In a recent study conducted by the Sports Events and Tourism Association, research showed U.S. sports travelers, event organizers and venues spent a total of $45.1 billion in 2019, an increase of over 5 percent from the previous year, generating $103.3 billion in direct, indirect and induced business sales, according to the 2019 State of the Sports Tourism Industry Report in America.
From 2015 to 2019, sports tourism spending increased 16.7%. The study conducted calculated three distinct types of impact: direct, indirect, and induced, calculating the levels of impact for sales, jobs, wages, and taxes. By monitoring the sports tourism economy, policymakers can produce future funding plans and prioritize sector development.
Sports Travelers: Nearly 180 million people traveled to a sports event in the U.S. in 2019 either as a participant or spectator, which generated 69 million room nights. The study found this was an increase of more than 10 million people since 2015, who are spend...
Tournaments could soon find their way to Paducah, Kentucky. A new sports facility just opened in McCracken County.
The 40,000 square-foot indoor facility features basketball and volleyball courts, plus a cover can be used to host other non-sporting events. McCracken County Sports Tourism Commission is excited about what this means for the future.
“Our main goal as a commission is what we call ‘heads and beds," Jim Dudley, chairman of the McCracken County Sports Tourism Commission, told the Paducah Sun. “We want to bring in people from outside the area, get them here for a night or two, and really showcase Paducah.”
Mark Whitlow, Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center board chair agreed.
“[The facility] will attract thousands of visitors to our center and our downtown. They will stay in hotels, dine in our restaurants, and shop in our quality stores. Together, we have greatly improved the quality of life and economic development of...
Sports ETA is excited to announce that our members now have access to higher FedEx discounts off list rates than ever before. When you sign up for the Sports ETA Shipping Program (it’s free to enroll), you’ll save 45% on FedEx Express and 25% on FedEx Ground. If you’re currently using the program, be sure to re-enroll to get the improved discounts. With all of the challenges businesses are facing right now, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of cost-saving benefits. Whether you’re shipping orders to customers, getting shipments in from suppliers, or managing customer returns, you’ll be able to reduce your costs. Enroll today.
In this podcast with SportsTravel Editor and Publisher Jason Gewirtz, Sports ETA President and CEO Al Kidd and Jennifer Stoll, the lead researcher on the project, discuss the data in the new survey and how destinations and event organizers can take advantage of the numbers that will serve as a benchmark as the industry continues its recovery.
Among the topics discussed in this episode:
Details of the 2019 State of the Industry study
What future studies from Sports ETA will address
Growth over the last five years in sports-related travel
The rise of sports complexes across the United States
The impacts already measured from COVID-19 on sports-related travel in 2020
How many hotel room nights are generated from sports-related travel
The impact the industry has on local economies in terms of jobs and attracting job candidates
The industry’s impact on tax generation for local and state governments
The role sports-related travel i...
Perfect Game USA has released its RFP for the 2021 PG Signature Events. These events have been hosted throughout the United States and have had a significant impact to the host regions' sports, tourism, and economic development efforts. Login to the Sports ETA Event RFP Database to view the RFP and learn more about bringing these events to your destination!
Access Event RFP Database
Contact: Jackie Reau
Game Day
(513) 708-5822
jreau@gamedaypr.com
Landmark Study by Sports ETA on U.S. Sports-Related Travel Shows $45.1 Billion Impact, Provides Benchmark for Post-COVID 19 Impact Measurement
Sports ETA Report Looks at Economic Impact of Sports Tourism in America
CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – U.S. sports travelers, event organizers and venues spent a total of $45.1 billion in 2019, an increase of over 5 percent from the previous year, generating $103.3 billion in direct, indirect and induced business sales, according to the 2019 State of the Sports Tourism Industry Report in America presented by the Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) in partnership with the Northstar Meetings Group.
The landmark study presents the most comprehensive and representative data quantifying the value of sports-related travel in the United States. Conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, the report incorporates original data from ...
Long time Sports ETA member Gary Ewen, CSEE, of Fort Myers, Florida, is hanging up the cleats after nearly 40 years of service. Gary was one of the first tourism professionals to recognize the value of sports in his community. In the early 90’s, Lee County was one of only 40 destinations that targeted, at that time, the “niche” market of sports tourism. There are now over 600 such agencies nationwide. In his tenure, he has served on many boards including the Sports ETA. He was an inaugural member of the CSEE program.
Gary and his wife Karen have created two sports-related businesses: Pinnacle Tourism Strategies, and Southwest Florida Sports and Entertainment Group. These organizations will continue to make a lasting footprint in the sports marketing community. Gary can be reached at pinnaclets@yahoo.com, garyewen1@yahoo.com or at 239-321-1730 or his website http://pinnacletourism.com/.
The Summer 2020 edition of the Playbook is available now. Download your copy.
Inside this issue:
SportsBIZ XChange Keynote Speakers
A high-caliber list of keynote speakers was assembled for the inaugural SBX, including NFL wide receiver, Andrew Hawkins, CBS Sportscaster, Seth Davis, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Rohit Bhargava.
Tour Birmingham Like A Pro: A Preview of the 2021 Symposium
We can't wait to see everyone at the Sports ETA Symposium, scheduled for April 26-29, 2021 in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama. If you've never been, Birmingham has lots to do and see -- but don't take our word for it, here's your personal guide to the area from Tonia Whatley!
2020 Women's Summit Goes Virtual
Springtime in New Orleans for the 2020 Women's Summit turned into virtual presentations streamed to our living rooms, but that didn't prevent our attendees from hearing some of the top ...
CINCINNATI (July 16, 2020) – Alan Kidd, President & CEO of Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Association of Event Hosts, which represents sports tourism organizations from around the world.
The International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH) exists for representatives of international destinations to collaborate together to generate the best possible value from hosting major sporting and cultural events and provide a voice for not-for-profit hosts of events.
Kidd has served as President & CEO of Sports ETA for the past three years leading the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, which provides education, advocacy, and networking opportunities for its membership. Kidd joined Sports ETA in April 2017 bringing more than 35 years of advertising, sales, marketing, venture capital investing, risk management, executive leadership and non-profit experience...
CINCINNATI (July 14, 2020) – SportsBIZ XChange presented by Sports ETA, a month-long schedule of virtual business appointments and industry networking opportunities to connect its members to sports events rights holders, announced today that former NFL player Andrew Hawkins will serve as the keynote speaker on August 10, 4 p.m. ET.
Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins, is a former NFL wide receiver, sports executive, Shorty Award-winning writer, Emmy Award-nominated host, and Oscar-winning producer. At only 5’7”, Hawk’s seven-year NFL career was as improbable as his post-NFL successes in media, business and entertainment.
The former NFL team captain, who graduated with a master's degree and a 4.0 GPA from Columbia University, has become synonymous with creative cultural content, and digital media expertise and development. After retiring from the NFL, Hawk began his media career at ESPN, where he was a two-time Emmy Award-nomina...