Sports Events and Tourism Industry

We extend our heartfelt support to all our members impacted by the recent hurricane and encourage you to take care of yourselves and one another during this challenging time. If you're in a position to help, please consider donating to area relief organizations that are providing vital assistance. Please reach out to the Sport ETA team if we can provide any assistance during this time.

Get ready for an exciting edition of the September 2024 Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the most groundbreaking facilities in the sports events and tourism industry: Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG). As one of the largest sports and entertainment complex in North America, AAG is not just a venue—it’s a game-changer for sports tourism. Dive into this showcase and discover how AAG is driving both community engagement and economic growth. Plus, don’t miss our "Key Difference Maker" and a thought-provoking question to help you level up your own operations. Let’s get started!    Mesa, arizona: A Premier Sports Destination, Powered by Partnership Mesa has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most desirable destinations for hosting a wide range of sporting events—whether amateur, youth, collegiate, or professional. The city has hosted premier tournaments for the NCAA, NJC...

We’re excited to announce the next Women's Community Group call, scheduled for October 9, 2024, at 3 PM ET. Mark your calendars for an inspiring session led by Jessica Blubaugh, Chief Philanthropy Officer of United Way of Greater Kansas City! Jessica brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role, with a career journey that began as an intern at the Kansas City Sports Commission—a fun fact that showcases her deep roots in the sports and nonprofit sectors. This call will be an excellent opportunity to hear from Jessica as she shares her insights, experiences, and perspectives on leadership, philanthropy, and community impact. Whether you're looking to learn, network, or find inspiration, this session is sure to offer valuable takeaways for everyone. Learn more about Jessica here: https://voyagekc.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-jessica-blubaugh/ Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and grow with fellow members of the Women's Commu...

Join us for the inaugural Parks & Recreation Community meeting on Monday, October 16 at 2:30 PM ET! This roundtable discussion, led by community leaders will bring together Parks & Recreation professionals, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), and Sports Commissions to create a vibrant, collaborative community. Our focus will be on enhancing the impact of sports tourism, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering sustainable community development through the strategic use of parks, recreation facilities, and events.   Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, share, and innovate with industry peers! JOIN ZOOM MEETING Meeting ID: 871 8748 8253 Passcode: 279776   If you have any questions, please be sure to visit our community webpage and LinkedIn group. Community Leaders, Jennifer Fink, Director of Parks and Recreation, MASC/National Sports Center Clay Partain, STS, Executive Dir...

Mark your calendars for an exciting opportunity to connect and collaborate! We invite all state association leaders to join us for a community meeting on Wednesday, October 2, at 3 PM ET. This meeting is all about extending the conversation between State Associations and State Parks & Recreation Organizations, exploring how we can work together to support each other’s missions more effectively. Topic: Extending the Conversation about State Associations & State Parks & Recreation Organizations: How Can We Work Together to Support One Another's Missions? This is a great opportunity to share insights, build relationships, and find new ways to strengthen our collective impact on the communities we serve. Let’s explore how our state associations and parks and recreation organizations can unite around common goals, amplify our efforts, and create more meaningful experiences for everyone involved. Feel free to extend this invitation to your State Parks &am...

We're thrilled to share some exciting news as we quickly approach our 32nd anniversary, just one month from today! To celebrate this milestone and close out Fiscal Year 2024, we’re shaking things up. Rather than the usual PDF, we've crafted a dynamic and engaging video report that brings our achievements to life and offers a glimpse into the future of your association. We couldn't be more excited to share it with you, our incredible members!   In this video, you’ll discover: Highlights of our FY24 performance and the milestones we achieved together. Stories of impact from across our membership. A sneak peek into what’s coming in FY25, with exciting new initiatives and opportunities!   We believe this innovative approach not only celebrates the successes of the past year but also provides an inspiring look ahead. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, and we’re even m...

  Calling all Small to Mid-Market Destination members! Please join us on Wednesday, September 11 at 3:30 PM ET for a virtual community meeting focused on Local Partnerships. Don’t miss out - tell an industry colleague!   Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 895 4263 9576 Passcode: 227836     Agenda Meeting & Committee Introduction / Sports ETA Update Ryan Strickland, Community Leader, Play Treasure Coast Florida Chris O’Brien, Community Leader, Visit Panama City Beach Millie Osguthorpe, Community Leader, Visit Ogden Carey Harveycutter, Community Leader, City of Salem, VA Domico Rodriguez, Community Leader, Rapid City Sports Commission Lucas Gebhart, Community Leader, Visit Boise Ed Carnathan, Community Leader, Las Cruces Chip Woytowitz, Community Leader, Ocean City Tourism Greg Gelinas, Community Leader, Buffalo...

August 29, 2024 | News Release  Hilton Named Official Hotel Partner of the Big Ten Conference Saturday primetime football on the Big Ten Network will be presented by Hilton CHICAGO, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network (BTN) today announced a multiyear partnership with Hilton, a leading global hospitality company, as the Official Hotel Partner of the Big Ten Conference. Hilton will be the presenting sponsor of all Saturday primetime Big Ten football games on BTN. The Big Ten Conference will have access to discounted room rates at Hilton properties throughout the year for employees, student-athletes, and team personnel for more than 4,000 Big Ten events across the network and conference. The partnership will offer premium tickets, on-field experiences and other unique Big Ten experiences exclusively to Hilton Honors members through the Hilton Honors Experiences platform, while also partnering with the Big Ten Conference on an an...

  The newest edition of the Sports ETA Playbook is now available! We hope you’ve heard the news—because, for the first time in years, we’ve also mailed printed copies to all member organizations! If you haven’t yet, take a break and check out the Playbook, featuring record-breaking events now. Download your copy here, and remember to share it with a colleague       Inside This Edition Target USA Cup Draws more than 1,180 Teams for Youth Soccer Experience AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships Score Big for Orlando U.S. Rowing Brings Largest Youth Nationals to Sarasota Best Practices from the USA Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis West Monroe Sports & events Center Serves Up Olympic Trials in Opening Moths of its New Facility And more!   VIEW PLAYBOOK  

August 2024 Welcome to the August 2024 Sports ETA Facility Showcase, a feature that aims to highlight the best sports facilities within our membership, showcasing what sets them apart, as their "key difference maker". This month, we're thrilled to feature the Spokane Sports' premier indoor sporting venue: The Podium, the crown jewel of Spokane's sports events and tourism portfolio. Established in 1989, Spokane Sports has been a driving force in the region's economic development as a nonprofit organization. They play a pivotal role in attracting, retaining, and facilitating sports events across Spokane, fueled by a dynamic blend of funding sources, including a Tourism Promotion Assessment (TPA), lodging tax funds, and rental car tax revenues. This robust support empowers them to elevate sports events and tourism in the region. The showcase of The Podium exemplifies how Spokane Sports achieves their success through strategic partnership...