The Comeback Playbook: From Natural Disaster to Sports Destination

The Comeback Playbook: From Natural Disaster to Sports Destination

What happens when a natural disaster threatens to wipe your destination off the map? You don’t just rebuild—you reinvent. In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse team from North Little Rock Tourism to unpack one of the most inspiring comeback stories in the sports tourism industry.  After a devastating natural disaster shifted their entire landscape, the NLR team didn't just aim for "normal"—they aimed for "better." Join host Kathrine and special guest Shelbey Morris, North Little Rock Tourism's Senior Manager of Sales and Partnerships, as they walk us through the journey from survival mode to a competitive masterclass in resilience.  We dive deep into how they used a sports feasibility study to silence the noise and sharpen their strategy, the "unlikely allies" that fueled their recovery, and the massive revitalization of the community’s crown jewel: Burns Park.

From Confidence to Community: A WISE Arizona Roundtable

Following their impactful panel at the recent Women’s Summit, we are going behind the scenes with three powerhouse leaders from WISE Arizona.  In this episode, Yolanda Mendez, MBA, SPHR, is the Vice President of Human Resources at Desert Services, and Past President and Founding Member of WISE Arizona, Maria Mwangi, CEO of Warehouse215, and President of WISE Arizona, and Gina Phelps Thoebes, PhD, ACC, Vice President, Organizational Performance for the Arizona Cardinals Football Club, and on the Board of Directors for WISE Arizona sit down to expand on the journey from building personal confidence to fostering a thriving professional community.  We dive into the importance of advocacy in sports, the power of mentorship, and how leading with a spirit of "giving back" is transforming the landscape for women in the industry.

Inside the 2026 Sports ETA State of the Industry Report with Tourism Economics

In this episode, we’re joined by Greg Pepitone, Associate Director at Tourism Economics, to unpack the findings from the groundbreaking 2026 State of the Industry Report [https://research.sportseta.org/industry-reports/] presented by Northstar Meetings Group. For the first time ever, the report combines participatory and spectator sports tourism into one comprehensive analysis, revealing the full scale and impact of the industry — a $274.5 billion economic engine supporting communities, destinations, venues, events, and businesses across the country. Greg shares how organizations of all sizes — from small and mid-sized destinations to major markets and event organizers — can use industry data and economic impact insights to strengthen advocacy efforts, guide strategic planning, support funding conversations, attract events, and demonstrate value to stakeholders and community leaders. We also discuss key trends shaping the future of sports tourism, the growing importance of data-driven decision making, and why global moments like the FIFA World Cup represent transformational opportunities for the travel and tourism industry. Looking for quick takeaways and key stats? Download our one-sheeter HERE [https://research.sportseta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/One-Sheeter.pdf] to explore the latest industry data and insights.

Beyond the Game: Inside the New NCAA Bid Cycle with Anthony Holman

What does it take to bring the magic of an NCAA Championship to your city? In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Holman, Vice President of Championships and Alliances at the NCAA, to discuss the incredible economic and community impact of hosting collegiate sporting events. Coming off a wildly successful Spring Championship season, Anthony shares his insights on the shifting landscape of college athletics and why hosting an NCAA event is a uniquely low-risk, high-reward opportunity for destinations. We also dive into the brand-new NCAA bid portal and everything you need to know about the upcoming Championships Bid Cycle. In this episode, we cover: * A recap of the record-setting Spring Championship season. * How the rapidly changing collegiate sports landscape affects host cities. * The true value and ROI of hosting an NCAA Championship. * Step-by-step insights into the upcoming bid cycle and the new online portal. * What the NCAA is looking forward to for the rest of 2026. Links & Resources: Learn more and submit your bid: www.ncaa.org/bids [https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2019/5/1/bids.aspx] Follow the NCAA on social media for championship updates.

At the Top of Her Game: Rachel Rogers on Leadership, Impact, and Recognition

In this episode, we sit down with the 2026 Sports ETA Woman of the Year, Rachel Rogers. As the Vice President of Sports Sales & Engagement for Cobb Travel & Tourism and the Cobb Sports Alliance, Rachel has become a powerhouse in the sports tourism industry. We dive into her incredible career journey—from her early days with the Rome Braves and her pivotal role in transitioning Shorter University to NCAA Division II, to her current leadership in making Cobb County a premier national sports destination. Rachel shares her insights on the evolving landscape of sports tourism, the importance of strategic partnerships, and what it means to lead as a woman in a high-stakes industry.  Whether you're an aspiring sports executive or a tourism veteran, Rachel’s story of "connecting strategy with execution" is a masterclass in professional excellence. This episode is made possible by the generous support of Team Travel Source, the official sponsor of the Sports ETA Member Awards. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to celebrating excellence and leadership within the sports events and tourism community.