Industry Spotlight, Christy Strong Simmons, USA Taekwondo

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Christy Strong Simmons, USA Taekwondo

What’s your current position?

I’m the Managing Director of Events and Member Programs at USA Taekwondo.

How long have you been in this position?

I’ve been in this position since January 2023. Before that, I managed Events for USAT.

Please give us a brief overview of what you do in your work.

I oversee Events, both domestic and international events held in the U.S. In addition, I manage the Member Services Department and recently took on fundraising and donations.

What would you say most motivates you to do what you do?

I genuinely enjoy working at a National Governing Body supporting the athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and our staff.

What are you most excited about or passionate about?

I’m passionate about starting/implementing new events, programs, and projects that benefit our members.

What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work?

Taekwondo was hit hard by COVID, so the last few years have focused on bringing members in or back to the sport. I would like to see our membership grow to 20,000+ by 2026. We have also been working on automating the event process for attendees since 2022 (check in, ticket sales, weigh in, live results, points management, badge in access etc.) and we hope to have this accomplished by 2025.

What goals do you hold for yourself personally?

I enjoy professional development and join Boards & Advisory Groups to network and learn from other professions in and outside the sports industry.

What led you to this job?

I started my event management career in 1998, working at Taekwondo, and then moved on to USA Fencing in 2002. In December 2021, I returned to USA Taekwondo to manage their events and contracting. Best. Move. Ever!

What were you doing before you came here?

I spent 17 years at USA Fencing in various positions, including events, member services, and operations.

What attracted you to work for USA Taekwondo?

The leadership at USA Taekwondo attracted me to the Governing Body. They are open to new ideas and processes, changing the status quo, and serving the membership, and they appreciate the experience and expertise that I brought to the table.

Where did you grow up?

I lived in Nebraska during my youth, but I also lived in Japan and Michigan.

What was it like to grow up there?

Growing up in Nebraska was amazing. There were wide open spaces to explore as a kid.

Did you go to college? Where did you go, and what was that like?

Yes. Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I lived in downtown Detroit, worked around the corner from my apartment building, and walked six blocks to the University. It was an urban/commuter university that was very diverse and interesting.

Did you have any key mentors or people who profoundly influenced who you are, what you believe in, and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell us about them.

My dad was a massive influence on me and a key mentor. He was in personnel management and taught me about mentoring, emotional intelligence, and listening to others rather than focusing on what I wanted to say. Michael Massik, NSCA, and Jay Warwick, USA Taekwondo, both allowed me to move my career forward even when I wasn’t sure I was ready.

What projects are you working on now?

Fundraising has not been a top priority in the last few years for USA Taekwondo. A group of our staff determined that this should be a priority in 2024. We began by researching how to start a giving campaign and then moved on to the platforms needed to make it happen. The biggest challenge was not having the experience up front.

The group worked hard to understand how this should be implemented and determine “why” members should give to our organization. We have a long way to go but the Team really pulled all the pieces together to get this first fundraising effort off the ground. We are running our first Giving Tuesday next week and have additional plans around the 2024 Games next year.

Christy, USA Taekwondo is producing an impressive number of events on an annual basis. How do you and your team handle the workflow day to day?

We have a small events team at USA Taekwondo so every minute counts when planning, inputting data, working with members, and negotiating contracts. We use an online platform to keep track of all the logistics, who is assigned, and when it is due, and we constantly follow up with each other so everything runs smoothly.

What gets you out of bed every day to continue your drive?

What motivates your work ethic? Managing multiple impactful projects and timelines and caring for our members motivates me.

What would you say are your best skills? What do you bring to the table that helps you rise above the rest? Where and how did you learn those skills?

My best skills are organization, patience, empathy, listening, humor, and management/mentoring of staff. I had to learn all those skills, especially listening!

What’s next for you in your work?

My next professional step will be to become the COO.