Steamboat Today, June 17, 2009

Page 13

CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION

STEAMBOAT TODAY

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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Economy Affects Youth Sports Tournaments Drought, grasshoppers and fires can’t hold a candle to current economy

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION

Many remember when there were two front-page stories running in the Rocky Mountain News in one summer, neither of which were ones to hang in the public relations hall of fame. Headlines such as “Grasshoppers Invade Steamboat” and “Steamboat Surrounded by Fires” were enough to keep some of the most courageous guests from crossing the Continental Divide. However, thankfully, the impact to Triple Crown Sports teams was negligible. Until this year, everyone thought sports teams were a very stable bet, an “orphan and widow” stock for this town. “In all the years that I’ve been working in the organized sports industry, I haven’t seen anything like what’s happening in this economy right now,” Triple Crown Sports Owner Dave King said. “We’ve weathered prior recessions, drought, grasshoppers and wildfires and continued to grow our business. This is really something new, and it’s so tough to know how to react. We are doing everything we can to fill our events across the nation and in Steamboat Springs, but I anticipate that we will be down anywhere from 5 to 25 percent on our Colorado events.” In team sports, a few team members can influence the decision to travel to a tournament. With unemployment increasing, there are many teams that are consolidating with others in their areas to make up for those members that can’t afford to travel this year. Another phenomenon is that new teams are not forming in the younger age brackets, and the older teams also are decreasing. The result is fewer

Schedule Triple Crown Sports Schedule 2009 June 11 to 14: Girls Fastpitch Mountain Magic June 19 to 21: Boys Baseball Mountain Magic June 26 to 28: Boys Baseball Mountain Magic June 30 to July 5: Boys Baseball World Series (14 years old) July 2 to 5: Boys Baseball World Series (8 years old) July 21 to 26: Boys Baseball World Series (10 to 13 years old) July 28 to Aug. 2: Boys Baseball World Series (9 to 12 years old) Aug. 3 to 8: Boys Baseball World Series (11 to 13 years old)

teams overall. As of early June, the Triple Crown World Series is anticipating a 20 to 25 percent decrease in teams, or about 40 teams less than last year for the three weeks of play in July and August based on current registrations. However, there are some teams that have registered and paid for the tournament that still have not booked their lodging. The recent Triple Crown Sports tournament in Omaha, which ended up with a slight increase in teams from last year, saw 25 percent of the teams booking their lodging within 30 days of the actual tournament. “That’s a very difficult situation to manage,” King noted. “Trying to anticipate the amount of employees, team lineups, inventory of memorabilia and umpires has made for incredible last-minute pressure on the TCS staff.” All 30 of the states that host Triple Crown Sports events are equally affected, from large city events to destination resorts. Most of the franchises and Triple Crown’s key competitors are experiencing the same downturn in numbers of participating teams. So, Steamboat Springs is

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Although fewer in numbers, boys still will be coming to Steamboat Springs to test their baseball skills this summer

definitely not alone.

What can be done? Discussions are being held among lodging properties, marketing professionals and sports tournament providers to see whether there are some strategies that might move the needle for the World Series in July and August. An option is to wait and hope for the last-minute booking pattern that occurred in Omaha. However, there might be some proactive measures that could be effective if all the partners are willing. Central Reservations saw good results in the winter with a close-in cancellation policy, Paula Sears said. This might be a good strategy to look at again for any special offers this summer. Regardless of what is done

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this year, the Chamber will begin to work with all partners on next year’s plans. Consolidating age groupings for the World Series and the possibility of bringing back a 4th of July softball tournament will be up for consideration until economic impacts lessen. This is a recession that hit the sports industry, and 2010 is expected to be affected, as well.

The friendliness factor Welcoming the teams that come to town this year is going to be especially important. The local business owners have many opportunities to get their message to the players and their families. Outfield banners can be purchased through the Chamber by calling Kara Givnish at 875-7002. For program ads or

FILE PHOTO

other opportunities through Triple Crown Sports, call Jason McCoy at 223-6644. The Chamber staff and marketing committee have been discussing an opportunity to pair business people with teams to greet them before arrival and offer assistance in providing information about activities, dining and more — on the order of a personal community liaison for each team. If you are interested in participating in this type of program, call Sandy Evans Hall at the Chamber at 875-7007. Every person in Steamboat Springs has an opportunity to hit a home run this summer by showing each guest, whether sporting a numbered jersey or not, the utmost respect and kindness while they are in town. Batter up!

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Sandy Evans Hall


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