SEEN Saturday Series

Sports ETA
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Sports ETA is the essential resource for sports commissions, sports destinations, industry partners and more.Since being established in 1992, our promise has been to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members - destinations, right holders, and industry partners - and to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry.As the non-profit 501(c)3 trade association for the sports events and tourism industry in the United States, Sports ETA is the most essential resource for sports commissions, sports destinations, sports event owners, and industry partners. We believe sports tourism and the events that our members own and host have the power to transform society for the better. Our passion is to help sports events and tourism professionals achieve previously unimaginable levels of performance. We do this by nurturing a diverse and inclusive community of smart, creative, and interesting people: our members.

  1. 4d ago

    The Sports Biz Engine: Why Atlanta is America’s No. 1 Sports Business City

    Sixty years after building a ballpark to entice the Braves to move south, Atlanta has officially been named the No. 1 Sports Business City in America by the Sports Business Journal.  Outperforming massive media markets and traditional sports hubs, the A-Town has become the ultimate global model for sports infrastructure, corporate integration, and event hosting. In this episode, we sit down with David Broughton, Research Director at Sports Business Journal, to unpack the massive data dive behind their 2026 rankings.  We discuss how SBJ evaluated over 2,300 markets, why Atlanta’s unique "teamwork" model and public-private partnerships set it apart, and what upcoming mega-events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the future NWSL expansion team mean for the city’s economic future.

  2. Sep 26

    Beyond the Final Whistle: How Richmond Region Tourism Redefines Sports Partnerships

    What happens when seven jurisdictions team up instead of competing against one another? In this episode, we sit down with Danny Bonifas (Director of Sports & Events) and Gerald K. Taylor (Sports Sales & Events Manager) from Richmond Region Tourism / Sports Richmond. Danny and Gerald take us behind the scenes of RVA’s collaborative approach to sports tourism—from custom-fitting events across world-class venues like the Henrico Sports & Events Center, CarMax Park, and Diamonds at Iron Bridge, to driving lasting community impact through youth and adaptive sports. Plus, discover how Richmond asks “What does this event need to succeed?” rather than fitting square pegs into round holes, and get an inside look at what's on the horizon for the remainder of 2026 and beyond.

  3. Sep 19

    Gymnastic City USA: Greg Fante on Louisville’s Historic 2028 Olympic Trials Win

    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 of Symposium Sessions from the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas, host Kathrine Nero speaks with Greg Fante, President and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission.  Greg shares the thrilling news of Louisville’s formal partnership with USA Gymnastics to host the 2028 Olympic Trials under the prestigious "Gymnastic City USA" brand. He breaks down the multi-event festival coming to the city, the strategy behind winning major bids, and Louisville's massive growth in sports tourism, and more!

  4. Sep 12

    Tackling the Future: Mick Hogan on Bringing the Rugby World Cup to the US

    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 special episode of Symposium Sessions recorded at the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas, host Kathrine Nero sits down with World Rugby Consultant Mick Hogan to discuss the massive future of international rugby in the United States. Hogan shares exclusive insights into the strategic planning, immense fan turnout, and legacy-building required to host the globe's biggest rugby events. Key Topics Discussed: Historic World Cup Bids: The United States has officially been awarded the Men's World Cup in 2031 and the Women's World Cup in 2033.Record-Breaking Attendance: The sport is experiencing massive growth in the US, evidenced by 61,000 fans selling out an Ireland versus New Zealand match in Chicago in a matter of hours.Momentum for the Women's Game: Women's rugby is hitting the big time, highlighted by a US versus Canada match in Kansas City that drew over 10,000 fans despite a major storm and tornado.The Host City Experience: Hogan outlines the strategy to test major NFL-style venues in cities like Chicago and Baltimore, emphasizing that these events bring affluent, traveling fans who turn a single match into a week-long festival.Global Reputation and Legacy: Hosting international rugby matches provides cities with immense global exposure, fosters civic pride, and drives local participation in the sport.

  5. Aug 29

    Ice, Cameras, Action: The Future of Skating

    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 does it take to turn a traditional sport into a massive, must-see entertainment spectacle? In this episode of Symposium Sessions, host Kathrine Nero sits down with Colin Smith, Director General of the International Skating Union (ISU). Colin shares how the ISU is shifting its global strategy to transform figure skating and short track events into dynamic sports-entertainment experiences. Tune in to hear about the challenge of finding the perfect U.S. host cities, how viral Olympic stars are bringing in a younger generation of fans, and why the organization’s brand-new event format, "Synchro 9," is poised to change the face of synchronized skating forever.

  6. Aug 22

    Small Town, Big Game: The Kernersville Model for 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. Think your department is too small to make a massive economic impact? Think again. In this episode, we look at Kernersville, NC—a fast-growing suburb proving that intentional, multi-use facility planning can turn a small town into a sports tourism powerhouse. Guests Bonny Bernat, Senior Sports Development Manager for Visit Winston-Salem, and Ernie Pages, Kernersville Parks and Recreation Director will lead us through: The COVID Catalyst: How a single weekend post-lockdown proved the undeniable value of sports tourism to local officials.Designing with Intent: Why a "big" mindset matters when planning field layouts, court spaces, and facility expansions.Government 101: Why sports tourism professionals need to learn how to advocate, educate, and build relationships with elected officials.The Blueprint for Success: How small towns can successfully sync up with their CVBs to generate tournament revenue.

  7. Aug 15

    Relationships over Code: The EventConnect Blueprint

    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 Sarah Dyer, COO of EventConnect, to discuss why the "human" element remains the most powerful engine in a tech-driven industry. Sarah breaks down how prioritizing partner relationships fuels revenue, why the best market innovations come from listening rather than guessing, and what the future holds as they deploy a year’s worth of groundbreaking new technology!

  8. Aug 8

    Legacy in Motion: Sonesta’s Playbook for the Modern Sports Traveler

    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. Hospitality meets high performance in this episode! Today, we'll explore how Sonesta is leveraging nearly 90 years of hospitality history to redefine the sports travel experience.  Hank Pivarnik, Sonesta's Global Account Director for Sports will lead us on a deep dive into the Sonesta MVP program and the Sonesta Sports Certified initiative, which are designed to provide specialized support, better value, and an 'athlete-first' mentality across their locations. You’ll learn: The MVP Program: How individual sports travelers can access exclusive rates and benefits tailored to their training and competition schedules.The Certification Standards: What it means for a hotel to be truly 'Sports Certified' and how that impacts team and individual logistics.A Legacy of Service: How a brand with 90 years of experience stays agile in the rapidly growing sports tourism market.2026 Goals: A preview of how Sonesta is preparing to host the next wave of athletes and fans with memorable, high-touch experiences.

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About

Sports ETA is the essential resource for sports commissions, sports destinations, industry partners and more.Since being established in 1992, our promise has been to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members - destinations, right holders, and industry partners - and to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry.As the non-profit 501(c)3 trade association for the sports events and tourism industry in the United States, Sports ETA is the most essential resource for sports commissions, sports destinations, sports event owners, and industry partners. We believe sports tourism and the events that our members own and host have the power to transform society for the better. Our passion is to help sports events and tourism professionals achieve previously unimaginable levels of performance. We do this by nurturing a diverse and inclusive community of smart, creative, and interesting people: our members.

Information

  • Creator
    Sports ETA
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SEEN Saturday Series
  • Show Website
    SEEN Saturday Series