Sporting events are worth more than $9 billion to the U.S. economy and fill 98 million hotel rooms annually. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of hard and smart work by people like you. In our inaugural Game Changers feature, we honor 15 individuals and one destination surpassing expectations to better the industry.

John Anthony

President and CEO, Anthony Travel      

Craig Cress

Executive Director, USA Softball      

Brian D'Amico

National Events Director, USA Triathlon        

Dan DelBianco

Executive Director, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association       The 2016 Game Changers are sponsored by Sports Pittsburgh.

Joel Everts

Sports Sales Manager, Greater Green Bay CVB      

Garden City, Kansas

       

Nicholas Horbaczewski

CEO and Founder, Drone Racing League      

John Poole

Director of Sports Marketing and Development, Kissimmee Sports Commission       The 2016 Game Changers are sponsored by Sports Pittsburgh.

Gaby Pozo

Race Director, Continental Events and Sports Management Group LLC      

Daniel J. Rush, CMP, CASE

Vice President of Global Sports and Event Sales, MGM Resorts International      

Eric Ryan

Tournament Director, Sin City Shootout      

Lisa Schmidt

Program Manager, Salt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex       The 2016 Game Changers are sponsored by Sports Pittsburgh.

Jon Schmieder

Founder and CEO, Huddle Up Group      

Christine Strong Simmons

Director of Operations, USA Fencing      

Marissa Werner

Sports and Entertainment Sales Manager, Visit Milwaukee      

Robin Wright

Senior Sales Manager, Visit Greenville       The 2016 Game Changers are sponsored by Sports Pittsburgh.