Letter from the President and CEO

2023 has gotten off to an excellent start for the overall tourism industry. National tourism association events have had solid attendance. Youth sports continue this quick start of the year. We are hearing more and more that traveling sports events are experiencing a couple of issues that we will continue to keep our eye on; fewer teams competing in events and shortened hotel stays from attendees. In addition, consumer confidence is showing strain with the continual drumbeat about recessions and inflation. Tell-tale signs to watch are consumer pricing increases and employment cutbacks, which will cause people to assess how they spend their money. These factors and others will be discussed more loudly during 2023, and we expect an impact on budgets, youth sports participation, and associated spending.

Our friends at Longwoods International expanded their 2022 National Resident Sentiment Study in order to determine how the general public perceived various factors related to sports events and tourism. Released today is the latest white paper co-published with our partners at Longwoods International, “The Strong Performance of the Sports Tourism Sector and Rising Resident Sentiment of Sport.” This white paper looks at the strength of sports tourism in this post-pandemic world and its support among communities, sports organizations and participants. Download and read HERE

We are very excited about a brand new member engagement program we will launch in Q1: Sports ETA Badging. Our new Badging Program will recognize you, our valued members, through all the ways you help the sports events and tourism industry thrive. Individual members and member organizations will earn digital badges by engaging with Sports ETA by speaking at events, sponsoring events, hosting events, completing education, and much, much more. Badges will appear in your member profile both privately and in the membership directory. They will also be downloadable as a social kit and a badging “resume” – all to highlight your active participation and leadership in the sports events and tourism industry. Stay tuned over the coming months for more Badging information as we prepare to roll out the program.

A special thank you to Jason Gewirtz, who led a small team to dive in and reset our Member Awards program. Look for our new Member Awards recognition applications in February. We intend to recognize and award members and celebrate the addition of new members to our Hall of Fame during our Kansas City Symposium.

THINK BIG!

Al Kidd President and CEO