Conference Review
2025 Sports ETA Symposium
The 2025 Sports ETA Annual Symposium, held April 14–17 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, convened over 1,100 sports events and tourism professionals for a week of education, networking, and strategic collaboration. Hosted at the Arvest Convention Center, the event featured more than 16,000 scheduled appointments, reinforcing its status as one of the premier gatherings in the sector.
The Symposium commenced with the Sports ETA Facilities Summit on April 14, focusing on sports venue development and operations innovations. Highlights included a fireside chat with Shane Fernandez, President of USA BMX, and guided tours of Tulsa’s Gathering Place and WeStreet Ice Center, offering attendees firsthand insights into cutting-edge facility design and community engagement.
Educational programming was a cornerstone of the event, with sessions designed to provide valuable guidance for emerging industry leaders. Attendees engaged in discussions on leadership transitions, community engagement, Sports ETA community discussions, and professional growth, gaining insights from industry experts.
A significant moment of the Symposium was the induction of three industry trailblazers into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame: Linda Logan (Greater Columbus Sports Commission), Jon Lugbill (Sports Backers), and Frank Viverito (St. Louis Sports Commission). Their contributions have left an indelible mark on sports tourism and were celebrated during a special ceremony.
With 10 organizations and individuals being recognized through the Sports ETA Awards Program, new board members being approved by the overall membership, and Janis Burke’s new role leading the newly formed international sport and strategy initiatives being announced, the week was filled with action to benefit the future of sports tourism.
Professional development milestones were also achieved; notably, a significant number of sports tourism professionals were honored for completing the Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) certification program, underscoring the event's role in fostering industry expertise.
With its blend of strategic appointments, educational sessions, and celebratory events, the 2025 Sports ETA Symposium in Tulsa exemplified the sports tourism industry's collaborative spirit and forward momentum.
