Stadium manager members in both SMA and ESSMA benefit from reciprocal membership.
July 2021 --The Stadium Managers Association (SMA) and the European Stadium & Safety Management Association (ESSMA) are proud to announce a new partnership between the organizations. Starting July 2021, all stadium manager members will receive a complimentary dual membership in the adjacent organization. With this alliance, stadium managers will receive member benefits and have the opportunity to exchange best-practices and to participate in events. Moving forward, any new stadium manager member will receive membership in both associations immediately when joining one association.
“On behalf of the SMA Board of Directors, we welcome the opportunity to partner with ESSMA as we connect our sports and facility members globally. This is an example of how we can work together and share our knowledge as we strive to provide our fans with the best live experience possible,” said Mario Coutinho, SMA Board Chair.
"ESSMA has a longstanding tradition in bringing the European stadium industry together. We are now excited to take this next step and support the bridge building between European and American stadium managers. We look forward to the knowledge sharing that can arise from this partnership," said John Beattie, President ESSMA.
SMA former Corporate Director/ESSMA liaison, Nicole Andrews, was the main driving force for this partnership. Her vision for bringing the two organizations together began with small conversations and evolved over time into a more structured program as she came to fully appreciate the mutually beneficial impact for both stadium managers and commercial members.
“The formal partnership between SMA and ESSMA marks a significant milestone for both organizations as we strive to break down the geographical barriers that have separated us in the past,” Andrews said.
Members in both groups will receive a list of full membership benefits from SMA and ESSMA with details on how to access these new perks.
Any questions about the new partnership, can be sent to Jeana Schultz, SMA Executive Director (jeanas@stadiummanagers.org) or Nathalie Lenaerts, ESSMA Communications Manager (nathalie@essma.eu).
About SMA
Since its establishment in 1974, the Stadium Managers Association has provided educational information and industry resources to assist stadium managers in the day-to-day management and operation of their facilities. Its vision is to support operational excellence and personal development by facilitating networking and best practices between facility managers and industry partners.
About ESSMA
ESSMA, the European Stadium & Safety Management Association, unites the stadium industry. Over 350 European stadiums contribute to the creation of market specific research and join us on networking events to share knowledge, best-practices and learn from their peers. ESSMA nurtures these conversations, both online and offline, with benchmark reports, industry updates and best practices.