More than 1,100 Sports Events & Tourism Professionals Gather for Industry’s Premier Event
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (April 18, 2025) – Sports ETA, the leading trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, hosted its largest-ever Symposium in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 14–17 at the Arvest Convention Center. The record-breaking event welcomed more than 1,100 industry professionals for four days of education, networking, and business development opportunities.
“We are incredibly grateful to the team in Tulsa for their outstanding hospitality and partnership in hosting this year’s Symposium,” said John David, President & CEO of the Sports Events & Tourism Association. “The energy and engagement throughout the week underscored the strength and growth of our industry. From meaningful conversations on emerging trends to impactful education and networking, it was a fantastic week in a truly great American city.”
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Top 10 States by Economic Impact of Spectator Sports Tourism in 2024 Announced
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (April 16, 2025, 1 PM CT) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, released its latest State of the Industry: Spectator Sports Tourism report, spotlighting the impact of spectator sports tourism across America. The 2024 study revealed that spectator sports tourism generated $47.1 billion in direct spending, powering a total economic impact of $114.4 billion and supporting 664,860 full-time and part-time jobs across the country. It also contributed $8.5 billion in state and local tax revenues. The new data shows that 109.7 million non-local attendees traveled 50 miles or more to attend sporting events in 2024, with 63.5 million staying overnight.
The study was conducted by Tourism Economics, with support from Northstar Meetings Group, the presenting sponsor of the association’s annual “State of the Industry&rdqu...
Part 3: What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments with Tony Leko, Director of Partnerships at 3STEP Sports.
CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – The Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with 3STEP Sports, one of the nation's largest and most connected youth sports club and event operators.
As part of the collaboration, Sports ETA will work alongside 3STEP Sports to generate awareness of its next generation foundation for athlete development, sport leadership, and community engagement.
The partnership will bring 3STEP’s club and event brands, serving 1.5 million athlete participants in nine sports across the country, access to valuable resources and insights to empower its connected team of industry leaders and elevate industry standards.
“We are excited to partner with 3STEP Sports to showcase their impact on the youth sports community,” said John David, President and CEO of Sports ETA. “This partnership allows us to ...
TAMPA (April 7, 2025) -- The 2025 Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Women’s Summit was held in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Final Four and proudly hosted by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. From April 2–4, female leaders from across the sports events and tourism industry—including representatives from CVBs, sports commissions, rights holders, and industry partners—gathered to explore emerging trends and exchange best practices in business, leadership, and advocacy. This year’s Summit marked a milestone moment, with a 60% increase in attendance—making it the largest and most impactful gathering in the event’s history.
Expert Panelists Present at the Sports ETA Women’s Summit
The lineup of keynote speakers included the following:
Claire Lessinger, Tampa Bay Sports Commission
Linda Logan, Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Taylor Obersteadt, WIN for KC
Natasha Reyes, Sport Oregon
Kourt...
What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments: Part Two with Patrick Cansfield, Director of Development at American Junior Golf Association.
TAMPA, FL (April 3, 2025) -– The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) announced today that Marissa Werner, Director of Sports Milwaukee at VISIT Milwaukee, has been named the 2025 Sports ETA Woman of the Year. The award was presented today during the annual Sports ETA Women’s Summit, as part of the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
This prestigious honor celebrates a woman who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment in the sports events and tourism industry.
Werner, who launched and now leads Sports Milwaukee, a division of VISIT Milwaukee, has played an instrumental role in elevating Milwaukee as a destination for premier sporting events and advocating for health and wellness through community engagement.
“Marissa Werner’s recognition as Sports ETA’s Woman of the Year is a testament to her incredible passion for health and wellness in our community as well as her relentless dedication to bringing world-...
What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments with Justin Travis, USA BMX Director of Business Development.
Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on eastern Virginia’s Henrico Sports & Events Center in the metro Richmond, VA area. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
Behind-the-Scenes Innovation
The centerpiece of the Henrico Sports & Events Center (HSEC) is a state-of-the-art, center-hung Daktronics video board. This colossal display serves as a dynamic hub of information, delivering real-time game statistics, instant replays, and captivating visuals to enhance the spectator experience. The video board's high-resolution imagery and vivid colors ensure that every fan, regardless of their seating location, can feel intimately connected to the action at the Center.
Complementing the video board's capabilities is an AV Control Room, a nerve center that orchestrates the seamless integration of audio and ...
Developing a Compelling Presentation that Resonates with your Audience with David Sheller, Founder of Sheller Visual.