As we embark on a new fiscal year, we are excited to announce an enhancement to our membership categories at Sports ETA. We understand that the landscape of sports events and tourism is evolving, and so are the needs of our community. To better serve you, we are introducing a new membership category designed specifically for individuals who are not affiliated with an organizational entity but are eager to engage and learn within our vibrant community.
Introducing Individual Memberships!
Our new Individual Membership category is perfect for:
High School and University Students: Dive into the world of sports events and tourism early in your career path.
Individual Enthusiasts: Individuals passionate about sports events and tourism but not [yet] affiliated with a qualifying organization.
Key Features:
Access to Resources: Gain valuable insights, resources, and industry updates.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with profess...
The Young Professionals Community looking for new committee members! Complete this form to tell us a little bit about yourself and why you’d like to join the Young Professional committee.
Applications are due by Wednesday, November 23, and we will contact you in early December.
As a reminder, please ensure you are subscribed to the YP group through Sports ETA. You can do so here: https://lnkd.in/dJZrfYAe
Thank you for being a part of this community!
Your YP Group Leaders,
Luchie Javelosa, STS, Tempe Tourism Office, luchie@tempetourism.com
Ariana Tyler, CMP, STS, CTA, Greater Columbus Sports Commission, ATyler@ColumbusSports.org
Going Virtual to Create A New Event Called Virtual Artistic Swimming
By Baylee Robinson, Events & Membership Director, USA Artistic Swimming
Looking back at 2020 and what we all went through is overwhelming, but it also shows how resilient the sport industry can be. Last year was full of planning, cancelling, planning again, moving, postponing and transitioning into a virtual world. To say 2020 was stressful and exhausting is an understatement of the year, it was so much more. It was devastating to watch but looking back now I can see how successful we all really were.
USA Artistic Swimming (USAAS) went through a lot of same struggles but as a unique sport we were able to create a unique competition opportunity, Virtual Artistic Swimming. We never thought COVID-19 would last as long as it did and we wanted to provide our athletes a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Our athletes had now gone over a year without an in-person event and the motivation to keep training without a...
Meet Zach Ebarb, Visit Baton Rouge, National Sports & Convention Sales Manager.
Though he’s had plenty of fun experiences working at Visit Baton Rouge, the most fun Zach Ebarb has had is hosting rights holders at Louisiana State University or Southern University home games.
“The tailgates, food, venues, and hospitality of our locals make these site visits special and personalized each time,” says Ebarb. “The atmosphere in Baton Rouge each home game day is that experience you feel on Christmas morning!”
Ebarb has been working in the industry for eight years marketing Baton Rouge as a sports and convention destination. As part of the job, he attends trade shows, networks with rights holders, conducts site visits, issues sales leads to venues and hotels, and compiles bids. But more than just selling the city as a destination, Ebarb collaborates with the rest of the Visit Baton Rouge team, and local community hospitality partners, to turn eve...
In a time of COVID-19, events look a little different. After seven years in the industry, this Sport ETA Young Professional has been forced to make some changes
Meet Katie Langland. Katie is the Business Development Manager at Minneapolis Northwest Tourism. She is responsible for bringing events into one of three cities while developing and maintaining relationships with planners and partners.
“Meeting other sports tourism suppliers and planners from all over the country is my favorite part of the industry,” Langland said. “You meet so many people and before you know it, they become your friends. You have support, people to talk to and learn from, and a huge support system.”
In the future, she wants to become more involved with sports tourism. She is already involved with MPI MN and MN Festivals and Events Association.
Outside of sports, Katie enjoys a myriad of outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and traveling. Greece is at the top of her trave...
Looking to the future, this Sport ETA Young Professional plans to double their sports economic impact from before COVID-19 shook the world. Stan Adams has a vision.
After being in the industry for five years, Stan is working at Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports as the Director of Sports. As the director, he oversees developing, maintaining, running, and acquiring sports events to generate economic impact for the Tuscaloosa Community.
Stan has had some incredible experiences working in the industry:
“Being involved with the largest high school basketball tournament in the country, the Gov. Challenge, running the Alabama High School Football Championships in Bryant Denny Stadium, getting to meet Deontay Wilder, and of course making lifelong friends with everyone in the industry at conferences.”
Outside of work, sports are still a huge part of Stan’s life. He lives for Miami sports. Watching or attending any game for the Heat, Dolphins or Marlins is his go-to hob...
Many of you may remember the welcome Sports ETA and its members received at the 2019 Symposium in Knoxville. The one where the mayor slammed someone into a table. If not, check out the clip and you may begin to understand this next Young Professional’s love for Knoxville.
Parker Medley has been with Knoxville Sports Commission for over four years. He’s the Sports Sales Director, promoting Knoxville and Knox County as a premier sports tourism destination.
The 2019 Sports ETA Symposium has been one of his best experiences in the industry.
“{The Symposium} brought in a record number of attendees. It was very fulfilling to showcase our beautiful city to rights holders and DMO’s across the country,” Medley said.
Parker also enjoyed taking a group of clients to the Battle at Bristol, which was the largest attended college football game ever. It helped that Tennessee came out victorious. Another win that Parker loves to remember- his alma mater Florid...
This Young Professional has already had not one, but two dream jobs. But that’s not stopping Roxanne Steinhoff from continuing her career in Sports Tourism.
Roxanne Steinhoff is the Marketing and Communications Specialist at Chicago Sports Commission and Choose Chicago. She’s been there for five years and handles the outgoing communications including managing marketing, advertising, design, and the brand. This became dream job number 2 - showcasing one of the greatest cities in the world.
Dream job number 1 was working on an Olympic bid. Roxanne’s curiosity for exploring the intersection of sports and politics led her to Boston, which is where she worked on the Boston 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Bid Committee.
“Seeing the positive impact of the events we bring is incredibly rewarding.” - Roxanne Steinhoff
One of the most rewarding experiences Roxanne says she has had in the sports events and tourism industry is working on the 2018 Laver ...
If you know anything about Arizona college sports, you’ll know Arizona State University and the University of Arizona is the big rival in the state. This Sports ETA Young Professional and Tucson native went against tradition and attended Arizona State University instead of U of A. It’s a decision Alicia Kentz Griffith says made some of her best sports memories.
“l would have to say my favorite sports memory is hands down attending the Arizona State vs. University of Arizona football games each year with my family,” said Kentz Griffith.
Meet Alicia Kentz Griffith. A proud Arizona State alum, she has been with the Tempe Tourism Office for seven years and currently holds the job of Communications and Event Coordinator. There she markets Tempe as a desirable visitor and event destination along with assisting in securing and promoting sporting events in the area. In the near future, Alicia hopes to bring new events to the Tempe community.
“We tend to g...
Quidditch may not be a sport you know much about, but Laura Porth and the team at U.S. Quidditch is trying to change that.
Laura is the Director of Events & Partnership at U.S. Quidditch. She oversees all aspects of U.S. Quidditch's 8 annual championships, including the bidding process, budgeting, volunteers, and logistics. As well as creating and managing partnership opportunities. Laura says her goal is to bring quidditch to new cities, especially on the west coast.
As for her own personal future, Laura says she loves to travel, host large scale events, and getting to know others in the sports events & tourism industry.
“I really love going to the conferences and seeing and hanging out with everyone,” Porth said. “I especially love the Women's Summit and getting to go to the Women's Final Four, and US Sports Congress and getting to play a round of golf with an LPGA player.”
So you’ll find her traveling the world, playing a...