The Welcome Series: Accessibility in Sports Tourism
The Welcome Series: Accessibility in Sports Tourism
Join Louisville Tourism on Thursday, May 21, 2026, for an engaging virtual conversation focused on what it truly means to create accessible, welcoming experiences in sports tourism—for athletes, spectators, families, and communities alike.
This free, hour-long session will explore the difference between ADA compliance and meaningful accessibility, offering real‑world insights into how destinations, venues, hotels, transportation providers, and frontline partners can work together to better support sporting events of all kinds, including adaptive sports.
Moderated by Doug Bennett, Executive Vice President of Louisville Tourism, this interactive panel will feature industry experts and partners who bring hands‑on experience in hosting accessible sporting events and navigating the complexities of destination readiness. Attendees can expect a practical, solutions‑oriented discussion covering topics such as:
- The end‑to‑end sports travel journey—from arrival to departure
- What destinations should have in place before hosting an event
- Emerging trends in sports tourism and adaptive sports
- How hosting adaptive events can raise the accessibility baseline for all events
- Everyday actions businesses can take to better serve visitors and athletes
The session will also highlight why accessibility is not just a legal requirement, but a key component of hospitality, planning, and long‑term destination success.
The Welcome Series: Accessibility in Sports Tourism is presented in partnership with Louisville Tourism, Louisville Sports Commission, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, reinforcing a shared commitment to education, collaboration, and creating destinations where everyone feels welcome.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Danica Gonzalves Esq., Senior Advocacy Attorney
- Hannah Buccholz, Director of Meeting Services
- Fabio Villarroel, Senior Director of Sports and Recreation
Louisville Tourism
· Brad Knapp, Senior Destination Services Manager
Louisville Sports Commission
· Corbin Maynard, Director of Event Operations
There is NO cost to attend. Webinar will be recorded. Registrants will be invited to log into the Zoom Webinar 5 minutes prior to the start of the session. The workshop will run from 9:00am-10:00am (EST) and include time at the end for Q&A.