Being new to this industry is intimidating, right? You have seasoned vets who seem to know everyone and then there is you – brand new and ready to make connections. But how? Here are a couple of tips and tricks I hope will help as you navigate being a “newbie” in this industry!
Go to the Sports ETA 4S Summit. Aside from the fact that you get to learn from some of the greatest leaders in our industry, this event is also one of the best opportunities to meet people. It’s smaller than the Symposium and is a completely education-based conference, making it your best opportunity for networking with colleagues. This is your chance to learn best practices and pick the brains of people who have walked in your shoes.
ASK THE QUESTION. This industry is built on relationships between clients and peers. With that being said, we can be each other’s greatest resource. You are learning the industry and it’...
Sports ETA is feeling the holiday spirit and we hope our members are too as we start to raise money for our Sports Legacy Fund. What better way to celebrate #GivingTuesday, than by giving to kids in need?
Each year, Sports ETA awards a grant to a non-profit organization that provides at-risk youth, veterans, or physically or intellectually disabled individuals opportunities to participate in sport. To date, Sports ETA and our members have donated more than $150,000 in grants to organizations that leave a legacy in the lives of the athletes who participate in their programs.
For 2020, we are pleased to announce our beneficiary KC Blind All-Stars Foundation. This amazing group helps support the needs and dreams of blind and visually impaired youth at the Kansas State School for the Blind and the educators who believe in them.
The KC Blind All-Stars Foundation will use the Sports Legacy Fund grant to build the school a new, handicapped-accessible playground on the school’s ...
From volunteering her time on the Sports ETA Mentoring Committee to serving on our board and attending the first-ever Women’s Summit in Columbus, Ohio, Meaghan Hughes is a dedicated member of Sports ETA.
Meaghan started off as a receptionist at the Ann Arbor Sports Commission and has risen in the ranks to be the Associate Director. She is now responsible for a variety of divisions including strategic planning, sales, social media, and managing Simpleview.
Meaghan said one of her favorite experiences was when the 2014 NHL Winter Classic came to Ann Arbor and her office hosted a New Year’s Eve “The Puck Drops Here” event. She says it’s something she would never have been able to be a part of if it wasn’t for her great job.
As someone who started her career in the sports industry at a younger age, Meaghan likes to mentor those who are just starting off.
“I started working here [Ann Arbor Sports Commission] when I was 23 and understand ...
The holiday season is upon us. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, we here at Sports ETA just wanted to give a big thanks to you, our members. This is YOUR association. Without YOU, we would be nothing.
Many of you have stepped up, volunteering your time to make Sports ETA better. From our board members to our committees and events, we appreciate all the time you give our association. You are the reason we grow and succeed day after day, year after year. We welcome your insights, knowledge, and experience because Sports ETA is here to help you and others just like you in the industry of sports events and tourism.
Thank you once again for making 2019 a fantastic year for Sports ETA. We are excited to see what 2020 has in store. We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season.
She’s a Steelers fan that cheers on her team from Binghamton, New York. When her Steelers are not on the field, she enjoys being outdoors, attending live performances and volunteering for animal rescues. Meet one of our Sports ETA mentors Judi Hess.
Judi is the Director of Visit Binghamton. She is responsible for tourism promotion of Greater Binghamton including serving as the primary tourism liaison with elected officials, budget management, strategic planning, marketing program oversight, and managing all aspects of day to day operations of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. You can say Judi has many roles she takes on each day.
“Being a part of a small bureau, I get to wear many hats,” Judi said. “Because of that, I feel very comfortable mentoring in sales, marketing, social media, and branding.”
Judi suggests three things to anyone in this industry:
Put yourself out there
Never stop learning
Get involved
Getting in...
Did you know Sports ETA offers mentoring to members, new and old? The Mentoring and Engagement Committee is here to help all Sports ETA members. We will be spotlighting each mentor to help you get to know them a little better - you may even find that you connect with one of them. This way, when you need a mentor in the future, you already have one in mind.
Meet Hank Pivarnik, CSEE. He recently retired from Hilton as the Director of Sports Sales after 30+ years of service. In that role, Hank oversaw sales relationships between Hilton brands and customers from MLB, MLS, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, and NHL. In addition to sales relationships with USOPC, several NGB’S, sports broadcasting and sports housing entities.
While there was plenty of hard work along the way, Hank really enjoyed the times when he was able to work with Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks at NBA Cares service day during an NBA AllStar weekend. And his work with the Denver Broncos, which gave him a game b...
How to use your mentor.
Your fellow Sports ETA members, especially those on the mentoring committee, each come with unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to our industry’s association. The best part of the diversity of membership is access to these leaders in sports tourism and what you can learn from them. It is not just about having someone to help guide new members through their first experiences, but also an opportunity to get creative and learn. Some of the most pivotal things I've learned in this industry weren’t taught to me in school or any formal education session, but from my colleagues, their experiences and of course my own.
I would encourage anyone to lean on those members of the mentoring committee, whether your assigned mentor or another member of the committee you already know, as a resource to bounce ideas off, seek career guidance, learn from their missteps and successes alike. Someone outside your dest...
Becoming a new member of Sports ETA is an exciting time. Event and tourism organizations are welcomed into a big network of colleagues and introduced to dozens of resources. It can be a lot to take in. That’s where our Mentoring and Engagement committee comes in.
Experienced Sports ETA members volunteer to serve as mentors to new member organizations and first-time Sports ETA event attendees who are new to the sports events and tourism industry. These mentors are there to offer advice, best practices in different areas of the industry, and a friendly face at Sports ETA events.
These mentors are not just there for new members; they can be of help to members who have been with Sports ETA for years. If you have a dilemma and need some friendly advice, one of our mentors will be glad to help you. Or if you are traveling to a city you are unfamiliar with, check out our mentors to see if they can make any recommendations.
This committee of about 40 industry leaders have a...
Reserve your spot at the 2020 Women's Summit April 1-3 in New Orleans, LA.
Developed by top women leaders in the sports events and tourism industry, the annual Women's Summit will inspire you to achieve your career goals. The Sports ETA Women’s Summit offers attendees solutions to build stronger bonds with their community, advocate for themselves, and hone their leadership skills. Attendees will take away tools and resources to elevate their personal brand and become more valuable to their organization after attending the Sports ETA Women’s Summit.
All meeting functions will take place at the Hampton Inn & Suites - New Orleans Convention Center. View Schedule.
REGISTRATION
Member Rate: $499
Participants will earn 4 CSEE credits.
Register
HOTEL
The host hotel is the Hampton Inn and Suites Convention Center.
Rate: $254/night
Room block cut-off is February 28, 2020.
Book Hotel Room
QUESTIONS?
Contact: Member Service...
We appreciate your input on industry trends! If you didn't have a chance to respond to the latest version of The Pulse, it's ok! Take a look at the recap and see what industry trends are being watched by other Sports ETA members.
The Pulse v.7 Recap
The information in the recap above helps us as we plan for timely and relevant research for our members. Part of that objective is keeping a close eye on what’s happening in the industry, and what trends our members are interested in. Collegiate athletics is the subject of the Pulse v. 8, available now:
Take The Pulse v. 8 today!
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