Playbook - 2024 Q2

2024

A Week in Portland, OR to Remember

Earned Media Calculator

Discover Chattanooga: Your Host for the 4S & Rights Holder Summit 2024

#GenderEqualOlympics: Celebrating full gender parity on the field of play at Paris 2024

Build Visual Stories That Drive Growth & Loyalty

2023 State of the Industry Report

A Focus on Facilities at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Women’s Sports: Caitlin Clark Effect, WNBA + Aces, Sports Bra

Hosting Duties in Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and Louisville

Gaining Confidence on Camera

National Headquarters

9624 Cincinnati Columbus Road, Suite 209

West Chester, OH 45241

Telephone (513) 281-3888

www.SportsETA.org

Staff

John David, President & CEO

Janis Breedlove, CMP, STS, VP Events & Experiences

Meagan Grau, Director of Marketing & Communications

Michelle Wessels, Director of Membership & Engagement

Rebecca Myles, Sponsorship and Advertising

Carol Courtney, Special Projects Coordinator

Glen Schorr, Special Projects Coordinator

Board of Directors

Officers

Chair: Ray Palmer, STS, President/CEO, Pensacola Sports

Vice Chair/Chair-Elect: Frank Lett, STS, President and Chief Tourism Officer , Visit Kingsport

Secretary/Treasurer: Matt Libber, Executive Director, Maryland SoccerPlex

Immediate Past Chair: Don Dukemineer, STS, CHSP, Director of Sports Development, Decatur Morgan County Tourism

Directors

Phil Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, USA Fencing

Rob Coggin, Director, League Operations, National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association

Cindy Cowart, STS, President, Coward Sports Events

Chad Culver, STS, Senior Director of Sports Commission, Visit Knoxville Sports Commission

Tammy Dunn, STS, Executive Director, Snohomish County Sports Commission

Jason Gewirtz, Vice President, Sports Division, Northstar Meetings Group, Executive Editor and Publisher, SportsTravel, Northstar Meetings Group/SportsTravel

Lawrence Hamm, Senior Director of Business Development, Sports and Entertainment Division, Events DC

Jerrine Lee, Vice President of Sales, Richmond Region Tourism

Chris O’Brien, Director of Sports Marketing & Special Events, Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Jonathan Paris, STS, Executive Director of Sports Tourism, Myrtle Beach Area CVB

Clay Partain, STS, Executive Director, Sports Salt Lake

Hank Pivarnik, STS, Global Accounts Director - Sports, Sonesta International

Scott Powers, STS, Executive Director, Experience Columbia SC Sports

Ryan Strickland, STS, Vice President, Treasure Coast Sports Commission

Melissa Thompson, Chief Community Officer, Indiana Sports Corp

Katy Tigchelaar, STS, Director of Marketing & Events, West Michigan Sports Commission

Looking to share your expertise?

Information-sharing is a founding principle of Sports ETA, and the industry knowledge among the Sports ETA membership lends itself to unprecedented expertise.

Sports ETA encourages members to share information with their peers. Contact Meagan Grau, Director of Marketing and Communications, at Meagan@SportsETA.org to learn more about how you can contribute to a future edition of the Sports ETA Playbook.

To include your news in our weekly Get in the Game eNews, send press releases and articles to info@sportseta.org

Distribution Date: Thursdays. Deadline for content: Wednesday at Noon ET before distribution date.

Letter from the President and CEO

Dear Sports ETA Members and Colleagues,

As we welcome the arrival of summer and the new opportunities it brings, I am filled with incredible pride and gratitude for the many accomplishments our association has achieved over the past year. Reflecting on our journey, it’s clear that our collective efforts continue to drive the sports tourism industry to new heights.

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Ray Palmer for his exemplary service as Chair of our Board. Ray, your dedication and leadership have been instrumental in guiding Sports ETA through a time of significant change. Your complete commitment, passion, and leadership have forever changed our association, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions.

I am also thrilled to share the remarkable success of our recent Symposium in Portland, Oregon. The event saw record attendance, with nearly 950 sports events and tourism industry leaders coming together to share insights, forge new partnerships, and celebrate our collective achievements. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable, and the valuable connections made will undoubtedly propel our industry forward.

Looking ahead, we are eagerly anticipating the Chattanooga 4S Summit this November. Chattanooga, with its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, is set to provide an exceptional backdrop for this pivotal event. The 4S Summit will offer unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration, ensuring that we continue to elevate the standard of sports tourism.

This edition of the Sports ETA Playbook is packed with exciting content that highlights the dynamic nature of our industry. From celebrating gender equality at the Paris 2024 Olympics to exploring how to Build Visual Stories That Drive Growth & Loyalty, the Playbook is a testament to the diverse and impactful work being done by our members.

As we continue to build on our successes, I encourage each of you to stay engaged and share your expertise with our community. The strength of Sports ETA lies in our collective knowledge and passion for sports tourism. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and create lasting legacies in our communities.

Thank you once again for your dedication and support. Here’s to a summer of growth, innovation, and inspiration!

Yours in Sport,

John David President and CEO Sports Events & Tourism Association

Letter From Board Chair

Welcome to summer…and the final note from me as your Board Chair.

There are no words that can adequately describe the honor it has been to hold this position for the last 12 months, but I will at least try.

Of course it all started several years ago when I was selected to serve on the Board of Directors and then a few years after that, the Executive Committee leading to the Chair’s position. Each of those selections was an honor and privilege that not enough of us have had the opportunity to experience, but so many deserve. Why me? I don’t know but I am truly humbled and thankful.

The Association we are all part of is such a great thing to be a part of as a young, growing industry with so many amazing assets and experiences. I know of very few industries where fierce competition fits together with collaboration, best practices, experiences, and ultimately true friendships. While I have lived in Pensacola for virtually all my 65+ years and have many, many deep and long-term relationships, some of my dearest and most important friendships are a result of my 20+ years with NASC/Sports ETA and the sports tourism industry.

I want to thank ALL the staff of Sports ETA, full-time, part-time, and contracted, for their hard work and commitment to the company. Transitions are rarely easy; ours was not either, but your efforts helped us achieve remarkable successes, setting records in virtually every measurable area.

Thank you to our new rocket commander, John David, for agreeing to accept the task of taking us to new heights. I know these heights will continue to be raised and achieved with your leadership. Keep shooting for the stars, my friend.

Thank you to the entire Board of Directors for your vision and leadership. Your candid conversations, insight and commitment are the glue that holds the organization together and helps to guide the long-term vision. Without you, our Association will never reach those lofty goals of being the positive group we are striving to be.

And to the Executive Committee of Don, Frank, and Matt, a huge “thank you” for your support, every day, every situation, every issue, everything a Chair could possibly ask for, you were there.

As we transition to the new leadership team and a new fiscal year, thank you all again, I wish you all the very best.

Work hard, stay focused but never forget to keep those priorities in order. Work can wait!

Be Moved! Ray Palmer Sports ETA Board Chair

Member Services News & Updates

Help us welcome the organizations who have joined Sports ETA in 2024:

Destinations

• AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk

• Brandywine CVB dba Visit Delco, PA

• City of Oak Creek Tourism

• CRYSP DC

• Cyclone Ballparks

• Discover Kalispell

• Elkhorn Athletic Association

• Emerald Acres Sports Connection

• Explore Brighton Howell Area

• Florence Center / ASM Global

• Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau

• Grand Sierra Resort & Casino

• Hometown Sports

• Mayo Civic Center / ASM Global

• North Country Sports Council

• Oregon Convention Center

• South Fulton Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Team Ohio Sports

• Visit Baytown, Texas

• Visit McMinnville

• Visit Rio Rancho

• Willamette Valley Visitors Association

• WYO Sports Ranch

Rights Holder

• 5 STAR SPORTS

• All In Play Sports, LLC

• American Cornhole League

• American Jet Sport Association

• B.A.S.S. Events LLC

• Big Bear Tournaments

• BSC SOFTBALL INC

• Cycling Quests, LLC

• Disc Golf Pro Tour

• GWN Dragon Boat

• International Døds Federation

• Junior Volleyball Association

• Legends Championship LLC.

• LR Productions

• National Collegiate Volleyball Federation, Inc.

• NXTPRO Sports

• Ozark Outdoors LLC

• Paradragons USA

• PARALLEX AGENCY

• PLAY Hockey

• Prep Baseball Tournaments

• Prospects by Sports Illustrated

- Soccer

• Red Sox Destinations

• Rise Productions

• Shred the North (Canada Snowboard)

• Statewide Esports Summit

• The Ultimate All Star

• Throw No Shade Kickball League LLC

• Top Gun Events

• USA Dodgeball Inc.

• USA Pickleball

• USSSA

• Volleyball World SA

• World of Step Alliance

• YOFJ, LLC DBA The Monster Games

Industry Partners

• ARCO National Construction

• Blue Strike Environmental

• CampusVR

• ConferenceDirect

• Generali Global Assistance

• Go4

• GotSport

• HipMaps

• HotelPlanner

• Hyatt Hotels Corporation

• Just Courts Construction

• Member Deals (DBA EBG)

• Northwest Designs

• Pixellot

• Resiada

• Rico Solutions

• Risk Strategies Company

• SEQL

• SportsTrip

• TB Products

• The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk

• Wasserman Live

• WISe Wellness Guild

From the USTA All-Stars to the ASA National Tournament to the LPGA Links qualifier, the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois has played host to some of the finest tournaments in the U.S. With top-notch facilities and athletic fields, your next tournament will be a winner.

SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE

Member Shoutouts

Congratulations to all of our members who have been recently promoted or started a new job within the sports events and tourism industry! Your growth and achievements inspire us all. We are proud to have you as valuable members of our association and are thrilled to see you take this step in your career journey.

• Sarah Inboden, CMP, STS, Vice President of Experience & Events, Tulsa Regional Tourism

• Matt Meunier, Deputy Executive Director, Minnesota Sports and Events

Recently added to their organization’s Sports ETA membership:

Colby Adamson, Pixellot

• Brent Allen, Rico Solutions

• Kelly Angeletti, USA Field Hockey Morgan Argubright, Elite Tournaments

• Mariya Baker, Louisville Tourism

• Andy Ballard, Eastern Sports Management

• Robin Baxter, Go4

• Abbie Beane, Blue Strike Environmental

• Barbara Benda, West Michigan Sports Commission

Rex Berman, Florence Center / ASM Global

• Troy Bittenbender, Group Productivity Solution

• Matthew Bogdanoff, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast

• Adrian Bonev, Member Deals

• Robins Bonner, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Tory Borgmann, TB Products

• Tyler Borgmann, TB Products

• Derek Bratrud, Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc

• Hannah Braun, Pensacola Sports

• Rebecca Brittain, Junior Volleyball Association

• Stine Brun Kjeldaas, International Døds Federation

• Emily Burlison, USA Artistic Swimming

• Madison Burton, Albuquerque Sports Commission, A division of Visit Albuquerque William Cameron, GotSport

• Stevi Carr, WISe Wellness Guild

• Jessica Catlett, Compete-Valdosta-Lowndes

Lorenzo Cavallari, Volleyball World SA

• Valeri Chavez, Sports Destination Management

• Marla Cichowski, Sports Illinois

Leslie Clines, Hometown Sports

• Tim Cochran, All In Play Sports, LLC

• Matt Cockell, PLAY Hockey

• Brian Cole, Disc Golf Pro Tour

• Chris Conwell, Connect Sports

• Jeremiah Cook, Compete College Station

• Adam Cooper, Pensacola Sports

• Tim Corkhill, AMI Graphics

• Melissa Corless, CampusVR

• Foster Counts, NowCandid Sawyer Counts, NowCandid

Annie Cross-Codron, DS Sports Events

• Katie Cundiff, Travel Salem

• Kristin Cushman, Blue Strike Environmental

Marcelo da Costa, Volleyball World SA

• Deanna Darnes, USA Dodgeball Inc

• Kenny Davis, Main Attraction Recreational Sports LLC

• Joy de Vega, Explore Elk Grove

• Clay Dickey, BSC SOFTBALL INC

• Rob Dondero, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

• Matt Dougherty, North Country Sports Council

• Melodie Dumesnil, Shred the North (Canada Snowboard)

• Stephanie Durham, Traveling Teams

• Paul Dyer, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino

Kathryn Earley, South Fulton Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Roy Edmondson, The Ultimate All Star

• Sean Elliott, Soccer United Marketing/Major League Soccer

• Robert Evans, Cycling Quests, LLC

• Vanessa Figueroa, Discover Puerto Rico

• Dwayne Fisher, Main Attraction Recreational Sports LLC

• John Fleming, Johnson Consulting, Inc

Neil Fortier, North Country Sports Council

• Haley Fox, Augusta Sports Council

• Sareea Freeman, Events DC

Micah Fuller, Wasserman Live

• Yuri Garcia, CampusVR

• Brady Gardner, Red Sox Destinations

Emily Gladson, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino

• Zvi Goffer, CampusVR

• Katie Gole, Visit Phoenix

• Michael Gonzales, American Cornhole League

• Mark Goodman, Big Bear Tournaments

• Zach Gossin, Resiada

• Dante Graham, Main Attraction Recreational Sports LLC

• Amélie Gravel, Tribu Experientiel Stacey Gross, Forsyth County Chamber of

Commerce

• Myles Gullam, Leslie Jordan, Inc

• Daniel Gurevich, PLAY Hockey

Andrew Hale, IHG® Hotels & Resorts

• Alise Hale, Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau

• Stephen Hamilton, Pixellot

• Vicky Harmsen, Leslie Jordan, Inc

• Jackie Hass, GotSport

• Sarah Hawk, Big Bear Tournaments Andy Hayes, Go4

• Dustin Heise, Shred the North (Canada Snowboard)

Mack Heisinger, PLAY Hockey

• Bailey Helgren, Conventions, Sports & Leisure International

Erica Herbert, Main Attraction Recreational Sports LLC

• Kelvin Herbert, Main Attraction Recreational Sports LLC

• Devric Hitchcock, Sports Milwaukee, Championed by VISIT Milwaukee

• John Hodge, All In Play Sports, LLC

• Kayla Horvath, JBJ Events

• Craig Howard, Experience Montgomery

• Jonah Hoyos, GWN Dragon Boat

Noah Huber, Visit Omaha

• John Hudson, B.A.S.S. Events LLC

• Kelley Hungerford, NIRSA

Sean Jack, Disc Golf Pro Tour

• Greg Jackson, AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk

Marit Jacobs, Spokane Sports

• Cici Jamison, St. Louis Sports Commission

• Jason Jaramillo, National Gay Basketball Association

• LJ Jellison, Ozark Outdoors LLC

• Brett Kauble, USA Dodgeball Inc

• Rick Kelsey, GotSport

• Strojan Kennison, USSSA

• Denis Kibby, Cyclone Ballparks

• Michelle King, National Gay Basketball Association

Follow and tag us on social!

Jamey Kirby, Florence Center / ASM Global

• John Klinkenberg, Minnesota Sports and Events

Jeff Knapp, Visit McMinnville

• Ben Knosby, HotelPlanner

• K risten Krasinskas, Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc

• Jessica Kuhl, WYO Sports Ranch

• Doug Kydd, Rise Productions

• Kim Largin, United States Fastpitch Association Carolyn Lee, GWN Dragon Boat

• Genesis Leggett, Florida Sports Foundation

• Monika Lindsay, Greene County Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Lisa Lindsey, Heartland Soccer Association

• R yan Long, Go4 Eric Lopez, B.A.S.S. Events LLC

• Sandra Lopez, Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Spor ts & Events

• Salina Lourenco, The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk

• D wayne Lucas, Main Attraction Recreational Spor ts LLC

• Mark Lynch, Tempest

• Max Malloy, US Sports Club Insurance

• Liz Mangan, Discover Gilbert Jen Marhenke, Rico Solutions

• Jay Mathieu, Group Productivity Solution

• Beth Matran, Team Travel Source

Jeremy Mattingly, Ozark Outdoors LLC

• M ichael McAfee, American Jet Sport Association

Brandon McClish, Evansville Regional Sports Commission

• Nolan McDonald, Greater Orlando Sports Commission

• Taylor McKay, Choose Lansing

• Christine McQuillen, Experience Columbia SC Sports

• Patty Meister, Group Productivity Solution

• Tommy Miller, SALEM, Virginia’s Championship City BRIAN MORAN, Visit Baytown, Texas

Muir, Visit McMinnville

• Christina Nance, Main Attraction Recreational Spor ts LLC

K aci Nichols, Cowart Sports Events

• Drew Niles, Risk Strategies Company

• Patrick O’Donoghue, NXT Sports, LLC

• Josh Oakley, Willamette Valley Visitors Association

• Taylor Obersteadt, Kansas City Sports Commission

Megan Oliver, Rosterfy

• Rick Olivieri, Events DC

• Landyn Olson, Snohomish County Sports Commission

• Eric Onyango, FUJI BJJ

• Abby Owens, Explore Utah Valley Sangmi Park, Events DC

• Konnie Patke, Columbia County Sports Commission

• Brandt Pawley, Elizabethtown Sports Park

• Monica Pea, Oregon Convention Center

• Greg Pena, Visit Rio Rancho

• Melissa Perez, Visit Garland

• Will Pitts, Charlotte Sports Foundation

• Lily Ponitz, Premier Ultimate League

• McKenzie Prevatt, United States Fastpitch Association

• Trish Quillen, ConferenceDirect

• Nate Rackard, Rico Solutions

Jessica Ragan, SportsPITTSBURGH

• Desmond Ramos, Yakima Valley Sports Commission

Alison Ramsley, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

• Holly Rattanakone, Destination DC

• James Reese, 5 STAR SPORTS

• Nanc y Reimer, Oregon Convention Center

• Gyna Rivas, International Slow Pitch Softball

• K aleah Rodgers, Charlotte Sports Foundation

• Amy Rogers, Hopkinsville-Christian County CVB

• Amanda Royce, Maine Sports Commission

• Joshua Rubin, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau

Bill Rucker, All In Play Sports, LLC

• Alex Sawyers, Rise Productions

• Heath Schatz, Visit Knoxville Sports Commission

Suzi Schnell, Connect Sports

• Briana Schunzel, Junior Volleyball Association

• Melissa Shirley, Sports Alliance of Greater Akron

• Cory Shope, Marriott International

• Carol Sneed, NowCandid

• Amy Sonder, Discover Albany

• K ristin Spear, Sport Oregon

Jeff Spring, Disc Golf Pro Tour

• Sydney Stanford, Compete College Station

• Gregory Stephen, IHG® Hotels & Resorts

Whitney Stobee, Discover Saskatoon

• Jordan Sutton, Group Productivity Solution

• Lauren Szerencsits, JBJ Events

Rico Tesio, Rico Solutions

• R yan Tetz, Team Travel Source

• Br yce Thornburg, All In Play Sports, LLC

• Edward Tomasi, Statewide Esports Summit

• N icholas Toth, National Collegiate Volleyball Federation, Inc

• Kylen Trevor, KemperSports

• Matthew Uchtman, Oregon Convention Center

• Max Udell, HipMaps

• Brigetta Uta’i, Sports Salt Lake

Alber t Vasquez, Rosterfy

• Danny Vegas, HotelPlanner

• Lisa Weaver, Lee County Sports Development

Lance Wesson, Events DC

• Lara Wettig, ASM Global

• Sarah Wills, FUJI BJJ

Caleb Wilson, Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Dan Wilson, Discover Gilbert

• Todd Yancey, The Sports Facilities Companies

• Tyler Yoder, Emerald Acres Sports Connection

• Brian Yost, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

• Adam Young, Gwinnett Sports Commission

Susan

Sports ETA

held its

Annual Symposium

in Portland, Oregon April 22-25, 2024 with record attendance

A record-breaking turnout for the 2024 Sports ETA Symposium saw nearly 950 sports events and tourism industry leaders over four days from April 22-25 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

“We thank the team from Portland, Oregon for hosting our annual Symposium where we convene our sports events and tourism industry leadership,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports Events & Tourism Association. “We enjoyed a productive week of meetings and programs to discuss best practices, new trends, and business opportunities in a great American sports city.”

New Board Members Elected

Clay Partain, STS, Executive Director, Sports Salt Lake was elected as Secretary for the Board of Directors.

Additionally, new board members were elected at the Sports ETA Symposium and included:

· Bonny Bernat, STS, Senior Sports Development Director, Visit Winston-Salem

· Becky Harsch, National Accounts Manager, Visit KC

· Brian Persky, STS, Director of Business Development, Discover Kalamazoo Sports

· Rachel Rogers, Vice President Sports Sales & Engagement, Cobb Travel & Tourism/ Cobb Sports Alliance

Kansas City’s Kathy Nelson named 2024 Sports ETA Executive of the Year

Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of Visit KC and the Kansas City Sports Commission, was honored by Sports ETA as the 2024 Sports ETA Executive of the Year at the annual Sports ETA Symposium, held this week in Portland, Oregon. The 2024 Sports ETA Executive of the Year award is a recognition of professional excellence, a celebration of visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and profound impact within the sports events and tourism industry and our association. Kathy is a nationally recognized leader in the sports and tourism industries. As the CEO and President of the Kansas City Sports Commission and WIN for KC, where she’s led her team for over a decade, and as the CEO and President of Visit KC, Kathy works to promote Kansas City locally and nationally with the goal of attracting, retaining and facilitating sports events, conventions and organizations in the bi-state area.

2024 Sports ETA Member Awards announced

Ten organizations and individuals were honored with the annual Sports ETA Member awards:

Sports Commission of the Year

Austin Sports Commission

– Population 500,000 and above

West Michigan Sports Commission

– Population Below 500,000

Sports Tourism Organization of the Year

Visit Sacramento

– Population 500,000 and above

Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

– Population Below 500,000

Rising Star Award

Nathan Caferro

Snohomish County Sports Commission

Event Partnership of the Year

Albuquerque Sports Commission/USA Cycling

– Population 500,000 and above

Rutherford County CVB/ Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association

– Population Below 500,000

Event or Program Impact of the Year

Kansas City Sports Commission

– Population 500,000 and above

Visit Dothan

– Population Below 500,000

Superior Service Award

Gamechangers Consulting

Sports Tourism Strategists Graduates Honored

Nearly 20 sports tourism professionals were honored at the Sports ETA Symposium for the completion of their STS certification program, which is the leading-edge education institute for the sports events and tourism industry offering topical content, and in-depth and industry-leading certification programs.

· Morgan Baker, STS, Visit Corvallis

· Danny Bonifas, STS, Richmond Region Tourism

· Trent Brown, STS, Norman Convention & Visitors Bureau

· Alysha Carse, STS, Visit Plano

· Evan Decker, STS, Visit Billings

· Ce’Nedra Dillard, STS, Play Greenville NC

· Alex Dry, STS, Visit Central Florida Sports

· Emily Grissom, STS, Gainesville Sports Commission

· Annie Goff, STS, Hilton Worldwide

· Joel Koester, STS, Tulsa Sports Commission

· Evangelina Medina, STS, Visit Bakersfield

· Tuyen Nguyen-Valenzuela, STS, Riverside Sports Commission

· George Page, STS, Compete-Valdosta-Lowndes

· Jonathan Paris, STS, Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

· Nick Pazzi, STS, Visit Tucson Sports

· Mathew Ratner, STS, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

· Marquez Singleton, STS, Coastal Mississippi

· Luke Zak, STS, Travel Salem

· Eric Zartler, STS, Lake Charles/

Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sports Facilities Summit a Success

The day-long Sports Facilities Summit, held on Monday, April 22, featured round tables on operations, marketing/sponsorship, and business development, along with a jam-packed day of all-access tours of The Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District’s Howard M. Terpening Sport Complex, Ron Tonkin Field, and Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.

Sports Legacy Fund Raises $16,400 for SHE FLIES

The Sports Legacy Fund, the philanthropic arm of Sports ETA partnered with SHE FLIES whose mission is focused on engaging parents and promoting the many benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle not only for younger girls, but as a lifelong pursuit to enhance anyone’s quality of life, regardless of age. Sports ETA and its members donated $16,400 to SHE FLIES.

Burke, CEO of the Harris County –Houston Sports Authority

Three new members inducted into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame

The 2024 Sports ETA Hall of Fame class was introduced: Janis Burke, CEO of the Harris County –Houston Sports Authority; John Gibbons, former executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission; and Bill Hanson, co-founder of San Antonio Sports.

The Sports ETA Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award recognizing long-standing and significantaccomplishments in, and major contributions to, the industry trade association, Sports ETA, and the overall sports tourism industry. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame was launched in 2017, and there have been five induction classes with 18 honorees.

Here’s to a week we’ll never forget!

To all 950 2024 Symposium attendees, including our amazing hosts at Travel Portland and Sport Oregon, THANK YOU! Thank you for an incredible, record-breaking week. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Let’s do it again next year, April 14-17, 2025 in Tulsa, OK.

Janis

Bill Hanson, co-founder of San Antonio Sports

John Gibbons, former executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission

Portland is a Playground

The home of your next sporting event: Portland.

We’ve got the Trail Blazers, Timbers, Thorns, Hops, Winterhawks, and spacious venues at the Rose Quarter and Providence Park.

Oh, yeah–we also have Nike, adidas, and Columbia which have transformed this city into a sport mecca. If you want sport at the highest level, we’ve got you. And when you look at this beautiful skyline, you can’t help but see potential in Portland.

Home of the 2030

travelportland.com/meetings

Sports ETA’s Earned Media Calculator

Introducing the Sports ETA Earned Media Calculator, a new tool to guide members in tracking earned media metrics to add to your impact reporting. The report can be used for your annual report, grant and funding reports along with proof of performance reports for your clients and partners.

What is earned media?

Earned media is publicity or exposure that a brand receives from third-party sources without paying for it. Also known as earned content or free media.

The Sports ETA Earned Media Calculator estimates the value of media coverage gained through non-paid media channels such as:

• Press coverage

• Social media content

• Word-of-mouth referrals

• TV

• Radio

• Online/print media

It will be collated during an exact date, either annually or from the initial start of your event promotional periodyou pick! Earned media key words that may be reported include: Organization Name, Event Hosted Name, CEO media coverage, etc.

The Sports ETA Earned Media Calculator Formula Will Comprise:

1. Advertising Value Equivalency - This calculates the equivalent of ad costs of earned media coverage based on reach, placement, and audiencedemographics.

2. Impressions-Based Calculator - This estimates the value of earned media by multiplying the number of impressions or views by an audited cost per impression.

3. Social Media Reach Calculator - This estimates the potential reach of earned media coverage on social

HOW IT WORKS

1. Select your subscription level

2. Complete the Earned Media Calculator Interest Form to begin processing your report

Four Subscription Levels:

1. $3,000 Yearly Subscription: 15-20 reports + an annual report

2. $2,500 Yearly Subscription: 11-15 reports + an annual report

3. $2,000 Yearly Subscription: 5-10 reports + an annual report

4. $1,500 Yearly Subscription: 1-4 reports + an annual report

OR purchase a Single (1) Report for $500

To learn more, visit the Sports Tourism Research Institute!

Sports ETA Earned Media Calculator Powered by

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Discover Chattanooga: Your Host for the 2024 4S & Rights Holder Summit

Welcome to Chattanooga

Chattanooga, a city alive with natural beauty and vibrant culture, is ready to welcome you this November 12-14, 2024, for the 4S & Rights Holder Summit. As you plan your visit, we hope you’ll make the time to explore the many wonders that make Chattanooga a great destination for an extended stay.

Home Run Bites

Start the day with a fresh pastry and coffee at Niedlov’s, where the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air. Locals know all about that MeanMug Coffeehouse cinnamon roll or the signature latté from Milk & Honey. For lunch, visit the charming Bluff View Art District, where you’ll find Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria. Dinner might take you to STIR, where the oysters come in fresh daily and craft cocktails are served with hand shaved artisanal ice. Chattanooga’s culinary scene is diverse and delicious, so if you’re looking for something a bit more down to earth, casual bites at local breweries like Chattanooga Brewing Co. and Five Wits are guaranteed to hit the spot.

Catch Some Culture

As you stroll through the streets of Chattanooga, you’ll encounter a city rich in art and culture. The historic Chattanooga Choo Choo complex, now a bustling entertainment district with bars, venues, and great restaurants, is just the beginning. Chattanooga is an art lover’s haven, featuring more than 105 permanent outdoor artworks, multiple galleries, the larger-than-life Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, and the iconic Hunter Museum of American Art.

Music fills the air in Chattanooga, with live performances at venues like Barrelhouse Ballroom and the newly renovated Signal nightly. But don’t be surprised if you hear music on every street corner, in restaurants and hotels ... music is in our DNA.

Family Fun

Chattanooga is a city designed for families. The Tennessee Aquarium offers an underwater adventure, while the Creative Discovery Museum engages young minds with hands-on exhibits. At Rock City, you can explore unique rock formations and stunning views, and Ruby Falls invites you to discover America’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall.

The Tennessee Riverwalk is perfect for a leisurely family stroll, and downtown’s free electric shuttle makes getting around a breeze. Don’t miss a visit to the Chattanooga Zoo, where you can meet animals from around the world.

Outdoor Adventures

For those who crave adventure, Chattanooga is a playground. Hang gliding over Lookout Mountain offers breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush. Kayak or paddleboard on the Tennessee River or hike the scenic trails of Raccoon Mountain. Biking enthusiasts will love the 25-mile Tennessee Riverwalk, which loops around the city.

The possibilities for outdoor fun are endless in Chattanooga.

Plan Your Visit

We invite you to indulge in all Chattanooga has to offer by arriving a few days early before the summit or extending your stay afterward. Thanks to its compact, walkable downtown and convenient transportation options like the free electric shuttle and Bike Chattanooga rentals, exploring Chattanooga’s attractions is easy breezy. So why rush? Take your time, stay awhile, and enjoy the beauty of the Scenic City.

For more information and to plan your visit, scan the QR code or visit our Chattanooga Tourism website.

Join Us in Chattanooga

Join us November 12 - 14, 2024 for the 4S & Rights Holder Summit and discover why Chattanooga is the perfect destination for sports tourism. Our city’s rich cultural scene, diverse culinary options, family-friendly attractions, and endless outdoor adventures promise an unforgettable experience.

Explore More at VisitChattanooga.com

Scan the QR code for a detailed guide on what to do and see in Chattanooga. cultural scene, diverse culinary options, family-friendly attractions, and endless outdoor adventures promise an unforgettable experience.

Learn more about the 4S Summit and secure your registration today!

#GenderEqualOlympics:

Celebrating full gender parity on the field of play at Paris 2024

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is celebrating a monumental achievement set to be reached at the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024: The IOC has distributed quota places equally to female and male athletes – 50:50. For the first time in Olympic history, there will be full gender parity on the field of play.

“We are about to celebrate one of the most important moments in the history of women at the Olympic Games, and in sport overall,”

Over the years, the IOC’s commitment to gender equality has led the Olympic Movement to steadily increase the number of female athletes at the Olympic Games. Totalling just 2.2 per cent of the participants at the Olympic Games Paris 1900 when women competed for the first time, the number gradually rose, picking up the pace as of Los Angeles 1984, at 23 per cent; 44 per cent at London 2012; and 48 per cent at Tokyo 2020.

Creating equal opportunities for female and male athletes

Achieving gender equality took strength, perseverance, leadership and courage. “We are looking forward to Paris 2024, where we will see the results of the enormous

said IOC President Thomas Bach.

efforts made by the Olympic Movement and female trailblazers come to life. This is our contribution to a more gender-equal world,” President Bach added.

Other key initiatives delivered in coordination with International Sports Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have led to equal opportunities for female and male athletes to take part in the Olympic Games, including:

• a more gender-balanced sports programme, with 28 out of 32 sports fully gender equal in Paris.

• a more gender-balanced number of medal events, with the Paris 2024 schedule comprising 152 women’s events, 157 men’s events and 20 mixed-gender events.

50% MEN

This means that more than half of all the medal events at Paris 2024 will be open to female athletes.

In addition, the IOC has taken a number of important actions to increase the visibility of women at the Olympic Games. Since Tokyo 2020, each team has been encouraged to have one female and one male athlete jointly carry their flag at the Opening Ceremony.

At the same time, the IOC is encouraging all NOCs to include a minimum of one female and one male athlete in their delegation.

Significant efforts have also been made to ensure that women’s and men’s sports events are scheduled fairly over the 16 days of the Olympic Games. A gender- balanced schedule provides journalists with the opportunity to better balance their coverage, thus also making it easier for the next generation of female athletes to follow their role models in the media.

In Paris, for example, for the first time since its inclusion in the Olympic programme in 1984, the women’s marathon will take place a day after the men’s, and will conclude the athletics programme on 11 August during the Closing Ceremony. For many years, the men’s marathon has held this spot, as a culminating event to bring the Olympic fortnight to a close. Paris 2024 will see the order reversed, showcasing the performances of female athletes.

Keeping the momentum going to open more pathways for women

Paris will be a proud moment for the Olympic Movement – the culmination of hard work by the athletes, the IOC, IFs, NOCs and Games organisers. But this is not the finish line.

A number of IOC-led programmes are already in full force, and will continue to address the remaining gender gap in sport for all women – be it for girls looking for access to sport at grassroots level, female coaches aiming to reach elite level or women striving to reach leadership positions. The IOC and the Olympic Movement will continue their commitment to help create a more gender-equal world through sport.

“Our commitment to advancing gender equality does not end in Paris,” said the IOC President. “We will continue to open pathways for women and to work with our stakeholders, encouraging them to take the necessary steps to advance gender equality in their area of responsibility. The IOC will keep leading the way and using the power of sport to contribute to a more equal and inclusive society.”

Learn more about the IOC’s ongoing action to advance gender equality both on and off the field of play.

Your athletes and fans will love Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the same reasons 20 million people visit annually just for fun: 60 miles of sandy beaches, over 2,000 restaurants and endless fun after the final whistle. Combine that with our top-flight facilities and accommodations, and you'll have an event teams look forward to every year.

Build Visual Stories That Drive Growth & Loyalty

BY DAVID SHELLER, FOUNDER AND LEAD CREATIVE, SHELLER VISUAL

The importance of visual storytelling has never been greater. Studies show that 95% of B2B buyers consider video content a key influencer in their purchase decisions, and social media posts with images generate 650% higher engagement than text-only posts. For 15 years, I have designed and created live events, videos, and photographs for renowned brands and individuals. I have become an advocate for the highest-quality visual storytelling across all points of audience connection.

Despite the significant impact that visuals can have, many organizations and brands fail to emphasize or effectively utilize visual storytelling. This often results in their message not connecting with the audience, leading to a poor return on investment. Great visuals are arguably the most important tool available to capture your audience’s attention and make a lasting connection.

But, can you tell a compelling story in a single photograph? Is it possible to make a lasting connection with your audience in just 15-30 seconds of video? Absolutely! Here are 4 steps to help you develop a compelling visual story.

1. Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience is vital for crafting an impactful visual story. Understanding their preferences and interests helps create content that resonates, capturing their attention and evoking emotions. Tailored visuals make your message relevant and compelling, fostering engagement and loyalty. By aligning your storytelling

with audience needs, you enhance communication effectiveness, drive meaningful interactions, and achieve your marketing and branding goals more efficiently.

2. Create a Clear Narrative

A clear narrative structure will have a well-defined beginning, middle, and end that takes your audience through the story you want to tell. This helps convey your message more effectively. One approach is to start by presenting a problem that resonates with your audience (beginning). Then introduce your solution to that problem (middle). Finally, give the audience a picture of how your solution will improve their life (end).

3. Make an Emotional Connection

Emotions engage viewers on a personal level, making the story memorable and compelling. By tapping

into universal feelings like joy, surprise, or empathy, your visuals can evoke strong responses, fostering a deeper connection with your audience. This emotional engagement not only captures attention but also encourages loyalty and action, driving the success of your visual storytelling efforts.

4. Use High-Quality Visuals

High-quality visuals are essential to capture attention, convey messages quickly, and evoke emotions that words alone cannot. Professional visuals enhance brand credibility and create memorable experiences that resonate with audiences. By investing in top-notch visual content, you ensure your story stands out, drives engagement, and leaves a lasting impression, ultimately achieving your marketing and communication goals more effectively.

A compelling visual story will capture attention, convey messages quickly, enhance brand credibility and evoke emotions that resonate with audiences. With 95% of B2B buyers influenced by video and images, high-quality visuals are essential. Effective visual stories require knowing your audience, creating a clear narrative, and making an emotional connection to enhance brand impact and ROI. This approach to visual storytelling can make all the difference in achieving your goals.

To learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to David Sheller.

2023 “State of the Industry” Report for the $128 Billion Sport Tourism Industry

The new State of the Industry Report was released at the Symposium and underscores the strength of the sports tourism sector, showcasing a direct spending impact of $52.2 billion, which generated a total economic impact of $128 billion. This monumental contribution supported 757,600 full-time and part-time jobs and contributed $20.1 billion in taxes to various sectors of the economy.

The association’s last benchmark report, “Sports Tourism: State of the Industry Report 2022” in America presented by the Sports Events and Tourism Association in partnership with the Northstar Meetings Group” was released in 2022 to benchmark 2021, and concluded that U.S. sports-related travelers, event organizers, and venues spent a total of $91.8 billion.

The study was conducted by Tourism Economics, with support from Northstar Meetings Group, the leading multi-platform brand for dedicated meeting and business planners and sports event organizers, and the presenting sponsor of the association’s “Annual State of the Industry” research report.

The analysis draws on the following data sources to quantify sports tourism, which includes adult and youth amateur events and collegiate tournaments (the economic impact analyses conducted within the report exclude professional sports and collegiate regular season games):

Sports ETA: destination membership survey data

• Longwoods International: traveler survey data, including spending and visitor profile characteristics for sports tourism nationwide

• Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics: employment and wage data, by industry

• Bureau of Transportation Statistics: U.S. domestic average itinerary fares

• U.S. Travel Association: domestic travel data

• STR: lodging data

• Sports attendance data

“The sport tourism industry continued to grow in 2023, increasing by 7% over sports traveler volume in 2022,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “The number of sports travelers in America established a new high-water mark of 204.9 million in 2023.”

Top 10 United States with impact generated in 2023 revealed

Key Highlights from the 2023 Sports ETA State of the Industry Report include:

• Sports travelers spent $52.2 billion dollars in 2023 on the following:

– $13.5 billion on transportation

– $10.9 billion on lodging

– $9.7 billion on food and beverages

Recreation, retail, and tournament operations rounded out spending, registering $6.9 billion, $6.5 billion, and $4.7 billion, respectively.

The lodging sector accounted for 21% of all sports-related travel spending. In 2023, sports-related travel generated 73.5 million room nights, which is an important factor given that hotel taxes are a primary funding source for many entities.

with highest economic by sports tourism for the first time

Top 10 States for Most Economic Impact by Sports Tourism Unveiled

For the first time ever, the Sports ETA State of the Industry Report has identified the Top 10 list of states in terms of the economic impact generated by sports tourism in 2023. Data provided by sports tourism industry stakeholders and economic data were utilized in the ranking analysis. Sports tourism marketing funds and other initiatives, such as bid fees and local grants, also influence how states perform.

“Each state played an integral role in sports tourism in 2023,” said David. “The addition of the Top 10 list of states generating economic impact with sports tourism allows us to analyze best practices for all of our members.”

It should be noted that some states naturally generate a larger share of the impact given the size (population and land mass), seasonality, location within the U.S. and destination infrastructure (i.e., airports, sports venues, and hotel supply).

A Focus on Facilities at the 2024 Summer Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will host 32 sports in 35 venues across the country from July 26 to August 11. These include traditional sports such as Athletics, Swimming and Gymnastics as well as new additions like Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Surfing. Breaking (breakdancing) will also make its Olympic debut in Paris.

While some venues may be familiar such as Roland-Garros, home of the tennis tournament the French Open, and Golf National, new facilities have been created to feature iconic Parisian landmarks. Beach volleyball will be played at Eiffel Tower Stadium while equestrian and modern pentathlon will take place at Château de Versailles. Surfing will take place along the beach of Teahupo’o, Tahiti.

Of the 35 venues, only one new facility, the Aquatics Centre, was built for the 2024 Summer Games as the other were venues that were re-imagined with Olympic competition specifications.

Here is a listing of all official venues for the Summer Olympics in Paris with highlights on innovative approaches to using facilities.

Aquatics Centre will host Artistic Swimming, Diving and Water Polo

The Aquatics Centre, along with Le Bourget Climbing Wall, is the only permanent sports facility to be built for the Paris 2024 Games. In 2024, it will welcome athletes for artistic swimming, water polo and diving events. From July 2025, the Aquatics Centre will become a multi-sports facility with two pools (50m and 25m), a fitness area, bouldering area, paddle tennis section and pitches for team sports. The French Swimming Federation will be able to host national

and international competitions and provide a best-in-class federal training facility for leading French athletes including the country’s diving center.

Bercy Arena: Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball and Trampoline

Bordeaux Stadium: Football

Champ de Mars Arena: Judo and Wrestling

Château de Versailles: Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon

The Château de Versailles (also known as the Palace of Versailles), an iconic symbol for France, will host equestrian and modern pentathlon. Initially built as a simple hunting lodge, the Château de Versailles was home to the court of Louis XIV in 1682 and became the epicenter of French royalty. In 1883, the site became a national museum open to the public and was the first French site to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. For the Summer Olympics, a temporary outdoor arena will be set up on the Etoile Royale esplanade to the west of the Grand Canal at the heart of the palace’s gardens.

Chateauroux Shooting Centre: Shooting

Eiffel Tower Stadium: Beach Volleyball

Eiffel Tower Stadium, constructed between the Ecole Militaire’s (military school) facade to the south and the Eiffel Tower on the River Seine side, will host Beach Volleyball. The temporary venue will be dismantled following the Games.

Elancourt Hill: Cycling Mountain Bike

Elancourt Hill is the highest point in the Paris region offering breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, La Défense and the forests around Paris. No major infrastructure will be created at the site in order to minimize the impact on the environment. About 95 percent of the trails for the Olympic mountain bike events are based on existing paths and will be left as a legacy of the Games for all users, from children and families to experienced riders.

Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium: Football

Grand Palais: Fencing and Taekwondo

Hôtel de Ville: Athletics: marathon start

Invalides: Archery, Athletics and Cycling Road

La Beaujoire Stadium: Football

La Concorde: 3x3 Basketball, Breaking, Cycling BMX Freestyle and Skateboarding

From the early stages of bidding for the Games, Paris 2024 wanted to enable urban sports to become established in their natural environment, away from stadiums, in the heart of the city. La Concorde was turned into an open arena and will host 3x3 Basketball, Breaking, Cycling BMX Freestyle and Skateboarding. This urban park will host four sports virtually non-stop from Saturday, July 27 to Saturday, August 10.

Le Bourget Sport Climbing Venue: Sport Climbing

Golf National: Golf

Lyon Stadium: Football

Marseille Marina: Sailing

For the sailing events, the Games will head to the Mediterranean. The city of Marseille provides exceptional sailing conditions and has expertise in hosting and organizing boat-related events. For the Summer Games, the Roucas-Blanc Marina will be adapted for staging competitions in its 7,000 square meter of buildings and the renovation of its 17,000 square meter of outdoor spaces.

Marseille Stadium: Football

Nice Stadium: Football

North Paris Arena: Boxing and Modern Pentathlon

Parc des Princes: Football

Paris La Defense Arena: Swimming and Water Polo

Pierre Mauroy Stadium: Basketball and Handball

Pont Alexandre III: Cycling Road, Marathon Swimming and Triathlon

Porte de La Chapelle Arena: Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics

Stade Roland-Garros: Boxing and Tennis

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium: Cycling and BMX Racing

The Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium is part of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome complex, and a five-minute walk from the velodrome. The Saint-Quentin-enYvelines Velodrome’s permanent infrastructure includes enough space to be able to bring two Games venues together at one site to welcome cycling fans. Built at the same time as the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, the BMX track was especially designed for the Summer Games. Temporary stands will be set up for the Games in order to welcome spectators. While the temporary facilities for staging the Games will disappear, the BMX track will continue to welcome riders of all ages and after the Olympics.

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome: Cycling Track

South Paris Arena: Handball, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Weightlifting

Stade de France: Athletics and Rugby Sevens

Teahupo’o, Tahiti: Surfing

Trocadéro: Athletics and Cycling Road

Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium: Canoe Slalom, Canoe Sprint and Rowing

Yves-du-Manoir Stadium: Hockey

The Caitlin Clark Effect: Women’s Sports Mean Big Business

BY BETSY ROSS, GAME DAY

From the court to the field to the stands, women’s sports are basking in a spotlight formerly reserved for the men’s NCAA basketball tournament and MLB’s World Series. Thanks to University of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, now with the Indiana Fever, women’s sports is having a moment: Women’s sports are seeing unprecedented popularity, with fans (and sponsorships) following.

Clark already had shown her star power during Iowa’s run to the NCAA Women’s Final Four. the Iowa-LSU Elite Eight matchup on April 1 became the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever, with an average of 12.3 million viewers, according to ESPN. In comparison, last year’s MLB World Series averaged 9.11 million viewers for the series. That record was broken just days later, with the NCAA Final Four semifinal matchup between Iowa and UConn averaging more than 14.2 million viewers, with 16 million tuning in at peak viewership.

It only took two days for that record to be shattered again, as preliminary viewership numbers from ESPN and ABC’s broadcast of the NCAA women’s national title game averaged 18.7 million, according to ESPN. Nielsen numbers reported the audience peaked at 24 million for the contest between South Carolina and Iowa. ESPN reports it was the most-watched basketball game since the 2019 men’s NCAA title game between Texas Tech and Virginia.

That viewership translates into a tangible economic impact for Central Indiana, Caitlin Clark’s new home. According to a study conducted by Dr. Michael Hicks from the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, Clark’s addition to the Fever roster is expected to bring an estimated 26,000 more fans to Fever games throughout the season, at least 10,000 of whom will be coming from outside the region and will spend

money in hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment venues during their stay.

“This will bring a net increase of more than $2.4 million to the region, and will boost local employment by roughly 23 workers,” said Dr. Hicks, George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and director of Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

In addition, media coverage of Caitlin Clark during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament from March 20 through April 9 was calculated by Ball State’s College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM), in partnership with Game Day, a media and marketing agency based in Cincinnati. The results are impactful: more than 162,000 media stories featured Clark, resulting in 177 billion media impressions valued at more than $2.6 billion.

“All eyes will be on Indiana and Caitlin Clark,” said former Ball State CCIM Dean Dr. Paaige Turner. “The media impact she will have will extend far beyond the court, as higher TV viewership and higher attendance means fans will be exposed to everything this area offers, including restaurants, education, tourism, and recreation.”

And in the “a rising tide lifts all ships” department, the WNBA is benefiting from the new fanbase that Clark brings. Teams are moving their Indiana Fever games to larger venues, anticipating high ticket demands, and the league now is approving charter

“

Thanks to University of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, now with the Indiana Fever, women’s sports is having a moment: Women’s sports are seeing unprecedented popularity, with fans (and sponsorships) following.

flights for all teams all season, not just playoffs. In addition, in two years the WNBA broadcast rights will be up for grabs, and it’s expected the rights fees will jump exponentially, along with salaries.

The two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces are the early beneficiaries of this increased attention, with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s plan to offer each Aces player a $100,000 sponsorship deal for this season and next, a figure that is higher than six players’ current salaries.

The WNBA is looking into the deal, saying it would give the Aces an unfair advantage in recruiting new players. The team says this is a deal between the Convention and Visitors Authority and it has nothing to do with it. The CVA says it’s treating it like a NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal on the college level.

Deals like that wouldn’t be made if fans weren’t watching— and it’s not limited to the WNBA. This year’s Women’s College World Series featured its own set of stars, including Alabama’s Montana Fouts and Stanford’s NiJaree Canady. The WCWS has reached at least a million viewers in each of its last four

seasons and is poised to have a women’s NCAA-like surge in softball.

But if more fans are watching, that means they need a place to go to see their favorite sport. That’s where The Sports Bra sports bar and restaurant comes in. Opened in April 2022 in Portland, Oregon, the bar looks like any other type of sports watering hole, with one big difference: The only games on the televisions are women’s sports. The concept is now looking at franchise opportunities across the country.

According to a 2023 study, by Wasserman, women’s sports now make up 15% of all sports media coverage. That’s a jump from about 4% in years past, mainly from the growth of new women’s professional leagues, increases in streaming opportunities and, yes, more fans watching women’s sports.

Whether it’s the WNBA’s growth spurt or the National Women’s Soccer League celebrating record attendance and new franchises, women’s sports are having a moment. And advertisers, broadcasters and franchises are taking full advantage of the new fanbase ready to watch—and spend money.

Arlington, Texas: We Crown Champions

Arlington, Texas, is where champions are crowned! With Super Bowls, national championships, buzzer beaters, and goal-line stands that live forever, history is made in Arlington at some of the biggest sports venues on earth.

These versatile venues host events of all sizes with incredible support staffs and easy logistics, thanks to a city built around these venues. With Arlington’s central location in North Texas, getting here is extremely easy by flying into DFW International Airport or Dallas Love Field.

Sitting at the crossroads of five major interstate highways, driving into Arlington is no problem at all and just a short drive away from DFW International Airport. If you are coming to Arlington for your team event, our trusted partners are available for a variety of options for reliable, safe group transportation.

Sports fans can’t visit Arlington without a trip to AT&T Stadium, the country’s largest domed structure and the largest stadium – by seating – with a retractable roof and a 175-foot-wide HD screen! AT&T Stadium can seat up to 100,000 spectators and this 140-acre, three-million- square-foot special events center, which cost a hefty $1.3 billion, remains one of the most expensive facilities in sports history. This climatecontrolled stadium features dozens of high-tech amenities, including the retractable roof panel, a built-in turf with 26 interchangeable surface panels for other sports, concerts and truck rallies and a massive high-definition Mitsubishi video display board.

ON THE HARDWOOD AND BEYOND

If you love basketball, we have you covered too. College Park Center, on the University of Texas at Arlington campus, is home to both the WNBA’s Dallas Wings and the NCAA Division I UT Arlington Mavericks. The incredible facility includes an 8,400-square-foot arena floor as well as two practice courts and can seat up to 7,000 fans. UT Arlington also has you covered when it comes to track and field with the 12,000-seat multipurpose Maverick Stadium.

For the freshest courts in town, head to the brand-new Arlington Athletics Complex where you’ll find a 1,200-seat arena hosting basketball, wrestling, volleyball and gymnastics. The new complex also has a 1,000-seat competitive swimming facility with a 50-meter world-class Myrtha

GO BIG. REALLY BIG.

The 135-acre, multipurpose Harold Patterson Sports Center is perfect for hosting tournaments and events year-round. The site features six baseball fields, six football fields, and an additional 15 multipurpose fields suitable for soccer, flag football, lacrosse, kickball and everything in between. The complex is located only 20 minutes from DFW International Airport. Off the field, teams can enjoy picnics at the pavilion, various concessions or the plethora of dining and entertainment options located across the street at Arlington Highlands outdoor mall.

pool built in Italy.

DON’T MISS:

• Globe Life Field is where the Texas Rangers (2023 World Champions!) call home.

• A stop at the International Bowling Museum Hall of Fame teaches the sport’s ancient history and welcomes beginners and experts alike to the lanes.

• Esports Stadium Arlington, the largest turnkey facility in North America, is a world-class venue that can host more

than just esports tournaments, such as fencing, martial arts and more.

• The Texas Rangers Golf Club is the only golf course in the world officially branded with Major League Baseball. The Tierra Verde Golf Club is the first golf course in Texas, and the first municipal course in the world, to be certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary.

THE BOTTOM LINE

There is simply no sports city like Arlington, Texas. No city has devoted more time and resources to become a host of dazzling sporting events large and small. For decades, we’ve worked to align our hotels, infrastructure, support staff and culture behind sports.

At the Arlington Sports Commission, we take inspiration from every athlete who comes here to compete. Every year, we get an up-close look at the dedication it takes to be the best, and that’s what you get when you hold your sporting event in Arlington.

Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau | Matt Wilson, VP of Sports and Events

“With versatile venues capable of hosting events of all sizes, we take inspiration from the athletes who come to compete, which is why we’re known for giving 100 percent off the field while you give 100 percent on it.” 817.704.7585 | Matt@arlington.org | 1717 E. Randol

Your Sports Tourism Connection to Northern Virginia

SportsNOVA is a regional sports tourism alliance between Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties that markets Northern Virginia as a preferred destination for travel sports events.

Just minutes from Washington, D.C., our region features a diverse mix of premium indoor and outdoor sports facilities, hundreds of full- and select-service hotels representing multiple brands, two major airports (and another 45 minutes away), world-class attractions, and a spirited mix of history, culture, shopping, and diningall showcased collectively in our eclectic destinations.

Patriot Park North Six-diamond, turf, lighted complex with adjustable fencing, portable mounds, scoreboards, press box, concessions.

The St. James Indoor megasportsplex featuring a FIFA turf field, four NBA courts, two NHL ice sheets, and a 50-meter Olympic pool.

Hal & Berni Hanson

Park

ION

Prince William Stadium Complex

Sportsplex with 400-ft. baseball stadium (4,000 seats), three 300-ft. softball diamonds, and BMX Track.

George Hellwig Park Sportsplex with six soccer fields (three turf, three grass), a 350-ft. baseball field, and three 225-ft. softball fields.

Embrey Mill Park Multi-sport complex with six synthetic, lighted rectangular fields; and two lighted grass fields.

Jeff Rouse Swim

FAIRFAX FAIRFAX LOUDOUN LOUDOUN

PRINCE WILLIAM PRINCE WILLIAM STAFFORD STAFFORD

Hosting Duties in Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and Louisville

Detroit hosted the largest-ever NFL Draft from April 25-27 drawing more than 775,000 fans over the three days. While the NFL Draft is free to attend, visitors and area residents generated more than $160 million in economic impact at sold-out hotels, packed bars and restaurants, and retail stores in the heart of downtown.

Indianapolis

Indianapolis hosted the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. After a four-hour rain delay more than 345,000 racing fans saw an exciting finish as Josef Newgarden became the first back-to-back champion in 22 years. Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its Month of May activities, including the iconic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, deliver $1.058 billion in annual economic activity, according to a study released last October by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute.

Louisville

After a $200 million renovation of Churchill Downs, Louisville hosted the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4. The beautiful new paddock offers a clear view of the Twin Spires from inside and offers the opportunity for spectators to see horses from various levels as they parade before heading out to the track. Horse racing fans will enjoy the upgrades with a new paddock area at the main entrance along with new hospitality areas including the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club and Club SI. Some 150,000 fans saw the photo finish that led Mystic Dan to the Winner’s Circle of the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Cincinnati

The 26th Flying Pig Marathon was run May 3-5 this year welcoming a field of nearly 40,000 over the weekend. In April, the Flying Pig Marathon was named the #1 Marathon in America by USA Today. The annual running festival generates more than $15 million in economic impact and raised more than $1 million annually for some 300 charities.

Photo courtesy of the Flying Pig Marathon

Photo

Gaining Confidence on Camera

BY KATHRINE NERO, GAME DAY

On-camera presence is no longer just for television reporters and interviewees. It’s for all of us. The way we look, feel and perform on those tiny video meeting screens can make the difference in landing a client,new business and furthering your brand both personally and professionally.

The Confidence on Camera course in the Sports Tourism Learning Institute was created as a way to make a sometimes daunting task a little more approachable.

Flipping open the laptop and joining a meeting is so 2020. We may be frequent users of Zoom, Teams, Google Meet and the like, but that doesn’t mean we’re all doing it well. And the Confident on Camera course can change that.

Improve your connection with the viewer

Looking better on camera isn’t about vanity. It’s about perception. Your coworkers, clients and customers are basing their impressions of you on how you appear in that tiny 3×2 box. If it’s lit well, framed right and if you are connecting with them in the same way you would in person, the end result will be better.

More sales, more conversions, more connections.

Establish you’re an effective communicator

Whatever business you’re in, communication is key, and video takes that to the next level. Being able to present yourself expertly on camera is now a prerequisite for effective communication. Bottom line: if you are framed correctly and lit well, your viewer isn’t going to be distracted. That means your message is more easily understood.

The Confidence on Camera course in the Sports Tourism Learning Institute was created as a way to make a sometimes daunting task a little more approachable.

Earn STS Credits

By completing this course, you will earn 4 credits toward your STS designation, or maintenance requirements.

Learn more and sign up for Confident on Camera in the Sports Tourism Learning Institute

“

Whatever business you’re in, communication is key, and video takes that to the next level.

The ability to properly set up a video conference may not have anything to do with your day job, but it does imply technical and computer competence. A CEO I spoke with once mentioned that now, the youngest of interns and the highest ranking executive are now in the same 3×2 inch video conference box. There’s no arriving late to meetings, or sitting at the head of the conference table. Zoom galleries are essentially the great equalizer and you might as well make your setup look its best.

Hone your message

Sometimes my husband will start to lecture my kids about a very important topic – but about two minutes in, he’s lost them. And they’re not alone in their lack of focus. We all lose it from time to time, and whittling down your message to its core is key in everything from brand awareness to sales to a potential for promotion.

I compare it to a reduction in cooking. Balsamic vinegar is great, but when it’s reduced, it takes on a stronger, more memorable flavor – and a little goes a long way. That’s how you want your message. Short and sweet – but one that sticks with you.

Learn how to put your best face forward on

camera

The camera sees differently than the human eye. And I don’t just mean how much better we all look with our favorite Instagram filter.

Body language, wardrobe, makeup – everything looks different on camera. Knowing how they change is integral to making sure you’re making your best impression.