GALLATIN LAUNCHES SPORTS TOURISM INITIATIVE WITH STRATEGIC HIRE FROM THE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS INDUSTRY

GALLATIN, TN – The City of Gallatin has named AJ McKinney as its first-ever Sports Tourism Business Development Manager, a new role within the Gallatin Economic Development Agency focused on positioning the city as a premier destination for sports tourism, regional tournaments, and visitor-driven economic growth.

McKinney brings extensive experience in professional sports, partnership development, and strategic growth initiatives to the city's newly established Sport Business and Tourism initiative. His background includes business development and corporate partnership leadership roles with the Atlanta Braves, sports marketing and athlete representation work involving NFL clients, and athletics marketing with the University of Alabama.

In this role, McKinney will lead Gallatin’s efforts to recruit sporting events and tournaments, develop partnerships across the sports industry, and support long-term planning for a proposed indoor-and-outdoor multi-sport complex. He will also work alongside local schools, youth leagues, community organizations, and business leaders to strengthen Gallatin’s growing sports and destination economy.

“Sports tourism has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in the tourism industry nationwide, and Gallatin is well-positioned to capitalize on that momentum,” said Rosemary Bates, Executive Director of Gallatin Economic Development Agency. “AJ brings the exact combination of sports business experience, relationship development, and long-term strategic thinking needed to help build this initiative from the ground up.”

Sports tourism continues to gain momentum nationwide—with the industry growing 7% annually—as communities increasingly compete to attract tournaments, championships, and amateur sporting events that generate overnight stays, restaurant traffic, retail spending, and broader economic activity.

Gallatin’s new sports tourism initiative is designed to support the city’s long-term economic development strategy while creating new opportunities for residents, visitors, local businesses, and athletes alike. The initiative represents a broader effort to leverage sports as a catalyst for economic development, destination branding, tourism growth, and long-term community investment.

“Gallatin is a community with tremendous momentum, and I’m excited for the opportunity to help shape its future with this new initiative,” said McKinney. “Sports tourism has the ability to benefit visitors and residents alike, create economic opportunity, and elevate a community’s visibility in meaningful ways. I look forward to leading that vision for our city.”

McKinney most recently served as a Senior Strategy Consultant with Accenture, where he led large-scale business strategy and growth initiatives across multiple industries, including sports and entertainment. He earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and also holds a master’s degree in Sports Business Management from the University of Alabama.