Staying Relevant with John Davis of Churchill Downs

“I want a different voice in the room. I need people who look at things in ways that I don’t. They’ll make us better.”

On this episode of Fired Up, John Davis, Sr. Director of Sales for Churchill Downs provides great insights on how he builds a team that insures continued relevance to the fans. Davis oversees the Suite and Ticket Sales departments, spanning Kentucky Derby week and the entire racing calendar. He is involved in all aspects of ticket sales, developing the overall sales strategy for existing opportunities and long-term expansion planning.

John has an extensive track record of success, having served most recently as Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service with the Cleveland Browns. Davis held a similar position with the Cincinnati Reds baseball team and the New York Islanders hockey team, where he also served as Vice President of Ticket Sales. Prior to joining the Reds, John served as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager for the Frisco RoughRiders, the AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers. While in Frisco, Davis oversaw all ticketing and marketing efforts and was the team liaison with the Texas League. During that 2007 season, the RoughRiders were the most profitable franchise in minor league baseball.