Category: Sports Planning Guide Features

Filling a void in the sports tourism market place has been a hallmark of Lou Mengsol’s career. Recognizing the need for a relationship-oriented annual conference that brought together CVB’s, sports commissions, industry suppliers and rights holders in an intimate, one-on-one atmosphere, Mengsol launched the United States Sports Congress over a decade ago.

It is that time of year to chime in on the top trends we are seeing out in the sports tourism trenches. The arms race in our industry is at an all-time high and the competition has never been greater. From larger markets battling to host high-profile mega events to the smaller markets investing significantly in tourism-driving facilities, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

Like the athletes and the rules that govern the games, the world of sport is in a constant state of evolution. Presently, the impenetrable arm of technology has integrated itself into sport at every level, to the degree where the balance of the games is now impacted in some cases.

Once considered too small or too obscure,the world of nontraditional sports has continued to rise into mainstream public opinion and thought.

For nearly two decades, the National Association of Sports Commissions operated under a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. After all, the organization was growing, along with the sports events industry.