Cole McKeel

Cole McKeel serves as Vice President of Partnerships at Huddle Up Group and Vice President of GoEmpire Group while maintaining his role as an adjunct instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. After earning his bachelor's degree in sport administration with minors in business administration, finance, and marketing from the University of Louisville, where he served as head manager for the men's basketball program, he completed his MBA with a concentration in finance and a Master of Science in Olympic Studies from the International Olympic Academy. His career spans significant roles in sports business, including managing Olympic & Paralympic Training Center sport business development for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee from 2016-2020, where he generated revenue for training centers in Colorado Springs and Lake Placid. At GoEmpire Group, he oversees international operations, client recruiting, and player marketing, while his role at Huddle Up Group involves leading business development efforts and expanding the Sports Tourism Index & Scout platform, which engages over 450 destinations and 130 event rights holders. His expertise extends to marketing and diversity initiatives, demonstrated through his previous work with USA Bobsled & Skeleton, where he managed partnerships with BMW and Under Armour. Beyond his primary roles, he contributes to the industry through service on the Southeast Tourism Society's Networking Pillar Committee and the Advisory Committee for the Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium.