Letter from the President & CEO and Board Chair, Don Dukemineer

Letter from the President and CEO

Dr. Jennifer Stoll and I recently attended the Destinations International Annual Convention in Toronto. While traveling to and from was a challenge, the event was well worth the trouble. The enthusiasm of 1,350 attendees was palpable, and their energy ran high over the course of the full 5-day event. I was shocked but excited to find out that over 600 of those attendees were first-timers! We at Sports ETA have also been happy to welcome a significant number of newbies/first-timers into our very own association and look forward to helping them grow within the sports events and tourism industry for years to come.

Throughout the event, there were three (3) different sports-related education sessions – this was the first time we had the spotlight shining on our market channel. Jennifer and I led two (2) sessions with support from Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director, SportsPITTSBURGH, Melissa Thompson, Chief Community Office, Indiana Sports Corp, Kathy Nelson, President/CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission, and Ron Price, President and CEO, Visit Phoenix. Our partners at Civitas led the third sports session. They commended Sports ETA numerous times for the great work we have accomplished for our membership.

In addition, we ended the week at 61 business meetings with destinations, industry partners, and potential new partners while expanding our national relationship footprint! These meetings included continuing several discussions and making significant progress with organizations such as Meeting Planners International (MPI), Groups 360, Northstar (some cool things to announce in coming weeks!), Longwoods International, Tourism Economics, ASM Global, and OVG.

New Bylaw Takes Effect Starting in our new 2023 Fiscal Year (July – June) a recently passed bylaw during our virtual Annual General Meeting, in April 2022 takes effect. The key element of the “redistricting” bylaw is that every six (6) years representation on the Board of Directors will change based on the percentage of paid organizational memberships in each of our three membership categories.

Prior to July 1, 2022, the Board of Directors has been comprised of two (2) Industry Partners, two (2) Rights Holders, and twelve (12) Destination representatives. Based upon paid organizational memberships on July 1, 2022, the new Board of Directors to be seated in July 2023 will be comprised of two (2) Industry Partners, three (3) Rights Holders, and eleven (11) Destinations.

Nominations will open in early 2023.

Sports Tourism Research Institute Destination Leadership Salary Survey – We have partnered with SearchWide Global to conduct an industry leadership salary and compensation survey. Destination sports tourism leaders, you should have received an invitation to this survey in your inbox recently. It is very important that every organization participates.

THINK BIG!

Al Kidd President and CEO

Letter From the Chair

Greetings Sports ETA members,

What an honor and privilege it is to serve as your new Board Chair. Like many of you, I’ve dedicated my entire career to serving our industry, and I cannot think of any higher recognition then to represent the 650+ members of Sports ETA. I’m excited to be surrounded by a wonderful team of fellow Board members and an awesome staff who understand our responsibility to continue moving the association forward.

The University of Alabama Head Football Coach, Nick Saban, has five core principles that serve as the backbone for every team that plays for him: Discipline; Commitment; Toughness; Effort; Pride. Each season, Coach asks his team, “do you want to be the best you can be,” by challenging them to evaluate all five areas in their dedication to helping the Crimson Tide. If you will indulge me, I’ll put my straw hat on, and challenge you to discover your contribution factor. What more can you offer or how can you L.E.A.D. in helping our Association and industry? I encourage you to truly take advantage of your membership by committing to be disciplined in your efforts and enhance your pride in leading your community by being the best you can be!

The steps taken to build upon the foundation is evident in the growth and development of so many new and exciting opportunities. The goals for Sports ETA are to continually provide valuable resources that help you be successful through education, information, and training, while assisting your efforts to highlight your communities. You should feel proud for your role in these efforts, and also excited for the future we continue to ignite for additional advancement. We celebrate where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going, as we strive to advocate our position as the leader in the sports events and tourism industry.

As we begin this new fiscal year, my hope for each of you is that you will grow professionally and personally through participation in our Association. Our Association is as good as YOU make it, so I encourage you to be involved now more than ever! It is my promise to you that Sports ETA will always have you, our members, best interest’s at heart. I am here for you so please don’t hesitant to call or email at any time. We value every member of Sports ETA and we thank you for your continued support and dedication. Again, thank you for trusting me with the privilege of serving as Chair and let’s make this next year the best ever!

Roll Tide!

Don B. Dukemineer, STS, CHSP Sports ETA Board Chair