Sporting events are worth more than $10 billion to the U.S. economy and fill 98 million hotel rooms annually because of Game Changers like you. Here, Connect Sports honors the industry’s sharpest minds with our third annual collection of Game Changers—the people who have elevated sports tourism through innovation and precise execution. We look forward to honoring these Game Changers at Connect Sports in Salt Lake City, Aug. 23-25. As always, thanks to SportsPittsburgh for sponsoring this editorial initiative.
Scott Bregman
Social Media Producer The Olympic Channel Indianapolis
Eric Carlyle, SDL
CEO Media Out Loud, LLC Scottsdale, Arizona
Brian Connolly
Founder and Managing Principal Victus Advisors Park City, Utah
Morgan Cook
Director of Women's Lacrosse and Field Hockey Corrigan Sports Enterprises Fallston, Maryland
Ashley Harper Cottrell, CSEE
Project Manager/ Creative and Web Manager Maryland Sports; Maryland Stadium Authority Columbia, Maryland
Katie Fencl, CSEE and Ryan Vogt, CSEE
Director of Conventions, Sports and Services; National Sales Manager Catch Des Moines Des Moines, Iowa
Aaron Flaker
Co-Owner and Chief Business Development Officer Athletx Sports Group Louisville, Kentucky
Maggie Frantz
Vice President/CFO Anthony Travel Dallas
Jim Haddaway
Co-Founder and CEO Athletx Sports Group Louisville, Kentucky
Serena Andrews Higdon
Owner and Director of Sales, Marketing and Business Development Team Travel Source Pasadena, Maryland
Dan Gilman
Chief of Staff Officer of Mayor William Peduto Pittsburgh
Neil Johnson
Director, Global Sales—Sports and SMERF MGM Resorts International Las Vegas
Mark Koski, CMAA
CEO NFHS Network Indianapolis
Dave Lucey
Sales Manager Destination Irvine Irvine, California
Kathy Nelson
President and CEO Greater Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation Kansas City, Missouri
Neil Paul, TMP
Executive Director Visit Anderson (S.C.) Anderson, South Carolina
Dominique Powell
Director of Sports and Events Bryan College Station Sports + Events Bryan College Station, Texas
Gail Reich
Girls Outreach Director USA Ultimate Chicago
Justin Roach
Director of Business Development DuPage CVB DuPage County, Illinois
Jennifer Stoll, CSEE
Executive Director Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission Grand Junction, Colorado 
