Erik Sabato, CSEE, is senior director of Global Sales | Specialty Team at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Centennial, Colorado. As a 2019 Connect Sports Game Changer, he discusses his passion for sports tourism.

How I got here: I have always been in the hospitality business; however, my focus on sports began when I moved to Colorado in 1995 (the same year the Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver). That first season, I hosted virtually all NHL teams and parlayed that into a part-time game night staff position for the Avalanche, which I held for 15 seasons. I continued in hospitality, starting my own business but then also developing the sports market for both La Quinta and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

Why you are a Game Changer: I have been working in the sports tourism/hospitality industry since 1995, having created/developed sports focused programing for the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts portfolio of properties (20 hotel brands and more than 9,000 hotels in total).

reatest career accomplishment: I was a Pinnacle Award winner in 2017—the top honor award at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts at the time. The award was measured on four main criteria: integrity, customer service, teamwork and driving results.

What I do outside of work: Outside of work, I spend virtually all of my free time volunteering and supporting each of the many sports organizations/teams that my two daughters compete in/on.