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...
The Nominating Committee is accepting applications for seven (7) open positions on the Sports ETA Board of Directors, including:
Executive Committee – Secretary/Treasurer
Four (4) Directors representing the Destination category
(3-year terms expiring June 2028)
One (1) Director representing the Industry Partner category
(3-year term expiring June 2028)
One (1) Director representing the Rights Holder category
(3-year term expiring June 2028)
Apply Now!
Key Dates to Remember
*Subject to change
Monday, December 16: Nomination Portal Opens
Sunday, February 16 @ 11:59 PM PST: Nomination Portal Closes
February 17 – 21: Review Applications & Schedule Interviews
February 24 – March 7: Interviews Take Place
Friday, March 14: Slate Finalized
Tuesday, March 25: Proposed Slate Presented to the Board of Dire...
CINCINNATI (January 6, 2025) – Sports ETA, the official trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced today a new partnership with Rico Solutions, a leader in sustainability solutions for events, to provide a suite of educational offerings for the membership of Sports ETA.
This initiative between Sports ETA and Rico Solutions launched at Sports ETA’s 4S Summit hosted in Chattanooga, Tennessee and will continue throughout 2025. Richmond Region Tourism will also partner as the sponsor of the educational courses focused on sustainability strategies that will be available through the Sports Tourism Learning Institute.
“One of our primary objectives is to discover and offer innovations in the sports events and tourism industry, and sustainability is a critical area for us to share best practices,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Together with Rico Solutions, we will unveil a number of educational offerin...
The sports events tourism industry is expanding rapidly, with destinations competing to host events of all sizes. While traditional metrics like visitor spending and hotel occupancy remain essential, earned media offers a powerful, untapped opportunity to measure the broader impact of sports events.
Key Takeaways:
Earned Media Value (EMV): Represents unpaid, organic publicity from media coverage, influencer mentions, and social sharing—capturing the intangible impact of media impressions.
Sports ETA Earned Media Calculator: Provides a groundbreaking tool to quantify EMV, enabling destinations and Rights Holders to measure and report media awareness and overall impact effectively.
Broader Event Value: EMV highlights the significance of events beyond overnight stays, showcasing audience reach, brand visibility, and media exposure.
Enhanced RFPs: Including EMV in event proposals helps Rights Holders present a comprehensive and compelling case for their event’s e...
The newest edition of the Sports ETA Playbook is out now! Take a break and check it out.
Download your copy here, and remember to share it with a colleague.
Welcome to the December edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we’re diving into what makes the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a shining example of how vision and execution can elevate a destination. Stick around for the “Key Difference Maker”—a critical insight that could transform your facility’s future.
The Top of the Hill
Rock Hill seamlessly combines the amenities of a large city with the simplicity and ease of small-town life. Located just 20 minutes south of Charlotte, NC, on the I-77 corridor, Rock Hill has leveraged its strategic location to develop some of the most impressive sporting facilities in the region.
The City of Rock Hill’s Parks, Recreation & Tourism division spearheads its sport and tourism efforts with a clear mission: to enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors through leisure, recreational, and cultural opportunities.
Innovation at The...