Contacts: Jackie Reau, Game Day
(513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com
Ashley Whittaker of The Sports Facilities Companies named Sports ETA’s Woman of the Year
CLEVELAND (April 4, 2024) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, today at the 2024 Sports ETA Women’s Summit, named Ashley Whittaker, Partner and Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Sports Facilities Companies as the 2024 Sports ETA’s Woman of the Year.
Whittaker leads corporate business development and marketing for the Sports Facilities Companies as well as the SFC Facility Marketing Department, which is responsible for the marketing, branding, and project management of SF Network facilities. Under her leadership, SFC has exponentially more communities with better business development strategies and campaigns. SFC’s clients and firms have been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, Fortune, HBO, TIME, Wall Street Journal, Sports Bu...
Our latest whitepaper features 29 tips to optimize team housing and grow your events. In this whitepaper, five sports tourism pros share the top tactics in their playbooks. You’ll discover:
Game-changing practices to drive more revenue and offset expenses with hotel commissions and rebates.
Quick tips for proving economic impact. So you can maximize destination support, including grants and cash sponsorships.
A simple method to pump up registration while working less.
6 insider tips for scoring better hotel rates and more concessions. So you drive higher attendance.
Secrets to white glove service that turn customers into fans who are thrilled to come back.
In short: You’ll get proven best practices from sports event pros. Then, you can decide which ones to add to your own playbook.
Thanks to GPS + Playbook 365 who partnered with us to sponsor this white paper content.
DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER
Please join the Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Spaces Community on Wednesday, April 3 at 3 PM ET for a Apalachee Regional Park Case Study / Round Table with Outdoor Recreation Leaders. During this meeting we will explore a case study involving Amanda Heidecker, Director of Parks for Leon County in Tallahassee Florida, and how the parks department and CVB partnered to transform a solid waste facility into a world class sports venue. The second half of the session will be open floor discussions with all Parks & Rec community members weighing in on the current state of Parks & Recreation departments, Sports ETA membership, and how we can accelerate the movement of Parks & Rec within the association.
Learn more on the Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Spaces Community webpage here.
JOIN ZOOM MEETING
Meeting ID: 898 6813 8500
Passcode: 028032
SAN JOSE (February 22, 2024) — The 2024 Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit, the intersection of sports leadership and technology, wrapped up here yesterday and shattered records with an unprecedented turnout of the top leaders in the sports events and tourism industry. Hosted by the San Jose Sports Authority, it wasn't just an event – it was a pulsating celebration of the synergy between sports tourism, professional development, and the transformative impact on communities and economies.
Sports events and tourism leaders representing CVBs, sports commissions, rights holders, and industry partners gathered from February 20 and 21 to share trends and learn best practices on various topics, including technology, business, and management. Attendees enjoyed an evening at the SAP Center, where they were surprised with an appearance by NFL legend and Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Not only did he pass around his impressive collection of rings, but he also shared the im...
On Wednesday, February 21 at 2 PM ET Don Staley shared what it will take to host the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference 2025 Women's Softball Championship. The GCAC is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The conference is made up of members representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and is only one of five in the United States across all intercollegiate sports made up of HBCU institutions.
VIEW RECORDED WEBINAR
The Sports ETA Sports Legacy Fund awards an annual grant and sports equipment donation to an organization in need in the host city of the Symposium. We are proud to announce we have donated over $200,000 to programs in need, since the Sports Legacy Fund was established in 2003.
The program was originally developed by the St. Petersburg/ Clearwater Sports Commission as an equipment donation program. The Sports Legacy Fund is a way for members of the sports events and tourism industry to make a personal and lasting impact on the lives of underprivileged youth sports programs throughout the country.
An emphasis is placed on donations to not-for profit organizations that provide individuals, particularly at-risk youth, veterans, or physically or intellectually disabled individuals, opportunities to participate in sport and encourage healthy lifestyles. This contribution is part of the legacy the Sports ETA leaves in each host city.
2024 BENEFICIARY: SHE FLIES
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Learn from Frank as he chats about his experience (decades!) in the sports tourism industry and his advice for teams and small towns!
Join us on Wednesday, February 21 at 2 PM ET as Don Staley shares what it will take to host the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference 2025 Women's Softball Championship. Register Now.
The GCAC would like to host this event in a southeastern city of the United States ideally from April 15-19 or 23-27, 2025 (potential dates).
The Host Requirements include:
Complimentary rental of college regulation softball stadium/complex
Hospitality Area for Staff and Officials
Scoreboard Operator and Statistician
Coordinate Athletic Trainers
Host Press Conference prior to Championship
EMS/Ambulance-add on site.
Seven (7) Staff Hotel Rooms for Six (6) Nights
Welcome reception for up to 250 guests.
Bid Fee of $12,000 (negotiable) to the GCAC.
Group booking rates for GCAC member institutions.
Public Relations/Marketing- create excitement to get attendance at games.
Create a Local Organizing Committee to mobilize community support for event.
In connection wi...
We are excited to announce the reinvigoration of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) community! After a period of reflection and planning, we are back with renewed energy and a commitment to fostering a more inclusive environment for all.
As we embark on this journey together, your active engagement is crucial. We want to ensure that our initiatives and discussions are meaningful and relevant to you. That's why we're inviting you to participate in a brief 2-minute survey.
By sharing your thoughts and perspectives, you'll help shape the direction of our DEI efforts and ensure that we address topics that matter most to our community. Whether it's discussing challenges, sharing experiences, or proposing solutions, your input will guide our actions moving forward.
Your responses will remain confidential, and the information gathered will be used solely for the purpose of enhancing our DEI initiatives. We value your honesty and appreciate your time in complet...
2023
WHAT. A. YEAR!
One thing we’ll never quit doing is bragging about our members. The Sports Events & Tourism community is full of rock stars, and that has never been more evident than it was in 2023. You all absolutely crushed it!
The influx of #MemberWin submissions, the surge in press releases highlighting record-breaking events, and the exciting announcements of new industry partnerships reached unprecedented levels! This overwhelming response is a testament to the unparalleled excellence of Sports ETA members, reaffirming our belief that they (you!) are undeniably the best in the industry. Here's to celebrating the remarkable success of 2023 and looking forward to even greater accomplishments in the future!
So, who wants to earn the title of being THE best? How about another badge to add to your profile and boost your rank on the leaderboard? How does an interview on the Sports Events Entertainment Network’s (SEEN) podcast sound?
The Sports ETA Mem...