Mr. Eric Hansen attended the 23^rd NASC Sports Event Symposium held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 27 – 30.  The symposium brought together the sports travel industry for discussion, networking, and awareness of trends in sports tourism. Eric delivered a presentation on the relationship and participation of hotels within the sports travel industry and how hotels become the “Director of First Impressions” for the athletes and their families traveling for events. With the influx of third party housing companies, increasing rebates and commissions, it is imperative that hotels wanting to participate in the sports group consumer market embrace best practices that cater specifically to the athletes and their families that are driving the sports travel industry.