As an Official Partner of the 2026 SportAccord Forum, Sports ETA will connect leading U.S. destinations with international sport leaders and lay groundwork for broader collaboration
CINCINNATI, Ohio and LAUSANNE, Switzerland (August 3, 2026) – The Sports Events & Tourism Association, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry in United States with more than 800 member organizations, and SportAccord, a global sport event organization based in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland, with stakeholders representing over 120 International Federations, today announced a new strategic partnership centered on Sports ETA’s role as an Official Partner of the 2026 SportAccord Forum.
The partnership will provide opportunities for Sports ETA member destinations to engage directly with international sport federations, rights holders, and event organizers through the Forum program, targeted networking and knowledge exchange. Taking place October 5 -7 ...
with Sarah Dyer, COO of EventConnect.
Five trends every sports tourism leader should be watching.
The Sports ETA State of the Industry Report gives our industry something invaluable: perspective.
The numbers tell an important story—measuring economic impact, participation trends, visitor spending, and the overall strength of the sports tourism economy. But perhaps even more valuable than the statistics themselves is what they reveal about where our industry is headed.
While every destination, rights holder, and event organizer will interpret the data through a different lens, several clear themes emerge—trends that have the potential to shape investment decisions, event recruitment strategies, partnerships, and long-term planning.
The State of the Industry Report isn't a roadmap—it’s a compass. It won't predict every turn ahead, but it can help point your organization in the right direction as the industry continues to evolve.
Here are five takeaways every sports tourism leade...
with Hank Pivarnik, Global Account Director for Sports at Sonesta International Hotels.
with Jen Marhenke, Director of Sustainability at Rico Solutions.
with Jason Sands, Vice President of Business Development at KemperSports Venues.
Williamsburg, Where America’s Journey Begins
For the July 2026 Facility Showcase edition, Williamsburg is a fitting destination to spotlight as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th Independence Day. Visit Williamsburg, the Counties of York and James, and key tourism partners have come together to build a game-changing indoor sports facility for the region and the state. The Greater Williamsburg Sports and Event Center (GWSEC) is more than a venue; it is a catalyst for growth.
In Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown—the Historic Triangle—America’s story first took root and continues to inspire. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the region remains a place where bold ideas rise, brave voices carry, and new visions take shape. GWSEC reflects that same spirit of forward-looking investment, advancing sports tourism and enhancing the sports experience in Virginia.
Virginia’s New Playbook
Williamsburg may be best known for co...
The future of the sports events and tourism industry starts with investing in the next generation of professionals—and Sports ETA is looking for two talented interns to join our team this fall.
We're excited to announce openings for a Membership & Community Impact Intern and a Membership Operations Intern, two paid opportunities designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience within the industry's leading trade association.
Whether you're a professor, mentor, industry leader, or parent of a student interested in sports, tourism, events or association management, we encourage you to share these opportunities with your network.
Membership & Community Impact Intern
This internship will support Sports ETA's membership initiatives while helping manage one of our most meaningful programs—the Sports Legacy Fund. The selected candidate will gain experience supporting community impact initiatives, member engagement efforts, and special project...
with Scott Bruscato, Discover Monroe - West Monroe's Executive VP of Convention Sales.
At the 2026 Chief Executive Summit, Sports ETA welcomed its first student participant through our new Student Enrichment Program, presented by Tanger—an initiative designed to connect emerging professionals with industry leaders through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
While the program was created to give students a closer look at careers in sports events and tourism, the experience became something even more impactful.
Keva Johnson arrived expecting to observe. Instead, she found herself welcomed into conversations, encouraged to participate in executive roundtable discussions, and treated as a valued member of the community.
"The Chief Executive Summit exceeded every expectation I had. What stood out the most was how welcoming and inclusive everyone was. They encouraged me to jump into roundtable discussions and share my thoughts, which made me feel more like a peer than a student."
Throughout the day, Keva met professionals from across the industry,...