Kelly Clare Named Manager for Play Greenville Sports
The Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau adds a new leader to its sports recruitment efforts.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
The Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed Kelly Clare as the new Sales & Services Manager for Play Greenville, NC Sports. Clare steps into this role to focus on securing athletic events for the local area.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to bolster regional tourism and local economic development by increasing the volume of sports events brought to Pitt County. Clare will lead efforts to identify and solicit new opportunities to keep the local sports market competitive.
Kelly Clare brings a background in human performance and kinesiology to the role, having earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tampa and a Masters from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The players
Kelly Clare
Kelly Clare is the newly appointed Sales & Services Manager for Play Greenville, NC Sports who previously worked at East Carolina University.
Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau is the agency responsible for promoting travel and events within the local Greenville and Pitt County region.
The details
In her new capacity, Clare is tasked with the identification, solicitation, and retention of sports events for Play Greenville, NC Sports. She brings prior experience from her role as Assistant Director of Facilities with Campus Recreation & Wellness at East Carolina University.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Kelly Clare was announced as the new sales manager.
Market Landscape
This move mirrors the national trend of regional tourism boards hiring dedicated staff to aggressively compete for sports tournament hosting rights. It positions the organization to more effectively challenge regional competitors in the broader pursuit of lucrative sports-related travel dollars.
Residents may see an increase in regional athletic events and tournament activity as the bureau works to expand its portfolio. The shift in leadership is intended to drive more visitors into local facilities, potentially impacting hotel occupancy and business traffic in Pitt County.
The takeaway
The addition of a dedicated sales manager highlights how local governments are increasingly treating sports recruitment as a core economic strategy. Residents can expect a more structured approach to filling the city's calendar with regional athletic competitions in the coming months.
Further reading
For more on personnel changes in the area, visit the Greenville People section.
