Sports Facilities Summit

Welcome to the November edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we turn our spotlight to the Roebbelen Center in Placer Valley, California—a groundbreaking project that reimagines the potential of sports facilities on the West Coast. This facility is a trailblazer, transforming the decades-old Placer County Fairgrounds into a world-class multipurpose event campus that has become a national model for tourism and sports event innovation. Make sure to read to the end—our Key Difference Maker could inspire new strategies to elevate your facility's success! A Place Where Champions Are Made Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California, Placer Valley has emerged as a hub for premier sports events, hosting some of the largest youth, amateur, and professional competitions in the western United States. With top-tier facilities, tournament-friendly hotels, and easy access via Interstate 80,...

Welcome to the October edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we’re thrilled to highlight the Alachua County Sports & Events Complex (ACSEC) in Gainesville, Florida—a premier destination for sports events in North Florida. Known for its state-of-the-art indoor track and adaptable multi-sport spaces, the ACSEC stands out as a powerhouse in sports tourism, boosting local economic growth and providing world-class facilities for athletes, spectators, and the surrounding community. Don’t miss the “Key Difference Maker” at the end—this insight could help shape your own facility’s impact. A Legacy of Sports Dedication Since 1999, the Gainesville Sports Commission (GSC) has been dedicated to advancing sports tourism and community development through strategic sports events. As a nonprofit with a mission to drive tourism and economic impact, the GSC has fueled over 300 million dollars in economic growth for Gainesville and ...

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...

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...

July 2024 Welcome to the inaugural Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This new feature aims to highlight the best sports facilities within our membership. Each month, we'll spotlight a new destination's premier facility at the heart of their sports tourism portfolio, showcasing what sets them apart, as their "key difference maker". To kick off our launch, we're excited to feature four future hosts of some of our upcoming Sports ETA events.   Tampa Bay Sports Authority  Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay This facility was opened in 2019 and is managed by the Tampa Sports Authority, as their organization is charged with recruiting and attracting events.  This facility was built for $17 million through a partnership with Hillsboro County, The Tampa Sports Authority and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.    Since its opening, it has hosted 161 events with total attendance exceeding 372,000 spectators with almost half coming from outside th...

Save the Date: April 13-17, 2025, in Tulsa, OK for Our 2025 Symposium and Facilities Summit! We are thrilled to invite you to two premier events in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from April 13-17, 2025: the 2025 Symposium and the 2025 Facilities Summit! Registration for both events is now open! 2025 Symposium Date: April 14-17, 2025 Our Symposium is the place to be for sports events and tourism professionals looking to elevate their game. Here’s what you can expect: Innovative Sessions and Keynote Presentations Be inspired by an incredible lineup of sessions and keynotes featuring industry leaders and experts. Gain valuable knowledge and practical takeaways to implement in your organization. Networking Opportunities Take advantage of numerous networking events to connect with peers, industry partners, and event owners from across the country. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships. 2025 Facilities Summit Date: April 13-14, 2025 ...

CINCINNATI (January 5, 2022) – Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) has named William Knox to lead Facilities Program Development. He will oversee the Sports Facilities membership and programming, a growing segment of the general membership. Knox earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Marketing with a minor in Business from Indiana University in 2000. After completing his undergraduate career, he accepted a position as the Director of Sports Marketing with the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau. Later, he became the Director of the Hoosier Sports Corporation. Knox moved to Hamilton County in 2009 to accept the Director of Sports Development position for Hamilton County Tourism INC, where he also served as the Director of the Hamilton County Sports Authority. Knox went on to become the Director of the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana where he oversaw the operations, marketing and business development of the 400-acre campus tha...

Contact: Jackie Reau, Game Day (513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com   Sports ETA to Partner on Two New U.S. Sports Congress Events   CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the U.S. sports events and tourism industry, will serve as an organizing partner of the new U.S. Sports Congress Economic Development & Sports Tourism Summit (ED&STS) and the Collegiate Championship Symposium scheduled for December.   Both events will take place under the U.S. Sports Congress umbrella in Frisco, Texas. The ED&STS will be held December 6-7 and the Collegiate Championship Symposium will be December 6.   The ED&STS is designed for economic development professionals, Chambers of Commerce, park districts and government representatives. This unique programming will feature its own educational track, including opportunities to network with other like-minded professionals at U.S. Sports Congress receptions.   T...

Women’s Summit: March 31 - April 2, 2021 hosted in San Antonio, Texas Sports Facilities Summit: April 26-27, 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama  Symposium: April 26-29, 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama 4S Summit: October 19-21, 2021 in El Paso, Texas The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) announced today its 2021 slate of programs, which includes four signature events designed to bring the national membership and sports events and tourism industry leaders together for educational and networking opportunities. The Women’s Summit, planned for March 31-April 2 hosted in San Antonio, Texas, is developed by top female leaders in the sports events and tourism industry to help women achieve their career goals. Attendees will take away tools and resources to elevate their personal brand and become more valuable to their organization. Registration is open now: https://www.sportseta.org/events/womens-summit The Sports ETA Symposium, which will be...

Sports ETA Members: Although we were looking forward to seeing everyone in person in Kansas City next week, we are pleased that we were able to retain the robust line-up of industry experts and topics in order to bring the Sports Facilities Summit to you in a virtual format. If you didn't register for the live Summit, now is your chance. Register for the Virtual Sports Facilities Summit today! The first session begins next week on Wednesday. For more information on registration, schedule, topics and more click here. Questions? Email info@sportseta.org.