
2 minute read
Letter From President and CEO
Letter from the President and CEO
As we enter 2022, fresh off a year of record holiday spending and extensive family and friend travel, our enthusiasm is temporarily dampened by the Coronavirus’s never-ending mutation. The latest “gotcha” is Omicron with next level mutations in the rear-view mirror. A year ago I wrote that the US was entering the vaccination stage to combat the virus, and today, according to the CDC, approximately 62.5% of the population has been vaccinated and further engagement is slowing down. The facts show that the most dangerously infected are those that are unvaccinated, but as with all viruses no one is immune to catching it. The reality is that we are gradually learning to live with it as a nation.
Despite the fact that the virus’s infection levels are three times higher than at any previous moment in its existence, fewer events, games, and meetings are being canceled. I believe that, barring this mutation, we will be able to better coexist within the next year. There will be safety concerns, but business may not be disrupted as much as it has been in the past.
The Sports ETA team wishes to express our sincere gratitude to all of our members, partners, media, and Board of Directors for the numerous outstanding programs, services, and support provided in 2021.
Innovation continues to be the theme going into 2022. Our partnerships with Playeasy and Destinations International will be significantly expanding. Playeasy has a number of new platform tools, communication options, and expanded capabilities for Destinations and Event Owners to work together that will bring an onslaught of new value to our members.
We have begun a serious expansion and integration of programs / services with Destinations International. Be on the lookout for additional research, enhanced and collaborative education initiatives, and further support to each other’s events soon.
Additional partnerships are in the works and have new initiatives in review that we look forward to sharing later this year.
THINK BIG!
Al Kidd President and CEO


Top Industry Trends to Watch in 2022
1
2
3
4

5 The tool box for evaluating a wider definition of success will emerge in the United States as a result of the continuing efforts by Sports ETA to develop.
As European travel opens, a closer relationship to American cities will emerge to host international events.
Destinations around the world will become more deeply involved in fitness for all in order to build the key infrastructure for youth to sustain a healthy community as well as develop competitive athletes for all sports.
More unique sports will emerge that are individually focused that fit the demographic profile of the under 30-year-old market.
A commitment to sustainability with solid and innovative approaches to ensure environmentally-sound best practices in the hosting of sporting events.