When Winter Storm Fern forced the cancellation of the original January dates for the 2026 Chief Executive Summit, the decision was clear — and incredibly difficult. With a Level 3 Snow Emergency in place and travel prohibited, safety had to come first.
But what happened next speaks volumes about this community.
The response from Sports ETA members was immediate and overwhelming: Reschedule it.
We heard you.
Thanks to the strength of this community — and the extraordinary partnership of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Hilton Columbus Downtown — we are excited to announce that the 2026 Chief Executive Summit has been rescheduled for June 1–3, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.
A Summit Worth Coming Back For
This year’s Chief Executive Summit was on track to be our largest yet, with record registration and an energy that reflected the momentum of our industry.
That momentum hasn’t gone anywhere.
The rescheduled Summit will...
CINCINNATI (March 17, 2026) – Three leaders in the sports events and 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:
Tara Green, Principal, Public Realm Strategies, OJB
Ray Palmer, President and CEO, Pensacola Sports
Tammy Dunn, Executive Director, Snohomish County Sports Commission
Induction into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame represents one of the highest honors in the sports events and tourism industry, recognizing individuals whose careers have helped shape and advance the field.
The three honorees will be formally inducted during the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as part of the association’s annual celebration of leadership in sports tourism. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame, sponsored by Albuquerque Sports Commission, recognizes individuals ...
Your voice matters—and your data helps move our industry forward.
If you’ve completed the Sports ETA State of the Industry Survey, download this graphic and share it on your social channels to show your support for the future of sports tourism. Be sure to tag Sports ETA and use #SportsETASOTI and #YourInsightsMatter so we can amplify your leadership.
Haven’t taken the survey yet? There’s still time. Complete the survey before March 2, then post this graphic to let the industry know you helped shape the future of sports tourism.
Together, we tell the story.
Welcome to the November 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we are changing things up to focus on one key area of the facilities we have showcased in the past, Design and Experience. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
What Does Design and Experience Add to a Facility?
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is a key non-profit promoting community strength through parks and recreation. While 20th-century Parks and Recreation departments mainly managed local sports facilities, the late 1980s and 1990s saw a shift toward partnerships for competition-grade facilities to drive economic development. Currently, modern Parks and Recreation departments are investing in multi-use, hybrid athletic complexes that incorporate tourism, moving beyond traditional offerings. ...
We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for Sports ETA: We have officially welcomed our 100th new member of the year — for the second consecutive year!
This achievement is more than just a benchmark. It’s a testament to the strength of our community, the growing impact of the sports events and tourism industry, and the trust that destinations, rights holders, industry partners, and facilities place in Sports ETA every day.
A Team Effort Worth Celebrating
Membership growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens through intentional relationship-building, consistent outreach, and a deep commitment to delivering value. We want to give a heartfelt shoutout to our exceptional Membership Team:
Michelle Wessels — Senior Director of Membership & Engagement
Glen Schorr — Rights Holder Representative
Brian Graham — Destination Representative
Austin Long — Member Services Coord...
For the first time ever, a delegation of America's premier host cities will visit Lausanne to strengthen global sports tourism partnerships
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The U.S.-based Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), will lead a historic visit of 16 major U.S. host destinations to meet with global sports federation leaders and event organizers in Lausanne, Switzerland from December 3-5, 2025.
This notable visit marks a significant milestone in the international engagement strategy of Sports ETA—the leading and only trade association representing the U.S. sports tourism industry—ahead of a series of global sports events coming to the United States, including the FIFA World Cup 26 and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The delegation will connect with international sports federations and organizations headquartered in Lausanne, widely recognized as the Olympic Capital of the world.
Sports ETA President &...
Endurance sports events – like triathlons, marathons, and cycling races – are powerful drivers of tourism, community wellness, and destination branding. When aligned with local priorities, they generate significant economic returns, strengthen civic pride, and leave lasting legacies.
This white paper outlines a framework to help communities and organizers unlock their full potential.
Key Takeaways:
Endurance events are complex, two-way education, shared language and strategic planning between event producers, host destinations and facilities is vital for event success.
Alignment of short- and long-term goals should be part of agreement negotiations. (profit vs. public good, short-term tourism vs. long-term community value)
Key Elements (ex. event planning, data collection, community communication) must stay deliberate and collaborative annually. Information silos, gaps in data and a lack of fresh and ongoing storytelling weaken the case for continu...
Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we are featuring the Western Sports Park in Davis County, Utah. This is an expanded facility north of Salt Lake City that increases the sports facilities landscape of the region and the State. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
The Western Sports Park, One “Seamless” Investment to the “Amusement Capital”
Davis County is home to a rich history, diverse activities and unique scenery. It might be the smallest county in landmass in the state, but they are the third most populated county in Utah. Located approximately 20 minutes north of Salt Lake City, they proudly proclaim that they are the “Amusement Capital” of the state for their offering of adventures and opportunities not offered elsewhere in the state. The team at Discover Davis...
CINCINNATI, OH (October 14, 2025) — The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the leading association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced today the addition of Jordan Dillon and Raelyn Dessart to its Membership & Engagement team. Together, they will support Sports ETA’s mission to unite and elevate the organizations and professionals driving the sports events and tourism economy across the nation.
“I’m excited to welcome Raelyn and Jordan to our team,” said Michelle Wessels, Senior Director of Membership & Engagement at Sports ETA. “They both bring incredible passion and fresh perspectives that will help us strengthen relationships, grow our membership, and continue driving engagement and participation across our events.”
Jordan Dillon, Associate Director of Membership & Engagement, Rights Holders
Jordan Dillon brings more than 15 years of exper...
CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – The Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced today a new corporate partnership with Tanger®, a leading owner and operator of open-air outlet and lifestyle shopping destinations.
Through this partnership, Tanger will serve as the presenting sponsor of Sports ETA’s Student Enrichment Program, a philanthropic initiative designed to support the next generation of sports tourism professionals through education and networking opportunities. The collaboration will introduce Tanger’s brand to Sports ETA’s broad industry network and provide opportunities for engagement across the sports events and tourism industry.
“This partnership with Tanger demonstrates our commitment to connecting national brands with the sports tourism industry in meaningful ways,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Together, we wi...