As we navigate these challenging times, Sports ETA is offering a series of free webinars led by the leadership of the organization. Below is the first week’s schedule. Stay tuned for future webinars.
Sports ETA and Industry Update
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
2:00 p.m. ET - 3:00 p.m. ET
Panelists Include:
Al Kidd, President & CEO, Sports ETA
Dr. Jennifer Stoll, Research and Education, Sports ETA
Janis Burke, CEO, Harris County - Houston Sports Authority/Chair, Sports ETA
Janis Ross, CSEE, CMP, VP of Events & Experiences, Sports ETA
In this session, the panel will provide an industry update amid the COVID-19 outbreak and how Sports ETA will provide resources for its membership during this time.
View Recording
Creating and Communicating New Business Solutions in a Crisis
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
1:00 p.m. ET - 2:00 p.m. ET
Led by Jackie Reau, CEO, Game Day Communication
In these uncertain times surrounding COVID-19, we will discuss how...
The Sports ETA Symposium Appointment Portal opens on Friday, March 13. In preparation, it is vitally important that you make sure to update your profile and your company information. For destinations/sports commissions this means updating the sports you can host and the venues you have for groups to use. For rights holders, this would be updating where you host events, specific community needs (bid fees, GOC/LOC, etc.), events open for bid, and important information destinations should know about your event. For vendors, this could mean including a short description of all the products/services you provide, and even listing any special offers or promotions.
Why is this important? When you enter the portal, you will see the list of potential organizations to request an appointment. For destinations, knowing where rights holders meet, what they are looking for and what their key needs are, you can determine which appointments are approp...
We appreciate your input on collegiate athletics! If you didn't have a chance to respond to the latest version of The Pulse, it's ok! Take a look at the recap and see what Sports ETA members have to say about the proposed NCAA name, image, and likeness changes.
The Pulse v.8 Recap
'Tis the season for peppermint mochas, celebrating with family and friends, and holiday traditions. The newest edition of The Pulse takes a light-hearted look at how you, our members, celebrate the season.
Take The Pulse v. 9 today!
Being new to this industry is intimidating, right? You have seasoned vets who seem to know everyone and then there is you – brand new and ready to make connections. But how? Here are a couple of tips and tricks I hope will help as you navigate being a “newbie” in this industry!
Go to the Sports ETA 4S Summit. Aside from the fact that you get to learn from some of the greatest leaders in our industry, this event is also one of the best opportunities to meet people. It’s smaller than the Symposium and is a completely education-based conference, making it your best opportunity for networking with colleagues. This is your chance to learn best practices and pick the brains of people who have walked in your shoes.
ASK THE QUESTION. This industry is built on relationships between clients and peers. With that being said, we can be each other’s greatest resource. You are learning the industry and it’...
LOUISVILLE, KY (November 8, 2019) – Sports events and tourism leaders from around the country were in Louisville this week for the 2019 Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit, where top business experts addressed topics such as leadership and management, crisis management and business strategy.
“Leadership is a constant learning process and our industry executives can benefit from top business professionals,” said Al Kidd, President and CEO of Sports Events and Tourism Association. “Our Chief Executive Summit gave sports tourism leaders and executives the chance to hear from others in business and learn best practices from leaders in higher education, horse racing, and technology, among others.”
“The Louisville Sports Commission was pleased to host the national leadership of the sports events and tourism industry in partnership with Sports ETA to showcase our city and our own business leadership,” said Karl Schmitt, President and CEO of the Lo...
There may still be time left in 2019, but here at Sports ETA, we are working hard on the 2020 Symposium. We’ll be headed to Kansas City, Missouri April 20-23 for our 28th annual meeting. Registration is now open, so start planning your trip!
It doesn’t matter if this will be your first Symposium or your 28th, we are planning an all-new event with more deep-dive education sessions and breakouts divided by skill level. Plus, the 2020 Sports Marketplace is back and it is sure to be more interactive and provide informal learning opportunities to hundreds of people. You will be able to start making those one-on-one marketplace appointments in March.
If that hasn’t sold you yet, then listen to those who went last year. The 2019 Symposium received a 4 or 5-star rating from 72% of respondents, who enjoyed marketplace appointments, education sessions, and all of the networking opportunities to catch up with colleagues and to meet new ones. Take a look at how much fu...
We are excited to announce that the call for speaker proposals is now open through December 15 for the 28th Sports ETA Symposium in Kansas City, MO April 20-23, 2020!
We place a strong emphasis on seeking presenters who expand our industry's knowledge base through relevant and engaging content delivery, as well as specific implementable takeaways for audience members.
Speaker Proposals
If you or someone from your organization is interested in applying to lead a breakout session at the 2020 Sports ETA Symposium, we encourage you to submit an application!
Click Here to Submit a Proposal
We are accepting speaker applications through December 15.
Sports ETA Symposium
The Sports ETA Symposium is the annual meeting of the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the non-profit trade association for the sports events and tourism industry since 1992. Sports destinations meet with hundreds of decision-makers res...
Build relationships with hundreds of sports events and tourism professionals at the 28th Sports ETA Symposium in Kansas City, MO April 20-23, 2020.
Online registration is now open, lock in the best rate by registering with early bird pricing today! After 12/31/19, rates go up.
Register Today!
Important Information
Registration Rates
Schedule
Hotel Accommodations
Need help convincing your boss?
Don't worry, we've got you covered!
We've put together a justification toolkit to arm you with information to share with your supervisor on the benefits of attending the Symposium, how it will make you a better employee, and help advance your organization.
Justification Toolkit
We think the Symposium is a must-attend event, but don't just take our word for it... take your fellow sports events and tourism professionals' words too! See what they have to say about the Sports ETA Symposium.
QUESTIONS?
Co...
Looking for effective ways to promote your next sports event? Billetto blog has six strategies to target your audience.
Create a catchy event name
Your event name is important since it is the first interaction potential participants will have with your event. Along with being catchy, make sure the name gives a hint about what the event entails. When brainstorming ideas, try and keep it simple so the name can grow to be recognizable.
Use event posters
Posters are still among the most effective ways of advertising sports events. Posters leave lasting impressions, tend to be cheaper, and will continue to promote the event as long as it is left intact. The key is to get it in front of the right audience. Consider hanging posters at stadiums, gyms, schools, etc.
Work with influencers
Sports fans and potential participants will relate better with your sports event if they hear about it from a person in the field. For local sports events, that person could be ...
As sports commissions, event and facility owners, and industry partners, you have become leaders in your city and the sports tourism community. It’s an honor and a responsibility.
How can you make the most of that role? Take a second to consider how to elevate your leadership to a new level. The Founder and Chief Human Officer of Leadership from the Core Marcel Schwantes shares with Inc. advice from seven to leaders about their leadership.
Have a clear strategy.
Ask more, tell less.
Be curious about your people.
Embrace the unknown.
Set your people up for success.
Keep your people focused on their ‘why.’
Model the right cultural behaviors.
Schwantes leaves you with this: “The common thread running through these responses is the centrality of inspiring leadership. Leadership actions aren’t taken for action's sake, but to work towards a central purpose that makes it worthwhile. Whatever actions these leaders perform, they reflec...