Behind the Banner April 2024

BEHIND THE BANNER

The team behind the scenes

By: Ben Harbuck

Ever wandered through downtown Dallas on a late February weekend only to find yourself amid large crowds of cheerleaders at each intersection? Or maybe last year you went out in the Harwood District over Women’s Final Four weekend and waltzed into a restaurant full of Iowa and LSU fans. Granted, these may sound like very specific and rare circumstances but every single year, sporting events big, medium, and small embrace Dallas for all it has to offer.

The inception of these events is due in small part to the Dallas Sports Commission sales team, whose tireless efforts make it possible for the city and region to host a wide array of sporting events, competitions, and conferences.

The small but mighty sales team is comprised of Ginger Lively Cade, Sr. Director of Sales, Andrew Dockrill, Director of Business Development, and Bishop Turon, Sales & Services Manager.

In her role as Sr. Director of Sales, Ginger Lively Cade provides the necessary leadership and direction to her team. An experienced veteran in the hospitality and events industry, Ginger has dedicated 27 years to the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau and the DSC. Ginger’s role comprises a racting large scale sporting events and conventions that utilize the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD).

Andrew Dockrill brings a unique blend of passion, knowledge, and charisma to the group. A Dallas native and former intern with the DSC, Andrew worked his way up into a well-deserved leadership position and is now focused on recruiting large-scale events (500+ room nights) housed outside of the KBHCCD.

The newest addition to the team, Bishop Turon, plays a vital role recruiting and overseeing all events holding less than 500 room nights. Turon has been a valuable addition to the team while servicing clients and working with local partners.

Together, this trio operates as a one-stop shop for event planners, assisting with everything from venue selection to developing the scope of the Dallas Sports Commission’s support. The primary mission? To provide clientele with a foundation built for success that the rest of the DSC team and local partners work to execute.

The approach involves a mix of research, networking, relationship building, and exceptional hospitality. One of the first steps in the sales process can include a ending industry trade shows and conferences to network and learn about new industry trends.

“A ending trade shows allows us and so many other sports commissions to interact and network with events rights holders,” said Dockrill. During their visit to this year’s Sports ETA in Portland, Dockrill and Turon met with nearly 60 events right holders in a speed dating environment to discuss why Dallas is a great fit for any sporting event.

A er networking and engaging initial conversations, formal sales processes may begin with an event organizer submi ing a request for proposal (RFP). Lively-Cade explained the RFP process, mentioning, “This includes taking the necessary event requirements and finding a solution within Dallas. That can be finding a facility to host the event, hotels for accommodation, or many other aspects of the event necessary.”

With each event being unique, some may require an extensive and strategic proposal while others may only ask for something as simple as social media promotion. No ma er the needs, the lead sales contact collaborates with appropriate DSC team members and local partners to curate a tailored support plan, known as a bid, to present to the event organizers and demonstrate that Dallas is fully equipped to deliver the most successful event to date.

Once the bid is submi ed, the client may visit Dallas to familiarize themselves with the city, venue, and meet the local team. This sales site visit helps event planners envision their event in Dallas and build a partnership that guarantees success.

A er the bid submission, questions, site visits, and any other events rights holder requirements are answered, and the client will notify the DSC sales team whether Dallas has been selected as the host city for the event. The process will arrive at the step of finalizing the paperwork. Then, the sales team can officially pass the baton to the event and marketing teams, aiming to turn promises into reality and provide the best experience possible.

While the overarching sales process may vary from event to event, the DSC’s experienced and passionate team lays the groundwork for the Dallas event-hosting standard for every client. Dallas’ 90+ area sports venues, incomparable hotels, numerous corporate headquarters, and community support all contribute to the sales efforts.

The dynamic trio of Ginger Lively-Cade, Andrew Dockrill, and Bishop Turon, exemplify the excellence and hospitality that Dallas is renowned for. Through meticulous planning, relationship-building, and a deep understanding of the industry and city they’re promoting, this team not only secures events for Dallas but sets them up for success. As each event unfolds, it's clear that the efforts of the DSC sales team have placed Dallas firmly on the map as a city that both celebrates and champions the spirit of sports.

USA 2024 Gallops into Dallas Rodeo of Nations: Copa America

By Steve Davis

The next wave of international soccer passing through North Texas further decorates a regional history already stacked with noted tournaments and high profile matches in the world’s game. But it’s much more, too.

As AT&T Stadium and the North Texas region prepare to host three contests in this summer’s prestigious 2024 Copa America, organizers are also seizing a golden opportunity to dial in preparation for the truly big prize just over the horizon, nine FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.

For the second time, Copa America will be staged outside of South America, once again finding its way north to the United States. AT&T Stadium, Dallas and North Texas regional partners are positioned as substantial players, with the iconic

Arlington facility hosting two opening round matches (June 21 and June 23) and a quarterfinal match (July 5).

Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul said this trio of Copa America contests provides unmissable opportunities for progress in transportation planning, gathering additional sponsorships, continuing to build a vibrant volunteer corps, and in developing the important human rights and sustainability commi ees ahead of FIFA’s World Cup.

“And it helps us learn how to keep grass alive [inside AT&T Stadium] for an extended period of time, which we’ll certainly have to do for the World Cup,” she said, adding that FIFA will send advisors to assist as local officials address a central issue for five indoor World Cup facilities.

This summer’s 16-team Copa America tournament of nations from South America and Concacaf begins June 20, playing out across 14 U.S. host cities. All 10 South America Nations and 6 qualifiers from Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) will aim for a place in the July 14 final in Miami.

So why is the long-running, quadrennial soccer championship of South America, second only to the FIFA World Cup in terms of establishing the continent’s soccer supremacy, se ling into the United States for a second time? It follows the successful and well received 2016 Copa Centenario, a special edition to celebrate 100 years of the famed tournament.

Drawing almost 1.5 million fans to stadiums, it is the second highest-a ended U.S.-based soccer tournament, behind only FIFA World Cup ‘94.

With the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina’s inimitable Lionel Messi on the marquee, it also drew impressively high TV ratings: more than 100 million viewers watched on Fox or on Spanish-language Univision. This year’s tournament promises no less interest, especially as Messi remains front and center in Argentina’s plans.

Making this one even more special for North Texas is its role in the U.S. team’s efforts at a trophy li in Miami, which arguably would be the program’s most prestigious prize to date. The United States and its ever-growing legion of talent spread across top European leagues – AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic and No ingham Forest’s Gio Reyna to name just a couple –opens its Copa America account at AT&T Stadium on June 23 against Bolivia.

Gregg Berhalter’s U.S. team is the tournament’s 6th top choice to win according to oddsmakers, behind Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Colombia.

Mexico has a highly plausible path to its familiar “second home,” AT&T Stadium, for that high-stakes June 5 quarterfinal elimination match. A first-place finish in Group B would secure El Tri’s next trip to North Texas, where Mexico would meet the second-place finisher in Group A (Argentina, Peru, Chile or Canada).

A frequent visitor to the Dallas Cowboys’ home for MexTour matches or regional tournaments, Mexico just played its 13th and 14th contests inside At&T Stadium in March during the Concacaf Nations League Finals.

In addition to AT&T Stadium’s part, four area soccer complexes will help expand the area’s Copa America role while serving as tournament training sites.

The 16-team field for this summer’s Copa America was completed during matches in North Texas in March. Here are the groups: (The top two teams from each group advance to the tournament’s knockout stage)

Argentina

Peru

Chile

Canada

Mexico

Ecuador

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VEX Robotics World Championships

Local Father a STEM Inspiration

By Cecilia Ramirez

In the bustling educational landscape of Dallas, one man stands out as a beacon of innovation and inspiration for STEM learning. Peter Morrissey is a devoted father, and kindergarten teacher in the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD). His passion for robotics has transformed not only his own family but also the educational experience of countless students across the community.

Peter Morrissey and his wife Elisa, both educators in Dallas ISD and parents to their two children together, have over 4 decades

of combined teaching experience in Dallas. In 2021, they broke the record of being the first married couple to be both recognized as top educators in Dallas ISD. Peter is the student activities coordinator at his school and is recognized as the reason why students and teachers have increased their participation in school clubs, UIL activities, and a er-school enrichment.

Peter's dedication has also played a pivotal role as a mentor in the robotics programs at Reinhardt Elementary School, where his wife serves as principal. By integrating robotics

Witnessing her brother’s journey in high school robotics, Peter's daughter, Isabela, eagerly followed suit. When Isabela was old enough, she wanted to join a team and become a robot driver like her older brother. Isabela, a bilingual third grader, is a vital member of a diverse team of three girls and boys. With her 'girl powered' enthusiasm, she challenges stereotypes and redefines the perception of robotics participation. Their dedication and talent were recently rewarded when they not only achieved high scores in qualifications and skills but also clinched the prestigious design award, earning a coveted spot at the upcoming VEX Robotics World Championship.

“I am immensely proud of coaching both my son Andrew and now my daughter Isabela in VEX IQ Robotics. This journey has been one of the highlights of my educational career, and I am commi ed to continuing to pave the way for future engineers through our robotics programs. Watching them excel and grow in this field is truly rewarding and fuels my passion for inspiring young minds in STEM” says Peter.

For more information on the VEX Robotics World Championship click here into the school's curriculum, Peter is nurturing the next generation of innovators and fostering a culture of creativity and excellence within the Dallas community.

The VEX Robotics World Championship, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest robotics competition in the world, is a week-long event celebrating hands-on STEM learning and will take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center Dallas. During the week-long competition, 20,000 students from all 50 states and more than 60 countries will participate with their custom-built robots in heart racing matches focused on creative design and problem solving.

The championship is more than just a competition; it focuses on celebrating innovation and a variety of perspectives. It welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, including Girl Powered teams, those from deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, and indigenous groups. The VEX Robotics World Championship emphasizes the importance of integrating various viewpoints in STEM fields by offering numerous workforce development opportunities. Hands-on robotic programming for students and educators is crucial in bridging the talent gap and preparing young innovators for a prosperous future. Students will receive free meals, bus transportation, and stipends to purchase equipment to ensure that every aspiring roboticist has access to opportunities regardless of their background or circumstances.

The 17th annual VEX Robotics World Championship, presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, will begin April 25th and run through May 3rd.