CT Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS) Names New Director of Sports Sales/Chief Marketing Officer

The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS) – the State's official meetings and sports event sales and marketing organization – has named Christopher Grosse as its new Director of Sports Sales/Chief Marketing Officer. Grosse
(Gros-see) comes to this position from the University of Connecticut (UConn) Division of Athletics where he was its Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Strategy.

"We welcome Chris Grosse to our team where he will work to generate new sports events of all types and related meeting business for venues across the state," explained Robert Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS). "Chris will be responsible for sports event lead generation and for elevating the Connecticut brand and our venues within the sports marketplace. I look forward to him bringing expertise and enthusiasm as he moves into sports destination sales – an essential part of CTMEETINGS' sales operations."

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Robert Murdock joined the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau in September 2014 as Director of Sports Marketing and later expanded his responsibilities to include marketing for the SMERF and Affinity Groups. He was appointed President of that organization on January 1, 2019. Murdock reports that bookings by CTMEETINGS in FY26 generated more than $75 Million in revenue* for the state, as visitors stayed in Connecticut hotels, dined in restaurants, shopped and enjoyed attractions. Over 24,200 jobs* in the state's hospitality industry were supported, and more than $4,895,000 in Connecticut taxes were generated*. (*per Destinations International economic calculator)

"I'm incredibly excited for this opportunity to bring my experience and expertise together with new strategies and creative ideas to help elevate Connecticut as a premier destination for sports," said Chris Grosse. "I'm passionate about this state and all it has to offer, and I look forward to working with our partners and communities across Connecticut to bring greater attention to the state, attract new opportunities, and showcase what makes Connecticut such a special place."

As UConn's Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Strategy, Grosse oversaw its marketing and fan engagement, creative content, strategic communications and video services departments in the Division of Athletics for the past three years. Prior to his UConn position, he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Fan Experience at Penn State University in State College, Pa., where he oversaw the day-to-day marketing operations for the Penn State Athletics Department.

Prior to Penn State, Grosse served for four years as the assistant athletics director of marketing and director of marketing at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Before that, he spent five years at the United States Naval Academy as an associate director of marketing, promotions and corporate sales. Before that, he was the assistant director of marketing and promotions at New Mexico State University.

Grosse began his career as a marketing assistant at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. while working on his Master's degree in Sports Administration from that school. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Connecticut in 2005. A Connecticut native who was raised in New Hampshire, Grosse now resides in Glastonbury, Conn. with his wife and two children.

The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS) is the State's official meetings and sports event sales and marketing organization. Its experienced staff markets all of the state – convention and meeting venues, hotels and attractions, and sporting venues – as a premier destination for international, national, regional and statewide conferences, conventions and major sports events. In partnership with Connecticut's businesses, institutions, nonprofit organizations and their surrounding communities, the Middletown, Conn.-based organization works to generate new and returning events, thereby generating increased economic impact for Connecticut's local regions and tax revenue for the State. For more information about the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau, visit CTMEETINGS.org or call 860-728-6789. Social Media @CTMEETINGS