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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
Sports tourism represents a lucrative and rapidly growing sector, offering unparalleled opportunities for destinations to
attract visitors, stimulate local economies, and showcase their
unique identities.
In the competitive world of sports tourism, strategic merchandising and digital solutions play a crucial role in enhancing destination branding, engaging visitors, and driving economic impact.
Key Takeaways:
Merchandising Strengthens Destination Branding: Over 53% of organizations recognize destination branding as a key outcome of sports tourism, with branded merchandise serving as a powerful tool for increasing visibility and recognition.
Branded Merchandise Drives Fan Engagement & Loyalty: High-quality, well-designed promotional products create lasting connections with visitors, reinforcing brand affinity beyond the event experience.
E-Commerce Expands Reach & Revenue: Leveraging digital platforms for sports merchandising enhances accessibility, boosts sale...
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...