Panam Sports President Neven Ilic invited National Olympic Committees (NOC) to work with the organisation to resolve challenges they face, as the fourth Americas Best Practices Symposium concluded here.
The two-day event, run jointly by Panam Sports and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USPOC), had a theme of "High-Performance Planning, Leadership and Athlete Well-Being".
Organisers expressed the hope the event could provide a forum for NOCs in the Americas to have high-level discussions to help maximise the impact of sport in their respective countries.
Sport Ministers from three countries were also present at the event, with Panam Sports keen to encourage NOCs and Governments to have a closer, mutual understanding of their goals and work together.
Ilic claimed at the conclusion of the symposium that the "worst mistake" an NOC could make would be to have a bad relationship with its Government.
"One thing I have learned from this symposium is that it is not easy to be President or secretary general of an NOC," he said.
"We do not always have the tools to help all of our athletes and achieve all our goals.
"We need to work with each NOC and work on each of the problems you may have.
"We have the duty to come to you and prepare a programme to fulfill the dreams you have for your countries."
The topic of Governments and NOCs working together for the development of sport was the final panel of the two-day event.
A call for Panam Sports to help work with NOCs to resolve issues with politicians was made during the session, amid a claim changes in Government can have a negative impact on the organisations.
Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe outlined their Government’s positive working relationship with the NOC.
She encouraged NOCs in the Pan American region to offer projects to their Governments that can help meet their respective goals, as they look to build successful relationships.
Topics on the second day of the symposium also included prioritising athlete well-being, grassroots and school sports systems, and key elements for success in high performance sport.
The symposium had also focused on long-term development in sport and physical activity, sport for all and successful coaching models.
Building legacies from hosting international multi-sport events was another topic discussed, with a focus on last year's Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aries, as well as the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games in Guadalajara and Toronto respectively.
"I have enjoyed hearing from you and learning about the unique challenges we face in safeguarding our athletes, strengthening sport, working together and collaborating across the Americas," Sarah Hirsland, the USOPC chief executive, said.
"We leave today with a fresh perspective on how to advance and shape the future of sport in our countries.
"And we go with a reinforced commitment to ensure our organisations are as exceptional as the athletes we serve."