VMS-GI 2019

Eric Hart, CVE

Tampa Sports Authority


Eric is the President and CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) in Tampa, Florida and current Dean of the Graduate Institute. The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls, the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex, the Fairway Cafe and three City of Tampa municipal golf courses: Rocky Point, Babe Zaharias and Rogers Park. The TSA also serves as the landlord for the Tampa Bay Times Forum, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steinbrenner Field, home for the New York Yankees spring training facilities. Eric previously served as the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority. Prior to Lansing, Eric served as the Director of Event Services for the 1.5 million sq. ft. Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis and as Associate Director for the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. He began his full-time career in facility management at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa where he served as the Guest Services Manager and was later promoted to Event Coordinator. Eric received a BS in Finance and a MS in Business Education and Administration from Illinois State University. Eric earned his Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation in 2013. He is happily married to his wife Beth and they are the proud parents of their two daughters, Brooke and Paige. Eric loves to hunt, fish, play golf wood-work in his shop and spend time with his family.

Sessions :