The Collective Best Adds Casey Taker as Partner
Casey joins a veteran group of sports-related travel leaders in the consultancy
Posted On: January 14, 2026 By :The Collective Best has invited Casey Taker, co-founder of Salty Sports Society and founder of Anytakers Sports, to join the consulting firm as a partner, adding to its leadership team a veteran in endurance sports, sports community eco-systems and destination strategy.
Taker has worked across major sports-related travel and tour programs, helping design and deliver experiences for fans attending marquee events. In her current work work in endurance sports, she collaborates with event organizers, destinations and brands on participant experience, destination identity and events with impact.
“Casey’s ability to see the full arc of an experience, from destination and narrative to participant journey and legacy impact, makes her an exceptional addition to The Collective Best,” said Kevin Smith, managing partner at The Collective Best. “Her passion for helping events and destinations tell their story, create something truly unique for athletes and visitors, and empower people to chase their goals aligns directly with the work we are focused on today and where we are headed next.”
Through Salty Sports Society, her work at The Ironman Group and her most recent projects with Anytakers Sports, Taker has become an expert in endurance sports, open water swimming and lifestyle-focused event development.
“Joining The Collective Best as a partner is an exciting alignment of values and purpose,” said Taker. “The firm’s commitment to strengthening the sports industry through industry coaching, thoughtful event strategy, sustainability, and legacy planning reflects what I have seen time and again as the foundation of successful events and healthy sports ecosystems. I’m especially energized by the opportunity to collaborate with fellow partners whose expertise will both challenge and inform my own work, allowing us to apply best practices across the endurance and sports tourism spaces I care deeply about.”
As a partner, it is anticipated that Taker will contribute to projects with a focus on experience design, brand narrative, long-term industry sustainability, destination and event organizers support.
Other partners in the firm are industry veterans Matt Dunn, Ravi Rajcoomar, Kris Smith, William Knox and Mike Chandler.