TEAMS Conference Extends Partnership With Compete Sports Diversity

Northstar Meetings Group and Compete Sports Diversity have renewed their agreement for a three-year term to host the members of Compete to attend the TEAMS Conference & Expo, both to conduct business specific to the group as well as for individual event organizers to meet with destinations, venues and suppliers interested in LGBTQ+ sports events. Beginning with TEAMS ’23 in the Palm Beaches, October 2­–5, the agreement will provide meetings services and networking opportunities for members of Compete Sports Diversity and feature the organization’s second annual “Person of the Year” award during the SportsTravel Awards luncheon on October 4.

The Compete Sports Diversity Council, a group with more than 150 member organizations, reaches 250,000 leaders, athletes and fans. Its mission is to bring together leaders, athletes, fans and professionals to further sports diversity. It accomplishes that by creating a platform based around the IDEAL principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity/Equality, Acceptance and Leadership to connect, educate, empower and inspire mission-driven LGBTQ+ and allied sports and community leaders, sports organizations, nonprofit groups, tourism partners, corporate partners and athletes through membership, media and event platforms.

Under the agreement, TEAMS will offer meetings and appointments with the organization’s qualified event organizers and discounted registration for the organization’s members who are not event organizers, as well as a platform to announce its “Person of the Year” award recognizing an influencer who has demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equality/equity and inclusion in sports. Last year, Compete recognized Greg Lee, CFO of the Arizona Cardinals, at TEAMS ’22 in Oklahoma City.

“We were excited to have the members of Compete Sports Diversity with us at TEAMS ’22. Their active participation in every aspect of the event last year demonstrated the vitality of the industry segment they represent,” said Jason Gewirtz, vice president of the Northstar Meetings Group Sports Division and executive editor and publisher of SportsTravel. “We’re delighted that the TEAMS Conference & Expo will serve as an annual meeting place for the members of Compete to connect with each other and the hundreds of other sports-event stakeholders for whom TEAMS is a must-attend event.”

“TEAMS produces one of the largest sports tourism conferences each year and Compete is proud to be a part of it by partnering with Northstar Meetings Group,” said Eric Carlyle, chief executive officer of Compete. “Together we can make a big impact and reach a broader, more diverse audience.”

“Northstar Meetings Group is an industry titan and I have had the pleasure of working with them for years in various roles,” added Connor Shane, chief operating officer of Compete. “Their dedication to inclusive spaces and diversity in sports is unquestionable. It brings me great joy to capitalize on our partnership to strategically combine their resources with our DEI education standards and vast community.”

The TEAMS Conference & Expo, organized by Northstar Meetings Group, is the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers and the destinations and venues interested in hosting their events. Since 2018, TEAMS has been the exclusive home of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s SportsLink and NGB Best Practices Seminar. The National Congress of State Games has also held its annual symposium in conjunction with TEAMS since 2016.