2015sportsplanningguideeast

2015 EDITION

A Premier Travel Media publication www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

EAST REGION

T

he sports-friendly communities in this regional section cater to all types of events, with experienced staff members offering the dedication and expertise to make your tournament shine. Conveniently located within range of a good chunk of the U.S. population, these areas take pride in their sports facilities as well as amenities and attractions off the field. Let them take care of the logistics for your next event.

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DESTINATION

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Long Island, NY

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Maryland Sports

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Erie, PA

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Pocono Mountains, PA

128 The scenic woodlands of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains abound with hiking and biking trails.

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1 LONG ISLAND, NY

Filled with high-quality venues and must-see attractions, New York’s Long Island offers sports planners the complete package.

From Olympic-level Swimming Competitions to Regional Baseball Championships

The complex also includes seven lacrosse fields, four lighted softball fields, two baseball fields, seven soccer fields and five football fields. Each one seats between 50 and 100 spectators.

1. Nassau County Aquatic Center

4. Stony Brook University’s Arena

Located in Eisenhower Park, this is one of the top aquatic centers in the country. It hosts international and domestic events, including swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo.

The Stony Brook Arena will be the new home for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and will also host volleyball, cheerleading, gymnastics and boxing events.

The 40,000-square-foot arena features a new seating configuration providing an intimate atmosphere for more than 4,000 spectators; modern video technology; and a new competition basketball court and improved practice courts. The arena is set to open in October 2014.

2. St. Joseph College Outdoor Sports Complex Opened in April 2012, this outdoor sports complex in Patchogue is home to the men’s and women’s soccer, tennis, track and field, women’s lacrosse, softball and baseball teams. Danzi Stadium includes a 400-meter all-weather track, long jump pits and pole vault areas, and synthetic turf for soccer, lacrosse and football. Bleachers seat 1,500.

Gregg Alfano Field features a synthetic turf infield and natural grass in the outfield. It has bleachers that accommodate up to 300 spectators. The Softball Stadium is a natural grass outfield that reaches 210 feet to center, with seating for 400 fans. The Tennis Courts feature six new tennis courts constructed with DecoTurf, the same surface the pros play on at the U.S. Open.

5. Baseball Heaven Sports Complex The complex, located in Yaphank, consists of nine baseball fields and features all the amenities of a professional ballpark.

6. Bethpage State Park This park is known for its five world-class golf courses, as well as miles of hiking and biking trails, dozens of playing fields, tennis courts and cross-country skiing trails.

3. Mitchel Athletic Complex

7. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum & Exhibition Center

Located in Uniondale, the 49-acre complex serves a number of different sports events. It features a Track & Field stadium with a nine-lane, 400-meter synthetic track, along with a field suitable for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Seating 10,000, it features lights for night play, scoreboards, and plenty of concession stands and parking.

This complex consists of an 18,000-seat arena, a 60,000-square-foot exhibition hall and 15,000 square feet of additional space. Home to the N.Y. Islanders NHL hockey team, it can host a wide variety of sports tournaments, from basketball and volleyball to gymnastics and dance.

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8. Twin Rinks Ice Center at Eisenhower Park The 165,000-square-foot facility consists of two indoor NHL-sized skating rinks as well as one indoor rink that will host both roller hockey and deck hockey leagues. The facility has locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and a restaurant.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Exciting Attractions Entertain Visitors Museum Row, located near Eisenhower Park, includes the Long Island Children’s Museum, the Cradle of Aviation, Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center and Long Island Museum for Science and Technology.

The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead is ranked one of the top 10 in the country. In Suffolk County, visitors will find Adventureland, a small amusement park with more than 30 rides and attractions, while over in Calverton, they can enjoy 96 acres of water fun at Splish Splash Water Park, which features New York’s only water coaster.

Long Island also has lots of shopping options, from small boutiques to outlet malls. At the gateway to the east end is Tanger Outlet Center, Long Island’s largest factory outlet. Or visitors can shop the merchants at Tanger Outlets at The Arches in Deer Park. As a top vacation destination, Long Island certainly has no shortage of top-rated restaurants, from quaint bistros to casual eateries to world-renowned institutions. Every city around the island features movie theaters and bowling centers that offer budget-friendly entertainment for teams.

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A Short Drive from New York City Long Island is served by two major airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, as well as Long Island Islip MacArthur Airport, which offers regularly scheduled flights from domestic cities. The island is also accessible via major highways from New York City, making it easily accessible from most areas on the East Coast. With over 17,000 hotel rooms across Long Island, sports teams are sure to find a hotel with the right amenities and price point to suit their needs.

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Social media marketing for your event Volunteer staff Signage Site visits Transportation for teams (depends on certain factors) Housing services Discounts to local attractions

LONG ISLAND CVB & SPORTS COMMISSION Jennifer Rothman, Sports Sales Manager jrothman@discoverlongisland.com Phone: 631-951-3900 ext. 320 DiscoverLongIsland.com/Sports

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4. Harry Grove Stadium, Frederick As unbelievable as it may seem, when Harry Grove Stadium opened the doors in 1990 it was considered an innovation in stadium design because the entrance and concourse are at the top of the stands. And while just about every stadium today is designed the same way, after a 60-year baseball drought in Frederick it’s safe to say that Harry Grove Stadium will always be one of the county’s most treasured venues.

5. Bulle Rock Golf Course, Harford Winning many awards—including ranking as the No. 1 best course to play in Maryland by Golf Digest, No. 59 on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses 20112012” and No. 26 on Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2011” – the 18-hole, 230-acre course delivers quality greens.

6. Covenant Park, Howard The Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park offers nine lighted soccer fields. Also located within the park are two pavilions, a clubhouse concession stand, walking paths to most fields and ample parking. The park is an ideal venue for any level of soccer training.

TOP FACILITIES IN MARYLAND: BROUGHT TO YOU BY MARYLAND SPORTS Maryland Sports attracts, promotes, retains and develops regional, national and international sporting events. Here are 10 of Maryland’s top facilities for hosting your next sports event.

1. Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, Anne Arundel This state-of-the-art facility hosts local, regional, national and international events including Navy football and lacrosse games. Home of Major League Lacrosse's Chesapeake Bayhawks, the stadium has a synthetic field surface, FieldTurf, which allows the stadium to be used 365 days a year. There are also two state-of-the-art video scoreboards, chair back seating, concession stands, end zone seating, luxury suites and additional sideline seating.

7. Municipal Stadium, Washington Home to the minor league Hagerstown Suns, the stadium was built in 1930 and now features a renovated playing surface, seating improvements and a state of the art video board. The 4,600 seat stadium is complete with VIP sections, a beer garden and picnic area.

8. Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Wicomico Boasting a 5,600 seat, 30,000 square foot arena, in addition to 10,000 square feet of secondary space with a fixed stage, the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center is home to over 400 events drawing more than 200,000 people each year.

9. North Worcester Athletic Complex, Worcester The North Worcester Athletic Complex has one senior league field, one junior league field, three little league fields and five multipurpose field—two with lights. The complex features concession stands, covered dugouts, batting cages and warm-up areas, and is open year round.

2. SECU Arena, Baltimore

10. Roland Powell Convention Center, Ocean City

The 5,200-seat venue at Towson University hosts volleyball, gymnastics and basketball events in addition to concerts, commencements and more. The 17,000 square foot arena opened in the fall of 2013 and includes four luxury suites, 340 club seats and was awarded the LEED Gold certification for being energyefficient.

With 214,000 square feet on the inside and 10 miles of beaches on the outside, the Roland Powell Convention Center is a sporting paradise. Its performing arts center and over 50,000 square feet of exhibit halls allows the convention center to hold small and large conferences or cheerleading competitions of many sizes in the renovated rooms and Bayfront views.

3. Baltimore Arena, Baltimore City Named the No. 1 arena in the U.S. by Billboard Magazine and Venues Today, Baltimore Arena holds a variety of events, including the Miss USA competition, Maryland’s first Mixed Martial Arts event and the CAA Men's Basketball tournament.

There are 11,000 seats in the arena, but it can hold up to 14,000 for certain sporting events.

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MARYLAND SPORTS Terry Hasseltine, CSEE, Executive Director 333 W. Camden St., Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21201 410-223-4158 • thasseltine@marylandsports.us MarylandSports.us

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

4 1 2 ERIE, PA

Four professional minor league teams and four colleges give Erie, Pennsylvania a wide variety of sports venues. Add in miles of shoreline along Lake Erie, and this city in northwest Pennsylvania holds great appeal for planners .

Top-Notch Facilities, Outdoors and In 1. Erie Insurance Arena This multi-use indoor arena has hosted tournaments like the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championships, 2014 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite 8 and the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four. Depending on the sport, it can seat up to 6,900 spectators.

2. Presque Isle State Park A 3,200-acre forested peninsula set along Lake Erie’s coastline, it is both a popular place to relax in the sand – there’s seven miles of beach on site – and host outdoor events. The park has been the site of competitive running challenges, beach volleyball and fishing tournaments, and other athletic contests. On average, it hosts 90 sports events each year. The park features 11 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of multi-use trails.

4. Bayfront Convention Center With 28,000 square feet of space and a lofty ceiling in its Great Hall, the Bayfront Convention Center is perfect for gymnastics and cheerleading events. The building is located on Lake Erie’s waterfront, and there is ample free parking on-site and at the adjacent Sheraton hotel.

5. Jerry Uht Park This 6,900-seat baseball mecca in downtown Erie is home to the Erie SeaWolves and comes complete with all the amenities, including a 40-foot video screen.

6. Erie Veteran’s Memorial Stadium The city’s largest outdoor stadium seats up to 10,000 fans and has the capacity to host multiple events at the same time. It is especially popular for football and soccer.

7. Mercyhurst University The school hosts basketball, ice hockey, football and soccer events at its various athletic centers.

3. Family First Sports Park The 17 outdoor fields and multiple indoor sites make it the area’s largest multi-sport facility. It regularly plays host to clinics, camps and tournaments of all kinds. In addition to its outdoor complex, the Sports Park also has two indoor soccer fields, four basketball courts, a turfed sports dome and a fitness center. It is especially suited for soccer, lacrosse, football, basketball, baseball, golf and cheerleading events.

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8. Gannon University Basketball and volleyball events are held at the Hammermill Center, while University Field hosts various field sports.

9. Edinboro University Facilities include Sox Harrison Stadium, which was recently improved with new lighting and a scoreboard, and the 85,000 square-foot Zafirovski Dome for track and field meets. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

10. Penn State Erie, The Behrend College The Junker Center includes three all-purpose courts, an eight-lane swimming pool and a gymnasium and has the capability of hosting swimming, track, soccer, lacrosse and more.

Presque Isle State Park. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it serves up everything from curly fries to foot-long hot dogs and other time-honored American staples.

Easily Reached on Two Interstates Water-Inspired Attractions Continue the Indoor-Outdoor Theme Aside from catching one of the pro and semi-pro games in town, guests can cool down at one of the area’s waterparks.

Waldameer Park and Water World, in operation from Memorial Day to Labor Day, has water rides and slides, arcade games, and other attractions suitable for the entire family. The year-round Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park and Resort offers visitors the chance to relax in a lazy river, splash around in a wave pool, swing through a ropes course and play in the arcade. For adults, the city of Erie is near Lake Erie Wine Country, a 45-mile stretch of vineyards and wineries that is the largest grape-producing region east of the Rocky Mountains.

Presque Isle Downs and Casino is convenient to Interstate 90 and features more than 2,000 slot machines, 48 table games, a state-of-the-art thoroughbred racetrack and a new poker room.

Erie-area dining reflects the presence of the Great Lake; waterfront restaurants and lakeside steakhouses mix with Mexican favorites and traditional American dishes to create a varied culinary scene. Especially popular is Sara’s Diner, a ’50s-style diner conveniently located at the entrance to

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This corner of northwest Pennsylvania is served by Erie’s own International Airport, with direct flights to major hubs like Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia. US Airways, United and Delta provide commercial flights; charter flights can be arranged through North Coast Air. Driving to Erie is also easy, as the city is accessible from I-90 and I-79. It’s a drive of two hours or less from Erie to Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo.

Erie offers numerous lodging options from bed-and-breakfasts to chain hotels. There are about 4,000 rooms available.

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Venue/facility procurement Social media marketing for your event Volunteer staff ■ PR/media coverage Site visits ■ Hotel liaison Discounts to local attractions

ERIE SPORTS COMMISSION Ron Sertz, Executive Director 208 East Bayfront Parkway, Suite 201, Erie, PA 16507 1-800-524-ERIE (3743) • rsertz@visiterie.com ErieSportsCommission.com/spg/

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Nature’s Gifts, Competitors’ Challenges 1. Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort/ Revolution3 Pocono Mountains An exciting September weekend at Shawnee Inn Resort & Golf Resort includes an Olympic-distance triathlon and a Half REV. The Half REV is a professional race with a $50,000 prize purse. Races feature a lake swim, followed by a point-to-point bike with a 400-foot vertical feet plunge over the first four miles into the scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

2. Poconos Golf The Pocono Mountains has a storied history of tournament golf. The many classic courses are joined by modern gems to host events throughout the season.

3 POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA The Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania offers a tradition of family vacation fun and adventure sports competition

3. Pocono Raceway “The Tricky Triangle” is host to two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards races each year.

A NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race was added in 2010. Pocono Raceway also hosts a newly added Pocono IndyCar 500 Race in July. The track hosts such events as April’s Tough Mudder, a 10-12-mile obstacle course designed to test all-around strength, teamwork and mental grit. Late August’s Warrior Dash Pennsylvania is a 3.32-mile wooded course with 12 obstacles.

A History of Hospitality The Pocono Mountains region and its four Northeast Pennsylvania counties have been welcoming visitors for decades. The Poconos is a year-round destination with skiing in the winter. Summers cater to the active traveler with hiking and biking trails, more than 35 golf courses, whitewater rafting, fishing and boating. The area has a living history museum, antique shops, outlet stores and delightful downtown districts.

An Outdoor Playground Close to Big Cities The Pocono Mountains region is located within 300 miles of one-third of the U.S. population and within 90 miles of New York City and Philadelphia.

There’s a Pocono Mountains lodging facility for every budget and need, including family-friendly motels, cottages, condos, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and full-service hotels and resorts.

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Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube PR/Media Coverage ■ Signage ■ Site visits Discounts to local attractions

POCONO MOUNTAINS CVB David M. Jackson, CMP, Vice President of Sales 1004 West Main Street, Stroudsburg PA 18360 Direct: 570-236-1699 • djackson@poconos.org Phone: 570-421-5791 • Fax: 570-421-6927 PoconoMountains.com 128

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG