Sports Destination Management Magazine

SDM’s awards program, Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism, always inspires us and 2024 was no exception. This year’s winners alone brought a grand total of $1,885,077,600 to their local economies. That figure is, in fact, double the economic impact of last year’s awards program. From mainstream sports to niche competitions, from events that draw in competitors not only from around the country but around the globe, to small fundraising events put on by grassroots groups – we see you. And in this issue of our magazine, we honor you.

This season, the NFHS released its latest participation report, noting that a record high of more than eight million participants competed in high school sports in the 2023-24 school year. Are we serving them, in addition to the travel sports market? Let’s salute those amazing student athletes, who are balancing their schoolwork, a social life and even their participation in other activities like theater and clubs – in addition to their time on the fields and courts. As we head into a new season and a new school year, we should prepare to give it our best.

The sports landscape is ever-changing. From the emergence of new sports (hello, axe throwing!) to the ways we tinker with the surfaces of tried-and-true pursuits to create a better experience for athletes, the only constant is indeed change. This issue celebrates a variety of sports and also focuses on some nontraditional venues: natural landscapes for communities bringing in gravel cycling, mountain biking, trail running, fishing and triathlons. No matter what the venue, let us strive to create a top-notch experience for athletes.

Each of our issues celebrates a change of seasons. This one hits mailboxes just as spring is edging into the beautiful golden time of summer, when baseball, softball, fishing and beach volleyball, as well as plenty of other sports (including surfing, featured on our cover), move front and center in our collective consciousness. This issue also arrives as the 2024 Olympics are on final approach to Paris. That makes this summer an all-around great time to be an athlete, a hosting community, an event owner or even a fan. Let’s dive in.

Whether we’re hosting a watch party for the Women’s World Cup final or sitting in the stands at a high school game, one thing remains perfectly clear: Sports have the power to unite us all. And in a world that seems increasingly divisive, it is good to find a common denominator and a way for us to stay connected. This issue brings up some ways sports can create unity, even against all odds. From our article on gaining community buy-in, to soccer, golf, swimming and baseball, there’s always something good on the horizon. And that’s worth cheering for.

Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” If 2024 is your year to give back to the industry, this issue can help. “Bringing in a New Class of Leaders” talks about the qualities that will be in demand in the future. Are we helping others become those leaders? Another article covers an innovative obstacle race that brings together athletes with and without disabilities, and provides good information about adding adaptive categories to events. We’re standing on the precipice of 2024. Let’s make it a great one.

We’re in the homestretch of the year, and that brings us, once again, to our awards issue. The 2023 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism (who collectively brought in nearly $1 billion), are not only a great refresher course on all of the reasons we do what we do in this industry, they’re an inspiration to persevere and innovate. Together, event owners show us not just power and strength but determination and resourcefulness. It is, after all, with all of these qualities that economies benefit, memories are made and champions are born.

As we tiptoe into a new school year, we’re seeing plenty of changes. This issue can help face them head-on. Our articles cover safety and security preparations and negotiations between vendors and event owners, as well as an update on bus and motorcoach travel. There are features on destinations that can host events in softball, gymnastics and water sports. Additionally, there are insights from the president of AAU and the founder of the Gran Fondo National Series, and a roundup of great sports venues. Get started on the new season right here.

In this issue, we reach midsummer and my favorite time of the year: the opening of awards season. SDM wants its readers to nominate events for the program, Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. Our industry is a force to be reckoned with, and you have played a role in it, so take a moment to enter. This industry also showcases lacrosse, running and road sports and combat sports (all three of those have ancient roots) as well as a newer sport with a North American pedigree: cheer, and sports venues made by nature. Happy reading.

There are many great things to see when studying the sports business industry: Emerging trends, the creation and growth of an alternative accommodations market, new sports and plenty more. But the one thing that never changes is that it is an industry of stories. This issue celebrates those stories, whether it’s successful facilities, innovative marketing campaigns, boosting economic impact or even collaborating with competitors. We invite you to sit back and enjoy these success stories and even to get some new ideas as you write your own.

We’re heading into the spring season, and the March/April issue has everything you need to get started on your most successful year yet. From coverage of soccer, golf, swimming and diving (and the fast-growing discipline of 3x3 basketball) to business topics like drafting a proposal, making a medical plan and evaluating lodging options, learning is packed into every page. Plus, our Industry Leadership article is a who’s who of stellar contacts in the sports tourism space. You’ll want to keep this issue around for reference as you position yourself for a win.

We’re headed into the new year – with all the best intentions. And we can safely say we’re not only back to normal but better than normal. Attendance in events and economic impact are shattering records, travel is back in a big way and hotels are starting to report sellouts for conventions and other events. That’s a great start. If one of your goals was self-improvement, this issue can help you become well-versed on industry issues like insurance, adaptive sports events and more. 2023 is off to a great start. Let’s keep the momentum and enjoy the ride.

This year, which kicked off with the Olympic Games in Beijing and wound up with the World Cup in Qatar, has been one for the books and it’s not even over yet. But wow – what a ride it has been so far. This issue includes sports that made the news in 2022 (along with great business information) but the real star is our award winners. What is our takeaway from those? That our industry is moving ahead. The economic impact for just our champions was $2.42 billion. Winners covered a wide range of sports, disciplines and abilities but they all enriched the communities that hosted them. There's a lot to learn, and a lot to celebrate. Get started here.

The great summer of 2022 is in the rear-view mirror and make no mistake, it was pretty great. Now, the road ahead of us is open for business and we’re ready to make the most of it. Football has kicked off, baseball is winding down and fall sports are in full swing. We have the World Cup in Qatar to look forward to (and then the one in the U.S., Canada and Mexico), the Olympics in Paris (and after that, the Games in L.A.) as well as plenty of other highlights. This issue covers not just sports but the business issues you’ll need to know.

If there is anything good to be said about 2020 (and parts of 2021 – although largely, there is very little good to be said), it was that people rediscovered they could head outdoors to get their exercise. We bring this up because sometimes, in the arms race to build better facilities, we lose sight of what’s around us, and what Mother Nature has built. In this issue, you’ll find plenty of focus on those venues: lakes, trails, beaches and more. We hope you’ll take the time to explore those features – as well as the other great articles in this issue.

Did you know that most of our content – ideas for articles on trending sports, industry issues and big news – comes from our readers? We keep a careful eye on the press releases we receive concerning the goings-on in our industry. In other words, we have you to thank for keeping us informed. This issue, for example, has information on hybrid events, the return of senior sports and the growth of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. We also cover destinations for fishing, track & field and baseball. Keep the good news coming and make sure we’re on your radar too.

I’m a big believer in evolution, and for proof, I simply look to our industry. Sports evolve and the public’s enthusiasm for them blows up as a result. One example is 3x3 basketball, covered in this issue. Knowledge evolves too. Don't miss our articles on topics like drawing up an effective proposal, negotiating with hotels and choosing a good medical provider for sports events. The features on golf, soccer and swimming/diving venues highlight new technologies and advancements that make for winning experiences, no matter what side of the scoreboard an athlete is on. Let’s keep the growth - and our learning - going.

What’s your New Year’s resolution? If it involves becoming a stronger, better informed, more productive member of this industry, this issue can help. There are articles on insuring your event (and not falling prey to the problems that often occur), on rebranding (and marketing a new identity) – and on how adaptive sports have evolved (there’s something every event owner can learn here). If you’ve wanted to find a host for basketball, esports or winter sports, we have some great possibilities. Plus, you can catch up with paddle and watercraft sports, as well as with ski mountaineering, a new discipline for the Winter Olympics. Let’s make it a great year together.

What a long, strange trip it’s been. The Grateful Dead used that wording in 1977 and it is just as accurate today. We have been through 2020 (enough said) and now we’re ending 2021 and ready to celebrate. But we don’t just celebrate the big numbers. We celebrate our strength. Strength, we have learned, is not born out of aggression; it is a kind of peace that comes with knowing you have faced the worst and that, moving forward, you can deal with whatever life hands out. It’s time to congratulate those who were instrumental in our comeback.

The finish line for this year is in sight. We made it through 2021 but we didn’t do it alone. All of us worked together to rebound and succeed. And when you really think about it, our industry isn’t made up of sports or events; it’s made up of people. It's those people who have helped and inspired us. Let’s continue to be there for one another. This issue showcases how much it means to have a thriving, supportive industry.