SportsTravel Podcast: Insights and Expert Analysis

The SportsTravel Podcast focuses on news, insight, trends and more from some of the top event organizers and destination executives throughout the sports-event industry. With nearly 100 episodes over the past three years, the SportsTravel Podcast has become the place to listen to interviews with event organizers of all sizes, destinations ready to host national and international events and many executives within the U.S. Olympic movement. Hosted by SportsTravel’s editorial staff, the podcast can be heard on all your favorite platforms including iTunes, Google Play and Spotify.

This page is brought to you by the TEAMS Conference and Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports event organizers and the destinations and suppliers that serve the sports-event industry. TEAMS ’23 will be held in The Palm Beaches, Florida, from October 2–5, 2023. The 25th annual edition of the conference will again feature the co-location of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sports Link program and NGB Best Practices seminar, as well as the annual symposium of the National Congress of State Games.

EsportsTravel Summit: Why Grassroots Esports Efforts Are Essential

Posted: August 21, 2023

Presented by SportsTravel and hosted by Destination Toronto, the 2023 EsportsTravel Summit was held July 12–14, 2023, in Toronto. One of the major programming sessions at the event was on grassroots esports. Recognizing the important work being done at the grassroots may be even more crucial to a destination’s success in building an esports ecosystem of its own.

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Wayne Moss: Making Youth Sports Safer

Published: August 15, 2023

Wayne Moss, who has been the National Council on Youth Sports’ executive director since 2018, discusses safety in youth sports, a topic that encompasses not only emotional and physical safety in the form of abuse prevention but also physical safety when it comes to preventing injuries on the field of play. And as the country saw in real time last season when the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin nearly lost his life during a Monday night football game, this topic is especially top of mind of late.

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Tim Trefzer: Best Practices for Sustainability in Sports

Published: August 11, 2023

Sustainability has never been a more important factor in the sports market with events that are some of the most high-profile in the world. Tim Trefzer has led sustainability efforts at Mercedes Benz Stadium, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff and the Atlanta Falcons among others. He also co-founded the Sustainable Sport index, the sports industry’s first benchmark of sustainability. We discuss how sports organizations can use its events to educate people about climate change, how much sustainability has increased as a priority in sports and its venues, the most important topics of focus still needed for sports venues to be sustainable and much more.

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TEAMS Europe: The Best of 2023

Published: August 8, 2023

The second annual TEAMS Europe included leading experts from global organizations including the National Football League, the International Olympic Committee, World Rugby, the International Tennis Federation, LaLiga, Major League Baseball and more. TEAMS—the world’s leading conference and expo for the sports-event industry—unites sport event organizers with destinations, venues and suppliers interested in hosting or supporting their events. The conference returned to the ExCeL Center in London from June 27–29, 2023.

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Li Li Leung on USA Gymnastics’ Search for a New Training Center

Published: July 19, 2023

USA Gymnastics is looking to build a national training and wellness center that will serve as the hub for the national governing body and has issued a request of expressions of interest directed at destinations and real estate developers targeting a 2026 project completion, said President and Chief Executive Officer Li Li Leung. The NGB is seeking a partner to design, build, operate and maintain a campus comprising a modern training and wellness center and ancillary facilities for the national team in various disciplines as well as develop the overall grassroots growth of the sport. USA Gymnastics does not have a centralized training and wellness center currently. The new center may also become home to the NGB’s national headquarters. In this episode, Leung discusses why the NGB is seeking the new location as well as preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.

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David Carter: How to Turn Your Sports Bucket List into Reality

Published: July 7, 2023

David Carter has set out with his best friend to tackle their own bucket list of sports events — 25 events before they turn 75 years old. Carter is serious about the endeavor as well. He’s put his list to a spreadsheet, with ground rules about what events he’d like to see and where. But the effort also comes with considerable planning and more than a few lessons about why you should put some thought into planning your own list should you try to tackle it.

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Mike McAtee: USA Boxing’s Fight Against the IBA’s Corruption and World Boxing’s Future

Published: June 29, 2023

USA Boxing Executive Director Mike McAtee discussed the years-long process in coming with plans for a new international federation in the wake of the IOC’s expulsion of the International Boxing Association, the various issues the national governing body has had with the IBA — including fight manipulation — and more in this episode. McAtee also discussed the future plans for World Boxing; whether the international drama surrounding the sport has been a topic of discussion at USA Boxing events; and the recent news that the IOC has promised boxing’s spot in the LA28 program is secure.

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Kris Alexander: Video Games, Esports and the Future Events Workforce

Published: June 20, 2023

As professor of video games at Toronto Metropolitan University, Dr. Kris Alexander has built a program that now includes about 300 students and has produced the Red Bull Gaming Hub, an active events center that serves as not just a laboratory of sorts for his students, but a functioning venue that has hosted esports and other neighborhood events. Alexander goes into his own background in video games as a player, his transition to academia, the future of esports and video gaming and more.

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Jim Scherr: Growing World Lacrosse and Its Potential Olympic Future

Published: June 14, 2023

Jim Scherr was named the first chief executive officer of World Lacrosse in 2017. Prior to that, he was CEO of the United States Olympic Committee from 2003 to 2009. Scherr, who competed as a wrestler at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, was the first Olympian to serve in that position with the USOC. Before joining the USOC, Scherr served as executive director of USA Wrestling from 1990 to 2000, and also was the National Collegiate Hockey Conference commissioner from 2012­ to 2013. During his time at World Lacrosse, Scherr has grown the sport globally with the 2023 World Lacrosse Championships starting June 21 in San Diego.

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Izell Reese: How RCX Sports Is Expanding Youth Sports Participation

Published: June 9, 2023

Izell Reese is the chief executive officer of RCX Sports, a youth sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments and events. Reese has been the Executive Director of NFL Flag since October 2019, working closely with the NFL to expand the sport of flag football around the world. RCX has also recently entered into partnerships with the National Hockey League and Major League Soccer for youth programs. Before entering the youth sports world, Reese played safety in the NFL for seven years.

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2023 Podcast Archives

Vlad Marinescu: Esports’ Global Reach, the IESF’s Growth and More

Published: May 25, 2023

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Mandy Gill: Marriott’s NCAA Partnership, NIL and State of Sports-Related Travel

Published: May 2, 2023

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The Honest Scoop About Sports Tourism Salaries and Compensation
Published: April 25, 2023

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From Pickleball to Team Sports: Tom Cove on the Latest in Sports Participation Trends
Published: April 4, 2023

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Janis Burke and Holly Kesterson: Hosting the Men’s Final Four in Houston

Published: March 26, 2023

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Lisa Motley: Bringing the World’s Biggest Sports Events to Las Vegas

Published: March 20, 2023

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Brent Nowicki: The World Aquatics Rebrand and World Championships Pivot

Published: February 27, 2023

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Gary Hernbroth: Sports as Group Travel and How to Motivate Sales Professionals

Published: January 31, 2023

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Bob Dunlop: Two Decades of Organizing Events for U.S. Figure Skating

Published: January 23, 2023

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Mike Pratt and Jim McKenna: Lake Placid’s Rebirth as a Winter Sports Destination

Published: January 6, 2023

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2022 Podcast Archives

A Review and Preview of the Year in Sports-Related Travel

Published: December 20, 2022

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Title IX at 50: The Push Toward Equality

Published: December 14, 2022

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The Evolving Landscape of Youth Sports

Published: December 6, 2022

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Aron McGuire: Driving USA Bobsled & Skeleton Through the Pandemic

Published: November 21, 2022

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Chris Robb: How Cities Can Help the Mass Participation Industry

Published: October 17, 2022

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Wayne Moss: Why Youth Sports Matter

Published: October 3, 2022

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Max Siegel: Growing USA Track & Field Through LA28

Published: September 22, 2022

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Joe Jacobi: Lessons From the River

Published: September 16, 2022

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Mike Nishi: Lessons from the Chicago Marathon

Published: December 20, 2021

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Danny Martin: How Grass-Roots Esports Efforts Will Support Future Events

Published: December 2, 2021

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Erik Moses: Revitalizing Nashville Superspeedway and NASCAR’s Diversity Efforts

Published: December 1, 2021

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Greg Sankey: Expanding the SEC, the College Football Playoff and NCAA Gender Equity

Published: November 2, 2021

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Jim Mercurio: Lessons From Levi’s Stadium on How to Run Events During the Pandemic

Published: October 21, 2021

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Greg Cruse: Riding Surfing’s Wave of Momentum

Published: September 20, 2021

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Fraser Bullock: Salt Lake’s 2002 Olympic Legacy and Hopes for a Future Games

Published: September 15, 2021

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Ross Young: Bringing USA Rugby Out of Bankruptcy and Ready to Bid for World Cups

Published: July 28, 2021

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Larry Olmsted: How Fans Unite Communities and Make the Case for Why Sports Matter

Published: July 19, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Naples, Marco Island CVB

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Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Kenney: Growing the Brand at Ripken Baseball

Published: July 12, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Maryland Sports Commission

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Scott O’Neil: His Time at Harris Blitzer, A New Book and Perspective on the Sports Industry

Published: July 8, 2021

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Jimmy Johnson: Fishing, Football and Fox NFL Sunday

Published: June 28, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Atlantic City Sports Commission

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Bryan Karns: Preparing for the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club

Published: June 21, 2021

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Helen Maroulis: The Inspiring Olympics Comeback Story of a Wrestling Pioneer

Published: June 16, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Myrtle Beach Convention Center

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Allyson Felix: The Drive for Five Olympic Games

Published: June 7, 2021

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Tim Schneider: Roots of a Travel Powerhouse: How Sports and Esports Move People

Published: May 28, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

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Melissa Stockwell: Preparing for a Most Unusual Paralympics

Published: May 18, 2021

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Elena Delle Donne: Preparing for the 2021 WNBA Season and Olympic Summer Games

Published: May 10, 2021

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Leigh Steinberg: The Evolution of Agents, NFL Events and Athlete Marketing

Published: April 26, 2021

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Dan Ghosh-Roy: Preparing for the PFL’s Atlantic City Bubble

Published: April 22, 2021

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Dale Murphy: On Baseball, Sports-Event Security and Marketing Today’s Stars

Published: April 12, 2021

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Bruce Rosenberg: Why HotelPlanner is Bullish on Sports-Related Travel

Published: March 17, 2021

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Antron Brown and Leah Pruett: Life in the Fast Lane as NHRA Drivers

Published: March 11, 2021

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Jenny Carnes and Lynn Holzman: How the NCAA Will Host the Women’s Basketball Tournament in San Antonio

Published: February 26, 2021

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Dan Gavitt: Planning the NCAA Men’s Tournament in Indianapolis

Published: February 22, 2021

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Amanda Kraus: Changing the Face of Rowing

Published: February 8, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Columbia SC Sports

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Michael D’hulst: How Super League Triathlon is Innovating the Sport

Published: January 15, 2021. Podcast Sponsored by Tempe Tourism

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Rob Higgins: Inside Tampa Bay’s Plans for Hosting Super Bowl LV

Published: January 13, 2021

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2020 Podcast Archives

Nicole Pike: The Latest Research on Esports-Related Travel

Published: December 15, 2020. Podcast Sponsored by Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance

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Nick Carparelli: What to Expect from the 2020 Bowl Season

Published: November 11, 2020

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David Baker: Twice the Fun in ’21 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Published: September 15, 2020

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Al Kidd and Jennifer Stoll: The $45 Billion Case for Sports-Related Travel

Published: September 8, 2020

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Carlos Silva: How World TeamTennis Held a Season with Fans in the Stands

Published: August 18, 2020

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Lisa Baird: Staging a Monthlong Tournament During a Pandemic

Published: July 31, 2020

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Steve Stenersen: How US Lacrosse is Approaching Return to Play

Published: July 10, 2020

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Melvin Tennant: A Discussion on Race and Diversity in the Travel Industry

Published: June 18, 2020

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Glenn Merry: A New Voice for Adaptive Sports

Published: June 10, 2020

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Peter O’Reilly: How the NFL Pulled Off a Virtual Draft

Published: May 27, 2020

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Dev Pathik and Jason Clement: Signs of Hope for the Youth Sports Market

Published: April 23, 2020. Podcast Sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

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Molly Arbogast: What Sports Sponsorship Should Look Like Now

Published: April 16, 2020. Podcast Sponsored by Atlantic City Sports Commission

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Rich Harshbarger: The Challenges Ahead for Running and Mass Participation Events

Published: April 9, 2020. Podcast Sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

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Matt Farrell: Alternative Golf and the Spectacle of World Long Drive

Published: March 26, 2020. Podcast Sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

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Colie Edison: Why the Leader in Recreational Bowling Bought the PBA Tour

Published: March 13, 2020. Podcast Sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

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Jason Parker: How Technology is Changing Amateur Sports Events

Published: February 21, 2020

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Phil Andrews: How USA Weightlifting is Preparing for Tokyo and Beyond

Published: January 29, 2020

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2019 Podcast Archives

Frank Supovitz: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Published: December 19, 2019

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Ju’Riese Colón: The Challenges Ahead for the U.S. Center for SafeSport

Published: October 29, 2019

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Kyle McLaughlin: How Tough Mudder Has Survived the Obstacle Course Race Market

Published: September 27, 2019

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Alex Hertel: The Future of the Spectator Experience

Published: September 4, 2019

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John David: How BMX Has Become One of the Fastest-Growing Sports

Published: July 23, 2019

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YuChiang Cheng: Why Topgolf is Investing in Esports

b June 19, 2019

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Amanda Duffy: The Growth of the National Women’s Soccer League

Published: May 28, 2019

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Michael Capiraso: Lessons From the New York City Marathon

Published: April 25, 2019

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Oliver Luck: An Inside Look at the XFL

Published: March 5, 2019