Women in sports: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission receives major sports industry honors
Sports Events & Tourism Association announced industry award winners at annual symposium
Media Contact:
Ally Dorrough • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission
[email protected] • GulfShores.com/Sports
1-800-745-SAND • 251-968-9327 (direct) • 334-391-7745 (cell)
GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – On May 10, 2019, the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), now rebranded as the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), presented industry awards for outstanding individual and organization work at its 27th annual NASC Symposium in Knoxville, TN. The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission was well-represented bringing home two major sports industry honors as well as an event executive certification.
Michelle Russ, director of sales for the Sports Commission, received the prestigious Game Changer Award. The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission was named Sports Tourism Organization of the Year (under 500,000 population). Additionally, Ashley Wilson, sales manager for the Sports Commission, earned her Certified Sports Events Executive designation.
“Proud doesn’t begin to describe how I feel for Michelle and our Sports Commission,” said Herb Malone, president and CEO for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “Michelle makes an impact day in and day out at the office, in the community, in the sports tourism world and at home. I’m grateful to work with an amazing group of women making major strides in the male-dominated sports industry. Our Sports Commission works tirelessly to bring events to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, which has greatly contributed to growing our shoulder seasons to help stabilize a year-round economy.”
In 2018, Russ and the Sports Commission secured 155 events resulting in 114,786 room nights and $118 million in economic impact for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Also, the Game Changer was responsible for developing the Sports Commission’s Annual Sponsorship Program to engage local businesses by giving them the opportunity for sports tourism buy-in and to create a revenue stream for the commission to enhance and grow events.
The Sports ETA judges noted in the rigorous selection process for Sports Tourism Organization of the Year, the coastal commission stood out among steep competition.
“The work they have done to bring in great events, both large and small, has had a tremendous impact on the community,” the judging panel stated. “It is clear they are doing big things in their community.”
For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND.
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Photos:
Download (official press release and photos): http://bit.ly/2VxCrUR
Credit: Sports Events & Tourism Association
Download: https://gsobt.widencollective.com/c/i9nld1fp
Caption: The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission won three prestigious honors at the 27th Annual NASC Symposium: Michelle Russ, director of sales for the Sports Commission, received the Game Changer Award; the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission was named Sports Tourism Organization of the Year (under 500,000 population); and Ashley Wilson, sales manager for the Sports Commission, received her Certified Sports Events Executive designation.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission
About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission:
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission is a partnership between Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, this commission became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the commission – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality sporting events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To learn more about playing along Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, please visit GulfShores.com/Sports.
About Sports Events & Tourism Association:
As the only trade association for the sport tourism industry, the Sports Events & Tourism Association, formerly known as the National Association of Sports Commissions, is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners. Sports ETA is committed to the success of more than 700 member organizations and 2,000 sports event professionals. For more information, visit SportsCommissions.org.
