SEEN Saturday Series
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.
Episodes
132 episodes
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 h...
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 spo...
Safe by Design: How the 2026 CRSA Playbook is Changing the Game for Host Cities
When we talk about host city readiness, we often focus on hotels, venues, and transit. But in 2026, there is a new "must-have" for every RFP: a comprehensive child safeguarding strategy. In this episode, we sit down with Katie Hanna...
Jon Tibbs, The Strategy of Sport: How Geopolitics Shapes Host Cities
Live from Las Vegas, this is Symposium Sessions, featuring exclusive interviews and educational highlights from the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium. Join us as we dive into the latest trends in sports events and tourism with the industry’s top leader...
Leading at Full Speed with Latasha Causey
In this episode, we sit down with Latasha Causey, President of Phoenix Raceway and the first African American woman to hold that title in NASCAR history. Ahead of her keynote address at the 2026 Women’s Summit, Latasha pulls back the curtain on...
Beyond the Bayou: How Baton Rouge is Redefining the "Big Event" City
When the final ball rolled at the 2025 USBC Open Championships, Baton Rouge didn't just celebrate a tournament; they celebrated a $125 million economic victory. But how does a destination turn a 150-day marathon event into a repeata...
The Confidence Playbook: Scaling Your Goals with Emily Jaenson
Join us for a high-energy debrief with Emily Jaenson, keynote speaker and best-selling author. Fresh off her Women’s Summit address, Emily joins the Sports ETA SEEN podcast to share her "Let’s Go!" philosophy. We dive into her journ...
When the Clock Starts: A Masterclass in VIP Security & Transportation
When a high-profile motorcade enters your city, the margin for error disappears. For event planners and local officials, hosting a VIP isn’t just a logistical task—it’s a high-stakes performance under a global microscope. Whether you are managi...
How to Maximize Your Sports ETA Membership featuring Raelyn Dessart and Jordan Dillon
Sports ETA is home to more than 800 member organizationsacross destinations, rights holders, and industry partners—but are members fully taking advantage of everything the association offers?In this episode of SEEN Saturday, we sit d...
Beyond the Endzone: The Future of Destination Partnerships
Youth football is evolving, and the traditional tournament model is being left behind. In this kick-off session for the 2026 season, we outline the exact roadmap for destinations looking to partner with Legends2Legacy. We discuss the six core p...
Tempe’s Playbook for Modernizing a Sports Destination
In this episode, we sit down with the team from Tempe to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to evolve a national sports tourism powerhouse. While Tempe has long been a staple in the regional and national landscape, staying at the t...
Winning the Bid: How to Land a USA Fencing National Championship
Landing a national event requires more than just a great venue—it requires a strategic partnership. This week, we sit down with USA Fencing’s Director of Events, Glen Hollingsworth, to discuss the scale and complexity of modern fencing tourname...
From Local 5Ks to National Brands: The Logistics of Large-Scale Event Success
What happens when you trade 22 years of high-stakes police work for the adrenaline-fueled world of professional triathlon racing?In this episode of the SEEN Saturday Series, host Kathrine Nero sits down with Jason Chance, the powerhouse ...
More Than Just Hotel Rooms: The New Math of Sports Tourism
When a city hosts a marathon or an Ironman, the spotlight usually shines on the elite finishers and the local heroes. But behind the scenes, there is a complex, high-stakes choreography happening between event producers and local governments.&n...
The Science of NIL: Using Psychology to Unlock Athlete Value
We’ve all heard of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), but the conversation is changing. It’s no longer just about who has the most followers on Instagram—it’s about who has the most sustainable brand DNA.In this episode of the SEEN Sat...
The AI Blueprint: Strategic Insights on Innovation from Brand USA
In this episode, we sit down with Janette Roush, the powerhouse behind Brand USA’s AI strategy.As the industry’s first Chief AI Officer for a national DMO, Janette bridges the gap between complex technology and practical application for ...
The Road to Milano Cortina: Decoding the Impact of the 2026 Winter Games
Christine Brennan isn’t just a journalist; she is a chronicler of the most significant shifts in sports history. From covering 21 consecutive Olympic Games—including the era-defining scandals and triumphs of the Winter Games—to breaking the new...
Inside the Mind of a Rights Holder: What Stands Out at Symposium Appointments
You made it clear—your favorite content this year came straight from Symposium! And the episode that rose to the #1 spot features Patrick Cansfield, Director of Development at the American Junior Golf Association, in a standout conversation wit...
SEEN listener favorite episode: The Bluhawk Blueprint
This fan-favorite episode takes you inside the creation of Bluhawk, the transformative new sports, recreation, and entertainment destination in Overland Park, Kansas.Host Kathrine Nero sits down with Greg Jackson, General Manager of Adv...
SEEN listener favorite episode: 2025 Sponsorship Trends with industry leader, Paula Beadle
This SEEN interview with Paula Beadle—Founder & CEO of the Sponsorship Marketing Association—quickly became one of your top-ranked episodes of the year.Paula has negotiated everything from multi-million-dollar naming rights to, yes,...
SEEN listener favorite episode: Sports ETA CEO, John David on Symposium and a newly-released report!
Host Kathrine Nero sat down with Sports ETA CEO, John David, for an episode that quickly became a member favorite.Throughout Symposium week, sports destinations met with hundreds of event decision-makers, sharpened their professional sk...
SEEN listener favorite episode: TrackTown USA: Creating a home for athletes across the world
As we wrap up the year, we're celebrating your favorite podcast moments of 2025—and this conversation with Michael Reilly, CEO of TrackTown USA, rose to the top.In this episode, Host Kathrine Nero sits down with Michael to explore how T...
Inside RCX Sports: Creating Access and Opportunity in Youth Sports
In this episode, we’re joined by Dane Clark, Vice President of Event Operations at RCX Sports, to explore how his team is transforming the youth sports landscape across the country. Dane shares an inside look at how RCX Sports is structured, th...
Sonesta Sports Certified: Raising the bar for sports travelers
Have you ever wished the hotel you stayed at was customized *exactly* for you/your group's needs?Well, that dream is now a reality, thanks to Sonesta International Hotels. The group launched Sonesta Sports Certified, a newer ...
Building the Future of Sports Tourism
Sports facilities are more than just venues — they’re catalysts for community growth, event recruitment, and destination success. In this episode, we sit down with Vince Trinidad, Sports ETA’s Facilities Programming Adjunct, to explore what tru...