COLUMBUS, OH (June 2, 2026) -- Sports ETA, the leading trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, today announced that Greg Fante, President and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, has been named Executive of the Year. The honor was presented during the Sports ETA CE Summit today in Columbus.
While Fante was unable to attend the Summit in person, Sports ETA surprised him with the award during a special virtual presentation held in advance and shared with attendees during the general session lunch.
The Executive of the Year award recognizes an outstanding sports tourism executive who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, industry impact, and long-term contributions to their organization and community.
Since assuming the role of President and CEO in 2023, Fante has built on nearly two decades of leadership within the Louisville Sports Commission, helping position Louisville as a premier destination for national and international sporting events. Under ...
More Than 1,200 Industry Leaders Gather as $274.5B Sports Tourism Economy Takes Center Stage
LAS VEGAS (April 24, 2026) – The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, hosted its 2026 Symposium April 20–23 at Caesars Forum, bringing together more than 1,200 industry leaders for the premier gathering of the sports tourism sector. The event featured dozens of continuing education sessions and high-impact networking opportunities.
“We are grateful to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Caesars Entertainment for hosting and delivering a world-class experience that matched the energy and ambition of this industry,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “This year’s Symposium signals a defining moment for the sports events and tourism industry. With stronger data, greater collaboration, and increased global interest, our industry is better posi...
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 18, 2025) – Sports ETA named Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission, Executive of the Year at its annual Chief Executive Summit hosted here this week.
Mike Guswiler has served over 30 years in the hospitality and tourism industry working for private and non-profit organizations focused on tourism economic development. Guswiler has led the West Michigan Sports Commission since its inception in 2007, where he oversees commission operations, the Meijer State Games of Michigan, and the championship-caliber Meijer Sports Complex, which the organization built, owns, operates, and is now managing a $13.5 million expansion slated for completion in early 2026.
Under his leadership, the commission has booked 1,328 events attracting more than 2.4 million athletes and visitors, generating over $738 million indirect visitor spending since 2007. It was named 2023 Sports ETA Sports Commission of theYear (under 500,000 popula...
The Sports ETA Member Awards Portal opens Monday, August 5th! Don’t miss the opportunity to submit your outstanding campaigns for our two award categories:
1. Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year
2. Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
Each category will be divided based on population size:
500,000 and above
Under 500,000
The portal will remain open until September 27th, and winners will be announced at the 4S Summit in Chattanooga, TN, taking place November 12-14, 2024.
Prepare your submissions and get ready to showcase your achievements in sports tourism marketing and branding.
View Award Criteria
We can't wait to see your entries!
Contacts: Jackie Reau, Game Day
(513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com
Ashley Whittaker of The Sports Facilities Companies named Sports ETA’s Woman of the Year
CLEVELAND (April 4, 2024) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, today at the 2024 Sports ETA Women’s Summit, named Ashley Whittaker, Partner and Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Sports Facilities Companies as the 2024 Sports ETA’s Woman of the Year.
Whittaker leads corporate business development and marketing for the Sports Facilities Companies as well as the SFC Facility Marketing Department, which is responsible for the marketing, branding, and project management of SF Network facilities. Under her leadership, SFC has exponentially more communities with better business development strategies and campaigns. SFC’s clients and firms have been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, Fortune, HBO, TIME, Wall Street Journal, Sports Bu...
We are thrilled to launch the prestigious Sports ETA Member Awards program for the second time this year, where we'll recognize our member's outstanding achievements in marketing and branding.
This past spring, the Sports ETA Member Awards Committee received nearly 80 submissions for our member awards program. Wow! The judges were overwhelmed by not just the quantity of the submissions but the quality as well. The review process was detailed and often involved rigorous debate, as the difference between first place and the rest was razor-thin. What a testament to you, our membership, and the work you do to continue making a difference in our industry! In case you missed it, take a look back at the winners.
As we gear up for the 4S & Rights Holder Summit this fall, we're focused on the 4 S's of sports events and tourism: strategy, service, sales, and sponsorship. For all our marketing gurus out there, you know these 4 categories are the perfect re...
Each year, Sports ETA honors organizations and individuals in the sports events and tourism industry to celebrate their accomplishments and achievements. After a deep dive into the past awards program, a small committee of Sports ETA members has revamped our program to not only streamline the submission process but include award categories that are relevant to all association members and the programs members want and should be recognized for.
Now, easier and more streamlined than ever, we invite you to submit a nomination for Member Awards. The portal will remain open until March 31, 2023.
Award winners will be announced at the 2023 Sports ETA Symposium in Kansas City, MO.
Submit A Nomination For A Member Award
AWARD CATEGORIES
Member award activities and events must have occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2022.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population: Under 500,000
Population: 500,000 and above
Who Can Submit: Destinations
This w...
We all endured a lot in 2020 as we saw our industry completely come to a stop. During that time, we know individuals and organizations rose to the challenge and helped make their community and our association better. We would like to hear from anyone and everyone that has positive outcomes from the struggles that occurred last year. Whether you were fighting against COVID related issues, natural disasters, social justice movements or more, we want to hear from you. Submit an entry by August 29 to tell us how you or your Destination overcame challenges in 2020 and achieved positive results.
There will not be a winner selected for this award, but we will recognize all who submit for this category at the Symposium. Please submit only one entry per organization.
Requirements: 1-page max description of how your Destination qualifies to be recognized. Photos and videos can be submitted, but not required.
Deadline: August 29 at 3AM ET...
2020 may be here, but don’t forget about all the work you and your organization did in 2019. It’s time for the Sports ETA Member Awards. Each year, Sports ETA honors organizations and individuals in the sports events and tourism industry that have done exemplary work within the past year.
“Every member should consider submitting for an award because we all do amazing work throughout the year,” said Derek Bombeck, Sales Development Manager at Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau and Awards Committee Chair. “Submitting for an award acknowledges the hard work you have put into your events and allows you to be recognized at the Symposium among the top leaders in the industry.”
The 2020 Member Awards activities, events, marketing campaigns, web strategies, etc. must have occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2019. The independent judging panel is looking for impact regardless of budget or staff size. Organizations of all sizes are encouraged...
From Triathlons to Powerlifting competitions, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports has hosted nearly every type of sporting event imaginable. Their success was recognized at this year’s Symposium naming them the Sports Tourism Organization of the Year.
“As a sports commission, we don’t approach building relationships and businesses with awards in mind; we work hard to invite and welcome athletes, families, and fans to Alabama’s beaches,” said Beth Gendler, Vice President of Sales for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. “We were against some huge competition for sports tourism organization of the year, which just adds fuel to our fire.”
Many wonder how they can follow the lead of this incredible sports commission, so we asked their Communications and Marketing Specialist, Ally Mills Dorrough if she had any wisdom to share or things that set the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area apart from others. Here are a few pointe...