Call for Online Instructors.
Sports ETA is transforming the Sports Tourism Learning Institute (STLI) and revamping the current Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) designation to create a more modern, competency-based education pathway for professionals at every stage of their careers.
As part of this work, we are seeking industry professionals, subject-matter experts, and experienced educators to help develop the next generation of STLI courses.
Whether you are interested in developing a course yourself or know an expert whose knowledge should be represented in the program, we want to hear from you!
About the STS Revamp
Sports ETA is reimagining its education program to create a tiered professional development pathway designed to grow alongside professionals throughout their careers. The new structure will move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, providing education that aligns with different levels of experience, responsibility, and professional growth.
The pathway will include three progressive tiers:
Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) | Foundational Level
Designed for professionals who are newer to the sports events and tourism industry, with a focus on building the foundational knowledge and core competencies needed to succeed.
Sports Tourism Professional (STP) | Applied / Mid-Level
Designed for mid-career professionals ready to deepen their expertise, apply more advanced concepts, and strengthen the skills needed to take on greater responsibility.
Sports Tourism Executive (STE) | Advanced / Executive Level
Designed for senior-level professionals, with an emphasis on strategic thinking, leadership, decision-making, and demonstrating advanced industry competencies.
Courses We’re Looking to Develop
We are seeking subject-matter experts to help develop a series of foundational and advanced online courses across our tiered education pathway.
Each course should take a participant four hours to complete and delivered asynchronously, allowing learners to complete the experience on their own schedule.
Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) – Foundational Courses
- Basics of Economic Impact
- Understanding RFPs & Bidding
- Local Event Partnerships & Politics 101
Sports Tourism Professional (STP) – Applied Courses
- Event Operations & Risk Management
- Effective RFPs & Bidding Strategies for Sports Events
- Sports Tourism Finance, Budgeting & Investment Strategy
- Measuring & Reporting Impact
- Local Event Partnerships & Politics: From Awareness to Strategy
Sports Tourism Executive (STE) – Advanced Courses
- Strategic Planning in Sports Tourism
- Crisis Planning & Complex Operations
- Maximizing ROI: Strategic Planning for Sports Tourism Impact via Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Advanced Bidding & Housing Negotiations
- Local Event Partnerships & Politics: Influence, Advocacy & Executive Leadership
We’re Seeking Experts Who:
Have strong expertise and practical experience
Have the ability to translate that knowledge into meaningful learning for others
Are from within and beyond the Sports ETA membership and sports events and tourism industry
We are looking for experts who can bring both subject-matter expertise and real-world industry experience to our online learning experience. Selected instructors will work with Sports ETA to develop a complete asynchronous course based on an established course syllabus and learning objectives.
Instructors will be responsible for developing the subject-matter content and course materials, which includes:
- Recorded instructional content and presentations
- Assignments and practical exercises
- Quizzes, exams, or other assessments
- Worksheets, tools, case studies, readings, and supplemental resources
You don’t have to be an instructional designer to participate. Sports ETA will provide instructional design support to help translate your expertise into an effective online learning experience.
Submit Yourself or Recommend an Expert
Whether you are interested in developing a course yourself or know an expert whose knowledge should be represented in the program, we want to hear from you.
Key Dates to Remember
Now – October 16
Submission Window
October 30th
Notification of Selected Sessions
Nov ’26 – May ’27
Course Production
FAQs:
Is pervious teaching experience required?
Previous teaching experience is valuable but not required. We are primarily looking for professionals who have strong expertise, practical experience, and the ability to translate that knowledge into meaningful learning for others.
What are the requirements for submitting my interest?
What if I know someone who would be a great fit?
You don’t have to apply yourself to participate.
Some of the strongest expertise may come from professionals outside of our immediate Sports ETA network. If you know someone who would bring tremendous value to one of these courses, we encourage you to recommend them.
We ask that you only recommend experts with whom you have a direct connection, as we may ask you to provide an introduction should they be selected for further consideration.
How will the courses be delivered?
Courses will be delivered 100% online and asynchronously, allowing learners to complete coursework on their own schedule throughout the year. There are no scheduled live teaching requirements for instructors.
What platform is used for course recordings and how long do the recordings need to be?
Zoom recordings are preferred; however, we’re happy to work with presenters using their preferred recording platform.
Each course should take participants approximately four hours to complete, including recorded instruction, assignments, resources, pre/post work, and assessments. Instructors are not expected to record four hours of video. We recommend short, bite-sized recordings of no more than 15 minutes each.
How long does a single course production take?
A single course typically takes approximately three months from kickoff to completion. This timeline allows for collaboration, content development, feedback, LMS upload, and final review. Sports ETA staff will work hand-in-hand with instructors throughout the entire process to provide guidance and support.
How will instructors be selected?
All applications will be reviewed fairly and thoughtfully by Sports ETA staff and members of the Education Task Force. Submissions will be evaluated based on relevant subject-matter expertise, professional experience, alignment with course objectives, ability to translate expertise into practical learning, and overall fit within the education curriculum.
Will instructors be compensated for course development?
A limited budget has been allocated to support course development. Compensation may vary based on the scope and needs of each course and will be discussed, determined, and approved prior to contracting with the selected instructor or subject-matter expert.
When will the revamped STS program and new courses be available?
We are excited to launch all three tiers of the new education pathway in Summer 2027. All course production will need to be completed and finalized by June 2027, with courses projected to become available online shortly thereafter.
Courses will be housed on Sports ETA’s online education platform (STLI) and are expected to remain available for approximately 3–4 years. At that time, each course will be reviewed to determine whether content updates or a refresh are needed to ensure it remains relevant and current.
What if I already earned or am currently working toward my STS?
Your time and hard work matter. If you have already earned your STS designation or are currently working toward it, the progress you’ve made will be thoughtfully considered as we transition to the new education structure.
A comprehensive transition process will be developed to recognize existing coursework and credits and provide a clear pathway into the new tiered system. The time, effort, and investment you have already made will not go unnoticed. Additional transition details will be shared as we move closer to implementation.
Have additional questions or need assistance?
Contact Christina Velasquez, Director of Education & Research at Christina@Sportseta.org
Contact Us
Group /Corporate Pricing and Custom Development:
Do you want to elevate the knowledge of your entire team or organization through a Sports Tourism Learning Institute education offering or develop custom education for your organization? Contact us at info@sportseta.org to learn more about corporate rates, bulk course purchasing, custom education development, and education bundling options.
Organizations that purchase eight (8) or more Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) courses are eligible for a 20% discount. Courses may be a combination of in-person and online offerings and can be used by multiple individuals within the organization. To qualify, individuals must be registered for their selected course(s) by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Payment must be made in full via a manually generated invoice, and Sports ETA will provide a custom coupon code for participants to complete their own registration.
Technical Support: support@sportseta.org