Game Changers: A Recap of Discover DeKalb’s Sports Tourism Signature Series
On October 18th, 2024, Discover DeKalb hosted its third Signature Series event at Saint Philip AME Church, focusing on the growing impact of sports tourism in DeKalb County. This event gathered experts from diverse fields to share their insights on how sports tourism can stimulate economic growth, attract visitors, and build lasting community legacies.
Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussions
The event featured Bob Carter, a professional voice actor with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Bob discussed the importance of storytelling in sports tourism, highlighting how engaging narratives can enhance the visitor experience and create deeper connections with sports events. He also shared information about Shao Con 2024, an upcoming eSports event that showcases the power of digital sports to draw tourism and increase local economic activity.
Dr. Kyriaki (Kiki) Kaplanidou, a Professor at the University of Florida and Director of the Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events (i-Rise) Lab, brought her expertise in strategic planning for sporting events and their long-term legacies. Dr. Kaplanidou focused on how integrating socio-cultural programs into event planning can create positive, lasting impacts for the host city, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and event management for sustained benefits.
Dr. Felipe Bertazzo Tobar, Assistant Professor at Clemson University, shared his research on soccer’s global influenceand how it intersects with tourism, events, and community building. His presentation emphasized how soccer can drive social change and boost local economies when effectively leveraged as a tourism tool.
Closing out the panel was Nichelle Gainey, who brought a wealth of experience from her work with major organizations such as the NCAA, FIFA, MLS, NBA Africa, and the Olympics. Nichelle shared insights on how major sports eventshave successfully driven tourism and economic growth in host cities around the world. She also highlighted the importance of working with various agencies and using innovative approaches to maximize opportunities for economic development and community engagement in sports tourism.
A Grateful Acknowledgment
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our panelists for sharing their knowledge and passion for sports tourism. Each speaker contributed invaluable insights that will help shape DeKalb’s strategy for positioning itself as a premier sports tourism destination.
We would also like to thank the dedicated staff at Saint Philip AME Church for their tremendous support in making this event a success. Additionally, we are grateful to our event partners, including the teams that provided catering, audiovisual services, and photography/videography. Your efforts were essential in bringing this event to life.
Looking Ahead
The Discover DeKalb Signature Series continues to foster important conversations that contribute to the growth of our vibrant community. This event underscored the immense potential of sports tourism in DeKalb County, and we look forward to future discussions as we explore new ways to strengthen DeKalb’s place in the tourism landscape. Stay tuned for our next Signature Series event!