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.

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

Published: January 23, 2023

This year’s U.S. Figure Skating national championships is in San Jose, California, at the SAP Center. Bob Dunlop, the senior director of events for U.S. Figure Skating about what goes into organizing the national championships, how the event is more than just the elite competition seen on television, working with destinations and venues over the years including during the pandemic, best practices in the business and the one event that he still wants to check off his sports bucket list.

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

Published: January 6, 2023

The Winter World University Games is the largest multi-sport winter event in the world, after the Olympic Winter Games. Mike Pratt, president and chief executive officer of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, and Jim McKenna, the longtime president and chief executive officer of the Lake Placid CVB, discuss not only the new venues and the logistics for the Winter World University Games but the legacy of Lake Placid’s Olympic history and how it still has an impact on sports tourism in the Adirondacks region and what hopes are for this event’s legacy both in the field of competition and beyond when it comes to sustainability in sports.

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

Published: December 20, 2022

This past year has been an eventful and historic one at SportsTravel as we celebrated the magazine’s 25th anniversary since its first issue. In this episode, Mannaging Editor Matt Traub, Associate Editor Justin Shaw and Executive Editor and Publisher Jason Gewirtz take a look back at 2022 from our key takeaways about the year, to story lines that resonated with us to our favorite events we saw in person. But we also take a look ahead at what trends and story lines we’re watching in 2023 and specific predictions we have for the industry and the sports world in the months ahead. So sit back and take in this discussion from the entire SportsTravel editorial team.

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Title IX at 50: The Push Toward Equality

Published: December 14, 2022

From its signing in 1972, Title IX has become the backbone for which women’s sports have climbed from decades of inequity and ignorance to the spot they have today. Particularly for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, the past decade has seen the biggest names and biggest accomplishments come from the women’s teams. Indeed, women’s professional sports teams saw record attendance and ratings this season, suggesting there has been tremendous progress at the elite level of women’s sports, especially in recent years. But there of course remains considerable work ahead. Podcast sponsored by Virginia Beach Sports.

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The Evolving Landscape of Youth Sports

Published: December 6, 2022

Youth sports are a bigger industry than any professional sports league in the country and are valuable for destinations of all. With multi-sport venues continuing to be built around the country, the industry shows no signs of slowing, but challenges remain from keeping children safe at events to getting them engaged in the first place. In a discussion that was recorded at the TEAMS Conference & Expo, we brought together a panel of leaders in the youth sports space to discuss the industry’s most pressing issues, opportunities for sports organizations and destinations to work together, and the future of youth sports across the country. Podcast sponsored by Greater Ontario CVB.

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Aron McGuire: Driving USA Bobsled & Skeleton Through the Pandemic

Published: November 21, 2022

Aron McGuire was a member of the USA Bobsled national team from 2003 through 2006 and after his athletic career was completed, he worked for USA Track and Field and the USOPC, eventually becoming the senior director of Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers. He was named USA Bobsled and Skeleton Chief Executive Officer in January 2020 and has since steered the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and a successful Olympic Winter Games performance in Beijing McGuire talks about growing the sport throughout the United States, how athletes can become part of the bobsled or skeleton national teams and much more.

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Chris Robb: How Cities Can Help the Mass Participation Industry

Published: October 17, 2022

Chris Robb is the founder of Mass Participation World, which includes an annual business conference in the space, and is a leading advocate for the industry. During the pandemic, he leaned into his specialty of trying to unite a disparate industry, launching podcasts and webinars to help organizers get back on their feet and supporting research to show the potential impact these kinds of sporting events can have on communities. Robb discusses why mass participation races are struggling to get back on track, the root causes for what has been a slow return, the “mass participation ripple effect” and what role destinations can and should be playing to help the industry recover.

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Wayne Moss: Why Youth Sports Matter

Published: October 3, 2022

In 2018, Wayne Moss was appointed the executive director of the National Council of Youth Sports, whose members serve an estimated 60 million registered participants in organized youth sports programs. The NCYS works to promote the essential role of youth sports in America, with a goal of enhancing the experience of all participants by reducing barriers and creating safe environments. Moss talks about the work the NCYS is doing on the ground, what more can be done and the challenges and opportunities that await.

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Max Siegel: Growing USA Track & Field Through LA28

Published: September 22, 2022

Max Siegel has been the chief executive officer at USA Track & Field since May 2012, making him one of the longest-tenured CEOs in the U.S. Olympic movement. During that time, USA Track & Field has remained one of the best-performing NGBs and made huge strides in the sponsorship landscape thanks to a long-term deal with Nike. Siegel discusses plans to grow the sport of track and field dramatically leading to LA28, sponsorship and branding on the NGB and individual athlete levels and much more.

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Joe Jacobi: Lessons From the River

Published: September 16, 2022

After being exposed to the sport of canoeing in a summer camp near the Washington, D.C., area where he grew up, Joe Jacobi found himself on the path to elite competition and eventually the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona. After competing, Jacobi went on to administration at the then-governing body of the sport, USA Canoe/Kayak, which moved its headsquarters to Oklahoma City after that destination began a major investment in paddlesports. Now, he is back living near Barcelona as a a performance coach and author, who latest book is called “Slalom: 6 River Classes About How to Confront Obstacles, Advance Amid Uncertainty and Bring Focus to What Matters Most.” Podcast sponsored by IMEX America.

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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

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

b 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

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