Sports ETA is excited to announce we are officially accepting proposals to host the largest and most influential gathering in sports events & tourism, our annual Symposium in 2029, 2030, and 2031. We want your destination to be part of our future.
The Sports ETA Symposium unites 1,000+ industry leaders, destinations, industry partners, and rights holders. By hosting Symposium, your destination becomes the backdrop for the most powerful familiarization tour in sports tourism. For an entire week, 250+ rights holders, including both international and domestic rights holders, will experience firsthand what makes your destination exceptional.
Hosting the Symposium offers unmatched benefits:
Global platform with unparalleled exposure to 250+ rights holders from across the U.S. and abroad.
Economic impact from 1,000+ attendees providing you the opportunity to showcase your destination to top sports tourism professionals
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CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with RCX Sports, a leader in youth sports experiences and events.
Under the partnership, RCX Sports will be present at several upcoming 2025-2026 Sports ETA events.Together, the two organizations will work to expand opportunities for youth sports, support community engagement, and continue strengthening the connection between event operators and destinations.
As the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, MLB, and USTA, RCX is the only multi-sport organization trusted by pro leagues and governing bodies to represent them. RCX Sports delivers officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources, and full support, empowering league operators to create the best youth sports experiences in their communities.
“We are excited to partner with ...
Welcome to the August 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on the First Interstate SportsPlex in Valley, Nebraska. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
First Interstate Sports Complex – A Complex for All
In the sports world, we often associate Omaha, Nebraska with the College World Baseball Championship. Don’t get me wrong, Omaha has a rich history of hosting many sporting events from regional championship to Olympic Trials, as well as baseball. Located minutes west of Omaha, lies a sports complex that prides itself as a “sports for all” and their “no kids turned away” mantra. It is owned and managed by the Elkhorn Athletic Association (EEA).
As Omaha's largest non-profit youth sports organization, they served over 8,300 kids across 10 sports in 2024 and their participants a...
What happens when you combine the high-octane energy of NASCAR with the timeless tradition of Major League Baseball?
Tomorrow, Bristol Motor Speedway will answer that question as it transforms from raceway to ballpark for the MLB Speedway Classic, a first-of-its-kind matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves.
This isn't just a game. It’s a visionary hybrid sports event that blends two iconic fanbases, two powerhouse leagues, and a destination bold enough to dream big.
🚧 The transformation: From oval to diamond, with more than 18,000 tons of gravel, synthetic turf, and custom-built clubhouses, all inside NASCAR’s "Last Great Colosseum."
🤝 The collaboration: MLB, NASCAR, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development working together to create an unforgettable fan experience.
🎤 The festival: A full lineup of concerts featuring Tim McGraw, Pitbull, and Jake Owen, plus food trucks, fan zones, carnival rides, ...
Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, the spotlight is on the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
The National Sports Center - A Generational Project
Not far from the mighty Mississippi river north of Minneapolis, the world’s largest amateur sports facility resides in Blaine, MN. With over 4 million annual visitors, the 700-acre National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, stands as the world's largest amateur sports facility. Its extensive amenities include more than 50 soccer fields (17 of which are turf -- the most in the US!), eight ice rinks, an 18-hole golf course, and a training facility for Minnesota United. The center is also home to the annual USA Cup Soccer Tournament, which draws over 16,000 players from around the globe. The facility's origins trace back to a 1980s s...
Sports ETA New Board Leadership
Maryland SoccerPlex’s Matt Libber appointed Board Chair
CINCINNATI (July 01, 2025) – Sports ETA, the only trade association in the sports events and tourism industry created by members, for members, today announced the official start of terms for its newly elected Board of Directors leadership and the appointment of four additional board members. This member-led structure is at the heart of what makes Sports ETA unique—an organization built to serve, support, and advance the very community that powers it. The board members were elected by the association’s membership during the 2025 Sports ETA Symposium held in April. Their terms begin today, July 1, 2025.
Matt Libber, STS, Executive Director of the Maryland SoccerPlex, has been elected as the new Board Chair.
Clay Partain, STS, Chief Sports Officer of Visit Salt Lake, has been named Vice Chair.
Melissa Thompson, Vice President of Bids and Exter...
The latest Playbook is out now -- Sports ETA members should have received a printed copy in the mail, but you can always read online too!
Not sure how to tackle the STS Certificate Program? We've created a sample timeline to help you stay on track - from enrollment to final course completion.
Whether you're pacing yourself over several months or diving in headfirst, this roadmap gives you a clear view of what to expect and how to plan your progress.
Start smart. Stay focused. Earn your STS with confidence.
Download Sample STS Timeline and Course Path.
This white paper explores how sports commissions are leading the charge by using data and partnerships to deliver events that boost local economies, reduce environmental impact, and create lasting community value.
Key Takeaways in This Report
Partnerships are powerful: Sports commissions drive sustainability by connecting local vendors, nonprofits, and rights holders to collaborate on shared goals.
Data fuels smarter events: Tracking metrics like waste, energy use, and community impact helps optimize planning and prove sustainability outcomes.
Sustainability is a competitive edge: Eco-conscious practices strengthen RFPs, attract major events, and enhance a destination’s appeal.
Local impact matters: Sustainable events support local businesses, create green jobs, and keep economic benefits in the community.
Legacy goes beyond the event: Community engagement, education, and long-term initiatives help build resilience and leave lasting value...
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.”
S...