Conference Review, Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit, Fort Worth, TX

CONFERENCE REVIEW

Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit

The Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Chief Executive Summit occurred February 17-19, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. The conference presented an unparalleled opportunity for leaders in sports events and tourism.

Originally designed specifically for CEOs, presidents, and directors, this Summit has evolved to include sports tourism professionals on the rise.

The Summit offers a platform to delve into high-level topics such as office culture, leadership strategies, crisis management, and goal achievement. Attendees benefit from insights shared by industry experts that foster an environment of learning and collaboration.

The event kicked off with an informal welcome and networking session at the Fort Worth Sports Commission Office, setting the stage for meaningful connections. With sessions held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, participants engaged in educational experiences, including keynote speeches, general sessions, and interactive discussions.

A highlight of the Summit was a visit to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, featuring a live cattle drive, a VIP bull riding event, and an educational experience at the Cowtown Coliseum, including the Commissioner and CEO of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), The President and General Manager of the Ariat Texas Rattlers, and the General Manager of the Cowtown Coliseum.

The session offered a unique blend of professional development, local culture, insights on site selection for PBR, and new offerings in the sport.

By attending, executives enhanced their leadership skills and gained valuable perspectives to drive their organizations forward in the dynamic field of sports tourism.

And for you history buffs out there…

Fort Worth, Texas, holds a significant place in the history of President John F. Kennedy’s final days. On the night of November 21, 1963, President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stayed at the Hotel Texas, now known as the Hilton Fort Worth, one of the Summit’s overflow hotels. The following morning, November 22, President Kennedy gave a speech in the hotel’s ballroom before delivering an impromptu speech to a crowd gathered outside the hotel before proceeding to Dallas, where he was tragically assassinated later that day.

Fort Worth has established the JFK Tribute in General Worth Square at the southeast corner of Main and 8th Streets, adjacent to the Hilton Fort Worth, to commemorate President Kennedy’s visit and his last public speeches. This tribute features an 8-foot-tall bronze sculpture of President Kennedy, created by artist Lawrence Ludtke, set within a granite plaza. The plaza includes photographic displays and selected quotes from several of JFK’s historical speeches, providing visitors with an insight into his visit to Fort Worth and his enduring legacy.