Sports ETA Announces Hall of Fame Inductees

The Sports Events & Tourism Association will induct industry veterans Tara Green, Ray Palmer and Tammy Dunn into its Sports ETA Hall of Fame, powered by Albuquerque Sports Commission, at the organization’s annual symposium in April. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on the sports events and tourism industry through leadership, innovation and service.

Induction into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame represents one of the highest honors in the sports events and tourism industry, recognizing individuals whose careers have helped shape and advance the field.

The three honorees will be formally inducted during the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas on April 22 as part of the association’s annual celebration of leadership in sports tourism.
“Each year we recognize pioneers who have helped shape and grow the sports events and tourism industry,” said John David, president and CEO of Sports ETA. “Tara Green, Ray Palmer, and Tammy Dunn represent decades of leadership, innovation, and commitment to building destinations and communities through sports.”

Tara Green

Tara Green serves as principal of Public Realm Strategies and has had a career that has spanned more than 25 years in sports, event management and civic placemaking. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles across the sports and tourism industry, serving as chief revenue officer of the American Airlines Center, COO of the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and vice president of sports marketing for Visit Dallas.
Her event portfolio includes competitions such as the Super Bowl, NBA All‑Star Game, NHL All‑Star Game, FIFA World Cup, and numerous NCAA championships. She also served as chair of the National Association of Sports Commissions, now known as Sports ETA.

Ray Palmer

Ray Palmer is president and CEO of Pensacola Sports in Florida, and has guided the organization through significant growth since joining as executive director in 2002.

The destination has hosted major championships under his watch including the Sun Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships and the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship, as well as community awards programs, scholarships, and youth initiatives.

Palmer has a key member of Sports ETA leadership, serving as chairman of the board and contributing to numerous committees over his time.

Tammy Dunn

Tammy Dunn is executive director of the Snohomish County Sports Commission in Washington and has played a key role in positioning the region north of Seattle as a destination for amateur and professional sporting events.

Dunn began her sports tourism career in 2005 as a part-time sports marketing manager with the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau while she worked in arena operations and parks and recreation.

Today, the Snohomish County Sports Commission collaborates with 18 communities in the county to secure national and international competitions across a variety of sports including tennis, ice sports, badminton, and emerging activities such as pickleball.