WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION NAMED “SPORTS COMMISSION OF THE YEAR” BY NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR THE SPORTS EVENTS AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
Photos courtesy of Sports ETA.GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 3, 2024 – The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) brought home more than industry knowledge when it recently returned from the annual Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Symposium in Portland, Oregon. It took home the title “Sports Commission of the Year” for 2023 in the under 500,000 population category as one of only 10 awardees honored among 800 member organizations.
WMSC President Mike Guswiler accepted the award at the annual symposium held by Sports ETA, the only non-profit 501(c)3 association for the sports events and tourism industry in the United States. This was the WMSC’s first time to receive this recognition.
“Congratulations to the team at the West Michigan Sports Commission for being named Sports Commission of the Year by Sports ETA,” said John David, president and CEO of Sports ETA. “The award honors sports commissions who are leading our sports events tourism industry in collaborative and creative ways, and the West Michigan Sports Commission embodies this spirit.”
Among the reasons that the judges selected the WMSC for this 2024 award included:
Exceeding its business goals, hosting 121 sporting events (up 7.1%) and generating nearly $88 million in economic impact.
Increasing the number of participants at its events by 9% percent over the previous year.
“Last year was one of the best years in our organization’s history for growing our region’s economy through sport, including generating the highest estimated economic impact for the Meijer Sports Complex and Meijer State Games of Michigan,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized for that hard work by our national trade association for the sports industry, and a testament to the hard work of our team. We thank Sports ETA for bestowing it on the WMSC.”
Of the 10 awardees honored out of 85 submissions, the WMSC was the only sports commission from Michigan to receive an award. Other categories included Sports Commission of the Year (population of 500,000 and above), Sports Tourism Organization (500,000+ and under 500,000), Event Partnership of the Year (500,000+ and under 500,000), Event or Program Impact of the Year (500,000+ and under 500,000), and Rising Star. The WMSC won Event Partnership of the Year (under 500,000) in 2023 for its collaboration with the Greater Lansing Sports Authority and Visit Muskegon in hosting the 2022 Junior Gold Championships at eight bowling centers in Michigan.
About the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC)
The non-profit West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) identifies, secures and hosts youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 1,216 sporting events and tournaments attracting more than 2.1 million athletes and visitors, generating over $649 million in estimated economic impact. Visit westmisports.com, Facebook.com/ WestMichiganSportsCommission and @westmisports on Twitter and Instagram for more information.
About Sports ETA
As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA 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 800 member organizations and 2,400 sports event professionals. We promise to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities, and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry. For more information, visit SportsETA.org.