Thank you, Al Kidd, for helping us THINK BIG!

Al Kidd, who has served as the President & CEO of Sports ETA, the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, announced he will retire on June 30, 2023. Kidd joined Sports ETA in 2017 after a successful business career, which included serving as the CEO for the San Diego Sport Association for eight years.

During his tenure, Kidd led the brand name change from National Association of Sports Commissions to Sports Events & Tourism Association or Sports ETA to engage the growing industry in an inclusive manner.

“We thank Al Kidd for his dedication and leadership to Sports ETA, as well as his efforts to enhance our relevancy within the industry over the past six years,” said Don Dukemineer, CHSP, Director of Sports Development, Decatur Morgan County Tourism & Board Chair of Sports ETA. “Al’s knowledge and experience led the Association to seek new heights and improve member benefits with a focus on advancing the membership with education, advocacy, research, and networking or the ‘EARN philosophy,’ a term he coined for Sports ETA.”

Education

Increasing continuing education among the membership was a key priority for Kidd and his leadership team, especially during the pandemic. Sports ETA revamped its entire website to improve access, including the development of a proprietary education Learning Management System (LMS), which delivers online educational content on a 24/7 basis. The association also introduced two new member benefits: Sports Events & Entertainment Network, which provides video features on members and their organizations, and the Sports Tourism Learning Institute, an entirely new educational program aimed at providing industry-leading content that features expert thought leaders.

“The launch of the new educational programs and opportunities for our members has made a significant impact on our sports events and tourism industry,” said Janis Burke, STS, CEO of Harris County – Houston Sports Authority & Past Board Chair of Sports ETA. “Al and his team have elevated our association’s educational experiences to new heights to ensure the next generation is prepared to lead our industry.”