[Source: Sports ETA] The U.S.-based Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), will lead a historic visit of 16 major U.S. host destinations to meet with global sports federation leaders and event organizers in Lausanne, Switzerland from December 3-5, 2025.
This notable visit marks a significant milestone in the international engagement strategy of Sports ETA—the leading and only trade association representing the U.S. sports tourism industry—ahead of a series of global sports events coming to the United States, including the FIFA World Cup 26 and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The delegation will connect with international sports federations and organizations headquartered in Lausanne, widely recognized as the Olympic Capital of the world.
Sports ETA President & CEO John David said: “Leading the first-ever Sports ETA international delegation is a historic step for our organization and 16 of our premier U.S. host destinations. This visit to Lausanne underlines the unprecedented opportunity ahead as the U.S. prepares to host some of the biggest sporting events over the next decade. We look forward to seeing our members strengthen relations with the global sports community and create long-lasting partnerships that will define this new era of sports tourism.”
The visiting delegation includes representatives from Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Salt Lake City, Utah; Washington, D.C.; and the State of Florida. These destinations are experienced hosts of major sporting events and are eager to welcome even more international competitions.
During the visit, the delegation will host an exclusive reception at the Olympic Museum on December 3, followed by one-on-one networking sessions on December 4, providing International Federation leaders direct access to U.S. destinations eager to support global sporting events.
Sports ETA Chief of International Sports & Strategy Janis Burke said: “Our delegation is looking forward to connecting with International Federations (IFs) and Olympic stakeholders in the Olympic Capital. Our member destinations are experienced sports tourism leaders, and this visit underlines their appetite to strengthen ties with the international sports community and explore future hosting opportunities. We look forward to welcoming IFs and sports organizations to our reception at the Olympic Museum on December 3, followed by one-on-one networking sessions on December 4, providing International Federation leaders direct access to premier U.S. destinations eager to host events.”
Building on the Lausanne visit, Sports ETA will expand its annual Symposium flagship event to include an international component for the first time, from April 20-23, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Symposium International 2026 will bring together international sports federations, event organizers, and U.S. host destinations to explore partnerships and advance global sports tourism collaboration.
International sports federation representatives and event organizers interested in attending the December 3 reception at the Olympic Museum or the December 4 networking sessions in Lausanne should email Janis Burke at janisburke@sportseta.org. For more information about Sports ETA or Symposium International 2026, visit SportsETA.org.
