Sports Tourism: Growth Opportunities in the U.S. Market

Wednesday, June 18 | 12:30 PM ET

Sports Tourism: Growth Opportunities in the U.S. Market

Join SBJ’s director of research, David Broughton, and this panel of sports tourism executives as we examine ways that markets of all sizes are investing in facilities and event operations; how the industry’s focus is shifting from economic impact to long-term economic growth; and how U.S. markets are preparing to host multiple large-scale global sporting events over the next several years.

What we will cover:

• The economic headwinds that sports organizations face when considering opportunities in U.S.-based sports tourism
• Strategies that stakeholders are implementing to maintain the events they have and to lure new events that they covet
• Investment in facilities and mixed-use development with an eye toward attracting sporting events, including the youth sports construction boom
• The growth in sports participation and sports consumption across the U.S. and its impact on the sports tourism industry

Who should attend:

• Sports tourism professionals; city planners and consultants
• Hospitality professionals
• Architects, construction firms and consultants working in sports and entertainment venue development
• Vendors, including technology vendors doing business in sports venues and mixed-use developments
• Anyone interested in learning more about the growing sports tourism industry

Featured Speakers

Janis Burke, STS, is Sports ETA's Chief of International Sport & Strategy, a newly created role positions Sports ETA to help members and partners navigate and maximize opportunities around the historic wave of international events coming to the United States over the next decade. Burke has more than two decades of executive experience in the industry, most recently as CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. Her leadership helped Houston become a global sports hub, securing and hosting prestigious events from the FIFA World Cup to various World Championships. She has also served in key roles, partnering with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee on international bid efforts for future global events.

John David is the President and CEO of the Sports Events & Tourism Association. He served as a member of the Sports ETA Board of Directors for eleven years, representing the Rights Holder category. Prior to joining Sports ETA, John was the Chief Strategy Officer of USA BMX, the world’s largest sanctioning body for the Olympic sport of bicycle motocross racing. During his 23-year tenure at USA BMX, John helped the association double its membership and more than triple its revenue. He also produced two Olympic Trials, co-coordinated the unification of the sport in the USA, and spearheaded the campaign for the creation of the new USA BMX headquarters, arena, museum, and Hall of Fame in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Amanda Shank is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Unrivaled Sports. Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, with a strategic partnership with The Chernin Group (TCG), Unrivaled Sports is a diverse network of youth sports properties across Baseball, Softball, Football, and Action Sports, including Ripken Baseball, Cooperstown All-Star Village, Under the Lights Flag Football, We Are Camp and more. In her role, Shank leads new venue development, strategic partnerships, and other growth initiatives. She joined Unrivaled Sports after stewarding business development and ancillary revenue for its portfolio company, Ripken Baseball, through a period of record growth. Shank also spent more than a decade at NFL Players Inc., the for-profit licensing and marketing arm of the NFL Players Association representing more than 2,000 athletes, first in player marketing and then in digital and unconventional licensing. There she guided strategic planning, product development and player activation for EA SPORTS’ Madden NFL franchise and other successful licensees and sponsors in gaming, mobile apps, fantasy football and consumer product goods categories. Shank earned her master’s degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.

Registration is free. All registrants will receive a recording of the webinar following the event.

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