The Gainesville Convention and Visitors Bureau has named Mckenna Kauffmann as the manager of the City of Gainesville-operated Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance.
Kauffmann, formerly of Acworth, was named to the newly established position in Dec. 2023.
“Sports tourism accounts for over 85% of the total tourism economic impact in the City of Gainesville,” said Tourism Director Robyn Lynch, who oversees the CVB. “Since the formation of GGSA in 2020, the program has been managed by several members of the Tourism team in addition to their responsibilities with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Lake Lanier Olympic Park.”
The alliance is a team of sports, hospitality, civic and industry leaders in the community that focuses on making sporting events a success. The organization works closely with local sports clubs and venues. It also works with sporting event planners to market events, provide funding assistance when applicable, distribute visitor information to participants and spectators and negotiate accommodations for players, coaches and officials.
"I am thrilled to embark on a new chapter as the Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance manager, fueled by my commitment to fostering a thriving sports landscape in our community,” said Kauffmann, who grew up as an athlete herself. “Our mission is clear – to serve as the catalyst for growth of all sports in Gainesville. With a focus on driving economic growth, I aim to champion our sporting venues, local teams and annual events that elevate and unite our community."
Lynch said increased interest in Gainesville as a sports destination drove the department to hire a full-time manager who can facilitate the needs of the growing industry. Kauffmann has a decade of experience as a sports event coordinator and public relations professional.
“Mckenna brings experience in sports marketing, as well as first-hand knowledge of the needs of an athlete,” Lynch said. “We are excited to have her join our dynamic team and to continue to market Gainesville as not only a tourist destination, but the premier sports destination in the region.”
Kauffmann is an experienced wakeboarder and snowboarder. She said she was initially drawn to the field through Terminus Wakepark in LakePoint Sports.
“At Terminus, I evolved from managing sales and camps to becoming the marketing manager, contributing to the success of events like Monster Energy Triple Crown and introducing initiatives such as girls' wakeboarding clinics, and Moms and Mimosas,” she said. “As an experiential marketing and events consultant, I assisted in prestigious and world-renowned events such as the Nautique Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament, and Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour.”
Kauffmann's journey continued as a senior event coordinator for the World Wake Association, where she organized everything from grassroots events to national and world championships.
“I worked in collaboration with industry giants like Nautique Boats, Malibu Boats, Red Bull and X Games,” she said, before transitioning to the role of a junior publicist for TobinInk, an Atlanta-based public relations and media relations practice.
To learn more about GGSA, visit this link.
