CINCINNATI (March 10, 2025) – Three leaders in the sports and events tourism industry will be enshrined into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame, powered by Albuquerque Sports Commission, at the organization’s annual Symposium in April. The new Hall of Fame members announced today are: Linda Logan, CEO and President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission; Jon Lugbill, Executive Director, Sports Backers; and Frank Viverito, retired President & CEO of the St. Louis Sports Commission.
The Sports ETA Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award recognizing long-standing and significant accomplishments in, and major contributions to, the industry trade association, Sports ETA, and the overall sports tourism industry. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame was launched in 2017, and there have been six induction classes with 21 honorees.
“Sports ETA is honored to welcome three new members into the association’s prestigious Hall of Fame,” said John D...
Unlock the Power of Hotel & Destination Partnerships to Drive More Revenue & Keep Happy Customers Coming Back
Are you making the most of your partnerships with destinations and hotels? This report shares insider tips for youth sports event rights holders and organizers. Discover how to deepen these partnerships and grow your events.
Key Takeaways in This Report
Increase Revenue: How to work with destinations and create new revenue streams that can be game-changing for your events.
Reduce Costs: 11 ways to score better rates and room blocks by collaborating with hotel brands.
Improve Economic Impact: Simplest tools for using event housing data to show impact and drive more registrations.
Boost Attendee Satisfaction: The #1 way to deliver the authentic, local experiences customers crave. Score bigger wins – even with a small staff.
Grow Your Events: Inspiring success stories about event teams that overcame challenges like budget constraints and reduced s...
Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on sunny Central Florida’s Lake Myrtle Sports Park in sunny Auburndale, FL. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
"Our Home Field, Your Advantage”
The Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale has cemented its status as a premier destination for youth, amateur, and collegiate sports. Its unparalleled location, coupled with world-class facilities, has made it one of the most coveted venues in the region. With seamless access via major highways, including Interstate 4, the park serves as a prime host for large-scale tournaments and prestigious sporting events.
Visit Central Florida Sports has been instrumental in the park’s meteoric rise. By fostering strategic partnerships, Polk County has ensured that Lake Myrtle Sports Park continues to be a powerhouse ...
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 19, 2025) – Sports ETA successfully hosted its annual Chief Executive Summit here this week from February 18-19, drawing record attendance with a 47% growth from 2024 for the two-day event to share sports events & tourism leadership trends with its senior membership.
The CE Summit was hosted by the Fort Worth Sports Commission, and sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach, Sports Richmond, Discover Puerto Rico, Florida’s Sports Coast, Competition Travel, and Hunden Partners.
“We thank Fort Worth for hosting our annual Chief Executive Summit where we convene our top leaders serving the sports events & tourism industry,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “We enjoyed two productive days of meetings in this great city to discuss best practices, new trends and business opportunities.”
The CE Summit offered numerous educational and networking opportunities includi...
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...
CINCINNATI (February 10, 2025) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, has announced record-breaking achievements in membership growth, event attendance, financial performance, and resource development in 2024.
Membership Growth and Retention
In 2024, Sports ETA shattered its 32-year record for new members, welcoming 126 new member organizations and achieving a 12% year-over-year (YOY) membership growth, the largest increase in the association’s history. This builds on an 8% YOY growth in 2023. Member retention also reached an all-time high, with the membership loss rate dropping from 12% in 2022 to just 5% in 2024. Sports ETA concluded 2024 in the strongest financial position in its history, reflecting on its strategic focus and the active engagement of its membership.
“These results demonstrate the growing value of Sports ETA as a resource and partner for the sports events and tourism industry,” said John David,...
CINCINNATI (February 4, 2025) – The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced today a new partnership with Team Travel Source, a leader in tournament housing for youth sports, and software company EventPipe as the official housing technology and services providers for Sports ETA events.
Under the partnership, Team Travel Source will serve as the Housing Services Provider, managing customer service and support for Sports ETA members and event attendees. EventPipe will act as the Housing Technology Provider, supplying the platform for booking online reservations and streamlining the housing management process. Events included in the agreement are the 2025 Sports ETA Symposium in Tulsa, the 2025 4S Summit in Annapolis, MD, the 2026 Chief Executive Summit (location TBD) and the 2026 Women’s Summit in Phoenix.
“We’re excited to work with Team Travel Source and EventPipe to e...
We’re excited to unveil a brand-new White Paper that explores one of the most critical relationships in sports tourism—the partnership between Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Parks & Recreation Departments. With 81% of all sports tourism events hosted at Parks & Recreation facilities, fostering strong collaboration isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for success.
To complement this valuable resource, we’ve also developed a customizable PowerPoint template (membership required) to help you effectively communicate the power of sports tourism to your Parks & Recreation stakeholders.
Key Takeaways from the White Paper:
Importance of Collaboration: Parks and Recreation Departments manage the majority of sports tourism facilities, making them essential partners for DMOs.
Challenges to Overcome: Differing missions and priorities can create roadblocks in collaboration.
Strategies for Success:
Strengthening co...
Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on the Eco's Sports Park in sunny Puerto Rico. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
Location, Location, Location
When it comes to sports facilities, location is everything—and Eco’s Sports Park is no exception. Nestled within Parque Luís Muñoz Marín, this outdoor multi-sport complex is part of a dynamic hub that also includes iconic venues like the Hiram Bithorn Stadium and the Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum.
The park is supported by Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). Established in 2017, Discover Puerto Rico has championed tourism as a transformative force for the island’s economy, working to position Puerto Rico as a top-tier destination for leisure, business, and e...
Sports tourism is making a major impact, generating $39.7 billion in direct spending, supporting over 635,000 jobs, and contributing $12.9 billion in tax revenue in 2021 alone, according to Sports ETA’s State of the Industry Report. As this sector continues to thrive, the focus is shifting toward sustainable growth—balancing environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
For destination marketers and event organizers, adopting sustainable practices isn’t just ethical—it’s a strategic move that enhances destination appeal, boosts community benefits, and drives long-term economic success. This white paper dives into actionable ways to integrate sustainability into sports tourism, creating memorable events while securing lasting value for communities.
Key Takeaways from the White Paper:
Triple Bottom Line: Sustainability means balancing environmental, social, and economic goals for impactful sports events.
Going Green: Focus on wast...