Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year
(Chattanooga, TN ) — The Maryland Sports Commission was honored November 13 by Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, with the 2024 Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year award. The award was presented by Matt Libber, Vice-Chair of the Sports ETA Board of Directors, at the association’s annual 4S Summit.
The prestigious award recognizes a Sports ETA destination member that demonstrates exceptional creativity and impact through a comprehensive marketing campaign. This year, the Maryland Sports Commission excelled by positioning Maryland as a premier sports tourism destination through an innovative multi-platform approach that encompassed digital, print, radio, and television coverage. Their efforts elevated Maryland’s visibility and economic impact and solidified its standing within the sports tourism sector.
Maryland Sports Commission’s winning campaign featured a podcast series titled “Drawing a Crowd,” which explored sports tourism’s role in community growth. High-profile media buys and significant events, such as the Maryland 5 Star equestrian competition, furthered this mission. Collaborations with Maroon PR amplified the campaign’s reach, supporting diverse Maryland-based events, including HBCU sports and national kickball tournaments. Partnerships with the Baltimore Ravens and strategic coverage in trade publications further strengthened Maryland’s brand as a sports destination.
“We congratulate the Maryland Sports Commission for their exemplary branding and marketing campaign,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Through their ‘Drawing a Crowd’ podcast and strategic partnerships, they showcased Maryland’s robust sports offerings and highlighted the vital role sports tourism plays in community and economic development.”
(From left to right) Graham Whaples, Project Administrator, and Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director, on behalf of the Maryland Sports Commission, John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from Sports ETA,” said Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director of the Maryland Sports Commission. “This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation across our entire team and partners. Through dynamic storytelling, strategic partnerships, and innovative outreach, we’ve shown that Maryland is more than a destination—it’s a community that thrives on the power of sports to bring people together and drive economic growth. We’re proud of the strides we’ve made in establishing Maryland as a premier destination for sports tourism, and we look forward to building on this momentum.”
The Sports ETA Member Awards program, powered by Team Travel Source, annually recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the sports events and tourism industry, celebrating accomplishments that shape and elevate the sector.
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. With more than 750 member organizations and 2,400 sports event professionals, Sports ETA delivers quality education, networking, and event management expertise, advancing the success and integrity of the sports tourism industry. For more information, visit SportsETA.org.
About Maryland Sports Commission
Maryland Sports Commission is the definitive leader in the recruitment and retention of sporting events, both amateur and professional, to the state of Maryland. Since its founding in 2008, Maryland Sports Commission has enhanced the state’s economy, image and quality of life as the go-to resource for the sports tourism industry, attracting millions of visitors with over $2 billion in event recruitment and $1.65 billion in direct spending impact to date. For more information on Maryland Sports Commission, please visit: https://marylandsports.us/
