Letter From Board Chair

Dear Sports ETA Members:

As many people do at the start of a new year, they set resolutions to aspire to improve aspects of their personal life The same principle applies in their professional worlds as they inspire to achieve extraordinary goals that make a difference While I pray the best for every single one of you, I share this motivational quote that someone special shared with me: “believe in yourself that you can, set your mind to it and you got it!” My hope, both personally and professionally, is that all of your goals and aspirations will be successful in 2023!

As you’ve already heard, Al Kidd will be riding off into the sunset to enjoy “retirement” after spending the last six-plus years with Sports ETA. (We all know Al will truly never retire or stop being busy with projects). We are indebted to Al for his leadership to the Association in laying the groundwork for a successful path forward. We thank him for his dedication to the formation of new partnerships and programs that helped evolve the organization. Over the next few months, we will take opportunities to recognize and honor him for all of the accomplishments he’s been integral in for Sports ETA.

At the same time, we have new beginnings on the horizon as we look to discover our next President and CEO. As Chair of the Association and the Search Committee, I have assembled an amazing team that will support our efforts in conducting the search process. I, along with the Committee, have taken several opportunities to hear feedback from the membership regarding areas they see as future needs and direction for the Association. As I’ve mentioned several times, this is YOUR ASSOCIATION, and I’m confident in the team to find a proven leader to move us forward. That is our goal: how can we move forward and continue offering the best benefits possible to you?

We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events, including the Chief Executive Summit and Women’s Summit. We also hope you are planning to be in Kansas City for Symposium May 8-11. As 2023 moves forward, we hope that you will invest more time and give more energy to Sports ETA than ever before. As the Association looks to an exciting year ahead, I hope that each member finds a new rejuvenation in every aspect of your world.

Remember, “you got this,” in all you put your mind to! Make today great for both you and everyone around you. As always, I’m here for every single one of our members, and available to take a call or email at any time to help. I personally thank you for your continued support and dedication to the best Association!

All the best,

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

March 29 - 31

Magnolia Hotel - Dallas, TX

Developed by top women leaders in the sports events and tourism industry, the annual Women’s Summit will inspire you to achieve your career goals. Attendees will be encouraged to learn how to strengthen their community relationships, advocate for themselves, and polish their leadership skills. You will gain access to tools and resources that will help you improve your personal brand and add value to your organization.

The 2023 Women’s Summit will feature top-notch education including a Dallas Sports Power Panel and presentations by ESPN and WNBA representatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at AT&T Discovery District, attend a Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame event, participate in Beyond the Baseline, and network with industry peers. As always, we will have a block of tickets available for the Friday night (March 31) Women’s Final Four games. Check out the full event schedule.

Top Industry Trends To Watch in 2023

1 4

2 3

Deeper emphasis is continuing to be placed on the value of sports events and tourism to the local community – not only economically, but also socially, environmentally, and beyond. Effectively measuring and communicating this value will continue to be vital for organizations.

There remains a shifting focus toward US-based opportunities among our international sport organizer counterparts. Now that the 2022 World Cup is in the rear view, eyes are focused on the broad spectrum of events coming stateside in the forthcoming years including the 2024 T20 World Cup (Cricket), 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic Games, the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups, and many more. Opportunity exists not only for large markets hosting these events but surrounding communities and small/mid-markets to leverage their assets to an international audience.

A watchful eye on the economy will be prudent. Sports-related travel bounced back well from the pandemic as reported in Sports ETA’s 2021 State of the Industry Report; however, sports events and tourism

5 practitioners would be wise to keep a strong pulse on the impacts that other economic factors (i.e., inflation, consumer price index, job numbers, interest and mortgage rates, recession potential, etc.) may have on the literal playing field.

States are getting in the game like never before! In an effort to capitalize on the incremental state sales tax revenue ROI, provide broad-based exposure, and align with other state objectives, more and more states are carving dedicated event procurement funding mechanisms. This trend will continue as we head into the meat of state legislative cycles.

Put on your futurist hat. It’s an exciting time in the sports events and tourism industry as innovation, shifts in consumer behavior, and burgeoning technology are transforming the industry before our very eyes. Let us not remain so comfortable in the present, that we find ourselves on our heels missing both opportunity and necessity related sports events and tourism’s future.

Trends provided by Dr. Jennifer Stoll, Principal, Stoll Strategies // Research & Education, Sports ETA. For more information, please contact Jennifer at Jennifer@SportsETA.org.