TEAMS Conference Opened Gabby Salazar’s Eyes to Sports Industry

As the TEAMS Conference & Expo turns 25 years old, we want to take a look back at some of the people that have made each event go as smoothly as it does — the ambassadors that you see helping out direct traffic to events and also work in the exhibit halls and seemingly everywhere you turn. For a number of those who started out attending the TEAMS Conference while still in college, those experiences have given them entry into the industry.

Previous Stories: J.D. Wood | Bishop Turon | Vince Morabito | Brian Brantley

NAME: Gabby Salazar, ambassador in 2015

WHERE IS SHE NOW: Salazar is the membership and suite services senior coordinator for the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Originally from Alamo, Texas, Salazar attended Texas A&M where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Sport Management. Before joining the River Cats, Gabby spent five years with the city of College Station Parks & Recreation Department. During this time, she worked with organizations such as USA Football, USA Archery, USA Ultimate, US Youth Soccer, the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation and others hosted by the city.

WHAT SHE REMEMBERS AS AN AMBASSADOR: “I was still in my first full-time role with the city of College Station and J.D. (Wood) recommended that I apply to become an ambassador. From his experience and what he was able to take away from TEAMS, he knew the opportunities that TEAMS could provide. TEAMS offered a unique opportunity to just jump right in. It was intimidating at first — you’re in a building full of professionals and leaders in the sports industry and being new to the professional side of sports. The other ambassadors that were there were all very welcoming and we got along really well and built connections. The sports industry, everyone that works in sports, have a background in sports but they also have that team mentality.”

HOW IT CHANGED HER CAREER PATH: “It reinforced my career path for sure. It opened my eyes to the vast possibilities that the sports industry provides. Seeing different types of markets that are out there and what events each market can hold, it shows how many opportunities that you could hold that you may not think of. Everyone always assumes you’re going to work for a professional team and then you go to a conference like TEAMS and you see there’s so much more out there. Everyone was so welcoming that how can you not want to work in an industry that has that team mentality? You talk to all these industry leaders and they know what it takes to put on a large event.”

THE CONNECTIONS SHE MADE: “Knowing that the sports industry is very male dominated, I think we’re getting better at having more inclusion in the industry. Some people that stand out are Elle Marks, who’s with Elite Tournaments, and Ashley Harper, who’s a project manager with the Maryland Sports Commission. Being able to connect with women at the TEAMS Conference helped me reinforce that I can do this, I can hold my own in a male-dominated industry because these women are doing it and killing it.”

HER ADVICE TO NEW AMBASSADORS: “Be prepared on who’s going to be in attendance and do a little bit of research in advance so you can go in with an idea of who’s in attendance and start building connections that way too. If it’s your first time and you’re fresh out of college or you’re still starting out your career in sports, it can be nerve-wracking to walk up to someone … just jump right in because everybody is so welcoming and willing to help someone help.”