AGENDA

• 10:45-11:30 Registration
• 11:30-12:00 Lunch
• 12:00-1:00 Speaker

Join us for an insightful session with Janis Burke, CEO of the Houston Sports Authority. In her capacity as CEO, Janis will provide an in-depth look at the influence of various sports and significant sporting events on our metropolitan area. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, she will also delve into the potential effects of this event, along with many others that Houston has hosted since the inception of the Houston Sports Authority. This event is essential for anyone curious about the financial and social impacts of our stadiums and sporting events.

In 2006 Janis Burke became the third senior executive and the first woman to hold the position of Chief Executive Officer since the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority’s creation in September 1997.  In addition to leading the organization responsible for overseeing the $1.2 billion dollars of bond debt service for Houston’s professional sports stadiums, Burke has led the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority to be awarded numerous major sporting events, among them the FIFA World Cup, college football championships, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Olympic trials, AAU Junior Olympics, and various national and world championships.

The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has earned constant national recognition under Burke’s leadership.  In addition to being selected on several occasions as the best sports commission in the country, the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has also earned the distinction of “Best Employer in Sports”, awarded by Front Office Sports. Individually, Burke has been recognized by numerous organizations for her impactful community work.  Distinctions conferred by Conference USA and Rice University acknowledge her for outstanding contributions as a woman in the Houston sports industry.  Additionally, Burke has been named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women” by Houston Woman Magazine, received the Sports Industry Impact Award from Sam Houston State University, and was identified by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston’s Most Admired CEOs. Burke also served as Board Chair for Sports ETA, the leading sports tourism trade association in the United States.

CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION

CPE Credit: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Course Level: Basic
Advanced Preparation: None