SEEN Saturday Series

What does it take to build, sustain, and grow a national collegiate sports organization powered entirely by volunteer passion? 

In this episode, we sit down with Willy Leparulo from the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA). Willy shares the history and vision of the NCTTA, what drives their dedicated network of volunteers, and how college table tennis continues to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country.

In an era where the pace of change is accelerating, how do high-performing leaders guide their teams through constant uncertainty without burning out? 

In this episode, TEDx speaker and former Tesla leader Jay Abbasi shares science-backed strategies to help leaders thrive under pressure and guide their teams without burning out. 

Blending high-energy storytelling, neuroscience, and practical mindfulness frameworks, Jay delivers actionable tools to build resilience, maintain focus during high-stress moments, and lead effectively through constant change. 

Tune in to learn how to reframe challenges, recharge your energy, and cultivate high-performing, psychologically safe teams.

In this episode, we explore the major transformations hitting the heart of Orange County. From the versatile infrastructure of the resort district to the groundbreaking OCVibe—a $4 billion mixed-use corridor—Anaheim is proving it is much more than just a theme park destination.

We sit down with the team at Visit Anaheim to discuss their commitment to visitor safety, the "new look" of the city’s brand launching this year, and why the remainder of 2026 is set to be a milestone era for the community. Whether you're a meeting planner or a weekend adventurer, this is a masterclass in destination evolution.

Sixty years after building a ballpark to entice the Braves to move south, Atlanta has officially been named the No. 1 Sports Business City in America by the Sports Business Journal. 

Outperforming massive media markets and traditional sports hubs, the A-Town has become the ultimate global model for sports infrastructure, corporate integration, and event hosting. In this episode, we sit down with David Broughton, Research Director at Sports Business Journal, to unpack the massive data dive behind their 2026 rankings. 

We discuss how SBJ evaluated over 2,300 markets, why Atlanta’s unique "teamwork" model and public-private partnerships set it apart, and what upcoming mega-events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the future NWSL expansion team mean for the city’s economic future.

What happens when seven jurisdictions team up instead of competing against one another? In this episode, we sit down with Danny Bonifas (Director of Sports & Events) and Gerald K. Taylor (Sports Sales & Events Manager) from Richmond Region Tourism / Sports Richmond.

Danny and Gerald take us behind the scenes of RVA’s collaborative approach to sports tourism—from custom-fitting events across world-class venues like the Henrico Sports & Events Center, CarMax Park, and Diamonds at Iron Bridge, to driving lasting community impact through youth and adaptive sports. Plus, discover how Richmond asks “What does this event need to succeed?” rather than fitting square pegs into round holes, and get an inside look at what's on the horizon for the remainder of 2026 and beyond.

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place.

In this episode of Symposium Sessions from the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas, host Kathrine Nero speaks with Greg Fante, President and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. 

Greg shares the thrilling news of Louisville’s formal partnership with USA Gymnastics to host the 2028 Olympic Trials under the prestigious "Gymnastic City USA" brand. He breaks down the multi-event festival coming to the city, the strategy behind winning major bids, and Louisville's massive growth in sports tourism, and more!

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place. 

In this special episode of Symposium Sessions recorded at the Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas, host Kathrine Nero sits down with World Rugby Consultant Mick Hogan to discuss the massive future of international rugby in the United States. Hogan shares exclusive insights into the strategic planning, immense fan turnout, and legacy-building required to host the globe's biggest rugby events.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Historic World Cup Bids: The United States has officially been awarded the Men's World Cup in 2031 and the Women's World Cup in 2033.
• Record-Breaking Attendance: The sport is experiencing massive growth in the US, evidenced by 61,000 fans selling out an Ireland versus New Zealand match in Chicago in a matter of hours.
• Momentum for the Women's Game: Women's rugby is hitting the big time, highlighted by a US versus Canada match in Kansas City that drew over 10,000 fans despite a major storm and tornado.
• The Host City Experience: Hogan outlines the strategy to test major NFL-style venues in cities like Chicago and Baltimore, emphasizing that these events bring affluent, traveling fans who turn a single match into a week-long festival.
• Global Reputation and Legacy: Hosting international rugby matches provides cities with immense global exposure, fosters civic pride, and drives local participation in the sport.

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place.

What does it take to turn a traditional sport into a massive, must-see entertainment spectacle? In this episode of Symposium Sessions, host Kathrine Nero sits down with Colin Smith, Director General of the International Skating Union (ISU). Colin shares how the ISU is shifting its global strategy to transform figure skating and short track events into dynamic sports-entertainment experiences.

Tune in to hear about the challenge of finding the perfect U.S. host cities, how viral Olympic stars are bringing in a younger generation of fans, and why the organization’s brand-new event format, "Synchro 9," is poised to change the face of synchronized skating forever.

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place.

Think your department is too small to make a massive economic impact? Think again. In this episode, we look at Kernersville, NC—a fast-growing suburb proving that intentional, multi-use facility planning can turn a small town into a sports tourism powerhouse.

Guests Bonny Bernat, Senior Sports Development Manager for Visit Winston-Salem, and Ernie Pages, Kernersville Parks and Recreation Director will lead us through:

• The COVID Catalyst: How a single weekend post-lockdown proved the undeniable value of sports tourism to local officials.
• Designing with Intent: Why a "big" mindset matters when planning field layouts, court spaces, and facility expansions.
• Government 101: Why sports tourism professionals need to learn how to advocate, educate, and build relationships with elected officials.
• The Blueprint for Success: How small towns can successfully sync up with their CVBs to generate tournament revenue.

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place.

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Dyer, COO of EventConnect, to discuss why the "human" element remains the most powerful engine in a tech-driven industry. Sarah breaks down how prioritizing partner relationships fuels revenue, why the best market innovations come from listening rather than guessing, and what the future holds as they deploy a year’s worth of groundbreaking new technology!