The Senior Director of Sports Terre Haute is a newly created senior leadership position responsible for the development and launch of Sports Terre Haute, a new Sports Tourism Division within the Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Bureau. The position is being created as part of the THCVB’s effort to develop and launch a new 2027–2031 Strategic Plan designed to enhance and elevate Vigo County’s position as a sports destination and expand the tourism and economic opportunities generated by sports.
This role will be a foundational hire in both the creation of Sports Terre Haute and the implementation of the strategic plan’s sports tourism priorities. The Senior Director will help establish the division’s structure, strategy, partnerships, operating framework and initiatives necessary to position Terre Haute and Vigo County as a recognized sports destination in Indiana and throughout the Midwest.
The Senior Director will lead the development of a coordinated sports tourism strategy that builds on the county’s existing strengths while identifying opportunities to increase facility capacity, strengthen championship bids, diversify sporting events, improve the visitor experience and generate greater year-round visitation and economic impact.
The position will oversee destination marketing, event recruitment, bid development, sports facility capacity and readiness, venue operations, sports asset collaboration and development, and strategic partnership development.
The Senior Director of Sports Terre Haute will oversee the day-to-day operations and long-term operational strategy of sports venues operated or managed by the THCVB while also working collaboratively with owners and operators of other community sports assets. This includes connecting sports facilities, collegiate athletics, sports museums and attractions, outdoor recreation assets, sports organizations and other visitor experiences to create a stronger, more cohesive sports destination.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Division Development
- Lead the creation and launch of Sports Terre Haute as a dedicated Sports Tourism Division within the THCVB.
- Play a central leadership role in developing, launching and implementing the THCVB’s 2027–2031 Strategic Plan for Sports Tourism.
- Translate the strategic plan into specific sports tourism initiatives, priorities, performance measures and action plans.
- Establish the organizational structure, operating framework, partnerships and resources necessary to build and grow Sports Terre Haute.
- Develop a long-term strategy to enhance and elevate Vigo County’s sports destination profile and expand its tourism and economic-development opportunities.
- Develop a targeted approach to growing sports tourism’s economic impact and creating more consistent, year-round visitation.
Sports Venue Operations & Management
- Oversee operations of sports venues operated or managed by the THCVB, including scheduling, event coordination, maintenance, staffing, vendors, concessions, equipment and visitor services.
- Establish operational standards that ensure venues are safe, efficient, financially responsible, visitor-focused and championship-ready.
- Develop annual operating plans and budgets for THCVB-managed sports venues.
- Coordinate with facility owners, contractors, maintenance providers, event organizers and community partners.
- Identify operational improvements that increase facility utilization, revenue potential, visitor experience and event capacity.
- Oversee venue preparation and execution for major championships and high-profile events.
Sports Asset Collaboration & Development
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with owners and operators of sports facilities, museums, attractions, trails, collegiate facilities and other sports-related assets throughout Terre Haute and Vigo County.
- Identify opportunities to package and connect sports assets to create a stronger overall visitor experience and increase length of stay.
- Work with sports museums and attractions to incorporate sports heritage and tourism experiences into event recruitment and visitor itineraries.
- Identify opportunities for collaborative programming, cross-promotion, events and investments that strengthen Terre Haute’s overall sports destination profile.
- Evaluate opportunities to enhance existing sports assets and identify gaps that may limit Terre Haute’s ability to compete for targeted events.
- Serve as a connector among sports facilities, asset owners, colleges, event organizers, hotels, restaurants and other tourism partners.
Event Recruitment & Destination Development
- Develop and execute a countywide sports tourism strategy focused on positioning Terre Haute as a competitive sports destination in Indiana and throughout the Midwest.
- Identify and pursue regional, state and national sporting events that align with Terre Haute’s facilities, sports assets and market strengths.
- Build and manage relationships with sports governing bodies, event organizers and national, regional and state sports organizations.
- Strengthen THCVB’s ability to develop competitive bids for championships, tournaments and other high-value sporting events.
- Develop strategies to diversify the types of sporting events pursued to create a stronger year-round sports calendar.
Sports Facilities & Capacity
- Assess current sports facilities, utilization, capacity and championship readiness and identify opportunities to accommodate larger and more competitive events.
- Work with facility owners and operators to identify targeted improvements that increase tournament capacity and bid competitiveness.
- Guide strategy development for key assets, including the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course and other THCVB operated venues, to maximize utilization, visitor impact and championship readiness.
- Contribute to long-range recommendations for sports facility development and infrastructure based on identified market opportunities.
- Identify opportunities to leverage existing facilities more effectively before pursuing new facility development.
Strategic Priorities
The Senior Director of Sports Terre Haute will translate the THCVB’s strategic vision into a focused sports tourism growth strategy built around four primary priorities:
1. Increase Capacity – Maximize and strategically enhance existing sports facilities and their operations so Terre Haute can accommodate larger, more competitive events.
2. Increase Bid Attractiveness – Strengthen Terre Haute’s ability to compete for regional, state and national championships and other high-value events.
3. Increase Event Diversity – Expand the range of sports and event types pursued to create more consistent, year-round visitation.
4. Connect the Sports Ecosystem – Better integrate sports facilities, museums and attractions, collegiate athletics, outdoor recreation, hotels and community partners to create a stronger and more cohesive sports destination experience.
