Today, we are excited to welcome Stephen Revetria, the President of Giants Enterprises, as our guest.
Stephen has had a remarkable career. He is a trustee at the University of San Francisco. He has chaired the San Francisco Travel Association and the MPI International Board of Directors, served on the advisory board of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and even been invited to the Vatican by Pope Francis for a global conference on sport and service to humanity.
Stephen is known for his kindness and the positive energy he adds to everything he does. Join us for the wisdom and knowledge he has to share.
His Journey
Stephen needed to follow the career path he envisioned. Born and raised in San Francisco, he attended the University of San Francisco and initially pursued hospital administration. However, a brief stint showed him that it was not his calling. So, he returned to the Bay Area and found his footing in hospitality and marketing. His experience with luxury yacht charters caught the attention of the San Francisco Giants, who recruited him in 1999 to help open their new ballpark. Since then, he has enjoyed developing innovative experiences for the Giants.
Vision and Innovation at the Giants
Stephen emphasizes the power of collaboration and creativity, always striving to deliver unique, high-quality experiences. He believes that no idea is too ambitious if well-executed, especially in a region like the Bay Area, known for its exceptional wine and culinary scene. A prime example of his vision is The Gotham Club, a private membership club at the Giants’ ballpark that fosters a strong sense of community.
Pioneering Hospitality in Sports Venues
Stephen looks beyond sports to find additional revenue streams. He helps franchises understand how to monetize their venues and create meaningful, year-round engagement with fans and businesses, turning stadiums into dynamic venues.
Managing Challenges During the Pandemic
During the pandemic, Stephen developed innovative ways to connect with his clients and staff through virtual wine hours and gifting experiences. He and his team also engaged fans by creating personalized cutouts for their empty stadium to foster a sense of connection. Throughout the pandemic, he focused on reducing costs, maintaining relationships, and preparing for the future.
Balancing Work, Family, and Passion
Stephen loves involving his family in his work by inviting them to events and games. He also enjoys community involvement, giving back, and surrounding himself with like-minded people.
Morning Routine and Maintaining a Positive Outlook
Stephen runs six miles in the mornings to clear his mind and start the day positively. Accepting his imperfections has allowed him to take creative risks and enjoy life without unnecessary pressure.
Forgiveness and Leadership
Stephen highlights the value of forgiveness, especially in personal relationships. He believes admitting mistakes and apologizing for them is a sign of strength and authenticity.
Onboarding and New Talent
Bringing new talent into the Giants organization involves shadowing senior leaders and creating a welcoming environment. Stephen believes in celebrating arrivals rather than focusing on farewells. He ensures that all new employees are integrated into the team to maintain the high standard of experience the Giants are known for.
The Future of Technology in Sports and Travel
Stephen believes technology will enhance sports and travel experiences by offering activity suggestions for travelers in unfamiliar towns and streamlining events like the Super Bowl.
A Desire for World Peace
Stephen recognizes the global challenges we are currently facing and sincerely wants to contribute to movements for positive, peaceful world change.
Bio: Stephen Revetria
President, Giants Enterprises
Stephen Revetria leads the strategy and vision of Giants Enterprises. Revetria is responsible for developing new ventures complimentary to this Major League Baseball franchise and raising the profile of Oracle Park. Now in his 25th season with the organization, Revetria has created new ballpark venues (Pier 48, The Gotham Club, Giants Maritime Services) and expansive fan engagement programming that leverages the organization’s resources, proficiency, and its San Francisco Bay locale. He also directs the curation of larger-than-life experiences for millions of guests and establishes dynamic revenue streams, business endeavors, and strategic partnerships. Among MLB venues, Giants Enterprises – with its unique programming – is the League’s first dedicated events management team, with Revetria playing an integral role in its development. Under his leadership, Giants Enterprises received international recognition for its execution and programming during the 2007 All-Star Game and the 2010, 2012 & 2014 World Series, including, among other civic events, the Official World Series Galas and downtown ticker-tape parades. A Bay Area native and graduate of the University of San Francisco, Revetria is also a trustee to numerous boards, including the Executive Committee of the U.S. Travel Association and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. In March 2024, Revetria was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve on the California Travel and Tourism Commission. Since 2022, he has served on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. Led by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, her California for All Kids initiative supports children’s physical, educational, and emotional well-being.
Revetria has been a leader in the meetings and events industry for more than thirty years. He has extensive experience in planning, advising, and fundraising for civic initiatives. Through his dedicated board service, Revetria has forged invaluable partnerships on the local, national, and international levels to further the mission of Giants Enterprises — and the city of San Francisco — as a premier destination for events, meetings, and travel.
Applying his keen knowledge from the worlds of sport, travel, and hospitality, Revetria’s innovation has positioned the San Francisco Giants at the forefront of these intersecting industries. With his proactive leadership and foresight, Revetria and the Giants have created a strategic model for other professional sports teams and destination marketing offices to replicate — paving the way for synergy between the sports and travel sectors to drive additional visitation.
As a Trustee Emeritus at the University of San Francisco, Revetria is a longtime supporter of his alma mater. He has helped shape the direction of USF’s highly respected Business Administration and Hospitality Management programs. He also assisted in developing the Pat Gallagher Fellowship, which rewards a USF Sports Management Masters student with a year-long, rotating internship within the San Francisco Giants organization.
In 2016, Revetria attended the inaugural Sport at the Service of Humanity Conference at the Vatican, convened by Pope Francis. This invite-only, conference summoned global leaders and influencers from the sectors of sport, spirituality, and business to develop a strategy for this multi-denominational movement which seeks to serve humanity by merging a passion for sport with the values of faith.
As former Chairman of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Revetria has co-chaired (2003, 2015, and 2022) MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC). In 2015 at Pier 48, a Giants Enterprises’ venue, Revetria designed and hosted the WEC Opening Night Celebration which received an Esprit Award for Best Event Produced for a Non-Profit from the International Live Events Association (ILEA).
In 2021, Revetria was the recipient of Catholic Charities’ Faith in Action Award, the organization’s highest honor recognizing his leadership and longstanding devotion to his community. In addition to numerous industry awards, Revetria was honored in 2016 with the prestigious Peter Goldman Award of Excellence by the Hotel Council of San Francisco.
Revetria lives in San Francisco with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children.
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