, venues, sports clubs, and families, highlighting key solutions like general liability, accident medical insurance, sports fee insurance, and event cancellation insurance.
Key Takeaways:
Comprehensive Insurance Solutions: Safeguards the financial investments of all stakeholders.
Event Cancellation Insurance: Protects revenue for event organizers with customizable solutions.
Stay-to-Play Revenue Protection: Exclusive USSCI solution that automatically secures refunds and stabilizes revenue at no cost to event organizers.
Broker Benefits: Brokers help navigate complex insurance needs, ensuring tailored, cost-effective coverage.
...
Inside this edition:
A Week in Portland, OR to Remember
Discover Chattanooga: Your Host for the 4S & Rights Holder Summit 2024
#GenderEqualOlympics: Celebrating full gender parity on the field of play at Paris 2024
Build Visual Stories That Drive Growth & Loyalty
2023 State of the Industry Report
A Focus on Facilities at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Women’s Sports: Caitlin Clark Effect, WNBA + Aces, Sports Bra
Hosting Duties in Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and Louisville
Gaining Confidence on Camera
Download YOUR Copy!
Contact: Jackie Reau, Game Day
(513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com
Sports ETA, SearchWide Global, and Northstar Meetings Group Present New Executive Compensation Report for the Sports Events and Tourism Industry
CINCINNATI (March 15, 2023) – Sports ETA and SearchWide Global released the “2023 Sports Destination Leaders Salary, Compensation and Benefits Report” led by researchers from Stoll Strategies, sponsored by the Northstar Meetings Group.
The benchmark study provides an overall look at the employment landscape for the $39.7 billion sports events and tourism industry among sports destinations while offering a resource to organizations with actionable information.
The last industry Salary, Compensation and Benefits Report was conducted in 2013 by Enigma Research Corporation. The research for the 2023 report was led by Dr. Jennifer Stoll, and Dr. Blake Price, from Stoll Strategies.
Data from more than 200 sports destination leaders, with a majority ...