with Tampa Bay Sports Commission's VP of Events, Claire Lessinger.
Welcome to the August 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on the First Interstate SportsPlex in Valley, Nebraska. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
First Interstate Sports Complex – A Complex for All
In the sports world, we often associate Omaha, Nebraska with the College World Baseball Championship. Don’t get me wrong, Omaha has a rich history of hosting many sporting events from regional championship to Olympic Trials, as well as baseball. Located minutes west of Omaha, lies a sports complex that prides itself as a “sports for all” and their “no kids turned away” mantra. It is owned and managed by the Elkhorn Athletic Association (EEA).
As Omaha's largest non-profit youth sports organization, they served over 8,300 kids across 10 sports in 2024 and their participants a...
with Andrew Davis, Author and Keynote Speaker.
with Carlos Deliz, Director of Sports Tourism at Discover Puerto Rico.
CINCINNATI, OH — (August 14, 2025) — The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, is proud to announce the promotion of two key team members whose leadership has been instrumental in driving the association’s unprecedented growth over the past two years.
Michelle Wessels has been promoted to Senior Director of Membership & Engagement, and Meagan Grau has been promoted to Senior Director of Marketing & Communications.
Their exceptional efforts have helped Sports ETA achieve over 20% membership growth, a 10% boost in retention, double-digit increases in attendance across all events, and twofold rise in social media followers and engagement.
“These promotions recognize not only Michelle and Meagan’s exceptional contributions but also their ability to elevate the entire organization,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Their d...
with Todd Dibs, Director of Sports Development at Visit Tri-Valley.
with Shelley Delaney, Sales Manager, Sports Markets at Visit Cincy
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, ...
Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
The National Sports Center - A Generational Project
Not far from the mighty Mississippi river north of Minneapolis, the world’s largest amateur sports facility resides in Blaine, MN. With over 4 million annual visitors, the 700-acre National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, stands as the world's largest amateur sports facility. Its extensive amenities include more than 50 soccer fields (17 of which are turf -- the most in the US!), eight ice rinks, an 18-hole golf course, and a training facility for Minnesota United. The center is also home to the annual USA Cup Soccer Tournament, which draws over 16,000 players from around the globe. The facility's origins trace back to a 1980s s...
with David Broughton, the Research Director from Sports Business Journal