Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542608
In the world of sports tourism, there's a special breed of professionals who have a passion that goes beyond mere words. George A. Cooley II, who has been a Destination Sports Expert for Experience Prince George's County since the Fall of 2023, is one such individual. With a career spanning over four decades, Cooley's warm and inviting personality, coupled with his extensive industry knowledge, has made him a beloved figure in sports development, earning him a repu- tation as a passionate advocate whose love of sports is simply contagious. A self-proclaimed "avid sports fan," Cooley's approach to his work is refreshingly simple: assist his clients, attend events, let his passion shine through, build relationships, succeed! "I love what I do," said Cooley. "My primary responsibility is to work with members and venue partners to attract and secure sporting events, whether it's spectator, youth, or amateur sporting events. What I try to do every day is ensure that the sporting events have secure, suitable accommodations and other services required to execute their events. We assist them in meeting their needs." It's a formula that's worked wonders, helping Experience Prince George's County (EPGC) secure about 40 events annu- ally, including prestigious tournaments such as the Washington International Horse Show, CIAA Championships, and the Women's Volleyball Finals Championship. "We are blessed to have one of the more prolific Park and Recreation Departments in the country," Cooley said. "At Experience Prince George's, we work very closely with them. We also try to find events on our own to put into our various venues." Experience Prince George's is the official destination mar- keting organization for Prince George's, Maryland. The organization is committed to propelling tourism growth in Prince George's through convention sales, sports events, and leisure initiatives. Prince George's County, Maryland, is a sports lover's par- adise, offering a diverse range of amateur, collegiate, and pro- fessional sporting events at Prince George's Stadium, Northwest Stadium, the University of Maryland, Bowie State University, Show Place Arena, Prince George's Community College, and more. Cooley, 68, a New York native, has lived in Maryland for 43 years. A proud graduate of Hampton University, this married father of two sons and grandfather has worked tirelessly to promote sports tourism, earning recognition along the way. His expertise has taken him to the forefront of industry organizations, including the American Bus Association, the Student & Youth Travel Association, and the National Tour Association. During his 40-year career, the multi-award-winning execu- tive has put in the time in sales/marketing/management before becoming the executive vice president at Experience Prince George's from 2019 to 2023. He was also the senior advisor with Victus Advisors, a boutique consulting firm serv- G E O R G E C O O L E Y I I THE SPORTS TOURISM T R A I L B L A Z E R BY DARLENE DONLOE G E O R G E C O O L E Y I I "We are blessed to have one of the more prolific Park and Recreation Departments in the country," A CONVERSATION WITH B M & T ••• January/February 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 15