Nicole Goddeyne, TEAMS Honored By Compete Sports Diversity

Nicole Goddeyne, the manager buyer development for the Northstar Meetings Group Sports Division, and the TEAMS Conference & Expo were honored by Compete Sports Network with a Sports Tourism MVP award at the organization’s recent Petey Awards in Las Vegas.

Compete Sports is a membership organization comprised of sports teams, leagues and groups dedicated to promoting diversity in sports, which this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

In addition, Brandon Benson, the vice president of convention sales for Memphis Tourism, also received a Sports Tourism MVP Award.

Goddeyne has been key to developing a multiyear relationship between Compete and the TEAMS Conference, which allows the organization’s members to increase their business development by participating in the TEAMS expo. Northstar has also invited Compete to award its Person of the Year at the SportsTravel Awards, which are presented at the TEAMS Conference annually.

According to Compete, the Sports Tourism MVP award recognizes “an individual and an organization that are actively rising as leaders in the welcoming sports-tourism ecosystem.” To be honored, an organization must show a clear commitment to Compete’s “Sports For All” vision through intentional investment, strategic support and the successful execution of events, tournaments and community-building initiatives. Recipients must demonstrate measurable progress in expanding opportunities for attendees, enhancing the event experience and strengthening the nominee’s role as a forward-thinking home for events.

“This is a significant achievement not only for our TEAMS Conference to be recognized, but specifically the work Nicole has put in to enhancing the relationship with this important group of event organizers,” said Jason Gewirtz, vice president and managing director of the Northstar Meetings Group Sports Division and the publisher of SportsTravel. “Nicole’s work has helped increase the diversity of organizations that we are introducing to potential business partners through our TEAMS Conference and has contributed greatly to the benefit of the industry as a whole.”

“SportsTravel and the Sports Division at Northstar Meetings Group encourages sports for all, so there is a place for any LGBTQIA+, adaptive, and women- and minority-based sports-event organizers at the TEAMS Conference,” Goddeyne said. “I’ll continue to be an ally and liaison for all communities to feel comfortable and included while they expand their business-development opportunities.”