Sports ETA Names Visit Overland Park Leader to Board of Directors
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (April 28, 2026) – At its 2026 Symposium in Las Vegas, The Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, named Eric Olson, vice president of Sports and Events for Visit Overland Park, to its board of directors.
“Sports ETA plays an important role in connecting destinations, event owners and industry partners while helping move the industry forward,” said Warren Wilkinson, President & CEO of Visit Overland Park. “Eric’s appointment to this prestigious Board reflects the respect he has earned and the insight he brings to discussions about the growing role of sports in shaping destination growth and economic impact.”
Olson has more than 20 years of experience in sports marketing and maintains a deep knowledge of the nonprofit and sports tourism industries through the lens of rights holders, national governing bodies, sports commissions, convention & visitors bureaus and local organizing committees.
He has held leadership roles with the Huddle Up Group, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Eric has served on various boards nationally and locally, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Executive Committee, USOPC (United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee) Multi-Sport Organization, and was instrumental in the formation of the Lacrosse Association of Kansas City.
Overland Park Leads as a Sports Tourism Powerhouse
Overland Park has quickly emerged as a leading sports tourism destination. The city is now the No. 1 hotel market in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with a 10-point hotel occupancy increase since 2022. Tourism generates nearly a billion dollars in annual direct visitor spending in Overland Park, thanks to the work of Olson and the entire Visit Overland Park team leveraging a network of best in class and conveniently located sports venues.
Major Overland Park sports tourism events include:
- 1st Phorm Monster Games
- APP Overland Park Open
- Elite Club National League
- Heart of America Athletic Conference Board of Governors
- Heartland Midwest Classic
- International Lineman’s Rodeo
- Kansas State High School Activities Association Wrestling & Volleyball
- National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Soccer Championships
- Top Gun Invitational
- Triple Crown Midwest Summer Nationals
- Triple Crown Volleyball NIT
- U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships
- USA Artistic Swimming Convention
Tourism-generated state and local taxes significantly reduce the annual financial burden on Overland Park households by $1,240; the amount required to sustain current government services and community amenities like dining, shopping and local attractions. The visitor economy is also a powerful economic driver, accounting for 36% of annual spend at Overland Park restaurants.
Visit Overland Park serves to improve the quality of life for all Overland Park residents through the economic and community benefits of tourism. Overland Park is not only a destination for sports tourism, but meetings and conventions, a base camp for exploring the KC metro area, group events, weddings and reunions.
Beyond events, Overland Park is conveniently located in the heart of the country, less than a day's drive for more than 55 million Americans, making it a convenient and attractive destination with award-winning museums, delicious local restaurants and live music and entertainment.
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About Visit Overland Park
Visit Overland Park serves as the official marketing organization for the city of Overland Park, Kansas. The organization is responsible for promoting the city as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to visit, live and work. The mission of Visit OP is to improve the quality of life for Overland Park residents through the economic and community benefits of tourism. For more information, experience VisitOP.com.
Contact:
Haley Harrison-Lee
hharrison-lee@trozzolo.com