Introducing the Seattle Southside Sports Alliance

The Alliance will serve as a central hub for sports development, facilitating connections between stakeholders, and enhancing event experiences for athletes, spectators, and the local community.

The inaugural meeting of the Seattle Southside Sports Alliance took place in June, 2024, gathering key community members and stakeholders who came together to support and amplify the reach of the sports community. The event marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to leverage Seattle Southside’s unique sports offerings and drive economic impact through strategic sports development.

The mission of the Seattle Southside Sports Alliance is to enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors alike through the power of sports while fostering a thriving sports culture that supports inclusive and equitable access to sports. The Alliance will achieve this by recruiting new sports opportunities, advocating for a vibrant sports community, and acting as a conduit between local sports stakeholders and broader Puget Sound sports commissions.

The Alliance will advise and support Explore Seattle Southside’s current sports business development efforts and will help to shape future programs to expand event opportunities, drive economic growth, raise awareness for our region, and enrich quality of life through the power of sports.

Comprised of stakeholders from a broad spectrum, including municipalities, parks & recreation, sports venues, and hotels, the Seattle Southside Sports Alliance will advise on and amplify the current efforts of the Seattle Southside business development team efforts, which include:

• Sporting Events Development: Attending industry shows and networking events to recruit new opportunities, leading the RFP process, and serving as a connector between hotels/venues and event organizers and service providers.

• Housing & Travel Coordination: Leveraging housing platforms for sporting events and acting as an authority on transportation logistics.

• Marketing Media & PR: Creating and executing unique marketing plans for events, providing market research and data insights, and supporting event venue branding.

• Event Funding: Evaluating financial support and incentives, promoting rebate programs, and facilitating grant writing and fundraising efforts.

• Community Engagement: Supporting existing sporting events, coordinating networking opportunities, and enhancing the athlete experience through tailored itineraries and welcome packages.

• Facility Development: Advocating for improvements to existing sports facilities and the development of new infrastructure.

"I am really excited to help facilitate launching the Seattle Southside Sports Alliance," said Cydney Marks-Nicholes, Sports Development Manager at Explore Seattle Southside. "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to fostering and supporting the thriving sports destination and vibrant sports culture in our region. In partnership with key stakeholders, we aim to elevate Seattle Southside as a premier location for sporting events—large and small.”

Explore Seattle Southside looks forward to the positive impact the Seattle Southside Sports Alliance will have on the region’s sports community and economy.

Contact:
Cydney Marks-Nicholes
Sports Development Manager
Explore Seattle Southside

About Explore Seattle Southside:
Explore Seattle Southside (Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority) has a bold vision to reimagine the way people travel. Established 25 years ago in 1999, Explore Seattle Southside is the destination marketing organization for the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila, Des Moines. Also known as the curiously wonderful destination for exploring the Pacific Northwest, Explore Seattle Southside showcases the Seattle Southside region with pride and imagination as an ideal travel destination for leisure and business travelers to explore Western Washington and as an idyllic place for meeting and event planners to hold their events. Explore Seattle Southside is funded by a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) assessment and was recognized in 2023 & 2024—thanks to a commitment to empowering employees and an ambitious vision for the future—as one of Washington State’s Top 100 Best Workplaces.