Linda Logan, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, will be inducted into the Sports Events & Tourism Association Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held during Sports ETA’s annual Symposium, a gathering of over 1,000 sports events and tourism professionals, from Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Sports ETA was founded in 1992, and Logan joins prestigious company as only 20 sports figures have been inducted into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame since its creation in 2017.
“This is the highest recognition in the sports events & tourism industry,” said Sports ETA President and CEO John David. “This esteemed recognition marks the pinnacle of achievement, and it is a privilege to welcome Linda into the distinguished company of our industry's founders and titans. Her contributions and remarkable impact have left an indelible mark, and we are honored to bestow Linda with this well-deserved accolade.”
Logan has served as the CEO & President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission (GCSC) since its inception in June 2002. A trailblazer in the sports tourism industry, Linda has led the GCSC to host more than 1,250 sporting events that have generated more than $1.7 billion in direct visitor spending, including 650+ new events generating $790 million. Her leadership has helped establish Columbus as a top sports destination, with Sports Business Journal naming it a top 10 sports event host city in 2024.
“Sports has been the backdrop of my life since I was young girl growing up in the Cleveland area, following the baseball team any way I could. To make a career out of sports and tie it to a community that I love has been such a privilege,” Logan said. “Columbus is a special city and I’m thankful to our partners across the community that help us win, promote and host so many amazing events the last 23 years. I’m grateful for our staff whose passion and dedication to our organization has made this recognition possible for me. Thank you to Sports ETA and the Hall of Fame committee for this incredible honor.”
Prior to becoming the Sports Commission’s CEO, Logan was the director of sports marketing for the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, now known as Experience Columbus. Linda has organized, staged, and directed hundreds of meetings, concerts, sporting events and conventions around the country, including the NCAA Men’s Final Four, Presidential Debates and the United Nation’s Summit on Trade. Notably for Columbus, she has led the hosting of the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 2021 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four and 2015 NHL All-Star Game.
A graduate of Ohio University, she currently serves on the boards of The Ohio State University Sports & Society Initiatives, Columbus Clippers Baseball Club and the Fairport Harbor Tourism Council. Logan was named the 2024 Spirit of Columbus honoree by The Columbus Foundation, was a previous recipient of the Columbus YWCA “Women of Achievement” and was recognized in Connect SPORTSmagazine’s cover story “IX Women Who’ve Got Game” for making significant contributions to the sports tourism industry.
About the Greater Columbus Sports Commission
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s mission is to rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete and fan experience and positively impacting image, economy and lifestyle. Since 2002, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has hosted more than 1,250 sporting events, generating an estimated $1.7 billion in direct visitor spending. For more information, visit ColumbusSports.org.