Travas Deal, CEO at Colorado Springs Utilities - Q2 business update

Colorado Springs' Sports Commission Leads El Paso County's Sports Economy Forward

For nearly five decades, the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (Sports Corp) has helped shape what is now one of Southern Colorado's most significant economic drivers - a sports economy generating nearly $300 million annually, supporting more than 2,000 jobs, and creating an estimated $38 million in state and local tax revenue. Founded to help secure the relocation of the U.S. Olympic Committee from New York to Colorado Springs in 1978, Sports Corp has remained at the forefront of advancing Olympic City USA, attracting premier sporting events, promoting sports tourism, and strengthening the region's quality of life through community engagement. On this edition of Business Digest Radio, host Dirk Hobbs sits down with Sr. Director of Sports Tourism and Olympic Engagement, Davis Tutt and Director of Marketing & Communications, Rands Keasler for an inside look at Sports Corp's signature events and strategic vision for the remainder of 2026. Together, they discuss how the organization continues to attract world-class competitions, expand sports tourism, and create lasting economic opportunities throughout the Pikes Peak region. The conversation also highlights several of Sports Corp's marquee events, including the 50th Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off, the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow, the Rocky Mountain State Games, the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, and other events that continue to reinforce Colorado Springs' reputation as one of America's premier destinations for sport, competition, and community. Whether you're a business leader, community partner, sports enthusiast, or simply interested in the future of our regional economy, this is a conversation that showcases why sport has become one of Southern Colorado's most powerful engines for growth. Learn more about Sports Corp and their events here: https://sportscorp.org [https://sportscorp.org]  | EVENTS: https://www.coloradospringssports.org/events/

Ent is now Wings Credit Union in Colorado! Meet Mike Grady, SVP Western Markets & Annie Snead, VP Community Impact

On Business Digest Radio, host Dirk Hobbs sat down with Mike Grady, Senior Vice President of Western Markets for Wings Credit Union [https://www.wingsfinancial.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (formerly Ent Credit Union [https://www.ent.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]), and Annie Snead, Vice President of Community Outreach, to discuss the strategic merger between the two respected credit unions—an integration many in the financial sector have described as a model for merger success. Grady and Snead shared insights into how the transition is unfolding for members, employees, and leadership teams, emphasizing a deliberate focus on culture, communication, and continuity of service. Both noted that preserving member trust while aligning systems, operations, and organizational values has been central to the process. The conversation also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong community engagement across Colorado, ensuring the combined organization remains deeply invested in the people and businesses it serves while positioning for long-term growth and expanded impact. https://wingco.com [https://wingco.com] | https://socodigest.com/#radio [https://socodigest.com/#radio]  #BusinessDigestRadio, #WingsCreditUnion, #EntCreditUnion, #CreditUnions, #FinancialServices, #CommunityBanking, #Leadership. #BusinessLeadership, #SouthernColorado, #ColoradoBusiness

Chairman & CEO J.W. Roth | An Update and Inside Look at VENU Holding Corporation | June 25, 2026

In our recent Business Digest interview, JW Roth offered an unflinching look at the future of Venu Holding Corporation [https://investors.venu.live/overview/]. He acknowledges that VENU’s luxury live-entertainment model is extraordinarily complex and capital intensive, requiring massive upfront investment, patient capital, and flawless execution across development, hospitality, ticketing, and operations. With shares down roughly 75% over the past year and near 52-week lows, skeptics are plentiful. Yet Roth remains resolute: “Don’t bet against us.” Backed by strategic partners including Troy Aikman and Dierks Bentley, Roth believes VENU is building something rare—premium, experience-driven destinations positioned to redefine live entertainment for decades to come. VENU is an NYSE publicly traded company. Learn more: https://investors.venu.live/overview/ [https://investors.venu.live/overview/]

Author, Speaker: Paul Yankey, MBA - What Marketers Should be Doing For Companies

Author and Speaker, and former senior sales executive at Cisco, Salesforce and Dell, Paul Yankey, MBA joins host Dirk Hobbs on this week's Business Digest Radio program. Paul outlines how a strong marketing foundations and expectations can drive an organization's top and bottom lines and set sales teams up for great success.  His book Free - The Only Way to Sell, challenges business leaders to rethink what they expect from marketing, not as a cost center, but as a measurable growth engine. Yankey argues that too many companies tolerate vague promises, vanity metrics, and activity without accountability. Business owners and executives should expect marketing teams - whether in-house or outsourced - to clearly understand the company’s strategic goals, ideal customer, competitive landscape, and revenue objectives. Effective marketing partners should deliver more than impressions, clicks, or social engagement; they should connect marketing efforts to tangible business outcomes such as qualified leads, customer acquisition, retention, and brand trust. Leaders should demand clear KPIs, transparent reporting, consistent communication, and proactive strategic recommendations. Yankey emphasizes that strong marketers function as growth partners, not order takers. They should challenge assumptions, bring market intelligence, and help leadership make better decisions. Ultimately, marketing should create clarity, credibility, and sustainable business momentum - not confusion or dependency. Learn more about Paul and how you can bring Paul's expertise to your conference or organization: https://paulyankey.com/ [https://paulyankey.com/] Get Free on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Free-only-sell-Paul-Yankey/dp/B0F83VJ5Z9 [https://www.amazon.com/Free-only-sell-Paul-Yankey/dp/B0F83VJ5Z9]

Melissa Eickhoff, CEO of the Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb Ushers in the 104th Running

Don’t miss this week’s Business Digest Radio with Host Dirk Hobbs, featuring Melissa Eickhoff, CEO of the The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb by Gran Turismo. Hear the story behind the legendary Race to the Clouds as Melissa shares the rich history of this iconic event, race week highlights including Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, and how elite teams prepare for the 104th running. We also dive into the race’s global audience, marketing power, and major economic impact—showcasing why this world-class event is a powerful asset for Southern Colorado. TICKETS: PPIHC.ORG More Business Digest Radio Shows:  [https://open.spotify.com/show/2F0B3XCOcPAnbLD0k61VkI%20] #PikesPeakInternationalHillClimb #Motorsports #ColoradoSprings #PikesPeak #GranTurismo #MelissaEickhoff #DirkHobbs #BusinessDigestRadio #SpencerPenrose #TheBroadmoor