What's Next for Sports ETA? The New Chairman's Vision for the Industry

What's Next for Sports ETA? The New Chairman's Vision for the Industry

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place. The sports events and tourism industry continues to evolve—and Sports ETA is leading the way. In this episode of SEEN, we sit down with Sports ETA's new Chairman of the Board to discuss the future of the association, the opportunities ahead for the industry, and the initiatives shaping what's next. In this conversation, we explore: * Sports ETA's newly released Convention Center Report and the key trends reshaping how convention centers are being utilized to host sports events. * Sports ETA's expanding global strategy and what it means for destinations, rights holders, and the continued growth of sports tourism worldwide. * The road to Salt Lake City as preparations ramp up for the 2027 Sports ETA Symposium and excitement builds toward the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Whether you're a destination leader, rights holder, facility operator, or industry partner, this episode delivers valuable insights into the trends, strategies, and opportunities defining the future of sports events and tourism. Listen now and discover what's next for the industry.

Beyond the Boots: The High-Stakes Strategy of Fort Worth Sports

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place. The West is Wide Open—and It's Winning. Fort Worth may be known for its iconic Western heritage, but beneath the cowboy culture is one of the most dynamic sports destinations in the country. In this episode, Fort Worth Sports Commission Director of Business Development Cassie Poss shares how a culture of collaboration, community investment, and what she calls "radical partnership" has helped position Fort Worth as a host for some of the world's most prestigious sporting events. From NCAA Championships and the MLB Draft to the FEI World Cup, Fort Worth has built a diverse event portfolio that continues to elevate its profile on the national and international stage. Cassie discusses the destination's approach to attracting events, supporting rights holders, and leveraging the strength of the Dallas-Fort Worth region to create winning experiences for athletes, fans, and organizers alike. Whether you're navigating the NCAA bid process, pursuing new event opportunities, or looking to strengthen partnerships in your own destination, this conversation offers valuable insights into how Fort Worth continues to raise the bar in sports tourism.

From Data to Decisions: How Active Insight is Changing Sports Tourism

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place. Sports tourism leaders are constantly being asked to make faster, smarter, and more strategic decisions — but what happens when you finally have the data to back them up? In this episode, Sports ETA President & CEO John David sits down with John D’Orsay, CEO at EventConnect, to discuss Active Insight, powered by EventConnect — the newest data intelligence platform built specifically for the sports events & tourism industry. Together, they explore: 1. What Active Insight actually is. 2. How destinations and rights holders can use the platform. 3. The value of real traveler and booking data. 4. How members can uncover trends, answer questions, and make stronger decisions. Whether you’re focused on bidding, event strategy, advocacy, hotel demand, or understanding participant behavior, this episode will help you understand how Active Insight can become a powerful tool for your organization. Learn more about Active Insight: https://research.sportseta.org/active-insight/ [https://research.sportseta.org/active-insight/]

Designing the Destination: Architecture, Economics, and the Vision Behind Bluhawk with Bart Lowen

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place. In this episode, we sit down with Bart Lowen, Price Brothers' VP of Development,  to explore the massive shift in sports tourism: the rise of the mixed-use district.  Using projects like Bluhawk and the North River District as blueprints, Bart explains why communities are no longer just building stadiums—they’re building entire ecosystems of hotels, retail, and entertainment.  We discuss the economic impact of "walkable" sports environments, why event organizers are now prioritizing these lifestyle hubs, and what destination leaders need to know before breaking ground on the next generation of sports-anchored developments.

The Comeback Playbook: From Natural Disaster to Sports Destination

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place. 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.