CINCINNATI (July 27, 2016) – Veteran sport tourism industry leader Don Schumacher announced today that he will relinquish the title of Executive Director of the National Association of Sports Commissions in 2017. After 23 years of committed service as the Association’s only Executive Director, Schumacher will pass the baton to his successor during the Association’s Annual Symposium in Sacramento next year.
“After decades of dedicated work for the Association, I am searching for the elusive 30-hour week,” said Schumacher, who began with the NASC in 1994 as a contractor and has served in the Executive Director role ever since. “I look forward to staying involved with the NASC while continuing my consulting practice.”
To facilitate a smooth transition, a search committee comprised of the NASC board leadership has been formed and is working to name a new Executive Director by March 2017. “We applaud Don’s leadership and vision over the last two decades to develop the NASC into a leading association for the sports tourism industry,” said Ralph Morton, CSEE, Seattle Sports Commission and Board Chair of NASC. “We are hopeful Don will remain involved with the NASC and continue to share his industry knowledge with veteran and emerging leaders.”
In 1992, under Schumacher’s leadership, the NASC was formulated with an initial group of 15 sports marketing organizations from around the country, who were dedicated to information sharing and cooperation amongst their peers. Today, the NASC is the industry’s only non-profit, member-directed association advocating for the sport tourism industry with an annual budget of $2 million and more than 800 members.
