In this episode, we sit down with the team from Tempe to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to evolve a national sports tourism powerhouse. While Tempe has long been a staple in the regional and national landscape, staying at the top requires more than just resting on your laurels—it requires a bold approach to rebranding and urban revitalization.

We dive deep into the strategic "why" behind their recent rebrand and the high-stakes Mill Avenue Refresh. This isn't just a success story; it’s a masterclass in change management. We explore:

• Solving the Brand Puzzle: The specific challenges that prompted a fresh look at Tempe’s identity and how data-driven research influenced their new direction.
• The Mill Ave Balancing Act: How to modernize an iconic district while honoring its legacy, and exactly who needs to be at the table to make a refresh successful.
• The Rights Holder’s Edge: A candid look at what makes Tempe perform on paper versus in practice, including the operational advantages that make life easier for event organizers.
• Hard-Won Lessons: What the Tempe team would do differently if they started today, and the one metric that mattered far more than they anticipated.

Whether you’re a destination looking to refresh your own brand or a rights holder searching for a host that understands the friction points of event execution, this conversation offers a blueprint for navigating change in the sports tourism industry.

Landing a national event requires more than just a great venue—it requires a strategic partnership. This week, we sit down with USA Fencing’s Director of Events, Glen Hollingsworth, to discuss the scale and complexity of modern fencing tournaments.

Glen shares his perspective on why certain destinations consistently rise to the top of the pile and how your city can position itself as a premier fencing hub ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Whether you're a seasoned host or a newcomer to the piste, this episode provides a masterclass in responding to RFPs and building long-term value for your community.

What happens when you trade 22 years of high-stakes police work for the adrenaline-fueled world of professional triathlon racing?

In this episode of the SEEN Saturday Series, host Kathrine Nero sits down with Jason Chance, the powerhouse behind TCR Event Management and the owner-operator of the iconic Revolution3 (Rev3) brand.

Jason spent over two decades in law enforcement, but today, he’s applying that tactical precision to the business of finish lines. We dive into how his "LEO Lens" allows him to spot safety risks that others miss, the gritty reality of scaling from a local 5k to a national brand, and his vision for the future of the multi-sport landscape. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to orchestrate the chaos of thousands of athletes across land and water, this conversation is your backstage pass.

When a city hosts a marathon or an Ironman, the spotlight usually shines on the elite finishers and the local heroes. But behind the scenes, there is a complex, high-stakes choreography happening between event producers and local governments. 

How do you balance the needs of a race director who wants a world-class course with a community that just wants to get to the grocery store on a Sunday morning?

In this episode, we sit down with Casey Taker to unpack the groundbreaking White Paper: The Untapped Power of Endurance Sports. 

We move beyond the "heads in beds" metric to discuss how endurance events serve as massive economic engines and powerful tools for destination branding. Casey breaks down the framework for bridging the communication gap, killing data silos, and turning a one-off race into a lasting community legacy.

We’ve all heard of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), but the conversation is changing. It’s no longer just about who has the most followers on Instagram—it’s about who has the most sustainable brand DNA.

In this episode of the SEEN Saturday Series, Kathrine Nero sits down with Stephen Bienko, a former D1 multi-sport athlete turned tech-driven entrepreneur. 

Stephen is the CEO of 42U, a New Jersey-based organization that is revolutionizing how collegiate athletic departments build rosters and how student-athletes prepare for life. Using patented psychological testing, 42U helps athletes identify their core strengths to become elite brand ambassadors for their schools and NIL partners. 

We explore how 42U has already unlocked over $3 million in value for the BIG 10 and Rutgers, and why "the psychological profile" is the next frontier of the athlete-brand partnership.

In this episode, we sit down with Janette Roush, the powerhouse behind Brand USA’s AI strategy.

As the industry’s first Chief AI Officer for a national DMO, Janette bridges the gap between complex technology and practical application for sports tourism leaders.

We dive into the "what now" and "what next" of generative AI, exploring how destination executives can move beyond the hype to implement meaningful innovation that drives economic impact.

Christine Brennan isn’t just a journalist; she is a chronicler of the most significant shifts in sports history. From covering 21 consecutive Olympic Games—including the era-defining scandals and triumphs of the Winter Games—to breaking the news on Augusta National’s first female members, Brennan has had a front-row seat to how sports impact culture, commerce, and global identity.

In this first episode of our fourth season of SEEN Saturday Series, Kathrine Nero and Christine Brennan discuss the "Caitlin Clark Effect" and the data-driven revolution in women's sports. They explore how this surge in visibility is fundamentally changing the way sports tourism leaders must plan, bid for, and host events in an increasingly competitive market.

As we look ahead to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, we are honored to welcome someone uniquely positioned to help us navigate this next chapter. With the 2026 Games set to be the most geographically expansive and gender-balanced Winter Olympics in history, Christine helps us understand not just the logistics of what happens on the ice and snow—but the strategic legacy of what it all means for the future of the industry.

You made it clear—your favorite content this year came straight from Symposium! And the episode that rose to the #1 spot features Patrick Cansfield, Director of Development at the American Junior Golf Association, in a standout conversation with Host Kathrine Nero.

Patrick pulls back the curtain on what truly “WOWs” his team—from powerful presentations to creative pitches—and how destinations can make a lasting impression long after appointments end.

Whether you’re a Symposium veteran or gearing up for your very first experience, this episode is full of practical tips to help you stand out, strengthen relationships, and show rights holders why your destination is the perfect partner.

Tune in to hear what caught Patrick’s attention—and what can help you level up your game for 2026.

This fan-favorite episode takes you inside the creation of Bluhawk, the transformative new sports, recreation, and entertainment destination in Overland Park, Kansas.

Host Kathrine Nero sits down with Greg Jackson, General Manager of AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk, to discuss the opening of the city’s newest marquee facility—built to serve families, athletes, and the surrounding community in a whole new way.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What makes Bluhawk’s approach to multi-use sports and entertainment unique

How thoughtful design and community-first planning shaped its vision

What other destinations can take from the Bluhawk model to build—or elevate—their own facilities

If your organization is thinking about building, expanding, or reimagining a sports venue, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

This SEEN interview with Paula Beadle—Founder & CEO of the Sponsorship Marketing Association—quickly became one of your top-ranked episodes of the year.

Paula has negotiated everything from multi-million-dollar naming rights to, yes, even racing pigs—and she brings that same creative, results-driven energy to this conversation with Host Kathrine Nero. Known for developing winning strategies, sparking bold ideas, and elevating partnership revenue, Paula offers an inside look at the rapidly shifting sponsorship landscape.

In this episode, she answers:

What sponsorship trends will define 2025 and beyond?

Which industries and brands are leading the charge in reshaping partnership strategies?

How is technology—especially AI—transforming the way deals are built and measured?

Tune in and let us know your biggest takeaway from Paula and Kathrine’s dynamic, insight-packed conversation.