2016sportsplanningguide

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TH E US SPORTS CONGRESS INVITES YOU TO

FOR THIS YEAR’S SPORTS CONFERENCE AND SPONSORSHIP ACADEMY

Dec. 7-11, 2015

Hosted by the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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elcome to the US Sports Congress, a “Sports Conference Like No Other.”

We extend to you an invitation to explore what makes the USSC different. At the Congress you’ll find increased opportunities to build relationships, learn side by side with industry partners and gain deeper insight into the sports event industry.

If you are looking for a way to move your event marketing and operations to the next level, we’re confident that the US Sports Congress will be the channel that leads to your success.

LOU MENGSOL PRESIDENT US SPORTS CONGRESS

Intimate setting ■ 1 to 1 Ratio ■ Exemplary Professional Development ■ Proven ROI 94% of attendees reported that they booked business because of meetings or contacts they made at the US Sports Congress.

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Register Today Call 608-363-0873 or visit USSportsCongress.com

SPG SportsPlanningGuide

SPG

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SportsPlanningGuide.com • 2016

Rethink Adaptive Sports Join the growing movement

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Event-Ready Destinations

Highlighting hundreds of venues

A Premier Travel Media publication • www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

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Sports Industry Trends for 2016 Rise of the Megacilities Game-changing sports facilities

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MAKE. BELIEVE. SPORTS.

From toy targets to the Olympic archery range, Round Rock shoots o your sports career.

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SP ORTS CA P I TALOF T E X A S .CO M

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SPG SportsPlanningGuide Vol. 7, No. 1, 2016 Edition

FEATURES 8

Going Green in Sports is a Win for All

BY PAIGE POPE

Make a positive environmental and economic impact in sports tourism—all it takes is a team effort.

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Rethink Adaptive Sports

BY LAUREN REINIGER

How can you join the adaptive sports movement?

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Rise of the Megacilities

BY LAUREN REINIGER

Striking facilities generate staggering economic impacts.

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The Sporting Brand

BY ROGER BROOKS

Create a focused brand that sets your destination apart in the sports market.

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10 Rights Holders to Watch in 2016

BY LAUREN REINIGER

Meet the game changers who are revolutionizing sports.

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US Sports Congress to Meet in Fort Myers Next Year The industry’s top decision-makers will meet on Florida’s Gulf Coast in December, 2016.

208 Turn Two for Youth

BY LAUREN REINIGER

The nonprofit equipping underprivileged youth.

COLUMNS 6

The Tangible and Intangible Effects of Sports Tourism BY JUSTIN ROACH

210 Sports Industry Trends for 2016

BY JON SCHMIEDER AND GARY ALEXANDER

ON THE COVER:

The adaptive sports movement is flying high.

(Photo by Marcus Hartmann/Getty Images)

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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30 Racing fans in Fort Worth flock to the Texas Motor Speedway.

SITE INSPECTIONS BY REGION Check out the facilities and attractions of sports-friendly destinations eager to help event planners organize their next tournament or meet.

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WEST

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SOUTH

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MIDWEST

187

EAST

STATE GUIDES These state showcases highlight top tourism assets and some of their best tournament facilities.

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ILLINOIS

128

NORTH CAROLINA

95

GEORGIA

153

SOUTH CAROLINA

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Toyota Park/Chicago Southalnd, IL

ONLINE SportsPlanningGuide.com PLANNER TOOLS ■ ■ ■

1 on 1 Interview Series with Prominent Event Planners Press Box - News from Worldwide Sports Tournament Biz A-Z Guide to Organizing a Sports Event

DESTINATIONS & FACILITIES ■ ■ ■

Extensive Library of Digital Site InSpections Field and Facility Reviews Exclusive Online Features

Subscribe to InSite on Sports Events E-newsletter SportsPlanningGuide.com

Sports Planning Guide

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SPG SportsPlanningGuide

JUSTIN ROACH

Vol. 7, No. 1, 2016 Edition

The Tangible and Intangible Effects of Sports Tourism t’s not just a fad. The sports tourism industry has proven to be a significant economic driver and shows no signs of slowing down.

Destinations throughout the country are stepping up their game by enhancing existing sports venues and building new training and tournament-ready facilities to meet demand.

At Sports Planning Guide we’re also elevating our game from cover to cover with a bold new brand identity, “SPG,” and providing more resources for event planners than ever before.

Throughout the year I’ve visited premier sports destinations like Round Rock, Texas; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Hamilton County, Indiana; Rockford, Illinois; and many others to tour their inventory of facilities.

Although each destination represents its own unique brand and experience for athletes and visitors, they’re all focused on delivering a memorable event experience—and that begins with the facility. Our “Rise of the Megacility” feature highlights 15 game-changing facilities across the nation that have set the bar incredibly high. If you’re in search of more venue options, check out our inventory of 71 Site InSpections (SI) categorized regionally for your convenience. Each SI represents a destination eager to host memorable events along with an overview of local attractions and testimonials from past events hosted.

SPG 2016 also represents sport’s influences well beyond monetary value. After listening to Rico Roman speak at the Olympic SportsLink last fall in Chicago, I had a serious awakening—especially as an Air Force veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan—to a broader scope of the importance of sports. Rico, an American gold medalist in sledge hockey and Iraq veteran whose left leg was amputated

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after an IED attack, explained how rediscovering competition through adaptive sports and the Paralympics changed his life. Hearing Rico made all of us at SPG stop and think: what are the logistical differences in planning and hosting an adaptive sports event? With this in mind, we partnered with several organizations including the National Wheelchair Basketball Association and United States Association of Blind Athletes to present “Rethink Adaptive Sports,” an article that provides tips on how to integrate adaptive sports into your event lineup.

By happenstance on a trip to North Carolina last summer, I met Vince Chelena, executive director of a nonprofit organization called Turn Two for Youth with the mission to collect, refurbish and distribute used baseball and softball equipment to underprivileged children domestically and abroad. Our meeting quickly progressed into a featured article on Turn Two’s incredible story. This feel-good story is a must-read; find out how you can get involved and make a difference.

Sports tourism is here to stay. Along with significant economic implications throughout the country, sport reaches all of us on a deeper level as tourism professionals, competitors, spectators, enthusiasts or parents. We welcome feedback; please don’t hesitate to connect on SportsPlanningGuide.com or to me directly at Justin@ptmgroups.com, 630-7940696.

Enjoy this edition of SPG. Sincerely,

Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

Online Media Director – Lance Harrell lance@ptmgroups.com

Associate Editor – Lauren Reiniger lauren@ptmgroups.com

Contributing Writers Gary Alexander Dave Bodle Roger Brooks Vanessa Day Casey Hess Mackenzie Hicks Christina Oddo Paige Pope Jon Schmieder Madeline Wierzal

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com

Director of Sports – Justin Roach justin@ptmgroups.com

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsi bility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts.

Sports Planning Guide (ISSN 2153-4179) is published annually by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Rd., Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY. The magazine is distributed free to sports events organizers. Single copies for all others is $9.95

Send Address Change to: Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Rd., Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

Justin Roach Director of Sports

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publication All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher .

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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GOING GREEN

IN SPORTS IS A

WIN FOR ALL A positive environmental and economic impact in sports tourism—all it takes is a team effort

By Paige Pope

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he “green” movement has been hitting nearly every facet of society, but there is one area that you may know little about: sustainable sports.

This trending concept can have a huge impact on the community, your sporting event and, of course, the environment.

Going “green” in sports has manifested itself in a variety of ways, each underscored with some major innovation. For instance, a company called repurposed MATERIALS focuses on repurposing—or adapting for use in a different purpose—used sports materials to create an eco-friendly cycle. Professional sports stadiums across the planet are catching on to the concept, too.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ stadium is powered by 11,000 solar panels and 14 wind turbines; the Minnesota Twins collect rainwater to wash stadium seats; Stadium Australia’s electrical power is reduced with natural light, lowconsumption artificial lights, two gas co-generators and an indoor, non-mechanical ventilation system.

You may not be building a professional sporting arena, but you are planning events with the potential to have heavy environmental effects. You can be part of the change. The sports tourism industry can get on board, and youth and amateur events can be part of the cause, too. A huge advocate of the “green” sports movement that you can learn from is Eugene Cascades & Coast Sports Commission. The Oregon-based destination marketing organization partnered with Council for Responsible Sport to create the six-page guide, Responsible Sports Events 1-2-3.

Janis Ross, executive director of Eugene Cascades & Coast Sports Commission, said, “Even when people have the desire to make their event environmentallyfriendly, sometimes the knowledge is lacking or planners don’t even know where to start.”

Sports events create a large amount of waste, but an environmentally-friendly one has recycle and compost bins throughout the venue and uses sustainable materials whenever possible.

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Responsible Sports Events 1-2-3 Responsible Sports Events 1-2-3 covers everything from “green” marketing techniques to “green” transportation. It’s written in a relatable tone so you can focus more on planning and less on deciphering. Specific steps are outlined to be implemented all at once or in a year-by-year action plan. Communications, measurement, pre- and post-event checklists—it’s all in there. Even better, the guide is environmentally friendly to download online (free).

“Sports events produce tremendous amounts of waste, but we can make a big impact with small gestures listed in the guide,” Ross explained.

Why Create This Guide?

The city of Eugene noticed a problem; it produced over 110,000 tons of waste annually. According to research by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the majority of Americans pays attention to sports, while a meager 15 percent care about science and policy.

Eugene saw a need for change and answered by developing the City of Eugene’s Sustainable Sports Initiative, which utilizes the Council for Responsible Sport’s event certification standard to address the community’s environmental, social equity and economic prosperity challenges.

Since many Americans’ passions lie in sports, why not harness that interest to better our ecosystem? Traditional sports marketing can be used to engage fans in sustainable behaviors.

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Sports Planning Guide

“The 2012 Olympic Trials ‘Rethink Waste’ activation diverted over 18 tons of material to compost and had a 78 percent waste recovery rate for the event. But the big win is that in just over two years the city’s commercial compost program has diverted over 3,600 tons of organic material to compost production through the 159 participating businesses,” said Ross.

A scavenger hunt app was part Is the Outcome Worth Your Time and Effort? of a zero-waste Obviously, an environmentally-friendly sporting track event in Eugene, Oregon. event helps Earth. Not so obviously, it helps create a thriving sustainable business ecosystem by strengthening connected programs in the community. Keep in mind that hosting a sustainable sporting event also lends major bragging rights.

“The ability to engage sports fans, event organizers and sponsors to take action in rethinking waste, reducing emissions, and being healthy is transforming our local economy and impacting cities across the globe,” Ross said.

What Can You Do? Eugene’s downloadable guide has it all; but to get started, here are a few sneak peeks. Making your event sustainable can be as simple as serving condiments in bulk versus individual sizes; offering local organic food and drink options; choosing sustainable materials like bamboo for volunteer shirts; placing recycle and compost bins throughout the venue; and implementing a donation for local forest or renewable energy programs. Modifications such as these enable your event to reduce its ecological footprint.

Put the cherry on top of your eco-friendly sports event by registering for the Council for Responsible Sport’s sustainability certificate. Council certification requires events to adopt a “sustainable event standard” to accomplish community goals. The certification trend is growing and by the end of 2014 the council will have certified over 100 sporting events including the Milan Marathon, ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Waste Management Phoenix Open, Mexico City Marathon and Chicago Marathon.

The Sustainable Sports Initiative is easily applicable to any community and any type of sporting event. Start exploring your options and create a plan most suitable for your situation. This is a chance to become a trailblazer in your local athletic community, garner major support for local business and minimize lasting impacts on the environment. Sports and sustainability team up to make an environmental and economical difference in your community. All it takes is someone to take that first step; download the guide at eugenecascadescoast.org/sports/planners/green.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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PLAN YOUR NEXT SPORTS EVENT WITH

CONFIDENCE No matter the sport - indoor, outdoor, on the ice or in the sun, Bakersfield has a venue to host your next event

Call Sports Sales Manager Matt Billingsley toll-free at

866-425-7353

SPECIALTY VENUES INCLUDING

Water Sports Lakes, Racetracks, BMX Track and more!

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RETHINK ADAPTIVE SPORTS With the 2016 Paralympics in Rio receiving first-time nationwide TV coverage and 19 percent of the population having a disability, the adaptive sports movement is growing. More destinations should be hosting adaptive sports events—the right way.

Here is how to bring adaptive sports events to your destination.

By Lauren Reiniger

Why should you care?

The growth of adaptive sports should come as no surprise given that in the U.S. an estimated 48.9 million people (non-institutionalized) have a disability; 24.1 million people have a severe disability; and 34.2 million people have a functional limitation. To solidify the need for adaptive sports, consider this: 85 percent of people with disabilities are not active. This leads to higher rates of medical issues, especially obesity. Frankly, people with disabilities need more opportunities to be active.

What’s the best way to get active? Sports. There is a direct correlation between sports involvement and higher GPAs, higher college attendance, higher employment rates, higher selfconfidence, and higher leadership and teamwork skills.

What questions should you ask?

So you’re interested in hosting an adaptive sport. Before you tackle this, there are crucial points that need to be addressed. Ryan Ortiz, assistant executive director at United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), advises, “Make an early effort to understand the needs of athletes with disabilities.

In USABA’s case, I would urge event planners to reach out to a local agency that serves people who are blind and visually impaired in order to learn about any potential accessibility challenges in or around the proposed hotel/sports venue. Work with those local experts to prepare hotel staff and engage them with your venue team to ensure a topnotch competition.”

Is your sports facility accessible? Do locker rooms have step-over showers or entrances? Does the gym have non-rubber surfaces to allow for maximum wheelchair speed? Are the courts all on the same site?

Is there space for chair storage?

Are your accommodations accessible? Are doorways wide enough?

Are the rooms’ bathrooms big enough? Are there working elevators?

Is there enough width between beds (remember, wheelchairs are side transfers)?

Is your city or town generally accessible? Do restaurants offer open seating and wheelchair-level tables (not high-top tables)? Are sidewalks and stoplights accessible? Does signage include braille? Are service dogs allowed in stores? Are transportation services accessible?

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the details an able-bodied person may overlook—your careful evaluation will pay off. Randy Schubert, executive director of National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA), says, “It’s fun to work with people who have taken the time to create a good experience for athletes. People who do their homework and can demonstrate that they can host an adaptive sport are more successful at hosting these events. If you want to book a client, educate yourself before your pitch. I often get cold-call emails, but when people send me targeted, well-informed proposals, I respond 100 percent of the time.”

Facundo David Rodriguez // Daniel Zappe/CPB/MPIX

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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SIX REASONS TO BRAND YOUR DESTINATION AS HANDICAP-ACCESSIBLE

1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Hosting an adaptive sports event will open your door to more athletes, volunteers, donors, sponsors, board members and even military collaboration.

Disabled military veterans carefully train their arrows on their targets at the 2015 National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG).

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Your community will have a reputation for being a destination for all people of all abilities.

Once you host a tournament, word gets around. If it’s a success, more sports groups will be more inclined to flock to your city.

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Adaptive sport is growing exponentially. There are service women and men injured in the line of duty that are now pursuing sports. Rio Paralympics 2016 will be covered live for 50 hours—the first time in history that the Paralympics will run nationally on NBC.

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You can bet on having many spectators (in addition to players and families) at your events.

You’ll simply be doing the right thing!

SEVEN TIPS ON HOSTING AN ADAPTIVE SPORTS EVENT

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Assess your destination. Paralympic alpine skier and wheelchair basketball player Alana Nichols, the first woman in history to take the gold in summer and winter Paralympic Games, shares this, "Find a wheelchair, sit in it and push forward through the venue. Can you get from the competition area to the cafeteria? Can you access a restroom (including fitting through the stall doors) at each location?

Wear a blindfold and try to access the venue. If you can, that's great. If you can't, that is not acceptable."

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Work with or establish partnerships with your local Paralympic sport club, a single athlete or a local organization for disabilities; invite them to a site visit and get the right perspective.

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When meeting with NGBs, ask if their sports can double as adaptive sport options.

If your destination can claim ADA compliance, it has met the legal standards. Furthermore, if your destination is “wheelchair-friendly,” it has gone above and beyond the ADA handbook to be more orientated toward this group. Market your destination accordingly.

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If you’re hosting an event for blind athletes, utilize signage with braille and don’t solely rely on scoreboards; bring an announcer on board.

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Your destination doesn’t have to host a big adaptive sports event right out of the gate; start by creating adaptive sport recreational programs to get your feet wet.

Athletes compete at 2015 IPC Caixa Loterias Athletics Open Championships in São Paulo, Brazil.

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Alana Nichols

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Provide on-site event surveys for athletes, coaches and spectators so you can gain feedback for future events.

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Rise

of the

Megacilities here’s no denying the impressive impact of sports tourism these days; destinations are taking their sports inventories to the next level. And what happens when vast spaces and top-of-the-line amenities collide? BAM—we present to you this year’s lineup of what Sports Planning Guide has officially coined as megacilities. These herculean sports venues, which have generated an estimated combined economic impact of more than $200 million to date, open their doors to competitions of all calibers where players, coaches and spectators alike will have to pick up their jaws from the state-of-the-art floors and fields.

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By Lauren Reiniger

Spooky Nook Sports Manheim, Pennsylvania Opened June 3, 2013

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Spooky Nook Sports was funded privately by its owner, Sam Beiler, for approximately $11.25 million. After traveling for his daughter’s various sports tournaments across the country, the family decided to create an indoor facility that offers quality customer service, ideal playing and spectator conditions and additional activities during downtime.

The nation’s largest indoor sports complex comprises more than 700,000 square feet under one roof. It offers 10 hardwood basketball courts, six tennis courts, four field hockey courts, 10 volleyball courts and six soccer fields, as well as a full-sized baseball infield and batting cage area. Its outdoor component features a water-based turf field and climate-controlled dome (one of only two of its kind in the world.) Other amenities include a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, climbing center, Clip n’ Climb (the only one of its kind in the nation), meeting and banquet spaces, a food court and arcade.

Spooky Nook Sports has an on-site hotel, The Warehouse Hotel, with 135 guest rooms and a 175-seat restaurant and bar, Forklift and Palate Restaurant.

For volleyball, Spooky Nook’s top events are Martin Luther King (MLK) Kickoff Classic, which takes place in January, and Irish Rumble, which takes place in March. Blue Chip USA Invitational from July 5-8 is the main event for girls’ basketball, and Hoop Group’s Summer Jam Fest in July is the facility’s top boys’ basketball event.

With forecasted attendance of over 925,000 in 2015, Spooky Nook Sports continues to see strong growth and has created more than 400 jobs. In 2014, Spooky Nook contributed more than 10,000 room nights to area hotels and made a positive economic impact throughout Lancaster County and the surrounding community. Hotels, restaurants and area shops reported double-digit growth during peak times of the year in terms of traffic and revenue.

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LakePoint Sporting Community Emerson, Georgia Opened November 2013 LakePoint Sporting Community was privately funded until it received a $32-million bond to support the next development phase: the indoor facility.

Currently, LakePoint’s South Campus offers eight baseball fields, 16 batting cages, three soccer fields, three lacrosse fields, three football fields, 10 sand volleyball courts and Terminus Wake Park, the nation’s largest cable wake park that allows for towed water sports without boats. On site are an open-air pavilion, two 360-degree scout towers, fast-food restaurants, a baseball mini-mall and a Hampton Inn. With more than 1,300 acres nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains and adjacent to Lake Allatoona, LakePoint will feature five million square feet of sports venues and amenities including on-site hotels, restaurants, themed retail, bowling and ziplines. The indoor facility will be the next major economic devel-

opment driver, allowing LakePoint to host a number of indoor sports including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and dance year round.

Major events LakePoint hosts are the World Woodbat Tournament (baseball), The Triple Crown Oct. 18-19, 2015 (wakeboarding) and 2016 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship (volleyball).

Currently yielding over one million visitors in its first year, LakePoint is on track to be one of the world’s largest destinations for travel sports. To date, LakePoint’s economic impact is $80 million in direct spending, $5.75 million in taxes and 1,500 jobs created. The average non-resident spends $122.15 per night, at a rate of a 14-person party size. The local community has seen a 10 percent year-on-year profit increase as a direct result of “The LakePoint Effect.” For instance, in its first week of opening, a National Quick Service Restaurant served more than 3,000 customers. Upon completion of the indoor facility, the local community will see a rise in jobs, up to 200, and in visitor traffic, up to 1 million.

LakePoint Sports’ South Campus is just the start of the all-inclusive destination.

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Round Rock Sports Center (left) comprises 82,800 square feet of flexible, indoor space. Nathan Benderson Park spans 600 acres with a 400-acre lake.

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Nathan Benderson Park Sarasota, Florida Opened to public June 7, 2014

Round Rock Sports Center was funded by revenue bonds, city self-financing and hotel occupancy taxes for a total of $14.9 million.

Round Rock Sports Center spans 82,800 square feet of indoor space with 47,775 square feet of flexible, open space. Several configurations are available, including six high school basketball courts, 12 high school volleyball courts or three NCAA basketball courts. Other amenities include ceiling-mounted basketball goals; divider curtains; Bio-Cushion Classic maple flooring system; HD video wall for displaying brackets, promotional videos or live sporting events; 12 60-inch LCD scoreboard displays programmable by court or linkable by sport; upper-level, VIP-style spectator seating; a training room, tournament room, players’ lounge and referees’ lounge; three multipurpose rooms that can be subdivided into nine; and a concession service and seating area. There is seating for over 1,400 with a capacity of 3,053, and over 500 parking spots. In addition to its indoor features, Round Rock Sports Center has a covered pavilion with a multisport turf surface, playground, concession area and restrooms, and an open-air plaza with a play area and tailgating area.

The center’s most notable events are Heart of Texas National Qualifier Wrestling, Joola National Table Tennis Tour and Austin Juniors Tour of Texas Power League Qualifier, which was hosted five days after the doors first opened and was the largest event Round Rock has hosted in terms of number of teams and spectators.

Round Rock Sports Center had seen 105,000 participants and 180,000 guests as of June 27, 2015.

Nathan Benderson Park (NPB), owned by Sarasota County, was funded through a public-private partnership. A portion of the public funding came from tourist development tax funding. The total cost to date is $35 million.

NPB began hosting events in 2009, but was officially opened to the public as a county park in 2014.

The 600-acre park comprises a 400-acre lake and a 2,000-meter sprint rowing course. Amenities include coaching lanes, a wave attenuation system, starting huts and grandstands. The lake’s perimeter is just over 5 kilometers and features a 15-foot-wide paved path.

Regatta Island is the 30-acre event epicenter in addition to an athlete village, vendor village, boat launch, event headquarters, hospitality tent, ample parking and spectator viewing. Construction for a permanent finishing tower broke ground in August 2015.

Major upcoming events to be hosted at Nathan Benderson Park include the 2016 USRowing Olympic Trials, 2017 World Rowing Championships and 2018 NCAA DI-DII Women’s Rowing Championships.

In the past year, NBP has generated $26.8 million in direct economic impact to the region and has filled 22,600 hotel room nights. This impact was generated from 33 events including regattas, stand-up paddleboard races, dragon boat races, a Pentathlon World Cup, triathlons, 5k races, and 31 different collegiate and club training sessions.

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Round Rock Sports Center Round Rock, Texas Opened January 13, 2014

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Rocky Top Sports World (left) is an indoor/outdoor sports destination. Myrtle Beach Sports Center offers 100,000 square feet of indoor space.

Grand Park Westfield, Indiana Opened March 2014

Rocky Top Sports World Gatlinburg, Tennessee Opened July, 2014

Myrtle Beach Sports Center Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Opened March 7, 2015

Grand Park was municipally funded and received $45 million to create the venue.

Spanning more than 400 acres, Grand Park offers a total of 31 multipurpose fields, 120 by 90 yards each. Seven fields are synthetic, eight are lighted and two are stadium fields. The park also features 26 baseball/softball diamonds, eight of which are synthetic (four full-size and four junior-size). All diamonds have bleacher seating. Other amenities include seven concession stands with restrooms, stateof-the-art irrigation and drainage for rain play, 3,500 parking spaces and two 6,000-square-foot operations buildings. A 370,000-square-foot indoor facility set to open July 1, 2016 will house three fullsize multipurpose fields, 115 by 75 yards each, with space for spectators. The facility will also include a 45,000-square-foot warm-up area, 30,000-square-foot mezzanine concourse for spectator viewing, a 3,500-square-foot meeting room, 1,500 square feet of additional meeting space, and food and beverage services.

Grand Park hosts a wide variety of sporting events—both big and small. Top events include National Cup Championship (soccer), US Soccer Regional Championships and Baseball Youth National Championships.

Grand Park is expecting 1.2 million visitors by the end of 2015. In 2014, the park saw 510,000 visitors from 48 contiguous states and Canada, and the direct, visitor-generated economic impact totaled $43 million.

The $22-million project was funded through a joint venture agreement by the City of Gatlinburg (70 percent) and Sevier County (30 percent).

Rocky Top Sports World is an indoor/ outdoor, multipurpose venue. The outdoor space features seven outdoor fields (six are synthetic turf and six are fully lighted) and its Championship Stadium field; the space is configurable for 13 youth soccer fields.

Ample parking, bleacher seating, restrooms, picnic tables and a children’s play area round out Rocky Top’s outdoor offerings.

The Rock is the name of its 86,000square-foot indoor facility, which offers six hardwood basketball courts (plus four more on site) configurable for 12 volleyball courts (plus five more on site). The Rock includes three team rooms, an event planner workspace, message boards, bleacher seating and Champ’s Grill for on-site dining.

Rocky Top Sports World hosts premier youth and amateur events, camps, special events and tournaments. Past events have included the Gatlinburg Labor Day Soccer Invitational tournament and Tennessee Miracle Basketball tournament in May. Rocky Top will also host the AAU 2018 5th Grade Girls National Basketball Championship.

Economic goals were set at $10 million in the first year of operation; Rocky Top Sports World officials report a $17.5-million impact since opening. The venue has produced 44 multi-day events, surpassing targets by 69 percent.

The $12.5-million Myrtle Beach Sports Center was financed through local government bonds; initial funding came as a part of a state grant.

The 100,000-square-foot Myrtle Beach Sports Center is configurable for eight basketball courts or 16 volleyball courts spread over 72,000 square feet of columnfree space. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, a 12-screen video wall, meeting rooms, seven team rooms, telescopic bleachers, a private mezzanine for elevated viewing and a café with indoor and outdoor seating.

Myrtle Beach’s top events are Varsity Cheer-Spirit Sports, which takes place in the spring every year, Big Shots NCAA Certified Basketball and NTBA Boys National Championship, both occurring in the summer. Each event generated more than $2 million of economic impact and collectively accounted for over $200,000 in direct revenue for the Myrtle Beach Sports Center.

Myrtle Beach Sports Center has generated over $12 million of economic impact to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand Area. This number has surpassed the first year goal of $10 million of economic impact in five months of operation. Additionally, the facility has operated on the positive side of the balance sheet for its first five months. The center has seen 27,635 participants (coaches and players), and has sold 62,487 event day tickets (a combination of event passes and one-day tickets to spectators).

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Art Van Sports Complex Rockford, Michigan Opened August 2014 with inaugural season in 2015 The $7-million complex was funded primarily through donations from community leaders, corporate donors and individuals from the general public. The land was sold through local county government at a substantial discount.

The complex features eight fields in two quads with more than 400 parking spaces. Quad A includes one 385-foot and one 350-foot field, both fenced with skinned infields, and a 385-foot fenced field with a grass infield and stationary mound. Quad A also features a Miracle Field, which is used by players with disabilities, as well as covered dugouts, restrooms, concessions and bleacher seating with 100 seats per side of each field. Quad B includes four 300-foot fenced fields with skinned infields, portable mounds and covered dugouts. Each field has bleacher seating for 100 per side and there is a restroom and concessions building. The Championship Field is a 385-foot, fenced, lighted field with grass infields and stationary mounds, along with covered dugouts and grandstand seating for 1,000. Phase II, when complete, will add a third quad (Quad C), which will be similar to Quad B, and warm-up areas, parking for an additional 400 cars, a championship softball field and youth baseball fields with fence distances of 225 feet.

Top events in 2015 were NAIA – WHAC Softball Championships, USSA Global World Series and GameDay USA National Championships.

Art Van Sports Complex’s first full year of tournaments exceeded expectations with 18 tournaments, which generated more than 650 teams; 8,000 participants (plus more than 20,000 family members); nearly 8,000 hotel room nights and an estimated economic impact of $3 million.

There’s More To Come

Foley Sports Tourism Complex Foley, Alabama

Ballparks of America Branson, Missouri • Expected Open Date: Spring 2016 • Sports: youth baseball (adding softball in Phase II) • Specs: Five turf fields; on-site housing for 40 teams/coaches, includes meals for “stay and play” environment; replica stadiums for 10U-13U play; 150,000 square feet of retail space for arcade, indoor laser tag and climbing wall, trampoline park, a sports grill, museum and wood bat-turning facility • Funding: privately funded • Projected economic impact: 2,500 players, coaches and fans per week from March to November in Phase I; expected to triple in Phase III

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• Expected Open Date: April 2016 • Sports: lacrosse, soccer, football • Specs: 16 multipurpose fields; a championship field with TV-ready lighting, press box, and seats for up to 2,000 (expandable to 10,000); adjacent family-friendly entertainment development with on-site stores, dining and amusement park • Funding: $32 million for the outdoor facility (and indoor facility expected to open in 2017) from the City of Foley; the development through a cooperative district • Projected economic impact: 62 events booked for 2016 including extreme sports, indoor bowling tournaments, disc golf competitions and lacrosse tournaments

RIVERSPORT Rapids Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • Expected Open Date: March 2016 • Sports: rafting, kayaking, canoeing • Specs: 11-acre whitewater center; recirculating channels pumping treated water creates class II-IV rapids; lower flow channel with conveyor system returns paddlers to top; freestyle channel will be highest-volume-pumped whitewater channel in the world; capacity 2,000; stage/area for live music performances; on-site restaurant • Funding: $45.2 million financed by MAPS3 (Metropolitan Area Projects: a 1-cent sales tax for quality of life additions to OKC) • Projected economic impact: an addition to the established Boathouse District; another tourism option during the 2016 USA Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Olympic Trials in May, Oklahoma Regatta Festival in October, Central Youth Rowing Championship in May, 2016 USA CK FLAT water slalom Trials and USOC Road to Rio stop May 6-8, 2016; has potential to generate more events

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

fi

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Sportscore Downtown Rockford, Illinois

• Expected Open Date: Summer 2016 • Sports: basketball, volleyball, wrestling, pickleball, dance, cheer, adaptive sports • Specs: 105,000 square feet; continuous/unobstructed hardwood floors allow flexibility for eight indoor hard-court basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts or wrestling mats, 42 pickleball courts or other indoor hard-court sports; championship court; central entry/office and concession section; second-story mezzanine; approx. 523 parking spaces (500 additional spaces located within 1/4 mile); situated along Rock River in downtown Rockford located near Bypass 20 and East State Street, the main connector to Interstate 90 • Funding: $24.4 million from Reclaiming First/WCRTFB Funding (12 percent), Rockford Park District (15 percent), City of Rockford (30 percent) and grant sources (42 percent) • Projected economic impact: $1.9 million annually of new tax revenue and $16.5 million annually of new private sector economic activity, and 225 jobs

Rome Tennis Center at Berry College Rome, Georgia • Expected Open Date: June 2016 • Sports: tennis • Specs: 51 USTA standard courts including six NCAA regulation courts, three center courts for tournament and collegiate play and one exhibition court with seating for 2,000; 12 courts will be striped to accommodate 10U; 3,846-square-foot clubhouse; all courts lighted with shade cabanas • Funding: $11.9 million will be totally funded by SPLOST (special purpose, local option sales tax) and will be totally paid for upon completion; the 30-acre site was donated by Berry College, the world’s largest college campus with 26,000 acres of land (site is not contiguous to the college’s main campus) • Projected economic impact: conservative estimate of $5 million; plans to host collegiate tournaments, USTA youth and adult tournaments, wheelchair tennis tournaments and professional tournaments

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Seminole County Sports Complex Seminole County, Florida • Expected Open Date: May 2016 • Sports: baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse • Specs: 102 acres; 15 lighted athletic fields (four 385-foot to center; five 350-foot to center; six 315foot to center); nine of the fields are synthetic turf; central pavilion; playground; restrooms; walking paths; food truck areas; picnic area; batting cages; bullpens; warm-up areas; bleacher seating with shade covers; three concession buildings; administration building • Funding: $27 million funded by the tourist development tax • Projected economic impact: five-year plan (2016-2020) shows a total of 184 events generating over 175,000 room nights and an approximate economic impact of $126 million

The Turf Kent County, Delaware • Expected Open Date: fall 2016; full tournament schedule spring 2017 • Sports: soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, football, ultimate Frisbee • Specs: 85 acres; 12 lighted turf fields (13 in phase 2); field house with concessions, restrooms, office space and multipurpose room; ample parking • Funding: $20-24 million from bonds and state grant • Projected economic impact: $18-24 million

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The

Sporting Brand

Do you have what it takes to win?

By Roger Brooks

• Round Rock, Texas: The Sports Capital of Texas • Devon, Alberta: Bike Town Alberta • Indianapolis, Indiana: The Sports Capital of America (primarily motor sports) • Eugene, Oregon: Track Town USA • The State of Kentucky – “Unbridled Spirit” and the equestrian capital of the U.S. • Moab, Utah: The world’s mountain biking capital

foot indoor sports complex that makes Round Rock THE place, year round, to host all things sports-related in Texas.

The key: All successful brands are built on product, not just marketing, and Round Rock clearly “owns” the Sports Capital brand in Texas because it has the “product.”

If ever there was a time to get into the sports tourism game, this is it.

Here are three very good reasons: What do all of these locations have in common? They all have a specific narrow focus that sets them apart from everyone else in their market area. This focus puts them “on the map” as a worthwhile destination for anyone who loves these particular sports. This is what makes for a winning brand.

LET’S DIG IN

Round Rock, Texas. Just north of Austin, Round Rock is home to Dell Computer and has been one of the fastest growing cities in America.

With the growth of the city, the city needed to look at ways of diversifying its economic base. So what’s a city to do? Look for other ways to boost the bottom line. That started with finding a focus—their “unique selling proposition.” Their brand.

One of Round Rock’s greatest assets is Old Settlers Park—a 645acre sports complex that includes 20 baseball diamonds, five softball diamonds, 10 kilometers of running and hiking trails, a first-rate tennis complex, multiple football fields, disc golf courses, a soccer complex and a number of other sports-oriented amenities.

With that as a foundation, Nolan Ryan, the Hall of Fame baseball legend, began developing a minor league team and decided to headquarter it in sports-oriented Round Rock. The team, the AAA Round Rock Express, plays its home games at beautiful Dell Diamond, located in Old Settlers Park. As the farm team for the Texas Rangers, the Express has seen record minor league attendance at its games.

Round Rock’s central location and myriad of first-rate facilities made it a perfect fit to claim the title of “Sports Capital of Texas,” albeit with a focus on amateur and intramural sports versus the professional sports found in the much larger cities of Dallas, San Antonio and Houston.

In 2013 local voters agreed to fund a $14.9-million, 82,800-square-

1. KIDS OF THE MILLENNIALS The millennial generation now outnumbers the baby boomers. While the boomers had their kids in their 20s, the Millennials are having children in their 30s and early 40s. These kids are now arriving at T-ball age. This presents a HUGE and growing young population—the next big wave. It is just now starting to heat up with sports activities as a core driver.

2. MULTIGENERATIONAL TRAVEL The fastest growing trend in tourism is multigenerational travel. The career-driven boomers carry a guilt complex and have a new mission in life: “We may not have been there for our kids, but by gosh, we’re going to be there for our grandkids.”

These boomers will travel just about any distance to attend their grandchildren’s first T-ball game or dance recital, or watch them compete in just about anything from BMX and equestrian events to track and field sports.

The boomers don’t always stay with their kids and grandkids, but they are filling high-end hotels. They eat at nice restaurants and spend plenty of time with the kids and grandkids in “complementary” activities—local zoos, attractions, recreational activities and shopping excursions.

And guess who’s generally footing the bill? Yep, the grandparents.

3. SOCCER IS ARRIVING Soccer, the largest field sport on the planet, is beginning to really gain steam in the U.S. With America capturing the FIFA Women’s World Cup Championship, you can count on soccer continuing to pick up steam.

By the way, soccer is THE sport of the millennial generation in the United States. In Canada, hockey will always reign supreme.

So, should you get into the sports tourism game?

Utah Office of Tourism

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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KentuckyTourism.com

Buzz Summers

Here are the six things you need to be successful as a sports destination, and every state or province should have a sports capital.

1. LOCATION You should be centrally located. Eugene, Oregon, “Track Town USA,” is positioned perfectly, as is Round Rock. In fact, 90% of the Texas population lives within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of the city. That makes it ideal for intramural sports tournaments with teams coming from around the huge state of Texas.

If you’re not centrally located, can you win?

Absolutely—if you narrow your focus to being the capital of a niche sport: archery, sports training facilities, swimming and aquatic sports, racing (motocross, NASCAR), equestrian, single-track mountain biking and other sports that require specific types of terrain or weather (think skiing).

The small town of Devon, Alberta (population 6,500) is located just 20 minutes from Edmonton, a city of a million people. Yet Devon is home to 30 kilometers of paved biking trails, including riverside trails, gear-grinding hills and easy trails. Its focus is getting people to strap their street bikes on the backs of their BMWs, then drive out to Devon for some serious road-biking.

The brand? “Bike Town Alberta.” The tag line: “Grab life by the handlebars.” While Devon is not centrally located, it “owns” the road-biking brand. In fact, the small town hosted Stage 2 of the Tour of Alberta in 2014, a major Canadian road bike race. Nearly year-round you’ll see bikers, in full biking regalia, wheeling through Devon.

2. CONVENIENCE You need to make sure your facilities are grouped together and not spread out all over town. Convenience is the name of the game, and it’s what really helped cement Round Rock’s position as THE Sports Capital of Texas.

3. SHARING Nearly all community sports facilities have been developed and paid for by local citizens through local taxes. Are they willing to share them with visiting teams, and for multi-day tournaments? This makes for a fine balancing act between local use and tourism.

4

. COMPETITION HOW DO YOU STACK UP? Can you outcompete neighboring cities and towns that also have sporting facilities? Having three baseball diamonds doesn’t make you a shoe-in as the next sports capital. Do you have more soccer fields? First-class indoor facilities? Or are your facilities clearly better? Branding is the art of differentiation, so you must make sure that if you claim the sports brand, you clearly have different, better, bigger or more facilities than your neighbors.

Nearby Pflugerville has more soccer fields than Round Rock, so they make a great “partner” in the Sports Capital brand. The more you have to offer collectively, the farther people will travel and the longer they will stay.

Look to creating partnerships with neighboring towns and facilities—and remember that convenience is crucially important.

5.

SPECIALIZATION Start with a niche and then expand it over time. Start by being the Soccer Capital or Bike Town and then add “extensions,” or other sports, to the brand. Eventually you’ll become the undisputed sports capital with a sustainable “brand” that can last for generations.

6.

MONETIZING IT The number one activity of visitors, in the world, is shopping, dining and entertainment in a pedestrian-friendly intimate setting—downtowns. This is where 80% of all non-lodging visitor spending takes place. It’s why Disney has Downtown Disney outside each of its parks. With sports tourism there’s lots of downtime, so your downtown shopping and dining is very important.

Seventy percent of all consumer retail spending takes place after 6 p.m.

This is even truer in sports tourism since most games are day games with visitors looking for things to do at the end of the day. Are you open?

If you can’t effectively monetize your sporting facilities, then you’ve got some work to do!

The bottom line: Sports is the fastest growing leisure-time activity in North America. So find your niche in the sports tourism game and promote it like crazy. And, if you deliver on the promise your brand represents, you’ll win, big time.

Moab, an epicenter of adventure travel in Utah, has established itself as the world’s mountain biking capital.

Roger Brooks is the CEO of Roger Brooks International, based in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He is a world-renowned public speaker on the topics of community branding, product development and marketing.

Over the years Roger and his team have assisted more than 1,000 communities throughout the United States, Canada and W estern Europe.

He can be reached at roger@rogerbrooksteam.com

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AARON SOROKA Chief Operating Officer Great White North Dragon Boat Racing (GWN) Aaron has been with GWN for eight years. For the past seven years he’s focused on developing Walgreens Major League Dragon Boat, produced

by GWN and the only dragon boat series in North America. GWN creates events that provide quality participant experiences, positive economic impacts and fundraising opportunities.

Walgreens MLDB will add a few new events in 2016—making over 10 events across the nation—and expects continued expansion. While national partner relations are still developing, current partnerships include Walgreens, PepsiCo and Neutrogena. Overall participation is growing at over 20 percent annually and the events’ number of traveling teams continues to grow.

CARLOS STREMI President, US FootGolf Association NPO (USFGA) Carlos is a founder of USFGA and president/ founder of FootGolf Illinois, an official member of UFSGA. USFGA is the governing body for U.S. FootGolf and it is a NPO with a 501(c)(3) denomination.

On its board you will find a former PGA of America president, a current PGA chairman and soccer industry professionals.

In 2015, USFGA will have hosted the first National Club Championship and the first National FootGolf Conference. It will be a part of the 2016 PGA Show in Orlando and plans to provide an educational session for golf professionals and course operators. Watch for product development, merchandising partnership and upgrades on FootGolf gear.

10 Rights Holders to Watch in 2016 It’s not all about the top five—football, basketball, baseball, soccer and ice hockey—most popular American sports anymore. Other sports are gaining momentum in the tourism industry, and their rights holders are key players in paving the way for success. Meet the game changers and get the inside scoop on what to watch.

By Lauren Reiniger

JUSTIN MALOOF Executive Director USA Pickleball Association (USAPA)

With 23 years of sports industry experience, Justin became USAPA executive director in 2013. Thanks to his growth and development initiatives, memberships are up 102 percent and sponsorships have increased 78 percent. Locations to play pickleball have increased 103 percent with an average of 76 new locations per month.

In 2015, USAPA has partnered with Aetna for its National Tournament, which has over 700 players and 1,800 matches, making it the largest tournament in pickleball.

In 2016, USAPA plans to increase Aetna's involvement and branding and will also sanction the new US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida.

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BRIAN GRAHAM Executive Director, Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Shortly after joining PDGA as a player in 1991, Brian hosted PDGA-sanctioned events, designed courses and organized a local disc golf club. He began a project with Columbia County, Georgia to build a multi-course competition complex, which caught PDGA’s attention. He negotiated a partnership between the two to create the International Disc Golf Center and a new PDGA headquarters— Brian was hired as executive director in 2007.

In 2015, PDGA sanctioned 2,500 events in 30 countries; membership increased by 28 percent to nearly 30,000. Disc golf is booming worldwide and PDGA opens its arms to strategic and event partnerships, like this year’s with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

ROBIN BAXTER Vice President-Events, NXTsports

After a year at NXTsports, Robin was promoted to vice president of events in 2013. Since then, N XT has grown from five full-time employees to over 25. It operates over 30 events in seven states, ranging from youth experience tournaments to elite high school recruiting events.

While lacrosse is its marquee sport , NXT also operates educational programming and athlete development camps in 12 sports and is looking to expand offerings on the event side, too. N XT has partnered with MVP Lacrosse, and with the addition of a Midwest youth fall event this November, 2016 promises to be a big year.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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BRIAN D'AMICO National Events Senior Manager USA Triathlon

CHUCK HADDAWAY Executive Vice President Athletx

In 2014, Brian was promoted from youth event and program manager to national events senior manager, overseeing the department, bid process and overall event planning.

USA Triathlon will send its top athletes to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and, for the first time, Paralympic Games; U.S. women are currently ranked No. 1, 2 and 3 in the world. In 2014, USA T riathlon was successful in gaining approval for triathlon to be an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women. The goal is to establish programs at 40 institutions by 2020, aided by a $2.6-million grant established by the organization in 2015, as well as a draft-legal national championship specific to collegiate women.

Equipped with more than 30 years of event management, sports, and parks and recreation experience, Chuck accepted the executive vice president position in 2013, less than a year after Athletx was formed. As the only senior administrator, Chuck oversees event location procurement, site logistics, human resources and long-range planning.

In 2016, Athletx will expand into youth fastpitch, creating Youth Softball Nationals, modeled after the great success of Youth Baseball Nationals. Initiatives will be revisited in seeking partnerships to live stream events under the Athletx management umbrella. Youth Baseball Nationals will expand west with event locations in Reno/Lake Tahoe and Southern California.

Professional Disc Golf Association

RON RADIGONDA Executive Director World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Softball Division Ron has been conducting softball events since 1967. In 1998, he was selected as executive director at Amateur Softball Association, then in 2014 became executive director at WBSC - Softball Division.

WBSC is working with the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo Organizing Committee to have baseball and softball added to the 2020 Olympics. WBSC XV Women's World Softball Championship will take place in Surrey , B.C. Canada in July 2016 with more than 20 teams from all over the world. Also in July 2016, WBSC will host its 11th Jr. Men’s Softball World Championship in Midland, Michigan.

GWN Dragon Boat

Hogan LAX

Dragon boat racing, disc golf, lacrosse and pickleball (pictured above) are just a few trending sports that destinations should consider hosting.

USAPA Roderique

MATT HOGAN CEO & Founder, Hogan LAX Matt left high school a dministration to focus on Hogan LAX and provide quality experiences for lacrosse players. Its first tournament took place in 2001 with 28 teams, and now has five tournaments with a total of 752 teams, 14 club teams, three coaching clinics and training programs.

Hogan LAX’s goals are to expand to the West, Midwest or Southeast and to add girls’ events to the current lineup. Current partners include Nike, Gatorade, STX and LaxWorld. What’s trending now is that clubs and organizations are working to come to a decision on whether “Playing Groups” will be categorized by age or grade.

SportsPlanningGuide.com

FRANK GEERS President & CEO American Cornhole Organization (ACO) American Cornhole Organization, founded in 2005

by Frank Geers in Cincinnati, was originally a product/marketing company that used cornhole boards and bags as advertising platforms. It became evident cornhole was more than a backyard game—it became the ACO's mission to create a competitive sport.

In July 2015, ESPN’s “Sport Science” featured cornhole, and ACO hosted its five-day , World Championships X in Knoxville, Tennessee. ACO doubled its active player base from July 2014 to July 2015 by over 1,380 active players from 24 states. In 2016, ACO is aggressively looking for partnerships to help televise the ACO World Championship of Cornhole XI in 2016.

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TH E US SPORTS CONGRESS INVITES YOU TO

FOR THIS YEAR’S SPORTS CONFERENCE AND SPONSORSHIP ACADEMY

Dec. 7-11, 2015

Hosted by the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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elcome to the US Sports Congress, a “Sports Conference Like No Other.”

We extend to you an invitation to explore what makes the USSC different. At the Congress you’ll find increased opportunities to build relationships, learn side by side with industry partners and gain deeper insight into the sports event industry.

If you are looking for a way to move your event marketing and operations to the next level, we’re confident that the US Sports Congress will be the channel that leads to your success.

LOU MENGSOL PRESIDENT US SPORTS CONGRESS

Intimate setting ■ 1 to 1 Ratio ■ Exemplary Professional Development ■ Proven ROI 94% of attendees reported that they booked business because of meetings or contacts they made at the US Sports Congress.

■

Register Today Call 608-363-0873 or visit USSportsCongress.com

SPG SportsPlanningGuide

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he United States Sports Congress has built a reputation for attracting the industry’s leading decision-makers from the world of amateur sport to its annual invitation-only December event.

Top-notch educational sessions, motivational speakers, abundant networking opportunities and an interactive trade show help sports tourism professionals hone their craft and make new connections during the three-day event.

Mix in a winning destination and you have all the ingredients of a successful conference. The congress’ nine-year track record of hosting events at first-class sports and tourism destinations only amplifies the event’s appeal. Witness previous hosts, including Savannah, Reno, Sarasota, and the site of the 2015 congress, Fort Worth.

Keeping up with tradition and setting the tone for its 10th anniversary

T

celebration in 2016, the US Sports Congress has selected Fort Myers, Florida for next year’s event, scheduled for December 5-7.

Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort is the host hotel for conference activities. Set on Punta Rassa, an 85-acre peninsula surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caloosahatchee River, this Sanibel Island resort offers a gateway into the wide-open gulf and the islands beyond. Guests can relax in stylish accommodations overflowing with modern amenities.

Rooms offer breathtaking water views, ensuring visitors never feel far from the sea. Relax at the beautiful outdoor pool or enjoy a rejuvenating treatment at the world-class spa.

As a tourism destination, Fort Myers shines. Away from the congress, delegates will have the opportunity to explore an abundance of waterrelated activities including the beaches, shelling, kayaking, canoeing and

US SPORTS CONGRESS

HEADS TO FORT MYERS IN 2016

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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fishing. On land, the area offers plenty of nature and wildlife, championship golf, biking and hiking, plus world-class attractions such as The Edison & Ford Estate. This tourism icon features 20 acres of botanical landscaping, Edison’s laboratory, a museum filled with inventions, artifacts and special exhibitions, a museum store, historic cottage shop, garden shop and outdoor café.

As a sports destination, the region has some serious game. The area touts two of the 18 major league teams in the Florida Grapefruit League and a Florida State League team. However, baseball isn’t the only hit in southwest Florida. Ice hockey has taken the area by storm while championship golf courses abound. Lest we ignore the abundance of water sports and activities.

Lou Mengsol, president of the United States Sports Congress, is ex-

cited to be bringing the event to Fort Myers. “Strong partnerships are critical to the success of the US Sports Congress. That’s why for our 10th anniversary we’ve chosen to return to the state of Florida and specifically Fort Myers. Over the course of our run, we’ve found no better partners than those in Fort Myers and the Gulf Coast. They have a track record longer than ours of hosting events, large and small, and coordinating them with a great deal of professionalism.”

Gary Ewen, CSEE, business development director for Lee County Sports Development, added, “The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are pleased to be welcoming back the US Sports Congress in 2016. This event allows us to showcase our world-class sporting destination to our colleagues and sports event owners.”

The US Sports Congress is a hosted event for qualified tournament and event planners. If you would like to be considered for placement, please call 608-363-0873 or visit ussportscongress.com.

“The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are pleased to be welcoming back the US Sports Congress in 2016.

This event allows us to showcase our world-class sporting destination to our colleagues and sports event owners.”

—Gary Ewen, CSEE, Business Development Director for Lee County Sports Development

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Rabobank Arena, home to the Bakersfield Condors hockey team, is just one of the city’s top-notch facilities.

SI West Region

F

rom the Pacific to the Plains, towns big and small attract sports planners with tournament-ready fields, gymnasiums, pools, arenas, stadiums and waterways.

Besides offering top-notch accommodations and visitor attractions, each Western destination highlighted in this regional section has a wealth of experience in hosting events and a dedicated staff of experts with all the tools to help make your tournament the best it can be.

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SITE INSPECTIONS

30 32 34 36 38 40 43 44

Fort Worth, TX Plano, TX Frisco, TX Round Rock, TX San Marcos, TX Bryan-College Station, TX Campbell County, WY Reno-Sparks, NV

46 48 50 54 56 58 60 62

Eugene, OR Snohomish, WA Rapid City, SD Oakland, CA Stockton, CA Fairplex, CA Bakersfield, CA Vallejo, CA

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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FORT WORTH, TX Parks, Arenas and Complexes Fit Your Facility Needs 1. Fort Worth Convention Center Sports: Indoor events Within walking distance of thousands of downtown Fort Worth hotel rooms, a variety of delicious restaurants and fabulous shopping, and offering 253,226 square feet of event space, the Fort Worth Convention Center is the perfect venue for your next event. State-of-the-art business and communications technologies and a convenient location near all of the amazing entertainment Fort Worth has to offer ensure you’ll have everything you need for a successful event. The Fort Worth Convention Center Arena offers 10,500 permanent seats and 25,960 square feet of floor space (110 feet by 236 feet).

2. Rolling Hills Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer The complex features 25 soccer fields, four of which are lighted fields.

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As the 16th-largest city in the U.S., Fort Worth offers all the luxuries of a big city with the convenience of a small town.

3. Will Rogers Memorial Center Sports: Indoor events, equestrian, livestock shows This massive 105-acre multipurpose complex of event facilities and exhibit halls is located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District. The Will Rogers Auditorium features 2,856 permanent seats, a proscenium stage and extensive dressing room capacity.

The Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall includes the Texas Room with over 94,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the 18,000-square-foot Round Up Inn ballroom and four additional meeting rooms. The Will Rogers Equestrian Center features over 2,500 horse stalls, multiple warmup areas and three show arenas.

4. TCU Athletic Facilities Sports: Football, basketball, tennis Amon G. Carter Football Stadium (capacity of 44,000) features natural grass, concession stands, a raised seating bowl on the west and north ends, suites, club seating, lounges and a press box.

Schollmaier Arena is used for basketball and offers 7,200 seats.

Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center & Bartzen Varsity Courts has 24 outdoor and three indoor tennis courts and seats 1,350. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

5. Gateway Park Sports: Softball, soccer The park has six softball fields, 11 soccer fields, including four with synthetic turf, and seats 4,000.

Enjoy a True Texas Experience Enjoy a truly Texas experience when the final whistle blows. The Fort Worth Cultural District is home to five world-class museums in a beautiful park-like setting, including Kimbell Art Museum—home to the only Michelangelo in the Americas. Stockyards National Historic District hosts the world’s only year-round rodeo: the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. Also found here is Billy Bob’s Texas, the “World’s Largest Honky-Tonk,” and the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive presented by the Fort Worth Herd. The district is filled with sites from the Old West with Texas-themed shopping and cuisine, rodeos and Western saloons. You’ll see legendary structures such as the Livestock Exchange Building and the Stockyards Station shops and restaurants.

Downtown/Sundance Square is a 35-block shopping, entertainment and dining district featuring 30-plus restaurants, three live theaters, an AMC movie theater, art galleries and more. The newly added Sundance Square Plaza includes water features, 32-foot-tall Teflon umbrellas and the historic Chisholm Trail Mural. Fort Worth is also home to Texas Motor Speedway and BIG HOSS, the world’s largest HD video board.

Texas Motor Speedway is America’s second largest sports and entertainment facility, just 20 miles north of downtown, and is now the only speedway in the country to host every major form of American automobile racing, including NASCAR Sprint Cup racing and Indy-style racing.

Less than 15 miles from downtown Fort Worth, you can catch a Dallas Cowboys football game at AT&T Stadium, or take in America’s favorite pastime with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. To top it all off, Fort Worth has over 13,000 hotel rooms with a good offering of double/ double rooms (including almost 1,200 in downtown).

Centrally Located and Easy to Access The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, known locally as The T, provides transportation to the city’s rich variety of entertainment and historical attractions including the Stockyards National Historic District, the Fort Worth Cultural District and downtown’s Sundance Square.

In addition to inter-city transportation, The T offers the TRE, or the Trinity Railway Express, for transporting passengers to and from Dallas. The 35-mile TRE Commuter rail line to Dallas is easily accessible from either Fort Worth’s Historic T&P Station or the Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC).

Fort Worth sits at the crossroads of three major interstate highways (I-35, I-20 and I-30). Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), located 17.5 miles from Fort Worth, is one of the most convenient airports in the world with an average of 1,900 daily departures and arrivals and service to more than 200 destinations worldwide.

FORT WORTH CVB

Josh Dill, CSEE, CTA, National Sales Manager, Sports 817-698-7827 • joshdill@fortworth.com FortWorth.com

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PLANO, TX These Aren’t Your Average Parks

Plano provides a major league sports support infrastructure to conduct the best competitions possible.

1. Russell Creek Park

3. Enfield Park

Sports: Cricket, soccer, baseball Russell Creek Park features 20 lighted turf fields, seven cricket pitches and four baseball diamonds. In fact, the park has more cricket pitches than anywhere else on the North American continent and hosts international cricket tournaments. Russell Creek Park also has a small lake, hiking and biking trails, a pavilion, concessions, a playground and restrooms.

Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer Enfield Park offers eight lighted baseball fields of varying sizes and seven lighted youth soccer fields. The park also features restrooms, concessions, a shade shelter and plenty of parking at both ends of the park.

2. Heritage Yards Sports: Softball With nine lighted softball fields, concessions and restrooms, Heritage Yards at Plano is the venue for softball leagues, events and tournaments throughout three seasons. Other amenities include a playground multiuse court, vending, restrooms, an on-site main office and ample parking.

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4. Carpenter Park Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, baseball Carpenter Park features 16 soccer fields that can also be used for lacrosse, and there are eight baseball fields—four lighted, two championship baseball fields and two additional baseball fields. There are also restrooms and playgrounds, the Carpenter Park Recreation Center and ample parking.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. High Point Park Sports: Soccer, softball The park has 14 soccer fields and 11 softball fields.

Other amenities include restroom, offices, concession stands and a playground.

6. Plano Sports Authority Sports: Basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, cheer and dance, baseball, softball, martial arts, track, rugby, wrestling, golf, flag football Better known as PSA, there are three of these 80,000+ squarefoot, indoor sport facilities within 15 miles of each other in Collin County. Each facility has at least eight full-size, top-of-the line wood courts, meeting space, concessions and plenty of restrooms.

A Cornucopia of Dining, Shopping and Sightseeing Options Plano is big on dining and shopping. From a family breakfast spot to a hip bar for a night out, downtown Plano’s urban dining scene will suit any palate. With more than 700 restaurants in Plano, your group’s only problem will be deciding exactly where to eat. Urban Crust, Zanata and Urban Rio offer rooftop dining, and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit stop is just a block away.

Speaking of food, on Headquarters Road you can bypass the headquarters of Frito-Lay and Yum Foods. There are more than 70 shopping centers at several locations in town, including the Collin Creek Mall and the Shops at Legacy.

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A favorite attraction in Plano is Main Event, an indoor entertainment center with billiards, bowling, laser tag and more.

Another hotspot in the area is Hawaiian Falls Waterpark, which is nearby many of the facilities. Visitors receive discounted coupons to the waterpark. See what it’s like to fly at iFly, an indoor flying simulator located in Frisco, Texas. There’s plenty more to see and do in Dallas, which is just 22 miles from Plano, such as the Dallas Arts District, Perot Museum of Nature and Science and Dallas Aquarium.

A Short Drive from Dallas Drive just 20 miles north of Dallas and you’ll run straight into Plano. Major thoroughfares heading north and south include the Dallas North Tollway, State Highway 75 and Preston Road. East and west accesses include State Highway 121, Highway 190 (President George Bush Turnpike) and Interstate 653. Plano is right on the DART light rail and bus line. Plano is 20 minutes north of two major airports—Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL)—with a total of 2,000 flights daily.

PLANO CVB

Cissy Aberg, Sport Sales Manager 972-941-5849 • cissya@plano.gov VisitPlano.com

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FRISCO, TX

Sports planners and organizers find nothing but star quality when they bring their sporting event to Frisco, Texas, a booming athletics town.

Elite Athletic Facilities: A Tournament Planner’s Dream 1. Dr Pepper Arena Sports: Hockey, basketball, volleyball, arena football, tennis, gymnastics This multipurpose arena is the home practice facility for the Dallas Stars NHL team, and the home of Texas Legends of the NBA Development League and the Texas Tornado hockey team.

The arena features two NHL-sized sheets of ice and can hold over 6,000 spectators. It offers a wide range of concessions onsite, as well as 12 luxury suites and a private club. There are two 1,000-space parking garages adjacent to the arena.

2. Dr Pepper Ballpark Sports: Baseball, softball Opened in 2003, Dr Pepper Ballpark is home to the Frisco RoughRiders minor league team. It has been voted one of the top ballparks in the U.S. and praised for its village-like design.

It has a seating capacity of 10,000, and the outfield grass offers even more spectator space. The ballpark features 27 suites and two party decks, as well as an on-site restaurant, which has seating for 200 people banquet-style or up to 300 people for receptions.

The ballpark also features 3,000 parking spaces for tournament attendees.

3. Toyota Stadium Sports: Soccer, football When the stadium was built in 2005, it was truly innovative.

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enthusiasts. The venue includes a world-class stadium that is home to FC Dallas of Major League Soccer and seats over 21,000 spectators. Adjacent to the stadium are 17 lighted, regulation-size, tournament-grade soccer fields, several of which are turf. One field provides seating for around 600 people, and there is ample parking surrounding the complex. The main stadium features concessions onsite, 24 luxury suites and stateof-the-art broadcasting technology.

4. Fieldhouse USA Sports: All A multipurpose, 144,000-square-foot, event- and league-based facility, the Fieldhouse is available for use by club and recreational leagues across the country. It comprises 12 full-size, hardwood basketball and volleyball courts that can be reconfigured to accommodate a variety of sports, as well as indoor soccer and football turf. Each court features bleachers that can hold 300 people, but can be adjusted for larger tournaments. The venue also includes a 5,000-square-foot food court, large-screen TVs and a 10,000square-foot athletic training facility.

5. Frisco Conference Center Sports: All sports The 90,000-square-foot conference center is a versatile facility that can accommodate a wide range of sports events in Frisco. The venue has played host to a number of regional and national tournaments. Sports planners can reconfigure the space to fit their needs, and the center can seat upwards of 3,000 people, depending on the event. There are concessions and restrooms onsite, plus plenty of parking at the attached hotel. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters & Training Facility Sports: Football, soccer This 91-acre multipurpose venue, dubbed The Star, is slated to open in 2016, and will be the new headquarters and training facility for the Dallas Cowboys NFL team. It will include a 12,000seat event center, an upscale hotel, and indoor and outdoor practice fields.

Frisco is an Easy Trip Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Frisco is well situated in the central part of Texas and offers sports teams a true taste of Texas culture, history and pride. Frisco is conveniently located just 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas, and within a few hours’ drive of Oklahoma City, Houston, Austin and many other major cities. It is accessible by US 380, the Dallas North Tollway, Sam Rayburn Tollway and SH 289. Frisco is 25 minutes from both DFW International and Love Field airports.

Planner Perspective “Frisco is like a Mecca when it comes to recreational facilities in Texas. They have some of the best in the state and we look forward to working with the facilities and staff every year.”

— Mark Lord, Texas Amateur Athletic Federation

FRISCO CVB

Chuck Brakes, Sports Sales Manager 972-292-5262 • cbrakes@friscoissports VisitFrisco.com

Frisco Offers Lots to Do After the Final Whistle Blows The young—and young-at-heart—will revel in the many fun attractions in Frisco. Buckle up and drive at Pole Position Raceway, an indoor go-kart facility that offers a number of racing formats. Sports teams can spend a whole day at Main Event, a 65,000-squarefoot entertainment zone with pool tables, 28 lanes of bowling, two-story laser tag, twostory gravity ropes course and hundreds of video games. If your tournament takes place in the summer, check out Frisco Athletic Center Water Park, complete with a lazy river, lagoon pool, two water slides and more.

For something fun and educational, head to the Sci-Tech Discovery Center. This offers hands-on experiences that get kids excited about science, math and technology.

The Heritage Museum is a monument to the history of Frisco and features interactive exhibits that tell the story of the city’s past.

Shopping enthusiasts will appreciate Frisco’s eight million square feet of retail and dining. Stonebriar Centre is one of Texas’ premier shopping malls, with major chain stores and family-friendly attractions. You will find unique shops and eateries in Frisco Square and along Main Street, as well as at the acclaimed Shops at Starwood.

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ROUND ROCK, TX

The Sports Capital of Texas gives sport planners a big Texas welcome and a wide choice of cutting-edge facilities.

Tournament Planners Find Everything They Need 1. Round Rock Sports Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling, badminton, pickleball The Round Rock Sports Center opened in January 2014 and has already hosted numerous events including basketball, volleyball, wrestling and table tennis tournaments. The $14.9million facility boasts 82,800 square feet of indoor space with 47,775 square feet of flexible, open, playable space. Several configurations are available, including six high school basketball courts, 12 high school volleyball courts, three NCAA basketball courts or four badminton/pickleball courts. In addition to the many indoor features, the Round Rock Sports Center has an outdoor pavilion and plaza. The covered pavilion features a multi-sport turf surface, playground, concession area and restroom facilities.

2. Old Settlers Park Sports: Outdoor sports This 645-acre park features an 18-hole disc golf course, seven playgrounds, 40 picnic areas with barbecue pits, a regulation remote-control airplane strip, seven soccer fields, two football fields, a 12-court tennis complex, sand volleyball courts, cross country courses, 3.3 miles of paved trails and a three-acre area designated for special events. There’s even a lake, which is frequently stocked by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Fish Hatchery.

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Champion Fields sits within Old Settlers Park. Here, you’ll find 20 baseball fields, five softball fields, 18 batting cages, five covered playgrounds, 39,000 square feet of shaded spectator areas and ample warm-up areas.

3. Dell Diamond Sports: Baseball Right next door to Old Settlers Park is Dell Diamond, home to the Texas Rangers’ AAA affiliate, the Round Rock Express. The park’s proximity to Old Settlers makes it an ideal championship or main field for any large baseball tournament. Dell Diamond has 8,722 fixed seats and can seat another 3,000 in the outfield lawn area. Fans enjoy the pool and hot tub over the right field fence, and kids love the adjacent basketball court and climbing wall.

4. Dragon Stadium Sports: Football On the campus of Round Rock High School, Dragon Stadium features a full-size track and AstroPlay turf field with a drainage system to allow play in any weather. For events that require a lot of administration and may draw media, Dragon Stadium’s two press boxes are sure to impress. The home side press box is two stories and features a refreshment area to go along with its radio, TV and coaches booths. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

5. Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex Sports: Football, soccer, lacrosse The Round Rock Independent School District went a step further when putting together its athletic complex, building a stadium that rivals many Division I college football arenas. With parking for 2,750, total seating for 11,000, 950 stadium seats and a beautiful oval-shaped campus, this complex makes a great championship locale for football, soccer or lacrosse events. Televisions are fixed at concession areas so fans won’t miss any of the action while away from their seats.

Finding Fun and Food an Easy Task Round Rock has no shortage of attractions and entertainment for visitors outside of their venerable sport facilities. Shopping, familyfriendly adventures and food are bountiful in this city.

A leisurely tee time at one of Round Rock’s seven golf courses can make for a relaxing morning. The Rock’n River Family Aquatic Center is a family-friendly water park, perfect for cooling off. Another great leisure activity is taking in a game at the Dell Diamond, home to the Texas Rangers AAA baseball team, the Round Rock Express.

Those wishing to spend time shopping in Round Rock will enjoy popular stops like Round Rock Premium Outlets, Ikea and Bass Pro Shops.

Visiting athletes are urged to try some of Round Rock’s delicious Texas cuisine, such as traditional fare served by Jack Allen’s Kitchen or that famous Texas-style barbecue served at Rudy’s BBQ. Enjoy more of the city’s unique flavor by taking a tour of historic downtown Round Rock, including the rounded rock that gave the town its name.

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Deep in the Heart of Texas Round Rock resides in an ideal location, with 90 percent of Texas’ population lying within a three hour drive of the city. Austin is only a half hour away. Dallas and Houston are only three hours away. With I-35 passing right by Round Rock, travelers will find the town quite easy to access, especially from Austin to the south and Georgetown to the north.

Route 75 and Texas Toll road 45 provide convenient access from the east. Austin Bergstrom International Airport, only half an hour from Round Rock, is serviced by 13 major airlines.

Planner Perspective “I love the Round Rock Sports Center….The facility is gorgeous and one of the most well thought out facilities in the US, but the main reason I chose Round Rock is because of their amazing staff. They are first-class, accessible, considerate and helpful. The staff goes above and beyond with every detail and is very hands-on. That's the most important part for me.”

—TJ Ford, NCAA Texas basketball legend

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ROUND ROCK CVB

Nancy Yawn, Director 512-218-7094 • nyawn@roundrocktexas.gov SportsCapitalofTexas.com

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SAN MARCOS, TX San Marcos Facilities Deserve a Standing Ovation 1. Gary Softball Complex Sports: Softball Gary Softball Complex is an eight-field complex for youth and adult fast- and slow-pitch softball. Four fields feature skinned infields with 300-foot fences and all fields are LED-lighted.

2. Five Mile Dam Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer Five Mile Dam Soccer Complex is located on the banks of the Blanco River. This 43-acre complex features 10 soccer fields, four of which are lighted, a pavilion, concession stands and a playscape.

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Located in the middle of the Lone Star State, San Marcos offers countless opportunities for a successful sporting event.

3. Purgatory Creek Natural Area Sports: Track Purgatory Creek Natural Area is a 570-acre park that’s ideal for bikers or runners. It has natural trails for a rigorous racecourse with medium to difficult trails. You can hike along an old jeep track and through upland meadows, canyon bluffs or thickets.

4. Strahan Coliseum Sports: Volleyball, basketball, cheer, dance The 7,200-seat Strahan Coliseum is an $8.8-million facility that can accommodate volleyball, basketball, cheer and dance competitions. It is home to Texas State University’s basketball and volleyball teams. Beginning in 2016, the Coliseum will undergo a $54-million expansion, adding 2,300 seats by building out the eastern side of the arena. An additional 81,000 square feet will turn the facility into the multi-use Texas State University Event Center by 2019. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Bobcat Baseball Complex Sports: Baseball The Bobcat Baseball Complex can accommodate 2,000 spectators for a baseball event and is home to the Texas State University baseball team. Rent the complex to compete where college-level teams play. The complex has a state-of-the-art video scoreboard to document the game play by play.

miles northeast of Laredo. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is located in Austin, the capital of Texas. Other nearby airport options include San Antonio International Airport, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

6. Rio Vista Park Sports: Kayaking, tubing and other water sports This park on the San Marcos River offers whitewater drops for kayak slalom and flatwater areas for kayak polo and other live water competitions. Amenities include a city swimming pool, hike/bike trails, tennis courts, basketball half-court, picnic tables, bbq grills and a pavilion.

SAN MARCOS CVB

Clancy Hardin, CTE, Destination Events Manager 512-393-5934 • clancyh@sanmarcostexas.com TourSanMarcos.com

Enjoying Your Time in Texas Hill Country There are so many fun activities to add to your itinerary while visiting San Marcos.

For an adrenaline rush, visit Skydive San Marcos. Choose from a tandem skydive experience, hot air balloon adventure or helicopter ride to view the scenic Hill Country.

If you’re interested in the water and its inhabitants, The Meadows Center is the place for you. Check out underwater marine life or see springs bubble from the headwaters of the San Marcos River from a glass bottom boat or kayak tour. Wonder World Park, the country’s only earthquake-formed cave, is also a great spot for those looking to go beneath the surface.

Wimberley Glassworks displays daily demonstrations of little particles of silica and sand turned into glass art. Take home a new handmade kitchen set or flower vase as a souvenir.

San Marcos is filled with different cultures and lifestyles—due to this its restaurants have a huge range of flavors. From food trailers near the river and international cuisine, to home-cooked treats and comfort food, the team’s bellies won’t be rumbling much longer.

The Hitch: A Mobile Eatery is a fun spot to stop downtown for a quick bite to eat.

A Convenient Hill Country Location San Marcos is located in Central Texas Hill Country, between Austin and San Antonio. It is located on Interstate 35, 30 miles south of Austin, 47 miles north of San Antonio, 165 miles west of Houston and 202 SportsPlanningGuide.com

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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TX

Brimming with team spirit, the home of Texas A&M University lives and breathes sports.

Collegiate Facilities and Local Venues Make the Grade 1. Veterans Park Athletic Complex (VPAC)

3. Brazos County Expo

Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey This 150-acre park features a pavilion with 500-seat capacity, parking for 400 cars, five baseball fields and nine soccer fields, four of which are lighted. Two artificial football-length turf fields include a new lighting system and parking spots, allowing for day and evening play—no matter the conditions.

Sports: Equestrian, rodeos, livestock events The 70,000-square-foot North Arena is located in the heart of the Brazos County Expo complex. This venue is ideal for equestrian and other livestock competitions, such as horse shows, rodeos, clinics, livestock shows and other events. The South Arena, at 75,000 square feet, is used for cutting, dressage, barrel races, polo events, ropings and more.

2. Bryan Regional Athletic Complex (BRAC) Sports: Softball, baseball, soccer, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, running This multipurpose facility is enhanced by four lighted adult softball fields, a Little League baseball field, one girls softball field, nine soccer fields, two tennis courts, a basketball court, two sand volleyball courts, two pavilions and a half-mile walking/nature trail.

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4. Reed Arena Sports: Basketball, volleyball A 12,989-seat events center is located on the west side of the Texas A&M campus. The facility is the home of the Aggie men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams. It contains the main arena, a full-size practice gym, meeting rooms and plenty of parking. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Texas A&M Natatorium Sports: Swimming, diving The Student Center Natatorium is home to the Aggie swimming and diving teams. The venue showcases a 50-meter, eight-lane competition pool equipped with two moveable bulkheads that allow for either two 25-yard or 25-meter courses. It also features a 17-feetdeep dive pool that contains one-, three-, five-, seven-and-one-half- and 10-meter diving platforms. Adjacent to the dive pool is a 20-yard, fivelane instructional pool for swimmers with special needs.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Texas A&M Penberthy Rec Sports Complex Sports: Football, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, rugby The newly renovated Penberthy Rec Sports Complex on the Texas A&M campus is a great option for outdoor sports. It has four artificial turf fields and nine natural turf fields, which can host a variety of sports.

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Family Fun, Local Traditions and Down-Home Food Visit the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum for an intimate look at the life of the 41st president, or learn about local history and culture at the Brazos Valley African American Museum. Your team can catch a live show at Grand Stafford Theater or the Theatre Company of Bryan-College Station; or spend the day shopping at the unique stores of Downtown Bryan.

When your players get hungry—and they inevitably will—grab some good old-fashioned Texas barbecue at Buppy’s BBQ, Fargo’s Pit BBQ or C&J Bar-B-Q. Satisfy their sweet tooth at the Blue Bell Creameries’ production facility, just 45 minutes south of Bryan-College Station.

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Smack Dab in the Middle of the Texas Triangle With over 30 hotels and more than 4,000 rooms, Bryan-College Station has no shortage of space for your participants. The area accommodates thousands of people attending the Aggie football games each fall, so hosting large tournaments isn’t a problem at all. BryanCollege Station is located right in the middle of the Dallas-HoustonSan Antonio triangle, and is in the center of 80 percent of all of Texas’ population. Both Houston and Austin are roughly an hour-and-a-half drive away. United and American airlines fly into Bryan-College Station’s Easterwood Airport from Dallas and Houston. Teams from around the country can fly into either the Austin or one of two Houston airports, which are about an hour-and-a-half from Bryan-College Station.

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Planner Perspective “The Bryan-College Station staff is very professional and has been a pleasure to work with over the last 10 years. The facilities are great for our events and the hotels and restaurants do an excellent job taking care of our teams. Any sports event planner that has the opportunity to work with them is guaranteed to be just as pleased with the results.”

— Brandon Hollmann, COO, PrimeTime Sports, LLC

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION CVB Dominique Powell, Sports Sales Executive 979-260-9898 • dominique@bcscvb.org VisitAggieland.com

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CAMPBELL COUNTY, WY

This beautiful area of Wyoming welcomes athletes of all kinds, but extends a special invitation to thrill-seekers and daredevils.

State-of-the-Art Facilities for Any Event 1. Energy Capital Sports Complex Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, BMX, skateboarding, sand volleyball Nicknamed the “Field of Dreams,” this brand new complex spans 320 acres and is the perfect venue for large-scale baseball, softball and grass-sport events. It is home to eight multipurpose grass fields, eight fast-pitch softball fields, four regulation baseball fields and 11 youth league fields.

Additionally, the complex contains three outdoor basketball courts, three sand volleyball courts, a skate park and BMX course.

2. CAM-PLEX Sports: Rodeo, equestrian, roller derby, hockey, figure skating This sports center in Gillette is the most popular equestrian and rodeo sports facility in the area. The 52,000-square-foot East Pavilion is perfect for equestrian events of all kinds, while the 42,000-square-foot Central Pavilion often hosts roller derby tournaments. CAM-PLEX Equestrian Center contains a series of jumps ranging from beginner to preliminary and Morningside Park offers holding pens, shaded bleacher seating, concession areas and the perfect space for rodeos. Nearby, Wrangler Arena provides seating for 300 in addition to bucking and roping chutes, holding pens and an earthen

floor arena that can accommodate both rodeo and equestrian events. CAM-PLEX also offers Spirit Hall Ice Arena, the perfect venue for figure skating competitions and hockey games.

3. Campbell County Recreation Center Sports: Basketball, swimming, racquetball, track, tennis The center offers three basketball courts, a six-lane lap pool, five indoor tennis courts, a six-lane track and four racquetball courts.

It also has an elevated walking track, a concession area, locker rooms, a weight room and a zero-depth leisure pool complete with waterslides.

The Best of the West Experience awe-inspiring northwest Wyoming on the tranquil waters of Keyhole State Park or on a Campbell County driving tour that gets you up close and personal with antelope, badgers, mule deer and coyotes.

See Vore Buffalo Jump, a sinkhole where Native Americans captured the bison that still roam the plains, then head to Devils Tower, America’s first national monument.

Traveling to Campbell County

Campbell County sits right next to I-90, about an hour-and-a-half southeast of the Wyoming-Montana border. Cities under eight hours away include Denver; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Billings, Montana; Bismarck, North CAMPBELL COUNTY CVB Mary Silvernell, Executive Director Dakota; and Sioux Falls, South 307-686-0040 • mar y@visitgillettewright.com Dakota. Delta and United fly into VisitGilletteWright.com Gillette-Campbell County Airport from Denver and Salt Lake City.

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RENO-SPARKS, NV These Facilities Can’t Be Beat

All bets are in for sports planners creating events in Reno, a premier location for sports events and big wins.

3. Golden Eagle Regional Park

Sports: All With a little creativity, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center can host virtually any indoor sports event. The 500,000-square-foot facility has hosted events such as the Summer National Fencing Championships, Junior National Volleyball Championships, USA Team Handball Championships and Jam On It AAU basketball tournaments. Choose from one of five massive exhibit halls to host your event. The facility also has meeting rooms that can be used for registration, coaches meetings or trophy ceremonies

Sports: Soccer, baseball, football, softball, volleyball, bocce Growing grass in the desert isn’t easy, so the Sparks Park District decided to make history. Built in 2008, the sports complex at Golden Eagle Regional Park covers more than 100 acres and features more than 1.4 million square feet of artificial turf, making it the largest facility of its kind in North America. The complex features four full-size baseball fields, four youth baseball fields, six softball fields, three full-size football/soccer fields, four volleyball courts and two bocce courts. With ample parking, seating, lights and pavilions, Golden Eagle Regional Park is a great, allin-one tournament venue.

2. Reno Events Center

4. Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center

Sports: All From pop superstars to headlining comics, the Reno Events Center is just the right size. Every square foot of Reno's most versatile venue is built for entertainment, from world tour concert kickoffs to electrifying boxing matches, and everything in between. Its flexible 7,000-seat capacity and its location in the liveliest part of the city make it the place to be in Reno. The REC also hosts the NBA D-League Reno Bighorns, and has been the home of multiple D-League Showcases as well as World League Volleyball.

Sports: Equestrian, monster truck, motocross, wrestling The world-famous Reno Rodeo takes center stage at the RenoSparks Livestock Events Center every June. The rest of the year the RSLEC hosts a variety of sports events, from monster truck rallies to motocross races to wrestling tournaments. For equine or rodeo-type events, the RSLEC features 19 barns, two indoor arenas and one outdoor arena. The main indoor arena holds 6,200, while the livestock pavilion seats 1,000. Despite having “livestock” in its name, the RSLEC functions like a convention center and regularly lays down the flooring necessary to host a variety of sports events.

1. Reno-Sparks Convention Center

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5. National Bowling Stadium

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Bowling Spanning 363,000 square feet with 78 championship lanes, Reno’s National Bowling Stadium is the largest bowling stadium in the world.

Visitors can fully equip themselves in the stadium’s pro shop and enjoy a leisurely day at the stadium club. It also features a 172-seat theater and a 440-foot-wide screen, the longest video screen in the world.

The stadium can be recognized from miles away due to the 80-foot-tall silver bowling ball perched atop its roof. For all-in-one bowling tournaments, there truly is no other venue like the National Bowling Stadium.

6. University of Nevada Sports: Football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball Home of the Wolf Pack, the University of Nevada offers Division I facilities to tournament planners looking to host events during the summer months. The Mackay Stadium is a lighted, artificial-turf football stadium that seats 30,000. Its basketball arena, Lawlor Events Center, seats more than 11,000. Virginia Street Gym hosts volleyball games and can seat up to 1,800 people. Peccole Park is the school’s exceptional lighted, artificial-turf baseball stadium, which seats 3,000. And there is also Christina M. Hixson Softball Park, which has room for 1,500 fans.

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Reno Offers Nonstop Fun off the Field In a city as exciting as Reno there is something to satisfy everyone in the family. Adults can enjoy its numerous casinos and nonstop nightlife. Dad can have a relaxing day at one of Reno’s 50-plus golf courses, while mom has her pick of its first-class spas and resorts. At The Discovery Museum in downtown Reno, everyone can get involved in the science center’s hands-on experiments and exhibits.

Wild Island Family Adventure Park gives kids a chance to run around at its many pools and waterslides, test out their driving skills on the go-karts or strike out the competition at the bowling alley. Gather up the team and take them for an exhilarating adventure at Ultimate Rush Thrill Park. Combining the elements of hang-gliding, bungee-jumping and sky diving into on 185-foot tower fall, this park sets the stage for the perfect team-building activity.

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Travel to Reno by Car, Plane or Train Located off of Interstate 80 and U.S. 395, Reno is easily accessible for drivers both in and out of state. For those traveling from California, an option is Amtrak’s California Zephyr. Reno Tahoe International Airport (RNO), a short ride from the city, is served by all major airlines.

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Planner Perspective “Triple Crown Sports has seen increasing success in the Reno-Tahoe area over the last four years. The RSCVA sports staff, our hotel partners, and all the area’s sports facilities have gone above and beyond for TCS and our tournaments.”

—Bill Walters, Western World Series director with Triple Crown Sports

RENO-SPARKS CVA

Shelli Fine, Director of Sports Development 775- 827-7790 • sfine@renotahoeusa.com VisitRenoTahoe.com

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4 EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST, OR Facilities Second to None 1. Willamalane Center for Sports & Recreation Sports: Basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, football, lacrosse, martial arts, gymnastics, dodgeball, pole vaulting, rock climbing, roller sports, weight lifting, swimming This 97,000-square-foot center boasts four regulation-sized basketball courts, four indoor tennis courts, three roller derby rinks, 12 volleyball courts, four outdoor artificial turf fields and a 33-foot-high rock climbing wall. There is an offsite Swim Center equipped with an eight-lane lap pool. Willamalane also offers meeting rooms, fitness classes, an indoor driving range and bouldering wall. The center’s parking lot has room for at least 500 vehicles and also offers bus parking. Notable events hosted at Willamalane include the Basketball and Powerlifting segments of Oregon’s Special Olympic Winter Games, annual Pole Vault Summit and Emerald Team Challenge Gymnastics Competition.

2. University of Oregon Sports: Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, track & field, cheer, dance, soccer, lacrosse, football, volleyball, tennis, swimming, badminton Matthew Knight Arena: Able to seat 12,500 spectators comfortably, Matthew Knight Arena is the largest indoor sports venue in Eugene. This university complex lends itself to basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.

Hayward Field: One of the most famous track and field facilities in the world, Hayward has hosted five U.S. Olympic Trials, 11 NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships and four U.S.A. Track & Field National Championships—it’s no

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From fir forests to free throws, explore the ins and outs of planning a competition in Eugene, the Emerald City of Oregon.

wonder Eugene is known as TrackTown USA. The venue offers permanent seating for 10,500 visitors but portable seating can easily be added to house larger crowds.

University of Oregon Recreation Center: The 250,000-squarefoot recreation center offers 11 basketball courts, 15 volleyball courts, 27 badminton courts, a 12-lane lap pool, six indoor tennis courts and six outdoor tennis courts. Outside, the center accommodates soccer, football and lacrosse with four well-lit turf fields and two grass fields.

3. Lane Events Center Sports: Basketball, hockey, figure skating, BMX, equestrian, roller derby The Rink Exchange, home to the Eugene Generals Ice hockey team, is a 85-by-192-foot ice arena that seats 2,700 guests and is perfect for hosting hockey games and figure skating competitions.

The center is also home to Emerald Valley, an indoor BMX course, and 75,000 square feet of multipurpose space. Lane Events Center features 2,500 parking spaces, catering and a dirt-covered pavilion for equestrian events.

4. Washington Jefferson Skate Park Sports: Skateboarding As the largest covered and lit skate park in the entire United States, WJ Skatepark attracts skaters of all levels to its blended skate terrain. Offering a combination of street and transition-style skate surfaces, the park is also home to several horseshoe pits and a performance area. The Tactics Northwest Jam is annually hosted here.

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5. Ted Norman Memorial Baseball Complex

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Baseball With four state-of-the-art ball fields complete with bullpens and dugouts, it’s no wonder Willamette Valley is one of the finest baseball facilities in the Pacific Northwest. The fields are equipped with a full concession stand and a spacious parking lot, and have hosted events such as the Pacific Northwest Regional Invitational (11 or under) as well as the annual Cal Ripken All-Star Baseball Tournament.

6. Dexter Lake Recreation Site Sports: Rowing, sailing, open-water swimming, triathlon, disc golf In addition to providing the perfect environment for sailing and rowing regattas, Dexter Reservoir is also known for its fishing and 18-hole disc golf course. Past events include the Columbia Drag Boat Racing Northwest Nationals and University of Oregon and Oregon State rowing regattas.

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Gateway to the Great Outdoors Many places out West offer trails and waterways that are begging to be discovered, but Eugene takes outdoor exploration to entirely different heights. Why kayak down a river when you can row over a petrified forest that rests beneath 100 feet of crystal clear water? Don’t hike along an average trail; climb 500-year-old trees that stretch 200 feet into the air. From dune buggy rides across the beach to biking trips that end in a view of 1,500-year-old lava flows, Eugene’s wilderness is built for athletes who are looking to test their limits. Your team also can watch 200 frolicking sea lions at Sea Lion Caves. Closer to town, try bird watching at Cascades Raptor Center, or take advantage of the lack of sales tax in Oregon and shop downtown Eugene.

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Eugene is Easily Accessible Eugene is two hours south of Portland and connects to the city via I-5. Other metropolitan hubs that are under eight hours away include Seattle and Tacoma, Washington; Sacramento, California; and Reno, Nevada. Interstates 5 and 105 connect to the city via Route 99.

Nearby highways include 58, 101 and 126. Eugene Airport is just 15 minutes from the city center and is served by Alaska, Allegiant, Delta, American and United airlines. Airlines flying into Portland International Airport, less than two hours from Eugene, are Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United.

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Planner Perspective “Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports provides superb support for our CEVA Presidents Day Tournament in Springfield every year. We enjoy working with their staff to ensure all of our players, coaches and families have a fabulous weekend.”

—Breen Goodwin, former CEVA Executive Director (CEVA – Junior USA Volleyball)

EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST SPORTS COMMISSION

Janis Ross, Executive Director 541-743-8753 • janis@eugenecascadescoast.org EugeneCascadesCoastSports.com

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WA DISCOVER a Sports Venue For Every Game

Snohomish County, Washington offers the ideal backdrop for a variety of sporting events—from basketball and ice hockey to triathlons and golf tournaments.

1. Walt Price Fitness Center at Everett Community College

4. XFINITY Arena at Everett

Sports: Basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling, martial arts This elite sports venue plays host to a range of events, including basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling and martial arts, among others. The facility has a full-size basketball court with bleachers for 2,200 spectators, as well as a three-lane indoor running track, weight room and 2,382-square-foot multipurpose room.

Sports: Hockey, figure skating, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball, rodeo, endurocross Home to the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club of the Western Hockey League, the XFINITY Arena features two sheets of NHLsized ice and hosts a variety of events, including hockey, figure skating, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball, rodeo, endurocross and trade shows. There are 8,300 seats in XFINITY Arena and 250 in XFINITY Community Ice Rink.

2. Skykomish River Park Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee This multipurpose sports complex features four baseball/ softball fields and three soccer fields. It can be used for baseball, softball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and even dog shows. With seating for up to 600 people, Skykomish can accommodate small and mid-size sports tournaments.

3. Snohomish Aquatic Center Sports: Swimming, diving Well-suited (no pun intended) for regional and international competitions, the Aquatic Center has a 10-lane competition pool with two one-meter diving boards and seating for up to 420 people.

It also features a recreation pool, warm-water pool, spray-play area, surf-simulation machine, lazy river and a waterslide—so everyone can have a little fun.

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5. Evergreen State Fairgrounds Sports: Equestrian, rodeos, motocross, basketball, wrestling, martial arts, gymnastics, cheerleading, racing Located in Monroe, the fairgrounds provide venues for a number of sports events. There is a 60,000-square-foot indoor equestrian park with seating for 2,700 spectators. It hosts everything from equestrian to rodeos to motocross. The 33,000-square-foot Gary Weikel Events Center has held events for basketball, wrestling, martial arts, gymnastics and cheerleading. Evergreen Speedway has 3/8 and 5/8 ovals and a figure-eight track, as well as two motocross tracks, one for youth and one for adults.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Lake Tye Park Sports: Baseball, football, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, softball, wakeboarding, skateboarding, running This multipurpose facility hosts baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, wakeboarding, skateboarding and triathlons. It features two baseball/softball fields, one soccer field, an outdoor basketball court, two tennis courts and a 41-acre lake. Bordering Lake Tye Park is Fairfield County Park, which hosts sports such as soccer, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee.

Snohomish County Has an Adventure Around Every Corner When the final whistle blows, Snohomish County waits with dozens of exciting activities for teams. If players still have some energy, take them to Vertical World—America’s First Climbing Gym®, where they can spend hours scrambling up the walls of this unique facility. Traxx Indoor Raceway is an exhilarating indoor go-kart experience that’s great for athletes of all ages.

Take your crew on a thrilling canopy tour through the forests of the Cascades or hiking through the mountains or even on a river rafting expedition. For a more cultural, laid-back adventure, head to the Museum of Flight Restoration Center to see vintage aircraft from the 1920s to the 1960s; or check out the Sculpture Garden at the Arboretum, home to artwork from some of the Northwest’s most renowned artists. OPEN UP to adventure.

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Between Seattle and Canada Snohomish County is the ideal location for national and international competitions. Snohomish County is conveniently located about 25 miles north of downtown Seattle and a little over 100 miles south of Vancouver, Canada. Interstate 5 and 405 provide easy access for most of the Pacific Northwest. The region is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is about 40 miles away and offers flights from many major airlines.

Two ferry routes with ports nearby allow participants and spectators from Canada and the Western US another easy entry point to Snohomish County.

Planner Perspective “The Snohomish County Sports Commission’s presence in the community and partnerships with local people for our events have created streamlined events from start to finish.”

—Renee Carlson, Triple Crown Sports Executive Director of Basketball/WNIT

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION

Tammy Dunn, CSEE, Sports Development Manager 888-338-0976, ext. 102 • tammy@snohomish.org Snohomish.org

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RAPID CITY, SD Event Planners Find Superior Venues for Sports of All Kinds 1. Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, wrestling Built in 1977, the 250,000-square-foot Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is the largest event center in South Dakota and is no stranger to tournaments and big games. The Rapid City Rush of the minor league East Coast Hockey League calls the Civic Center home, as did the Rapid City Thrillers basketball organization. The facility was renovated in 2008 to double capacity, and can seat 5,000 for hockey and 6,000 for basketball and other floor sports. The center is located in the heart of the city near major highways. Stadium-style parking is available around the center, and locker rooms are available for players and coaches.

2. Central States Fairgrounds Sports: Indoor sports, livestock shows, motocross Located in the center of town, the Central States Fairgrounds is nestled on a 45-acre property with campgrounds, restrooms and food service on site. The grounds have hosted livestock shows and other fair activities and can host groups from the dozens to the thousands. The 118,000-square-foot event center hosts indoor 50

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One of the nation’s top tourist destinations, Rapid City, South Dakota provides a one-two punch of exciting leisure-time activities and world-class sports facilities. sports and has seating for more than 5,000. Motocross sports have found a home at the fairgrounds as well, with grandstand seating for 6,000. Parking is located south of the campgrounds, and the grounds are located just off state highway 79.

3. Sioux Park Sports Complex Sports: Football, soccer, track and field, tennis, baseball, swimming On the west side of Rapid City is the versatile Sioux Park Sports Complex, which offers facilities for a spread of sports. A 1,500-seat soccer and football field is surrounded by an eight-lane, quarter-mile track with amenities for field evets. Twelve tennis courts are right next to the field, equipped with lighting for nighttime play. Four racquetball courts are on the tennis portion of the campus. There are three baseball fields of different sizes for various ages and abilities. Indoors are a basketball court ready for tournament play and a competition swimming pool.

4. Parkview Sports Complex Sports: Softball, tennis, swimming The Parkview Sports Complex on the south end of town is just five years old, offering six fast-pitch softball fields and 12 posttension-concrete tennis courts. Portable bleachers provide ample seating for spectators. The complex is no stranger to @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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tournaments, hosting numerous ASA and local events like the annual Scheels Mount Rushmore Classic Softball Tournament. The tennis courts have hosted events as well, including the South Dakota State Tennis Tournament. Plans to expand the park include a playground and additional restrooms and parking. North of the fields are an outdoor competitive swimming pool and the municipal pool.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

5. Dakota Fields Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, football Opening in spring 2016, the Dakota Fields Soccer Complex is set to feature 21 regulation fields, 12 of which will be lighted for play after dark. The complex has space for vendors and will feature parking for 600, full concession and restrooms. The $12-million facility is located just a mile north of Interstate 90.

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6. Rapid City Urban Mountain Park Sports: Cross country, biking, tennis, sand volleyball, basketball The 390-acre park property includes miles of trails over several smaller parks. Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park features a renowned mountain bike trail spanning 12 miles. Founders Park Plaza has four lighted sand volleyball courts, and its 60 acres provide excellent trails for biking and running. The 40-acre Chuck Lien Family Park provides more biking and running trails. The Rapid City Dirt Jump Park, built in 2009, is maintained by the Mountain Bike Association.

Mount Rushmore and Much More Mount Rushmore National Memorial may be the crown jewel of the Rapid City area, but visitors also can check out dozens of others sights, including the Crazy Horse Memorial (another mountain carving) and quirky parks like Reptile Gardens and Dinosaur Park. Families will love Cosmos Mystery Area, a scientific anomaly where comedy and geology mix, as visitors walk through a cabin unbalanced on its foundation.

Downtown Rapid City abounds with unique shops, restaurants and museums. Don’t miss the City of Presidents statues, a unique walk through the history of our elected leaders.

The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs is the final resting place of more than 100 prehistoric mammoths and dozens of species of other plants and animals. Find one of the world’s largest bison herds at Custer State Park, which offers hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, plus water sports on its four lakes. Explore subterranean wonders at Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

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Rapid City: A Great Location Interstate 90 runs right through Rapid City, stretching all the way from Chicago from the east. To the west, I-90 goes to Seattle. From the southwest, I-90 connects with I-29 to Kansas City. Rapid City Regional Airport offers flights from around the country on Delta, Allegiant, American and United airlines. It’s located 15 minutes southeast of Rapid City.

VISIT RAPID CITY

Julie Schmitz Jensen 605-718-8485 • jensen@visitrapidcity.com RapidCitySports.com

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OAKLAND, CA

Oakland in Northern California isn’t just for the big leagues—bring your team to play where the big dogs play.

Superb Facilities Attract Event Planners 1. Jamtown

3. Dry Ice Roller Hockey Arena

Sports: Basketball, volleyball Jamtown is the best spot in the East Bay area to host a basketball or volleyball tournament. This 40,000-square-foot facility has four full basketball and volleyball courts made of maple hardwood.

All are marked and lined for each group with arena-style backstops, state-of-the-art scoreboards, professional trainers and premium food and snacks for guests in the stands. Its basketball hoops are professional NBA-style portable hoops.

Sports: Hockey This indoor rink includes pro-style dasher boards, NHL goals, four locker rooms with showers and a glass enclosure, giving it the feel of a professional hockey game. Dry Ice Roller Hockey Arena welcomes youth and adult leagues, tournaments, pick-up hockey, rental clinics, and summer and holiday hockey camps.

2. Oakland Ice Center Sports: Ice hockey, figure skating, broomball, curling This facility is operated by the professional NHL team, the San Jose Sharks. Located in downtown Oakland, it is perfect for corporate, youth or community teams of any size. The Olympicsized ice rink at Oakland Ice Center not only serves hockey teams, but figure skating, broomball and curling teams as well.

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4. Oakland Convention Center Sports: Gymnastics, running The Oakland Convention Center hosts two main sporting events annually. The Oakland Running Festival is held every March in Snow Park near Lake Merritt. It features 5K’s, marathons, half-marathons and relays. The Gold Country Classic Gymnastics is held at the Oakland City Center every year and includes both men and women’s levels.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. O.co Coliseum Sports: Baseball, football Traveling teams are welcome to rent out O.co Coliseum, home to the Oakland Raiders and Oakland Athletics, for games and tournaments and play on the famous fields with two state-of-the-art scoreboards.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Oracle Arena Sports: Basketball Oracle Arena is a top-notch facility with a 19,200 seating capacity.

This is the arena where Golden State Warriors, the 2015 NBA champs, play. Rent out the court to play where famous athletes have stepped before you.

Enjoy Lake Merritt, Unwind in the Redwoods and See the Oakland A’s Oakland thrives with an endless list of fun activities to keep visitors busy before and after the games. Explore Redwood Regional National Park to see the tallest trees in the world, the California redwoods. You can bring a picnic lunch or jog the trails at this peaceful grove. Oakland is also home to the Oakland Zoo and Children’s Fairyland, Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyland. Lake Merritt, technically a tidal lagoon, is the jewel of the city and a popular area for shopping, dining and admiring the city’s beauty.

Get a taste of Oakland’s foodie neighborhoods on various food tours and enjoy signature chicken and waffles from California’s Chef of the Year, Tanya Holland, at Brown Sugar Kitchen. Ready to shop ‘til you drop? Discover vintage finds on College Avenue.

Stop and smell the tulips during the Mountain View Cemetery Tulip Festival, trot through Oakland Hills on a horseback ride, take an architectural walking tour, learn to juggle at the Kinetic Arts Center, listen to live music at Yoshi’s Jazz Club, watch a movie outside at the Great Wall of Oakland or write your own fortune at the cookie factory tour in Chinatown. If Major League Baseball’s Oakland A’s are in town, tickets to a game are sure to satisfy your players and families.

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Traveling to Oakland Oakland is under an hour by car from San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. Oakland International Airport is five miles south of downtown Oakland and one of three airports in the San Francisco Bay area— San Jose International Airport and San Francisco International Airport are the other two. Oakland is served by low-cost Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air.

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Planner Perspective “Producing the Oakland Triathlon Festival in Jack London Square and the city of Oakland has been an incredible experience! The Jack London Square and city staff as well as jurisdictional decision makers have made the planning process and execution flawless and are extremely professional in the way they conduct business.”

— Ryan Coelho, The Oakland Triathlon

VISIT OAKLAND

Samantha Scott, Sales Manager 510-629-4763 • samantha@visitoakland.org VisitOakland.org

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STOCKTON, CA

In the heart of the Golden State, Stockton is a hidden gem with world-class sports facilities, amenities and leisure activities, knocking tournaments out of the park.

Top-Flight Facilities for a Wide Range of Events 1. Banner Island Ballpark Sports: Baseball The Stockton Ports, the Class A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, call Banner Island Ballpark home. The minor league club moved to the waterfront facility after it was built in 2005. The park holds 5,200, with 4,200 stadium seats. It includes four luxury suites, two picnic areas and elevated club seating. On the banks of McLeod Lake, the marina-style ballpark offers an excellent backdrop your players and spectators will enjoy. The park offers full concession and restrooms, and parking is found to the west and north.

2. Stockton Arena Sports: Hockey, basketball, volleyball, arena football, indoor soccer Right next door to Banner Island Ballpark is the home of the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat. Also located on McLeod Lake, Stockton Arena opened in 2005 as part of a $68-million project.

The NHL-regulation ice is smooth as glass. During hockey, soccer and arena football games, the waterfront arena seats 9,700. For court sports, the facility can house more than 11,000. With full concession and restrooms, spectators will take in the games comfortably. Parking is available in the parking garage northwest of the arena.

3. A.G. Spanos Arena – University of the Pacific Sports: Basketball, volleyball The University of the Pacific basketball and volleyball teams call A.G. Spanos Arena home as they take on their NCAA Division I 56

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rivals in the West Coast Conference. The facility has seen a number of renovations since the new millennium. In 2000 the facility was refurbished with a new court and in 2004 it received a new video board and scoreboard. In 2007 a new sound system was installed. The 6,150-seat facility is located on the University of the Pacific campus on the southwest side.

4. Klein Family Field – University of the Pacific Sports: Baseball Next door to Spanos Arena on the campus of the University of the Pacific is the home of the Pacific Tigers’ baseball team. Klein Family Field opened in 2006 as the new home of the Tigers. The 2,500-seat facility received a renovation in 2007, adding batting cages and lights to the park. In 2009 the field got a facelift, getting a new upper concourse and receiving full concession and restrooms the next year. Players will enjoy the natural-grass field and covered dugouts.

5. Arnaiz Softball Complex Sports: Softball The four-field Arnaiz Softball Complex is located on the campus of Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy on the northeast side of Stockton. It has played host to a number of high school events, as well as the Central California Athletic Association Division II Conference Softball Championships. The complex offers bleachers at each of the four fields. All of the fields are equipped with lighting for night play. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Billy Hebert Field Sports: Baseball The former home of the Stockton Ports, historic Billy Hebert Field is a popular spot for high school tournaments at its location on the near north side of the city. A staple of baseball in Stockton since 1953, the 6,000-seat stadium features an artificial-turf playing surface and live video broadcasting. The grandstand is the same one built when the park opened in the 50s. It has also been used as a practice field for the Stockton Lightning Arena Football League. The field is lighted and offers restrooms and concessions.

Stockton Offers Many After-Game Options Located in California’s Central Valley, Stockton is the location you’re looking for, one that guests will be talking about for years. It won’t take long as you walk around downtown Stockton to realize it’s the city’s cultural and entertainment hub. Historic buildings house unique boutiques and culinary finds.

Art enthusiasts can check out the Haggin Museum, home to a world-class selection of 19th century painters. For players who need a Vitamin C boost, try the weekly farmers market every Friday between May and October. Around town you’ll find cuisines of all ethnicities, including Mexican, Asian, Italian and American.

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Easy to Find from All Directions Interstate 5, locally known as the West Side Freeway, connects with interstates from the San Francisco area and runs north to Sacramento; it runs south to Los Angeles. The Golden State Highway, State Route 99, runs to the east side of Stockton from Sacramento down into the heart of the southern portion of the state. Drivers from the east come into Sacramento via Interstate 80 on their way to Stockton.

Stockton’s Metro Airport is located on the southwest side of town. It services non-stop flights from Las Vegas and Mesa via Allegiant Airlines. Metro airports a short drive away include San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento.

Planner Perspective “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with our friends at Visit Stockton in hosting the West Coast Conference baseball championship the last two years. With a central location and terrific facilities, Stockton has truly been a home run for our event!”

—Jeff Tourial, Associate Commissioner, West Coast Conference

VISIT STOCKTON

Tim Pasisz, Director of Sports & Tourism Development 209-938-1556 • tim@visitstockton.org VisitStockton.org

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FAIRPLEX, CA

Pick Fairplex in Pomona for your next sporting event in Southern California to show off your team’s hard work— and prove that teamwork makes for dream work.

A Single Site with Multiple Uses Attracts a Wide Variety of Sports Fairplex Sports Facility Sports: Marathons, fun runs, crossfit, martial arts, cheer, dance, gymnastics, raceways, baseball, softball, t-ball With a prime location on nearly 500 acres including grass infields with a grandstand seating capacity of 9,000, Fairplex Sports Facility can accommodate all kinds of events. Best of the 58

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Best Karate Tournament, the Color Run and Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals are a few of the competitions held on its campus. There’s an infield with grandstands for baseball, softball or t-ball competitions and a racetrack that hosts two National Hot Rod Association races. The Expo Halls host cheer and dance regionals annually. Home to more than 500 year-round entertainment, education, consumer and trade events, this Pomona facility is a chameleon, capable of pleasing a variety of parties. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Downtime Options Abound at Fairplex and Throughout Southern California Fairplex hosts many entertaining events that will that interest a traveling group. Among the crowd-pleasers on its calendar are TLC Summer Discovery Camp, the Great Train Expo, music festivals such as HARD Summer Music Festival, RailGiants Train Museum, Reptile Super Show, Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show, LA County Fair, Red Bull Straight Rhythm, California RV Show, Oktoberfest, Harvest Festival…and the list goes on.

Not only are there fun events at Fairplex, but also great dining opportunities. McKinley’s Grille and Finish Line Sports Grille are both located on Fairplex’s campus. Every week on Food Truck Thursday you can get your dinner out of a vehicle.

Fairplex’s lodging options include a 244-suite Sheraton Hotel, which features a state-of-the-art conference center. KOA RV Park is also a possibility; it includes 12 acres with 185 full-service sites and fully furnished cabins for those who don’t own an RV. As for activities outside of the Fairplex campus, Pomona has a big event that draws sporting groups in, both participants and supporters. Pomona was a host town to the three-day Special Olympics World Games.

The 2015 game was the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world since the 1984 Olympic Games—an exciting milestone for Southern California.

Being so close to Los Angeles, why not stop by the City of Angels? Get a glimpse of the 45-foot-high white letters of the Hollywood Sign, a symbol of Tinseltown.

Also check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame and rides and attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood. Venice Beach, near Los Angeles, has volleyball nets, fishing piers, a 16,000-square-foot skatepark and the Ocean Front Walk, aka “the boardwalk.”

Anaheim, also close by, is home to one of the top 10 tourist attractions in the country, Disneyland. Shopping, entertainment, events, dining and Disney characters galore— Disneyland has all the checkpoints. Minutes away from Disneyland in Buena Vista is Knott’s Berry Farm theme park, where you can chase the thrill on roller coasters or cool off at one of Soak City Water Park’s slides.

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A Convenient Location in the Heart of Southern California Fairplex is an easy drive from Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Riverside, San Fernando Valley, Victorville & High Desert and San Bernardino. Seven different interstate systems can be taken from any direction—north, south, east or west. Pomona is just an hour from Los Angeles International Airport and nine miles west of Ontario International Airport. Sheraton Fairplex offers free shuttle service.

FAIRPLEX

Melissa DeMonaco-Tapia, Director of Sales Phone: 909-865-4042 • demonaco@fairplex.com Fairplex.com

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BAKERSFIELD, CA Tournament Planners Find First-Rate Facilities in Abundance 1. Rabobank Arena Theater and Convention Center Sports: Hockey, indoor sports This vast, 17,000-square-foot arena with even larger attached spaces serves many purposes, from meetings in the convention center to sport events in the arena. Musical shows and concerts take place there, the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors roost in the facility’s ice rink. As much as Bakersfield uses this impressive facility, visitors are always welcome to the use all available space, the multi-use arena and convention center, which has an attached hotel so players and planners can stay right where they need to be.

2. State Farm Sports Village Sports: Outdoor and indoor sports The large complex offers spaces for indoor and outdoor sports of all kinds. The 170-acre facility has 16 soccer fields set in a beautifully manicured natural landscape. The village also has four football fields. A majority of these fields are lighted for night play.

Multi-use trails for walking, running or biking wind throughout the park. Restrooms, meeting areas and free Wi-Fi are among the amenities.

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Bakersfield has the best interests of planners and athletes at heart with outstanding facilities and entertainment options.

3. Mesa Marin Sports Complex Sports: Softball This 15-acre facility offers visiting teams four softball fields equipped with lights for nighttime games. Bleachers beside each diamond, with shade protection, offer spectators a protected vantage point for viewing the games. The landscaped park also includes a restroom and concessions area. Ample parking is available in a lot right off of Highway 178. This complex is so well used and loved by local teams that a recent motion for expansion of the facility has been approved, with the prospect of more softball diamonds and leisure areas, such as a playground and dog park.

4. Aera Park Sports: Baseball This impressive park serves as a recreational location for locals, with restrooms, a playground, Wi-Fi and other amenities along with picturesque landscapes and connective walking paths. For visiting athletes, eleven baseball fields of varying size are available, with three lighted for night play. Stands for spectators and a concessions area round out the facility’s essentials. The diamonds are used by a variety of local teams and leagues ranging in age, most belonging to Bakersfield Southwest Baseball, including a Championship Division for children and young adults with special needs. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. CSUB Sports: Swimming, soccer, sand volleyball, indoor sports California State University at Bakersfield, or CSUB, has a number of sport facilities for its own teams and just about all are available for use by outside teams as well. The Icardo Center, with its famous blue floor, is used by the school for volleyball, wrestling and other sports. Just about any indoor sport can find a home in the Icardo Center. Other facilities include an aquatic center and pool, a sand volleyball court and soccer field.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Kern County Soccer Park Sports: Soccer This 86-acre park has 24 regulation-size soccer fields. Parking is available for approximately 5,000 vehicles, including an RV parking section. This vast establishment is equipped with lighted fields, restrooms and several snack bars. A referee trailer and central headquarters building with a PA system allow a variety of events to take place year round, in just about any type of weather. Host to a number of soccer leagues, ACES, BOSL and Premier League being just a few, this soccer complex is considered one of the area’s finest.

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It’s Easy to Find a Good Time Far from being stuffy institutions, the museums of Bakersfield offer genuine fun mixed with learning. They include Kern County Museum, Bakersfield Museum of Art, California Living Museum and Buena Vista Museum of Natural History. Restaurant fare ranges from Mexican and Western at Agave Grill and Cantina or Casa Mexico to Basque, a hearty cuisine from the Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains and a specialty at Bakersfield places such as Pyrenees Cafe and Wool Growers Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge.

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Finding Bakersfield on the Map Bakersfield is the population center point of California, meaning 90 percent of your in-state attendees are within a four-hour drive of the town. In the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, Bakersfield is roughly halfway between Fresno to the north and Los Angeles to the south. Bakersfield is intersected by Golden State Highway and American City Highway going north and south and Bakersfield Highway coming from the east. The town is 15 minutes east of I-5. Los Angeles International Airport is roughly 117 miles away, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport 110 miles away. Meadows Field Airport is in Bakersfield itself.

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Planner Perspective “Why Bakersfield? That's easy. It's a perfectly-sized modern city with state-of-the-art facilities, a large inventory of clean, family-oriented hotel rooms, dozens of welcoming restaurants, and a city leadership that values our championships and supports us in every way possible.

Bakersfield is a tremendous host.”

— John T., California Interscholastic Federation

VISIT BAKERSFIELD

Matt Billingsley, Sales Manager 661-852-7236 • mbillingsley@visitbakersfield VisitBakersfield.com

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VALLEJO, CA

Experience the best location in the Bay Area when you choose Vallejo with its world-class venues and countless attractions.

High-Quality Venues Impress Demanding Event Planners

McCormick Hall offers 20,000 square feet and can fit about 3,000 people. Solano County Fairgrounds offers a grandstand with 5,000 seats and an additional 1,000 bleacher seats.

1. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - Chabot Stadium

4. Dan Foley Park

Sports: Dance, cheer, performance Six Flags Discovery Kingdom offers a performance venue, Chabot Stadium, with an audience capacity of 3,000. The surfacestage size is 54 feet wide and 42 feet deep. A private picnic area is available for groups.

Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, basketball Covering 60 acres in Vallejo, Dan Foley Park offers a lighted baseball field, soccer and turf fields, a basketball court and fishing dock. For added leisure there are also a scenic nature trail and picnic areas with barbecue grills to help you unwind with friends or teammates. McManus Field offers restrooms, concessions, lighting, bleachers and a scoreboard. The Dan Foley Cultural Center offers six rooms ranging in size from a small meeting room for 15 people to a large banquet room for 500.

2. Mare Island Sports Complex Sports: Basketball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, batting cages This full-service facility is great for anyone looking for a comprehensive venue that can be used for a variety of sports. The 61,000-square-foot complex has hosted everything from basketball leagues to dog shows to roller derbies. Inside you’ll find two soccer fields, two half-court basketball courts, two full-sized courts for basketball and volleyball, four batting cages, an arcade and pro shop.

3. Solano County Fairgrounds Sports: Equestrian, dog shows, martial arts The 157-acre fairgrounds host a wide range of events throughout the year, including motorsports and RV, dog and car shows. It’s located just across the street from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Ample parking lots hold 5,600 cars and 114 RV hookups.

There are a 7/8-mile dirt racetrack and five acres of paved lot.

Five major buildings contain 61,400 square feet of space.

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5. Jesse Bethel High School Sports: Basketball, archery, baseball, soccer, football, softball, wrestling This local high school is experienced in hosting a wide variety of sports. Whether you need space for a baseball game, basketball tournament or even an archery competition, this venue is prepared to serve the needs of groups and can comfortably seat 500.

6. Blue Rock Springs Golf Courses Sports: Golf At Blue Rock Springs you’ll find a driving range, teaching pros, a pro shop and club rentals. Cafe Rock Grill is prepared to host any function. The West course is a 6.014-yard par 71 that was renovated in 2006. The East course is a 6,162-yard par 70 that is known to be especially player-friendly. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Schedule Extra Time to Enjoy the Area’s Pleasures and Treasures When athletes aren’t hard at work on the field or court, they’ll find more than enough to keep entertained. Don’t miss Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, which is open year round thanks to the mild California temperatures. You can swim with dolphins or get an adrenaline rush on one of the heart-pounding coasters in the park. New in Spring 2016, The Joker, a thrilling hybrid coaster!

The city of Vallejo offers a growing art and culture scene and is very pedestrian-friendly. Check out the Saturday farmer’s market, held year round, for quality local goods and treats, and enjoy a stroll through the arts district. The Vallejo Heritage Home District is one of just several nationally registered districts west of the Mississippi. Radiating from downtown, the district is full of structures and homes that showcase the city’s architectural history.

Just a 15-minute drive north is the world-famous Napa Wine Country, ideal for the team moms looking for a much-deserved break. Tours can be organized right from the comfort of Vallejo, or you can head north by car or take the popular Napa Valley Wine Train, which includes meal service.

Looking for a simple and fun way to get around the Bay? Ride the high-speed ferry from Vallejo to San Francisco’s Pier 41 or Ferry Building. At the Vallejo Ferry Terminal be sure to stop by the Visit Vallejo Visitors Centre to pick up a walking map and make the most of your time in Vallejo.

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An Easy Trip from San Francisco Interstate 80 makes its way through the nearby cities of Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco (only 35 minutes from Vallejo). San Francisco, Sacramento and Oakland international airports provide easy access to Vallejo.

Planner Perspective “I wanted to take a minute to write and inform you of how pleased the MuckFest MS San Francisco Association was with holding our 2014 5K Mud and Fun Run at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo. I can personally say it has been a pleasure working with the Vallejo CVB, local hotels and the city of Vallejo. It appeared to us that everyone was interested in making the event a success….”

— Jake Geiger, Event Planning Manager MuckFest MS, Chicago, IL

VISIT VALLEJO

Carrie Baulwin, Director of Sales, 707-642-3653 • carrie@visitvallejo.com VisitVallejo.com

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Youth baseball takes center stage at Rotary Park, Wisconsin Dells.

Midwest Region

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he experienced pros at the Midwestern cities highlighted in this regional section guarantee smooth sailing for your next event. Offering top-notch venues and plenty of fun things to do between games, they are eager to host your group, no matter the size. Whether you’re planning a cross country meet, basketball tournament or swim competition, check out what these welcoming communities have to offer sports planners.

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SITE INSPECTIONS

66 68 71 78 80 82 84

Columbia, MO Branson, MO Illinois Sports Guide Rockford, IL Bloomington, IL Chicago Southland, IL Carbondale, IL

85 86 87 88 89 90 92

Champaign County, IL Effingham, IL McHenry County, IL Williamson County, IL Clinton County, OH Akron, OH Wisconsin Dells, WI Sports Planning Guide

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COLUMBIA, MO

This lively college town, home of the University of Missouri, offers perfect facilities for soccer, baseball, tennis and more.

A Wide Variety of Facilities Caters to Event Planners 1. Thomas E. Atkins Memorial Park Sports: Baseball This 81-acre park offers a selection of fields for visiting baseball teams. The Black Field is the largest, at 400 feet down the center to the fence, 375 feet to left and right center and 325 feet down the foul lines. Gold Field and Blue Field follow close behind in measurements. All fields have lights for nighttime play. The park also includes concessions and a picnic pavilion, plus an irrigation lake that allows fishing.

2. Rainbow Softball Facility Sports: Softball Another ballpark located in the Cosmo Park area, this facility is devoted to softball. The six regulation-size fields meet Amateur Softball Association’s standards for play. All are equipped with lights for nighttime games as well as covered bleachers and dugouts.

For quick and easy identification, the fields are color-coded. Other features at this facility include a multi-use recreation area, concessions, a playground, two sand volleyball courts and warm-up batting cages.

3. Mizzou Aquatic Facility Sports: Swimming While the availability of this facility is limited, due to it being occupied by the university’s own programs and swimmers, Mizzou Aquatic Facility nevertheless provides an excellent spot for any swimming event. Located on the Mizzou campus, it houses a 66

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50-meter-long, eight-lane-pool. The pool has an ultraviolet disinfection system, which allows the facility to follow proper air handling and pool chemistry while decreasing the amount of chemicals added to the pool water for maintenance. The facility also has bleachers and electronic score and timekeeping equipment.

4. MKT Trail Sports: Running The MKT Nature and Fitness Trail is an 8.9-mile-long limestone outdoor trail, with 4.7 miles of it running through the city of Columbia and 4.2 miles running through Boone County.

The trail starts in downtown Columbia at Flat Branch Park, and then technically comes to an end when it connects to the broader network of trails at Katy Trail State Park, with the Katy Trail stretching 200 miles east to west across Missouri. While normally open year round to the public, special event planners can reserve the MKT trail, which is managed and maintained by the Columbia Trail System.

5. Cosmo Park Fields Sports: Soccer Nineteen soccer fields are scattered throughout the Cosmo Park area. These regulation-size fields are carefully maintained and not available for practice use to increase their longevity and preserve their condition for real games. Goals, netting and sideline benches are provided. Additional fields are available at Columbia Sporting Club’s Pride Park. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. L.A. Nickell Golf Course Sports: Golf This 533-acre establishment has an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, three sets of tees, and riding carts and cart paths.

There are three lakes, all in play, and the terrain is largely flat with rolling hills, with a slope rate of 121 for blue tees, 116 for white tees and 111 for red tees. The course rating is 69.9 for the more difficult blue tees and 67.7 and 67 for the easier white and red tees, respectively. Par for each tee is 70, and yardage for the blue, white and red tees is 6,335, 5,869 and 4,771, respectively. L.A. Nickell Golf Course is open year round, weather permitting.

Fun Times and Where to Find Them It’s easy to have a good time in Columbia. Good food, good fun—it’s hard to decide where to start. With festivals, fascinating history and the arts, Columbia has something for everyone.

Walk down the Avenue of Eight Columns and visit the Francis Quadrangle on the MU campus. Mizzou also offers the Museum of Art and Archaeology, Museum of Anthropology and Enn’s Entomology Museum. See the historic buildings and museums of Boone Junction Village at Nifong Park.

Have a fun time unwinding at exciting local spots like Battlecreek Paintball or Empire Roller Rink. Enjoy the natural beauty of Columbia at the Mizzou Botanic Garden, Shelter Garden or

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Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden. Nature trails and parks provide more settings for outdoor leisure, like the Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary, Capen Park or Albert Oakland Park. Columbia offers food ranging from traditional American and BBQ at places like 1839 Taphouse or Lutz’s BBQ to the fusion food of Be My Guest Bistro.

Finding Your Way to Columbia Columbia is centrally located in Missouri, not far from state capital Jefferson City, and midway between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Columbia Regional Airport, serviced by American Airlines, is located near the University of Missouri. The second nearest airport is the Kirksville Memorial Airport, serviced by Cape Air, 85 miles away. Columbia is located where Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 63 intersect. It is 125 miles from St. Louis and Kansas City.

COLUMBIA CVB

Beth Mead 573-875-1231 • BAMead@GoColumbiaMO.com VisitColumbiaMO.com

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Bass Pro Shop’s Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge

BRANSON, MO

From dance competitions to extreme water sports, Branson welcomes all kinds of athletic events.

Venues Run the Gamut from Versatile Theaters to Sprawling Lakes 1. Branson RecPlex Sports: Indoor sports, outdoor sports This expansive, state-of-the-art sports complex offers 44,000 square feet for recreation, fitness and competitive sports. The RecPlex features a fitness center, two gymnasiums and a threelane indoor track. In addition, there are locker rooms, community rooms and a concessions area. Included in the RecPlex is the AquaPlex, which has a 12,250-square-foot water park with a six-lane pool for lap swimming and competitions. The outdoor part of the facility includes soccer, baseball and softball fields, picnic pavilions, a playground and walking trails.

2. Branson Convention Center Sports: Dance, basketball, volleyball, futsal, gymnastics, martial arts, boxing With 110,000 square feet of flexible event space, Branson Convention Center is an event planner’s dream. One of the biggest exhibit hall areas (47,000 square feet, with 34-foot ceilings) is attached to a 22,000-square-foot ballroom. Ten flexible breakout rooms are among the facility’s meeting spaces. Branson Convention Center is conveniently located in historic downtown Branson.

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3. Branson’s Tri-Lakes Sports: Water sports Planners will find that Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals lakes cater to sports such as wakeboarding, jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, boating, sailing, scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking and fishing. Bassmaster Magazine named Bull Shoals and Table Rock among the Top 50 Best Bass Lakes. Lake Taneycomo is generally recognized as an excellent spot for trout as well. The Branson/Lakes Area has hosted the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, FLW and Bassmaster fishing tournaments, and King of Wake, the elite pro wakeboarding series.

4. Championship Golf Courses Sports: Golf With facilities such as these in its possession, Branson is quickly evolving into a nationally recognized golf destination.

These courses are set throughout the rolling hills of the Ozarks.

The valley and mountain terrain offers holes for all playing levels.

Buffalo Ridge Golf Course and Top of the Rock hosted the Legends of Golf PGA Tournament. The town of Branson was recognized by Golf Magazine and Golf.com as one of the Best Summer Golf Destinations in the Midwest. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. World-Class Theaters Sports: Dance, indoor sports Some of Branson’s world-class theaters include Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex, which seats 1,000 spectators; Clay Cooper Theater, which seats 1,200; Welk Resort Theater with 2,300 seats and Oak Ridge Boys Theater with 2,200 seats. These theaters have a variety of stage options for performances and a vast array of cutting-edge technology, plus meeting space. They are ideal for hosting events ranging from dance competitions to martial arts events.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Miles of Trails Sports: Running, hiking, biking White River Valley Trail winds through the town, with picturesque views of waterfalls and Table Rock and Taneycomo lakes. Table Rock Lakeshore Trail is a paved trail that runs along Table Rock Lake, from State Park Marina to Dewey Short Visitor Center. The varying terrains provide a decent challenge for riders and runners at all skill levels.

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Attractions and Entertainment are Easy to Find The Branson/Lakes Area offers endless entertainment options likely to appeal to every member of your group. Dozens of theaters offer hundreds of music and comedy shows, with such a variety that just about everyone can find something to their liking.

Branson’s museums offer a fun way to learn about a variety of things.

Among them are the Dinosaur Museum, Veteran’s Museum, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, Celebrity Car Museum and World’s Largest Toy Museum.

For wild excitement, check out Silver Dollar City amusement park, The Track Family Fun Parks or the water rides at White Water Park.

Explore the great outdoors at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, brave local waters with Kayak Branson or fly through the trees with Branson Zipline.

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A Great Location Right in the Heart of America Branson is less than a day’s drive from a third of the United States, making this spot in America’s heartland easy to access from any direction.

More than 16,500 guest rooms in the town’s many hotels, motels and resorts await visitors. US Route 65 is the major north-south road that goes through Branson. Branson Airport is just south of town. SpringfieldBranson National Airport is about 45 miles away.

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Planner Perspective “B.A.S.S. has been fortunate enough to hold many national professional bass fishing events in Branson. Premium lodging, diverse eateries, outdoor recreation, and family entertainment abound in the region. All these offerings, coupled with the opportunity to work with the dedicated community organizers from Branson, have delivered outstanding events and an extremely satisfying experience to our competitors and fans alike.”

— Chris Bowes, Senior Tournament Manger, B.A.S.S., LLC

BRANSON CVB

Terra Alphonso, Director of Sports Marketing and Development 417-243-2124 • talphonso@bransoncvb.com ExploreBransonSports.com

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ILLINOIS

Site InSpections 78 80 82 84 85 86 87 88

■ Rockford, IL ■ Bloomington-Normal, IL ■ Chicago Southland, IL ■ Carbondale, IL ■ Champaign County, IL ■ Effingham, IL ■ McHenry County, IL ■ Williamson County, IL

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Illinois Invites You Cory M. Jobe, Director Illinois Office of Tourism

Greetings from Illinois!

On behalf of all of us here at the Illinois Office of Tourism, we look forward to welcoming you to the Land of Lincoln for your next event.

As a lifelong Illinoisan, I’m no stranger to all of the amazing things there are to see and do in the state. Whether you’re a returning visitor coming back to the state for a tournament or you’re brand new to Illinois, there’s always something more to discover when you visit.

As the Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism I get the chance to invite people from all over the world to experience exactly what we have to offer here. For many, the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Illinois is Chicago, a world-class city with incredible restaurants, hotels, architecture, museums, attractions and more. Illinois is also home to rich presidential history in Springfield, classic Americana along historic Route 66, incredible outdoor adventures and scenic beauty in the Shawnee National Forest, more than 100 wineries and so much more. Illinois offers a worldclass experience from the moment you arrive and long after your team steps off the field.

With more than 1,200 sporting venues and state-of-the-art facilities, Illinois hosts everything from PGA tournaments and Olympic trials to college and high school sporting tournaments. Sporting events are an important part of the tourism industry in our state, and we continue to strive to be top of mind for sports associations and organizations planning their next event.

To find a sporting facility and to learn more about holding your next event in Illinois, please visit Sportsillinois.com. You can plan the perfect extension to your trip to Illinois by visiting EnjoyIllinois.com.

Your friend in Illinois tourism,

Cory M. Jobe Director Illinois Office of Tourism

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A World-Class Experience On and Off the Field Awaits in Illinois

llinois’ sports tourism track record, its world-class facilities and an unparalleled drive market with global accessibility have laid the foundation for Sports Illinois to establish itself as an industry expert and thought leader in the travel and tourism industry. Throughout the state, Illinois offers a world-class experience from the moment your spectators arrive and long after your teams step off the field. Choose from more than 1,200 sporting venues, home to everything from PGA tournaments to Olympic Trials to smaller, more intimate events. Furthermore, the state’s central location and diverse transportation infrastructure means it’s easy to get to the Land of Lincoln from anywhere in the country.

Along with the Illinois Office of Tourism, Sports Illinois is comprised of a consortium of Convention and Visitors Bureaus throughout the state that work together to provide resources and support event planners in their efforts to bring sporting events to the state. The legendary ballparks and stadiums of Chicago help make it an iconic global city with world-class attractions, impressive cultural offerings and a storied sports heritage at both the professional and amateur level. However, Chicago is just one of a many offerings that make Illinois the perfect

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location for your next sporting event. Illinois is home to a variety of stateof-the-art facilities across the state and is committed to giving sports organizations the perfect event that will accommodate all of their constituents, while supporting the local economies of the state.

The State of Illinois has supported sport-related initiatives including sponsorships, marketing/promotion, educational programming, partnered sales missions and more. One such example is the Sports Illinois Huddle. First held in 2009, this annual conference provides education, networking and business opportunities over three days to Convention and Visitor Bureaus throughout the state as well as interested event rights holders and national governing bodies. Additionally, the Huddle offers opportunities to experience Illinois’ iconic professional sports venues. Past visits have been to Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, Soldier Field and Chicagoland Speedway. Also included are opportunities to meet iconic professional sports athletes such as Hall of Fame Chicago Bear Dan Hampton, Hall of Fame NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett and Hall of Fame Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, who attended past conferences. On the amateur side, opportunities exist prior to the conference for local site visits.

Sports Illinois positions itself with a state-first frame of mind, with individual communities followed closely behind – a quality that

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separates it from other competing states. This cohesive and forwardthinking vision provides the rights holder a potential multitude of venue options across the state. Jeff Jarnecke, Director of Championships & Alliances for the NCAA, describes his relationship with Sports Illinois as such: “Sports Illinois connotes a trusted, valued and professional partner in the presentation of NCAA championships. From wonderful people to quality facilities, the team at Sports Illinois works tirelessly to ensure each event is successfully executed in a way that leaves participants and fans with engaging experiences and fond memories.”

Sports Illinois’ practice of sharing leads, experiences and best practices is a paramount advantage to a rights holder interested in securing an event in Illinois. Moreover, many of the local Convention and Visitors Bureaus offer a number of services within their communities to assist in the planning of sporting events such as site selection, securing hotel accommodations, volunteer recruitment, publicity, vendor assistance, identifying sponsors and providing visitor information. When referring to moving into the state’s lacrosse market, Robin Baxter, Vice President of Events for NXTsports, Inc. said, “The demographic, coupled with the facilities available throughout the state, the friendliness of the Sports Illinois team, and the easy access and location of Illinois, have enabled us to launch multiple successful events in Illinois.”

Sports tourism has a significant economic impact in communities across the state as an investment in the tourism industry by supporting local hotels, restaurants and retail establishments. Through collaborations with the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, the Land of Lincoln continues to promote itself as a sports tourism destination under the umbrella of Sports Illinois. This collaboration provides premier host sites and services to event rights holders while increasing tourism, improving quality of life and enhancing sports opportunities for all. In the past two years alone, Sports Illinois has contributed about $2.5 million to the state’s economy.

Our communities statewide continue to utilize sports tourism for youth opportunities, new events, new tourism destinations, maximizing facility use, building community relationships, as well as strengthening corporate support. As we move forward and stay ahead of the curve, sport tourism will provide continued growth opportunities for Illinois and we want your event to be a part of it.

To learn more about Illinois destinations, to find a sporting facility or to submit an RFP for local expertise, please visit SportsIllinois.com.

Toyota Park in south suburban Bridgeview is home to the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and can seat up to 20,000 fans.

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Add Value To Your Illinois Event By Partnering With the

Local Tourism Industry o matter the size of the tournament or the skill-level of the athletes, attendees at out-of-town sporting events generally fall into two distinct categories – event participants and the spectators that support them. For the participant, a weekend sporting tournament can be an adrenaline-filled whirlwind that seems to pass in the blink of an eye. And yet for some spectators (like pesky little brothers, for example), the event can feel like an eternity, sitting through round after round of competition waiting for that brief moment in time when the participant they came to support is the focus of all the action. So how can event organizers help address this paradox? By partnering with the local tourism industry and Convention & Visitors Bureau, organizers can provide added value to their event, while also helping to expand the economic benefit their event has on the local community.

Take Illinois, for example. Whether you’re visiting for a one-day sporting event, or a multi-day regional tournament, there are

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plenty of things to see and do for travelers of all ages to transform the trip into a truly memorable vacation by adding a few extra hours to see the nearby sights or a few extra days to explore destinations across the state.

The most well-known city in Illinois is Chicago, a destination known for its worldclass hotels, incredible museums and cultural attractions, unique restaurants and more. While deep-dish pizza and Italian beef are two signature dishes, the Windy City is teeming with a plethora of dining options influenced by cultures from across the state, country and world. The city’s rich, historical museums, beautiful beaches and parks along the scenic Lake Michigan and the shopping mecca that is Michigan Avenue are all great experiences to help turn a trip to the Chicago area for a tournament into a fun family getaway. Just outside downtown, lively neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, Old Town, Wicker Park and Andersonville reflect the true essence of what it means to be a Chicagoan.

From vast arenas to historic theaters, cultural offerings play a leading role in Illinois tourism.

Canoeists commune with nature on a trip through the Cache River wetlands in Southern Illinois.

Beyond Chicago, Illinois has plenty to offer – from presidential history, to quaint main streets, to sweeping state parks and classic Americana along the original Route 66. Mile for mile, Illinois offers more Route 66 historic sites and experiences than any other state. The range of offbeat roadside attractions, classic American diners and museums dedicated to preserving the heritage of the “Mother Road” make this 300-mile stretch of Illinois both a journey and a destination.

A popular city to visit along Route 66 is Springfield, the state’s capital and home to a plethora of Abraham Lincoln historical sites, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Old State Capitol – where Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech – and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

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Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate, an elliptical, stainless steel sculpture known locally as the “Bean,” reflects Chicago’s skyline and the clouds above.

Route 66, however, is just one of many scenic drives in Illinois. In total, seven scenic byways meander through the state. The Great River Road parallels the Mississippi River’s eastern bank and offers breathtaking views of the river and charming historical towns along a 550-mile stretch. Galena, near the northern tip of the drive, strikes the perfect balance between historical charm and modern-day style. Its quaint downtown features first-rate shopping and dining in elegant nineteenthcentury buildings.

The Great River Road’s southern terminus in Illinois introduces travelers to the Shawnee National Forest – an outdoor paradise waiting to be explored.

The Shawnee National Forest is home to Garden of the Gods, with rock outcroppings and formations that offer spectacular views of

the lush forest. This is the perfect locale to enjoy an abundance of outdoor recreational activities like hiking, kayaking, swimming, horseback riding and more. Southern Illinois is also home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail tucked in the rolling hills with more than a dozen wineries along a 30-mile stretch.

So whether you’re a planning professional looking to enhance the impact of your event, or if you’re already traveling to Illinois for a sporting event and looking to extend your stay, there are plenty of ways to make your time in the Land of Lincoln unforgettable.

To start planning a trip and to learn more about what to discover in Illinois, visit EnjoyIllinois.com or Facebook.com/ EnjoyIllinois.

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ROCKFORD, IL Superior Facilities in a Great Location 1. Sportscore One Sports: Soccer, softball, baseball, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, rugby Sportscore One’s 179-acre facility offers extensive, luxurious grounds for a variety of sports. It offers eight premier soccer fields, nine regulation soccer fields and eight lighted softball or baseball diamonds. Sportscore is nationally recognized for hosting rugby, ultimate Frisbee and other events. Beyond the fields themselves, concession stands, restrooms, locker facilities, boat ramps and two playgrounds are also available. Recreational activities such as running, biking, boating and fishing can all be enjoyed at Sportscore One.

2. Sportscore Two Sports: Soccer, volleyball, rugby, pickleball, ultimate Frisbee, football, adaptive wheelchair sports Covering 124 acres in Loves Park, Sportscore Two is designed to host tournaments and events year round, with indoor and outdoor multi-sport surfaces. In total, there are 33 regulation fields that can be used for any sport, from pickleball to soccer including variations of sports adapted for players in wheelchairs. Plans for further expansion include additional indoor and outdoor turf fields.

3. Wedgbury Stadium This Sportscore Two facility, with seating for 2,000 spectators, has hosted state high school soccer finals, pro football games, 78

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Rockford offers a range of high-quality facilities for your next big game. national rugby finals and college rugby championships. It includes indoor and outdoor concessions and picnic areas, indoor and outdoor dining at the Skybox overlooking the fields, a tournament staging area for pictures, a playground and ample parking.

Expansion plans have begun and include: new synthetic turf field, new lighting system (NCAA professional level), new pathways, a restroom building, upgrades to bleachers and a press box.

4. Indoor Sports Center (ISC) Sports: Soccer, basketball, volleyball, wheelchair sports Located on the Sportscore Two campus, ISC includes a 60,000-square-foot indoor sports center with three indoor multi-sport soccer fields, five volleyball/basketball courts, a sports equipment store, Skybox restaurant and sports bar. This venue can also accommodate a variety of events, including conventions, trade shows, expos, weddings, receptions and festivals. ISC is wheelchair-accessible and hosts various adaptive wheelchair sports.

5. Sportscore Downtown Sports: Indoor sports This facility will be open and fully operational as of spring 2016.

Located downtown, along Rockford’s riverfront, the facility covers an expansive 105,000 square feet. Eight courts can be used for basketball, 18 for volleyball (two of which are championship courts) and 42 for pickleball; 16 wrestling mats are available as well. Up to 3,700 spectators can be accommodated. Five meeting rooms are available to visiting planners. The facility also has a riverfront boardwalk. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Rock River Sports: Water sports The Rock River links 11 counties in Wisconsin and Illinois over a course of 320 miles. The water trail is a delineated path on the river. The river is ideal for events and tournaments involving water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, boating, fishing and other water sports. The river has hosted the yearly Head of the Rock Regatta, all the Rockford Ski Broncs Waterski Show Team events and the Indmar Marine Engines Division One Show Ski National Championships for eight years running.

Rockford Will Keep Your Group Entertained Aviators Stadium, home to professional baseball’s Rockford Aviators, offers a great chance to enjoy a ballgame in style, with VIP areas, group rates, and a Kid Zone with inflatables, speed pitch and a playground. For more excitement, check out Volcano Falls Adventure Park for mini golf, laser tag, go-kart racing and an arcade.

Alpine Hills Adventure Park has a five-hole youth or beginner golf course, practice range, zip line tree canopy tour, and paths for running, biking and hiking. During the winter, the park’s hills turn into the perfect place for tubing, tobogganing and snowboarding. A permanent snow-making system is used to ensure these sports can go on all winter. Visitors can rent equipment for all the winter sports and activities.

Visit Midway Village Museum for a look at local history, including the original sock monkey. The Burpee Museum of Natural History boasts the most complete juvenile T-Rex skeleton

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ever discovered. Anderson Japanese Gardens offers an exploration of another culture with gardens, a teahouse and gift shop. Rockford Art Deli shows local art and offers visitors authentic Rockford souvenirs.

In the Heart of the Midwest Rockford is readily accessible via Interstates 90 and 39 or U.S. Highway 20. Chicago is only an hour-and-a-half away, Madison, Wisconsin one hour, Milwaukee one-and-a-half-hours, Indianapolis four hours, St. Louis four-and-a-half-hours, and Minneapolis/St. Paul five hours. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is an hour’s drive away from Rockford. Chicago Rockford International Airport is within Rockford itself.

Planner Perspective “The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the Rockford Park District provided a first-class venue and excellent support for our Division III College Championships.

The service provided along with the hospitality shown has made Rockford one of our go-to places for future events.”

— Byron Hicks, USA Ultimate Manager - Events

ROCKFORD AREA CVB

Nick Povalitis, Sports Sales Manager 815-489-1652(direct) • 800-521-0849 (toll-free) npovalitis@gorockford.com GoRockford.com

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BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL

Bloomington-Normal, a university community located in the heart of Illinois, offers small-town hospitality and facilities more typical of metropolitan areas.

Facilities with a Pedigree of Hosting Championship Events 1. Champion Fields Sports: Softball The home of ASA/USA Girls 10U A National Championship, the 10-field softball complex offers fields of various sizes for different age groups and abilities. Eight lighted fields make up the main complex along with two more lighted fields just south of the campus.

The fields are set for girls’ fast-pitch or adult slow-pitch softball.

The complex features covered dugouts, a P.A. system and scoreboards. Spectators can take in the games in the bleachers behind home plate and along the foul lines. Parking is available south of the main complex, which offers full concession and restrooms.

2. The Corn Crib Sports: Baseball, soccer Home of the Frontier League’s Normal CornBelters, the Corn Crib accommodates 7,000 spectators. Built in 2010, it is just off Interstate 55 in northern Normal. Spectators can sit in the stadium along the foul lines and behind home plate, or take in the game on the lawn around the outfield or in the picnic area in right field. The stadium features full concession including the Leinenkugel Lodge and Miller Lite Lounge, and also features a Little Jewels Kids Zone. The general parking lot is south of the stadium.

3. Hancock Stadium Sports: Football, soccer Hancock Stadium is home to the Illinois State University Redbirds Division I Football team. Built in 1963, the stadium went through a $26-million renovation in 2013. It was the first collegiate football field in Illinois to feature artificial turf. The stadium seats 13,000 and 80

Sports Planning Guide

offers full concession and restrooms. Spectators and players will appreciate the LED scoreboard and concert-style sound system.

The field also includes the Kaufman Football Building, which houses coaches offices and the ISU football locker room. It also features a large meeting room, training room and storage for equipment. The field is located on the ISU campus on Main Street in Normal.

4. Redbird Arena Sports: Basketball, volleyball Located on the campus of Illinois State University, Redbird Arena is the state’s second largest collegiate arena. Seating 10,500, the stadium is home to both ISU’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams. Built in 1989, the facility offers locker rooms and training facilities for players and full concession and restrooms for spectators. The roof of the building is made of Teflon, giving it a glowing look that inspires regulars to refer to it as the “crown jewel” of ISU facilities. The arena has hosted several tournaments along with NCAA play and offers parking on the east side of the building.

5. Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University Sports: Basketball, volleyball, track & field, wrestling, gymnastics Built in 1994, the Shirk Center is a 135,344-square-foot facility with seating for 2,680 visitors, plus a training room, locker rooms, equipment storage and laundry facilities. The center has been home to the Illinois Wesleyan University men’s and women’s basketball teams and offers full concession and restrooms for guests. It is on the campus of IWU in Bloomington just a few minutes south of Interstate 55. Parking is available on the east side of the facility and across the street to the south. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. U.S. Cellular Coliseum Sports: Basketball, volleyball, hockey, indoor football The multi-sports U.S. Cellular Coliseum is home to three professional sports teams and the Illinois State University NCAA hockey team. Along with collegiate hockey, the arena is also home to the Bloomington Thunder professional hockey team, Bloomington Edge indoor football and Bloomington Flex basketball team. Opened in 2006, the facility seats 5,600 for hockey and football, and up to 7,200 for basketball. The arena features five concession stands with a variety of flavors including Italian, Mexican and barbecue. U.S. Cellular Coliseum is located in the heart of Bloomington and offers parking in the garage and surrounding the facility.

Bloomington-Normal Offers Plenty of Free-Time Options Bloomington-Normal has vibrant downtown areas and a variety of things to do. The 1,200-seat Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts hosts more than 400 performances every year in the city’s historical district. For Lincoln enthusiasts, check out the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on Route 66 visitor center, which includes exhibits on the “Mother Road” and how Lincoln lived in his home state.

If your guests hope to get in some shopping in between games, they can visit downtown Bloomington to check out local boutiques housed in historical buildings. The walking tour map features 17 places to eat along with 36 specialty shops. In the

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summer months, visitors can cool off in Normal’s Anderson Park and Aquatic Center. The outdoor water park has three pools, two waterslides, a diving board and a kiddie pool.

A Central Location Makes Getting Here a Breeze Immediately off Interstate 55, the Bloomington-Normal area is accessible from Chicago to the north and St. Louis to the south.

Travelers from the east and west can come in via Interstate 74.

Central Illinois Regional Airport on Bloomington’s east side is served by Allegiant, American and Delta airlines. Other major airports are in Chicago, Peoria and the Quad Cities. Normal also has an Amtrak Station.

Planner Perspective “The BNACVB provided resources that allowed us to put on a very successful race. We are looking forward to partnering with them again.”

—Brandon Beehner, Race Director for the Bloomington Criterium

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AREA CVB Matt Hawkins, Sports Marketing Manager 309-665-0033 • matt@visitbn.org VisitBN.org

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CHICAGO SOUTHLAND, IL An Enviable Array of Facilities for Sports of All Kinds

Choose Chicago Southland as your next sports destination to guarantee smooth sailing for athletes, coaches and spectators.

1. Matteson Community Center

4. Standard Bank Stadium

Sports: basketball, swimming, tennis, baseball, football, soccer, dance, track The Matteson Community Center is a 73,000-square-foot facility with a variety of venues, including two indoor basketball courts, two youth baseball diamonds, one soccer field and a football field with seating.

Sports: baseball, softball Host to the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League, Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood is easily accessible to Interstate 294. Standard Bank Stadium boasts a seating capacity of over 3,000, a brand new multi-use synthetic turf field and a HD LED video scoreboard.

2. Memorial Park Fields

5. Tinley Park Convention Center

Sports: baseball, softball The six-field complex at Memorial Park Fields in Midlothian is in an offset wheel pattern. It features permanent restroom facilities and concessions, 300-foot fencing and plenty of parking.

3. Southland Center Sports: baseball, basketball, football, soccer, martial arts, cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, lacrosse, rugby The newly renovated Southland Center in Lynwood offers up to 100,000 square feet of indoor space plus outdoor baseball facilities. The facility features state-of-the-art Desso Turf, four hardwood basketball courts, a full-service restaurant and a bar with over 1,200 parking spaces.

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Sports: gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, martial arts The Tinley Park Convention Center has 70,000 square feet of event space (58,000 contiguous) with up to 35-foot ceilings.

The size and flexibility of the space make it an ideal venue for many types of sporting events, including the 2016 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® US Pro & Collegiate Championships, July 15th–16th, to be filmed for ABC and ESPN.

6. Toyota Park Sports: soccer, football Host of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, Toyota Park in Bridgeview is a 469,000-square-foot venue with 20,000 seats and a regulation-size soccer field. There are also regulation-size, natural-grass and turf fields. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Teams and Families Will Enjoy Great Attractions, Dining and Shopping Brookfield Zoo has a large spectrum of animals, from big cats to dolphins to amphibians. The Tinley Park Park District’s White Water Canyon Water Park is five acres of water-filled fun, with a lazy river, spray ground and drop slides. Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park offers laser tag, go-karts, bumper boats and an inflatable park.

Hollywood Park Family Fun Center in Crestwood has a Hollywood-themed speedway, arcade games, a rock wall and Hollywood memorabilia. Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center in Burbank features over 100 games and rides, plus a haunted house and trail in October.

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center sits on 38 acres of team building atmosphere. With challenges like a high-ropes course, climbing wall and crate climbing, the emphasis is always on overcoming obstacles and developing the values of leadership, team building and problem solving.

With a multitude of railfan sights including double diamonds, Pullman National Monument and one of the only places to see a double wye junction in the country, just minutes away from each other, it is easy to see why railfans love the Chicago Southland.

There’s a restaurant for every craving in Chicago Southland.

From Mexican and Italian to Thai and American, everyone’s taste buds will be satisfied. Glenwood Oaks Rib and Chop House was recently voted best ribs in the Chicago area by Chicago Magazine and has earned many other awards. Siam Marina introduces Chef Pham’s unique Thai sauces and seasonings,

tempting guests to come back for more.

For specialty shopping in Chicago Southland, try Old Orland Antique Shops and Historic Downtown Frankfort, both in 19th century neighborhoods.

In the Very Heart of the Midwest Seven different interstates (I-55, I-57, I-80, I-90, I-94, I-294 and I-355) are woven throughout Chicago Southland, which is only 22 minutes from downtown Chicago. Chicago Southland is 300 miles or less from Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Detroit.

The metro area is served by Midway International and O’Hare International airports.

Planner Perspective “It was a simple process for selecting Tinley Park in Chicago Southland for hosting the 2016 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® US Pro & Collegiate Championships. They provide the perfect mix of being a great partner, having amazing facilities, and pulling from truly engaged fans around the region. There will be no better home for the Original Extreme Sport in 2016.”

— Brad Sorgen, STIHL, Inc.

CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CVB

Joel Koester, Sports Sales Manager 708-895-8200 • Joel@VisitChicagoSouthland.com PlayChicagoSouthland.com

This could be the perfect place for athletic events of all kinds.

As a matter of fact, it is.

Dozens of sporting facilities of all kinds - from outdoor lighted fields to indoor courts - are here, a straight shot from anywhere in the Midwest, a short distance from either Chicago airport and just 30 minutes from Chicago’s Loop.

Every day, athletes and their families win with our services and incentives, affordable and comfortable hotels and family-friendly restaurants. It’s the perfect place for them - and for you.

Contact Joel Koester 888-895-3211 Sports@VisitChicagoSouthland.com PlayChicagoSouthland.com

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CARBONDALE, IL

With strong collegiate roots and world-class venues, Carbondale in Southern Illinois will punch your next tournament over the goal line.

Fine Facilities Abound in This College Town 1. SuperBlock Multi-Sports Complex Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer This complex has bleacher seating at the Championship Soccer field and all of the baseball and softball fields. It is handicapped-accessible with full concession and restrooms. The complex has played host to Game Day USA youth baseball and the 3v3 Soccer Live soccer Tour. The baseball and softball fields and the championship soccer field are equipped with lighting. The fields are part of the Carbondale High School and Carbondale Park District facilities.

2. Southern Illinois University Athletics Sports: All Home of the Division I Salukis, SIU competes in the competitive Missouri Valley Conference for a chance at national glory every year. Itchy Jones Stadium is the artificial-turf home of the SIU base-

CARBONDALE TOURISM

Cinnamon Wheeles-Smith, Executive Director 800-526-1500 • cinnamon@carbondaletourism.org CarbondaleTourism.org

2 ball team. Concrete bowl seating offers fans an angle from behind home plate, and there is picnic seating around the field. At Charlotte West Stadium, lighted for nighttime play, more than 500 fans can take in softball action from bleachers behind home plate. SIU Arena is home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams with stadium seating for more than 8,000. The Saluki Swim Club competes at the Natatorium, a 16-lane pool with seating for 500. Track and field events take place at the Lew Hartzog Complex, which includes a 400-meter track.

3. Southern Illinois Rec Sports Complex Sports: Rugby, soccer, flag football, lacrosse, softball, quidditch The recreation center on the campus of Southern Illinois University hosts intramurals and is equipped with lighting and a scoreboard.

Jean Stehr Field has hosted international soccer championships.

There’s Plenty to Do in Carbondale After the Buzzer Sounds Little Grassy Fish Hatchery hatches a variety of fish, offering a hands-on experience your guests won’t forget. Giant City State Park is right down the road and provides scenic bluffs as well as miles of trails for all hikers. For history buffs in your group, the area boasts one of the famous debate sites of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.

Located a few miles south of Carbondale in Jonesboro, a monument marks the third debate between our 16th president and his familiar foe from 1856.

Carbondale offers dozens of places to eat, with fare ranging from barbeque to Mexican and Thai. After grabbing a bite, stroll past the shops in the downtown district. Check out the Science Center of Southern Illinois and its interactive exhibits.

A Heartland Location in Southern Illinois If you are coming from St. Louis, you might come south on Route 3, the Great River Road. You might want to travel east on Interstate 64, and head south on Route 127. If you are coming from the north or south, you're probably planning to arrive via Interstate 57, so just jump off at Exit 54 for Carbondale. Many people arrive in Carbondale via Amtrak aboard our very own Saluki Express.

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What Can We Do Before and After the Game?

Champaign’s downtown offers 40 places to eat and drink, plus 18 specialty shops. In the Museum of the Grand Prairie in Mahomet, visitors can check out the exhibit Champaign County’s Lincoln, which details the president’s life while he practiced law in the region. Visitors also can see what the University of Illinois has to offer athletically, artistically and academically, along with wineries and microbreweries for the adults in your group.

Getting to Champaign County is a Breeze

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL Champaign County has historic roots in football, basketball and baseball with the University of Illinois, and the vacation starts when the clock reads 0:00.

Tournament-Ready University Facilities

Interstates 57, 74 and 72 meet in Champaign County, making it an easy destination from all four directions. Willard Airport is just south of the university campus. General Wayne Downing Airport in Peoria, an hour away, is served by Delta, American, United and Allegiant airlines. Indianapolis International Airport is two hours away.

VISIT CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

Leah Longueville, Director of Sales 217-351-4133 • leahl@visitchampaigncounty.org VisitChampaignCounty.org

1. Activities & Recreation Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball, racquetball, swimming One of the largest on-campus recreational centers in the country, the Activities & Recreation Center at the University of Illinois, nicknamed ARC, boasts 340,000 square feet of competitive space with its four gyms holding 13 basketball courts and 17 volleyball courts. The center also features 12 racquetball courts, two pools, nine multi-use spaces and a 150-seat auditorium.

2. Atkins Tennis Center & Khan Outdoor Complex Sports: Tennis Home of the Fighting Illini tennis team and site of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's and Women’s Tennis Championships, the Atkins Tennis Center & Khan Outdoor Complex features eight championship courts with bleacher seating and lighting along with six indoor courts and a pro shop.

There are also 12 additional newly refinished courts with lighting. For bigger tournaments, another 11 courts are just blocks away. The surfaces are hard courts.

3. Outdoor Center Fields Sports: Football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis This facility is home to intramural activities at the University of Illinois, featuring four football fields, two soccer fields, three sand volleyball courts, six basketball courts and six tennis courts, all of which are equipped with lighting for play after dark.

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EFFINGHAM, IL Every day, Effingham, Illinois becomes an even better destination for sport events, from swimming to softball and beyond.

Let’s Talk Facilities 1. Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex Sports: All indoor sports The brand new Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex offers a 25-meter, eight-lane swimming pool and indoor, 15,500-square-foot, multi-sport courts. It also will offer other amenities, from rentable party rooms to physical therapy services.

2. Hendelmeyer Park Sports: Baseball, softball, tennis The 20-acre park holds two lighted, slow-pitch diamonds and one lighted, fast-pitch diamond—all with natural grass—plus four lighted tennis courts. That’s not even touching upon the more leisurely park features, such as the playground areas, a gazebo, concession stand and skate park.

EFFINGHAM CVB

Jodi Thoele, Director of Tourism 678-297-2811 • thoelej@ci.effingham.il.us VisitEffinghamIL.com

1 3. Community Park Sports: Baseball, softball, disc golf, tennis, roller hockey, ice skating Community Park is situated on 35 acres and features four lighted baseball/softball diamonds, one unlighted baseball/softball diamond, an 18-hole disc golf course that winds through hills and trees, four lighted tennis courts, a roller hockey rink and an outdoor ice skating rink. Other amenities include a sand volleyball court, three outdoor basketball courts, two concession stands, three playground areas, two restrooms, four pavilions and four picnic areas.

A Truly Central Location Effingham resides on a true crossroads, right in the middle of Illinois, where Interstate 57 meets Interstate 70. Access is also available via Routes 45, 40 or 32. Regional airports include Effingham County Memorial Airport and Shelby County Airport in Shelbyville, 33 miles away. The nearest major airport is in Decatur, 66 miles away.

What Can You Do in Effingham?

Effingham Performance Center has seen visits from well-known performers ranging from the Doobie Brothers to Bob Saget. For automobile enthusiasts, Mid America Motor Works & MY Garage Museum showcases a 1910 gas station, plenty of vintage Corvettes and Corvette memorabilia. TREC Recreation Trails and spots like Ballard Nature Center or Bliss Park lure outdoor enthusiasts.

Firefly Grill is a favorite eatery devoted to locally grown ingredients and eco-friendly practices. Your group can find classic country cooking with fresh, delicious tastes all over town, from Iron Skillet to Country Pride Restaurant.

Planner Perspective “I would say that the advantage for choosing Effingham, besides being so centrally located, is the community really gets behind and supports the events. We have such a variety of restaurants and hotels for people to choose from, and our shopping choices continue to expand. I feel fortunate to be able to host the event for its businesses and community”.

— Jeff Schafer, Effingham High School Girls Basketball, Southern Illinois Basketball Circuit Director (SIBC) 86

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McHENRY COUNTY, IL Find Fabulous Facilities for Your Big Event 1. Crystal Ice House Sports: Hockey, skating, curling, broomball This ice rink, located in the town of Crystal Lake, hosts leagues and programs for hockey and figure skating, like the Crystal Lake Stingers and Yellowjackets. Three sheets of ice (one NHL-sized), locker rooms, concessions and a pro shop are among the amenities.

2. The Quarry Cable Park Sports: Wakeboarding This Crystal Lake park takes its name from its original function as a gravel mine. The former quarry was filled with water and turned into a park with an extensive cable course for wakeboarding that will open in the spring of 2016. The 32-acre lake has jumps and other features that make for a complete wakeboard course. In addition to competitions, the Quarry offers lessons in wakeboarding and tours of its cutting-edge facilities. The Quarry also has a volleyball court and the Bar and Grille restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining areas.

3. McHenry County Fairgrounds Sports: Indoor and outdoor sports When these Woodstock fairgrounds aren’t hosting the county fair or other festivals, they are available for rent by event planners.

The grounds cover 65 acres with outdoor grandstand seating for 1,300 and 9,600 square feet of multipurpose, climate-controlled indoor space. Both indoor and outdoor spaces can be used for diverse purposes, from BMX racing to polo to dog shows.

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Stellar services and facilities make McHenry County, Illinois the go-to place for sport events.

Leisure Activities for Every Taste McHenry County residents are proud of their many attractions and welcome visitors to a wide variety of venues. The McHenry County Fairgrounds host the county fair for one week in August and other festivals, including a holiday celebration in winter.

Richardson’s Adventure Farm boasts the largest corn maze in the world, a zip line and other attractions. On the calmer side, visitors can enjoy the natural bounty of Royal Oak Farm Orchard and Gardens of Woodstock. Or delve into history at Dole Mansion at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, Illinois Railway Museum and Volo Auto Museum. On the idyllic town square in Woodstock, enjoy Jazz on the Square performances, world-class artists at the Woodstock Opera House or the one-of-a-kind shops.

Just a Short Trip from Chicago McHenry County is located about 60 miles northwest of Chicago. Major roadways that go through McHenry County include I-90, Illinois 23, US 14, US 12 and US 120. McHenry County is about 50 miles from O’Hare and Midway airports in Chicago, 67 miles from Milwaukee’s George Mitchell International Airport.

VISIT MCHENRY COUNTY

Tammy Townsend Kise, Sales and Marketing Manager 815-893-6280 • tammy@visitmchenrycounty.com VisitMcHenryCounty.com

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Fabulous Facilities for Quality Competition 1. Crab Orchard Golf Club Sports: Golf Named in Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play, Crab Orchard in Carterville is a scenic, par-70 golf course featuring lush fairways winding through stands of mature oak trees. Water hazards come into play on half of the holes and the small greens have subtle breaks, which can make them difficult to read. The course is quite formidable from the championship tees, but the forward and middle tees make it approachable for all skill levels.

1 WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL Planning your next big golf tournament? Look no further than this Southern Illinois sporting haven.

VISITSI

Shannon Johnson, CEO 800-433-7399 • sjohnson@V isitSI.com VisitSI.com

2. The Links at Kokopelli Golf Club Sports: Golf Golf Week magazine in 2014 rated the 18-hole course in Marion as one of the best in Illinois. It features 7,154 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.2, with a slope rating of 132. There are five sets of tees and 96 sprawling bunkers. Amenities include a pro shop, restaurant, and a bar and grill.

3. Pine Lakes Golf Club Sports: Golf Pine Lakes Golf Club in Herrin is an 18-hole course featuring 5,889 yards from the longest tees for a par of 67. Recent enhancements were made to the tee boxes, while greens were enlarged or reshaped and more sand traps added. The course rating is 67, with a slope rating of 107. A clubhouse features a snack bar, full-service bar, game room, shuffleboard and big-screen TVs.

Fun Things for Your Free Time Being located in a rural area, it’s no surprise that many of Williamson County’s attractions involve enjoying Mother Nature. Arrowhead Lake Nature Trail and Campground offers peaceful hikes; leisurely strolls also can be had at Cannon Park and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. After working up an appetite from all that hiking, enjoy a hearty meal at places like the 20’s Hideout Steakhouse, Bennie’s Italian Food, Burger Nook and Casa Vieja. The Southern Illinois Miners, a Frontier League baseball team, plays at Marion’s Rent One Park.

Getting There is a Breeze IL 13 crosses Williamson County east to west, and Interstate 57 cuts right through Marion, going north and south. Route 24, south of Williamson, merges with 57 at the county border. The nearest airport is Williamson County Regional Airport in Marion. Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah, Kentucky is 58 miles away.

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3. Wilmington City Parks The parks feature seven baseball/softball fields that can accommodate 200 fans each, four lighted tennis courts and three grass soccer fields.

Things to Do When Not Watching a Horse Competition Kings Island Amusement Park, one of the largest theme and water parks in the Midwest, is a short drive away. Shopping opportunities abound at the 140-store Tanger Outlet Mall in Jeffersonville, or stay local and check out the Caesar Creek Markets or Shoppes at the Old Mill.

Convenient Midwestern Location

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CLINTON COUNTY, OH While sports teams get into the spirit of competition, they also enjoy the countryside of Southwest Ohio.

Facilities for Equine Competition at its Best

Clinton County is within an hour from two major airports— Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Dayton International Airport—and has its own Clinton County Regional Airport. The area is easily accessible through major highway I-71. Once in the region, teams will find it is easy to get around since most facilities, hotels and attractions are within close proximity.

CLINTON COUNTY CVB

Debbie Stamper, Executive Director 937-382-1965 • dstamper@clintoncountyohio.com ClintonCountyOhio.com

There are advantages to being a big fish in a little pond.

1. Roberts Arena This premier full-service horse show venue in Wilmington has just expanded and completely remodeled its facilities. A new 615by-120-foot indoor arena has been added and an existing indoor arena has been expanded to 260 by 108 feet. These additions combined with existing arenas now provide more than 130,000 square feet of heated riding space, making Roberts Arena the largest heated facility for shows in the United States. More than 700 stalls are available, 400 of which are connected by climate-controlled walkways to all arenas. Additional RV hook-ups have been added, bringing the total to 96.

2. Wilmington College The campus features three regulation soccer fields, a 3,500-seat football stadium, and an arboretum used for cross country. Hermann Court, the college’s athletics complex, includes the 3,500-seat Fred Raizk Arena for volleyball, wrestling and men’s and women’s basketball.

There are also six lighted tennis courts with 200 seats; the all-weather, eight-lane Beckett Track; Tewksbury-Delany Field, for baseball and softball matches; and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

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Smaller cities really appreciate a sporting event coming to their community. You can expect to receive top-notch personal service and affordable destinations.

Wilmington, Ohio, is such a place. Located in the middle of Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, we’ve hosted events to include tennis, softball, baseball, gymnastics, equine, soccer, football and wrestling.

Let us show you how you should be treated. Call today.

Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau 877-4-A-VISIT www.clintoncountyohio.com Sports Planning Guide

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AKRON/SUMMIT COUNTY, OH Top-tier Sports Facilities Attract Tournament Organizers 1. Canal Park Sport: Baseball Home of the Akron RubberDucks, an Eastern League minor league team, this stadium sits just off the University of Akron campus in the northwest section of the city. With a capacity of nearly 9,500, it’s one of the city’s largest baseball facilities. Players enjoy a grass field and state-of-the-art scoreboard that is the largest in the league. Fans can enjoy some of the 25 luxury boxes, a restaurant and picnic area. Canal Park often hosts local high school and college baseball teams and tournaments.

2. InfoCision Stadium (University of Akron) Sport: Football InfoCision Stadium, where the Akron Zips play during the fall collegiate season, can seat 27,000 spectators, and there is room for 3,000 more fans on the grassy knoll that sits at the southern end of the stadium. During home games, the hill accommodates spillover from the energetic student sections known as the “Roo Zoo.” Inside the seven-level press tower you can find concession stands, restrooms, and 80,000 square feet of academic space.

Premium options include club seats and luxury boxes. Modern locker rooms and sports medicine facilities impress visiting teams.

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In the Akron area you’ll experience the best of innovation and industry while feeling the warmth of Midwestern hospitality at every turn.

3. James A. Rhodes Arena (University of Akron) Sports: Basketball, volleyball With two courts and a capacity of 5,500 spectators, the arena is home to the basketball and volleyball teams of the University of Akron. While not in use as a collegiate facility, it hosts outside teams. The arena is known for its impressive sound system and also features a sports medicine and training facility, fan team shop and meeting rooms.

4. Ocasek Natatorium (University of Akron) Sports: Swimming, diving The university’s Ocasek Natatorium is a premier swimming and diving facility with a 50-meter, Olympic-sized pool, 3m and 5m platforms and 1m and 2m springboards. An underwater observation room complements the observation deck, which has a capacity of up to 1,000 spectators. In between meets and competitions athletes can relax their muscles in the leisure pool, which features a 29-person spa, vortex pool and bubblers.

5. Tallmadge Recreation Center & North Avenue Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer, basketball, golf, fitness This 100,000-square-foot recreation center is full of great features that can meet your group’s needs for a wide variety of sports.

There are facilities for basketball, golf, kickboxing, indoor soccer, yoga and fitness classes, plus a 1/5-mile walking and jogging track. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Firestone Stadium Sports: Baseball, softball Hosting one of the nation’s best professional softball teams, the Akron Racers, Firestone Stadium works hard to cement itself as a premier venue for the sport. Until 1988 it was owned by the Firestone tire company, but later gifted to the city of Akron. The 4,576-seat stadium began a $1.5-million renovation in June 2015 that will improve softball facilities and add a new concession area, two-story team clubhouse, picnic area and training facilities.

Pro Sports, Cultural Pursuits and Mother Nature Keep Visitors Busy When you bring your sports group to Akron you’ll notice a smalltown feel mixed with the benefits of big-city entertainment.

The city has plenty to offer for everyone from nature lovers to foodies, so you can maximize your free time and make memories to last long after you return home.

We already know sports is a hot topic among your group, so why not spend your downtime watching some of the local Akron athletes at their best? The RubberDucks at Canal Park, University of Akron Zips sports teams and Akron Racers at Firestone Stadium all will leave you cheering and provide that extra bit of off-the-field inspiration. For cultural experiences, check out the Akron Art Museum or catch a performance by the Ballet Theater of Ohio or Akron Symphony Orchestra.

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Athletes need to stay powered, and what better way than to experience the local cuisine of Summit County? No need to worry about a food shortage here – there are hundreds of eateries to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. For unique experiences that will surely make memories on your trip, check out the car-side service at Swenson’s Drive-in or satisfy your sweet tooth at Harry London Chocolate Factory.

Feel like getting up close with Mother Nature? You’ll be happy to know that Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just north of the city, and it’s one of the top 10 most visited in the U.S. Enjoy hiking, biking, running, or simply relaxing in the peaceful and lush landscape. And there are plenty of opportunities to unwind in any of the 13 parks within the city limits.

How Do I Get My Sports Group to Akron?

Akron is accessible via I-76 and I-77. Akron-Canton Airport is just 15 miles south of the city.

AKRON/SUMMIT CVB

Mary E. Tricaso, CSE, CSEE, Director of Sales 330-374-8926 • mtricaso@visitakron-summit.org VisitAkron-Summit.org • SportsOhio.Travel

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WISCONSIN DELLS, WI Space for Big-Time Sports Events 1. JustAGame Fieldhouse Sports: Volleyball, basketball With 53,000 square feet of indoor hardwood playing space, JustAGame Fieldhouse is ideally set up to host basketball and volleyball tournaments and clinics. Facilities include six full-length basketball courts and 10 full-length volleyball courts, plus the 94-foot-long Court of Champions, which comes with seating for over 1,800 fans and a balcony/VIP area.

For the players, four locker rooms and an on-site sporting goods store make getting ready a breeze. And for the spectators, there's a concession stand to handle any snacking needs. Parking on the street is free from Sept. 15 to May 15; the rest of the year, meters are used.

2. Poppy Waterman Ice Arena Sports: Hockey, figure skating Also known as Lake Delton Ice Arena, this venue is available to rent year-round. From July 1 to May 14, the 85-by-200-foot arena space is ice; from mid-May to July, it's 17,000 square feet of concrete floor space that can be used for dance and other events. The site has a single playing surface. During tournaments, full concessions are open, and no carry-in food is permitted. The Pro Shop sharpens blades and stocks hockey sticks and ice skates in case players need an emergency replacement.

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Baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, football – your group can do all that here, and then head for the waterslides immediately after.

3. Rotary Park Sports: Baseball This recently renovated facility is more than just a place to play baseball - it's absolutely designed for the sport. It offers two youth baseball fields facilitated by Little League International Field.

4. Woodside Wisconsin Dells Center Dome Sports: Volleyball, basketball, wrestling, indoor softball, indoor baseball, lacrosse, football, soccer Big enough to contain 16 volleyball courts - that's 90,000 square feet of open space - and with a ceiling that soars 70 feet above the playing surface, Woodside Wisconsin Dells Center Dome is perfect for just about any indoor sport you can name. It’s also the place where you'll find the Woodside Baseball Academy.

It contains a single, but very large, multipurpose field. Other perks include on-site parking and an additional 13,000 square feet of pre-event space. On-site tournament directors keep things running smoothly in the event of any hiccups.

5. Woodside Sports Complex - Mauston Sports: Baseball, softball; soccer and volleyball to come This 245-acre parcel of the Woodside Sports Complex family offers the fun of an outdoor area with the convenience of eight synthetic turf baseball/softball fields. Fields can be lit for nighttime play. The site offers a fully-stocked concessions stand, and parking facilities are located near the fields. Upcoming renovations will @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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A Family Vacation Favorite add on-site housing accommodations, 10 turf multipurpose fields, 20 sand volleyball courts and a concert area with extensive seating. On-site tournament directors help deal with unexpected challenges.

6. Woodside Sports Complex - Wisconsin Dells Sports: Baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer Currently, this complex offers teams the choice of six synthetic turf multi-use fields and four turf baseball/softball fields in a pleasantly landscaped setting. Renovations scheduled for later this year will add two grass multipurpose fields. Other on-site amenities include six batting cages, a concession and retail area, meeting rooms, a VIP viewing area and parking. Those who rent the site provide their own officials, but on-site tournament directors are on hand to help cope with any problems that may arise.

Getting Your Group to Wisconsin Dells The Dells is in the center of lower Wisconsin, conveniently located off of Interstate 90, approximately 50 miles north of Madison. It’s about a three-hour trip from Minneapolis or Chicago; five hours from Des Moines, Iowa; and six hours from Indianapolis and St. Louis. If your group is flying in, the most convenient airport is Dane County Regional Airport in Madison.

From there, it’s an easy drive up I-90 to the Dells. The airport offers flights to and from hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth, New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Minneapolis.

Wisconsin Dells is home to more indoor and outdoor waterparks, per capita, than any other place on earth. It claims Wisconsin’s largest indoor waterpark, America’s largest outdoor waterpark and the nation’s largest combination indoor/ outdoor waterpark resort.

Not all fun activities in the Dells require getting soaked. Indoor theme parks make rides available all year round. In the warmer months, zipline tours, go-karts, golf and mini-golf let those competitive juices flow freely. The Dells also offers dinner theater and live entertainment. In downtown Wisconsin Dells, shops abound with personalized souvenirs and edible treats, including ice cream and freshly made fudge.

Planner Perspective “Our venue partners, Noah’ s Ark and Tommy Bartlett were a pleasure to work with as was everyone at the Dells VCB. This is one of our easiest venues to work with. The police, fire and EMS departments are very easy to work with and very accommodating.”

— Eric Opdyke, Revolution3 Triathlon

WISCONSIN DELLS VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU Tifani Jones, Director of Sales 888-339-3822, ext. 345 • sales@wisdells.com PlayInTheDells.com

WE ALL KNOW COACH ROB. He brings his teams to compete at a high level, but he’s got families to keep happy too. Luckily “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” has everything from roller coasters and waterslides, to live shows and scenic tours – making Coach Rob happy and making you the tournament planning champ. Oh, and we’ve also got facilities for nearly every sport. Contact us to find out more.

PlayInTheDells.com | sales@wisdells.com | (800) 223-3557

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South Region W

hether you’re looking for a place to hold a rowing competition, an equestrian event or a softball tournament, sports-minded cities across the South are eager to host your group. Thanks to superior facilities and a wide range of accommodations and attractions, planners can take heart in knowing the folks at each destination in this regional section are old hands at coordinating events of all sizes.

They make it look easy.

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The South abounds with sites for cycling competition, like this motocross event in Sumter, South Carolina.

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SITE INSPECTIONS

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95 Georgia Sports Guide 102 Savannah, GA 104 Alpharetta, GA 106 Cobb County, GA 108 Atlanta’s Dekalb, GA 109 Perry, GA 110 LaGrange, GA 112 Lake Lanier, GA 114 Gwinnett County, GA 116 Kissimmee, FL 118 Palm Beach County, FL 120 Sarasota County, FL 122 Ocala/Marion County, FL 124 Foley, AL 128 North Carolina Sports Guide 134 Winston-Salem, NC 136 Fayetteville, NC 138 Wilmington, NC 140 Greater Raleigh, NC 142 Cabarrus County, NC 143 Mooresville, NC 144 Conway, AR 146 Rutherford County, TN 150 Sevierville, TN 153 South Carolina Sports Guide 162 Myrtle Beach, SC 165 Greenwood, SC 166 Aiken, SC 168 Sumter, SC 170 Columbia, SC 173 Saluda Shoals Park, SC 174 Florence, SC 176 Mountain Lakes, SC 178 Rock Hill/York County, SC 180 Spartanburg, SC 182 Greenville, SC 184 North Myrtle Beach, SC

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Find Your Perfect Sports Fit in Georgia

The best sports events are organized by planners who think outside the gym. What will the teams do during their downtime? Where will they stay? Can local restaurants accommodate big groups of athletes?

All these additional components come together to form an unspoken event planning rule: sports events are only as good as the city in which they’re hosted. It can be hard for event planners like yourself to find the perfect city when there are so many options vying for your attention but, luckily for you, Georgia is chock full of charming towns and bustling metropolises that can’t wait to help you make your tournament or race a smashing success.

Between its collection of cities and towns, Georgia has hosted Super Bowls, World Series and even the Summer Olympics, giving the Peach State a formidable sports history that puts it well above other potential destinations. In addition to successfully pulling off events on a global scale, Georgia is the well-loved home of the Falcons, the Braves and the Hawks. While your athletes might not be pros (yet!), rest assured Georgia will treat them with the same caliber. With more than 19 major sports cities and 1,850 hotels to choose from, Georgia makes picking a host city an enjoyable experience that will leave you anxiously awaiting your upcoming event.

Outside the gym and off the field, your athletes will never run out of things to see and do during their trip. Whether they’re touring Civil War mansions after the sun has set, shooting down waterslides at Six Flags or conquering the bountiful scenic wonders the Peach State’s natural side has to offer, your teams will enjoy their stay from start to finish no matter what Georgia city they’re visiting.

Ready to find your perfect sports fit? Head to georgia-sports.com.

SPORTS

GEORGIA

Site InSpections 102 104 106 108 109 110 112 114

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■ Savannah, GA ■ Alpharetta, GA ■ Cobb County, GA ■ Atlanta’s Dekalb, GA ■ Perry, GA ■ LaGrange, GA ■ Lake Lanier, GA ■ Gwinnett County, GA

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Atlanta Experience

Before and After the Game

Interactive exhibits entice visitors to the Center for Civil and Human Rights (left), located between the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta.

Save with CityPASS in the nation’s ninth largest f planning to explore Georgia, all roads lead to Atlanta. If planning to explore Atlanta, then take a look at the Atlanta CityPASS. Available for purchase online, this admission-ticket booklet saves visitors more than 40 percent off regular ticket prices on five of the area’s popular attractions. At most attractions you can skip the ticket line and go directly to the entrance, saving time as well as money.

More than 10 million gallons of fresh and marine water fill the seven galleries at the Georgia Aquarium. Aquanaut Adventure: A Discovery Zone is a fun educational adventure with a series of challenges that allow families to learn about aquatic life. Cold Water Quest features ocean fish and marine mammals, while a theater film brings features the beauty of dolphins. Visitors can walk through an acrylic tunnel to view whale sharks and manta rays, and one gallery showcases the diversity of animals found in the world’s rivers. Tropical coral reefs and their inhabitants also dazzle Georgia Aquarium guests.

There’s only one place to learn the story of the world’s best-known beverage—The World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place®. Level 1 begins with The Loft and artifacts that tell the rich heritage of the brand. The

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film Moments of Happiness is a must-see, and who doesn’t want to have a picture taken with the iconic Coca-Cola polar bear? He’s right near the Vault of the Secret Formula. See the actual bottling process at the Bottle Works and learn the history of the Coca-Cola Company at Milestones of Refreshment. Level 2 has two theaters. The Perfect Pauses Theater is a visit through the company’s commercials. The Live Positively® Portrait Wall and Pop Culture Gallery share the impact of the brand. Search for your favorite among the 100 flavors from throughout the world in Taste It! The Coca-Cola Store makes a perfect end to your visit.

The Inside CNN Studio Tour is an up-close look at the global news leader. Every 10 minutes a guided walking tour departs for a 50-minute journey through CNN headquarters. You’ll visit the working studios of CNN and HLN. You’ll hear and witness live broadcasts and do a live read yourself while seeing your face on the big screen in Studio 7E. The special Morning Express Tour, available Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. by reservation, visits the HLN Morning Express set with Robin Meade. Atlanta CityPASS holders can upgrade to the VIP Tour with expanded inside access for smaller groups. This in-depth tour goes three times daily and does not @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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College Football Hall of Fame

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Inside CNN Studio Tour

metropolitan area, a treasure chest of family fun permit children under 12. All Inside CNN Studio Tours should have a 24hour reservation to ensure your place.

Now it’s time to choose between the Zoo Atlanta and Center for Civil and Human Rights. One of the city’s most cherished attractions, Zoo Atlanta shares more than 1,400 animals. You’ll see birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and the Carnivorous Plant Bog garden. Highlights include giant pandas and the nation’s largest gorilla and orangutan collection. There are interactive wildlife shows, keeper talks, a petting zoo, Zoo train rides and playgrounds.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is located adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. The center is one of the few places that bridges the American civil rights movement and today’s global human rights movements. Three major galleries are at the heart of the Center. The Voices to the Voiceless gallery features a rotating exhibition of Martin Luther King, Jr. items from the Morehouse College collection. Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement engulfs visitors in the momentous 1950s and 1960s. Visitors gain a connection to human rights in Spark of ConvicSportsPlanningGuide.com

tion: The Global Human Rights Movement.

The last choice is an experience at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or the College Football Hall of Fame. Housing the world’s largest dinosaurs, Argentinosaurus, and Atlanta’s biggest IMAX, there’s a world of family fun and adventure at Fernbank. Eight permanent exhibitions, many with hands-on activities, explore cultures of the world. Regularly scheduled special exhibitions bring new discoveries to Fernbank.

The College Football Hall of Fame’s Chick-Fil-A Fan Experience is the most interactive attraction in Atlanta. Show your skills on the 45-yard replica field in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Skill Zone. Join the ESPN College GameDay Desk built by The Home Depot crew, Chris Fowler and Desmond Howard. Test your broadcast skills and call a legendary college football play in the Call the Play booth. Ten galleries and exhibits, including Game Day Theater, immerse the visitor in the passion of college football.

Begin your metro Atlanta vacation experience online at citypass.com/Atlanta.

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Georgia

Sets the Stage for

Big Events Georgia’s Southern charm, coastal location and subtropical climate make it a top choice for high-caliber sports events to take place year round on land or sea. Here are seven events that prove Georgia is more than capable of ensuring any kind of sports event will go off without a hitch.

TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola DeKalb County

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The TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola is held annually at Atlanta’s renowned East Lake Golf Club in DeKalb County, the formative home of the legendary Bobby Jones. In 2004, East Lake was named the permanent home to the TOUR Championship by Coca Cola, the FedExCup Playoff Finale and the season-ending event for the PGA TOUR. With this year’s event taking place September 24-27, players compete for an $8,250,000 purse at the oldest golf club in Atlanta.

The tournament primarily benefits the East Lake Foundation and First Tee. The club serves as the driving force behind the effort to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. All profits from the club, as well as charita ble donations from the club’s corporate membership, support the East Lake Foundation and its remarkable redevelopment project.

The top 30 players in FedExCup points (after the BMW Championship) qualify for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola at the FedExCup Playoff Finale. FedExCup points are reset prior to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, ensuring a real shootout as all 30 players in the field will have a mathematical chance of winning the FedExCup with a victory at the event.

Mitsubishi Electric Classic Gwinnett County Savannah’s famous historic district is the setting for the Rock ̓n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & Half Marathon.

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Formerly known as the Greater Gwinnett Championship, this PGA Tour’s Champions Tour is held in Gwinnett County annually at the TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, which spans 1,200 acres of Georgia countryside within the gated community of Sugarloaf Country Club. With an expected 40,000 spectators, the event will generate an anticipated $10 million in economic impact. The 54-hole tournament features 81 Champions Tour professionals competing for a $1.8 million purse. The 2016 event will take place April 11-17 with all three official rounds nationally televised on the Golf Channel. It will benefit charities through the Gwinnett Championship Foundation, Inc.; and has raised more than $520,000 for area charities in its first three years through all tournament-related activities.

"Playing the Champions Tour event in Gwinnett County at TPC Sugarloaf was an easy decision. The history of the Bellsouth Classic proved to us the need to continue professional golf in Gwinnett—great golf course, great community support and a location that we know players enjoy. And to partner with the Gwinnett Sports Commission was icing on the cake," said Miller Brady , Champions Tour senior vice president and chief of operations. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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2018 Dragon Boat World Championships Lake Lanier

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The 2018 Dragon Boat World Championships will take place at Lake Lanier Olympic Venue. It was bid on by Gainesville Hall County 96 to be held at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue in the summer of 2018 and expects 4,000 spectators, 3,000 players and $6 million in projected economic impact.

“The bid from Gainesville Hall 96 was accepted by the International Canoe Federation despite having received numerous bids from countries around the world. The Lake Lanier Olympic Venue offers the most fair and most beautiful course in the world. We believe that the world will see just how hospitable and accommodating Gainesville and Hall County can be when these elite athletes arrive here at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue,” said Morgan House, venue manager at Lake Lanier Olympic Venue.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & Half Marathon Savannah

The Rock ’n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & Half Marathon takes place in Savannah’s beautiful, oaklined historic district, drawing 26,000 participants and spectators to the city . As one of Savannah’s largest events, the marathon generates nearly $34 million in economic impact and more than 19,000 room nights annually. This year, participants will relish a taste of the city as they enjoy several race-weekend events November 6-9. With a full marathon, half marathon, relay, 5K, one-miler and kids’ run, the weekend will be fun for all ages and skill sets. In 2014, Rock ’n’ Roll Savannah runners also helped raise more than $400,000 for its charity partners.

"Savannah is a beautiful city and great destination, so naturally it was a great fit for our Series, which strives to give runners a full weekend experience. Race participants can expect historic sites, stunning scenery and true Southern hospitality both on and off our marathon and half marathon courses,” said Director of Public Relations Dan Cruz. “This year will be our fifth in Savannah and we are grateful for our partners at Savannah Sports Council for helping us put on a successful event each year.”

Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour and Pro Wakesurf Tour Cobb County

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The Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour and Pro Wakesurf Tour returns to Cobb annually at Dallas Landing Park on Lake Allatoona in Acworth. The event features watersports action as well as food and music, athlete autograph signings, prizes and drawings, and shopping for equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. More than 5,000 spectators and 250 boats line the beach and course line to watch the world’s top professional wakeboarders compete. This family-oriented event generates an estimated $1.1 million in economic impact on the community.

“Few tour cities roll out the red carpet to welcome the pros like return city Acworth, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Dallas Landing on Lake Allatoona is another ‘land or sea’ venue that keeps the party going, with over 250 boats drawn to this legendary competition course. After the contest, the party continues at downtown Acworth’s Pro T our Street Party,” says a Supra Pro Wakeboard Tour press release.

Georgia National Rodeo Perry

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IronKids Alpharetta Alpharetta

The IronKids Alpharetta event is held at Wills Park in Alpharetta, Georgia annually and is the largest youth triathlon in the US with more than 1,300 athletes competing in a swim, bike and run competition. The race includes three divisions: Junior for ages 6 to 8, Intermediate for ages 9 to 11 and Senior for ages 12 to 15.

"The community of Alpharetta plays the per fect host for the largest IronKids Triathlon in the country each September," stated Race Director Bill Burke.

The Lake Lanier Olympic Venue awaits dragon boat action in 2018.

Georgia National Rodeo, taking place February 18-20, 2016 at Reaves Arena in Perr y, is expected to host 800 riders and 15,000 spectators, generating an estimated $1,942,263.75 in economic impact. The event is officially sanctioned by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and features specialty acts plus cowboys and cowgirls from across the country competing in seven categories: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing. Points earned at the Georgia National Rodeo qualify riders for the National Finals held every December in Las Vegas.

The Georgia National Rodeo features the best in the business.

The Mitsubishi Electric Classic at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth draws about 40,000 spectators.

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SAVANNAH, GA

Host your next tournament in Savannah, Georgia and see why visitors can’t stop gushing about this iconic Southern city.

A Wide Spectrum of Great Facilities for Hosting Great Sports Events 1. Savannah International Trade and Convention Center

3. Historic Grayson Stadium

Sports: Volleyball, indoor tennis, badminton, cheer, dance, gymnastics With 100,000 square feet of adaptable floor space, Savannah’s convention center is the perfect facility to accommodate cheer, dance, gymnastics and any other indoor exhibition sport that requires large amounts of space. Additionally, the convention center can host volleyball, indoor tennis, badminton and other gymnasium sports like dodgeball.

Sports: Baseball Historic Grayson Stadium offers free parking, multiple concession stands and one state-of-the-art professional baseball field. The stadium seats 4,000 people and has been open since 1926, making it a Savannah landmark.

2. Savannah Civic Center Sports: Cheer, dance, gymnastics Savannah Civic Center plays host to well over 500 events per year, a large number of which are tournaments and competitions like the PINK Gymnastics Invitational. The center’s 20,000square-foot Martin Luther King Arena can hold as many as 7,000 spectators and is the perfect location to host cheer, dance or gymnastics. Concession stands are available.

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4. Armstrong State University Sports: Volleyball, swimming, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball The university is home to several sports facilities that can host your event. The Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC) holds a six-lane, 25-yard indoor pool as well as room for two regulationsize volleyball courts or five badminton courts. ARC also offers bleacher seating for about 1,000 people. Armstrong Soccer Field offers seating for 300 and a concession stand. The university also has a baseball/softball field, a two-lane indoor track and a basketball court.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Savannah College of Art and Design: SCAD Athletic Complex

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Soccer, lacrosse This small college is home to the SCAD Athletic Complex, a set of fields where the school’s lacrosse and soccer teams practice and compete. Both of these fields are lighted and come with bleacher seating and ample parking space nearby.

6. Savannah State University Sports: Baseball, softball, tennis, football, track and field, basketball, volleyball, swimming Savannah State offers one baseball field, one softball field and eight outdoor tennis courts. Additionally, the school offers one football field that’s surrounded by a six-lane track and two basketball courts.

Recent additions to Savannah State’s campus include a volleyball complex and a pool.

What Can Savannah Offer My Teams in Their Downtime?

Savannah gives visitors an almost endless array of attractions, experiences and history with its own little twist on each of them. Touring Civil War mansions becomes terrifying and exhilarating when you embark on your journey after the sun sets and the ghosts begin to haunt the properties. Going out for Southern breakfast morphs into a delicious and creative activity when you eat at Funky Brunch Cafe, where you design your own pancakes. Savannah exploration gets taken up a notch when a riverboat is your mode of transportation, and even more so when your cruise departs under the light of the moon. With over 15,000 hotel rooms available in the greater Savannah area, your teams are guaranteed to be well-rested in addition to being entertained, ready to play their hearts out at the tournament.

A Convenient Coastal Location Only four hours southeast of Atlanta, Savannah sits directly on the Atlantic Coast and is easily accessible via Interstates 16 and 95. Major cities under eight hours away include Jacksonville, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Montgomery, Alabama. Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is just under 20 minutes northwest of the city center. Major airlines that fly there include Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue and United.

Planner Perspective “Savannah is a great place for a family sports vacation. The history of downtown Savannah and its beach culture on Tybee Island makes it a destination for beach volleyball athletes and their family. EVP Tour is excited to return for our seventh year in a row May 8-9, 2016.”

— Ross Balling, EVP Tour Commissioner

SAVANNAH SPORTS COUNCIL

Ben Wilder, Director, CSEE 912-644-6414 • bwilder@VisitSavannah.com SavannahSportsCouncil.com

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ALPHARETTA, GA Facilities Range from Ball Fields to Ice Arenas

With year-round sunshine, modern and affordable hotels, well-maintained facilities and professional partnerships, planning a sports event in Alpharetta, Georgia is as sweet as the peaches the state is known for.

1. North Park

3. Wills Park

Sports: Football, softball, tennis, soccer, baseball This sprawling park is perfect for a variety of sports and tournament-friendly competition with its clusters of fields. Its facilities include seven lighted tennis courts, two multipurpose synthetic turf fields and eight lighted softball fields. Families can enjoy meals in its two picnic pavilions and kids can choose from two playgrounds.

Visitors to the park can also enjoy its Adult Activity Center, Arts Building, Rotary Reflection Garden and 3.1-mile walking trail.

Sports: Baseball, tennis, disc golf Home to the Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association, this 110-acre park is a tournament planner’s dream. The park includes seven grass baseball fields, one synthetic turf baseball field and two tee ball fields. Families and team siblings can enjoy its five picnic pavilions and Wacky World Playground. It also offers a disc golf course, six lighted tennis courts and a 1.8-mile walking trail where walkers can view the scenic Alpharetta Community Garden and Alpharetta Arboretum.

2. The Cooler Sports: Ice hockey, figure skating, volleyball, roller hockey, martial arts, yoga, wrestling One of Georgia’s largest skating facilities, the Cooler has two 85-by-200-foot ice arenas and one 85-by-185-foot roller arena.

Courts are available for basketball and volleyball, and are adaptable for other sports. Four party rooms can be used for team gatherings and celebrations.

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4. Windward Lake Club Sports: Tennis Windward Lake Club is a private tennis facility nestled amongst the pines in the heart of Alpharetta. WLC features 30 courts including 20 hard courts, two Har-Tru clay courts, six kids’ courts (36-foot courts for 8&U) and two platform/paddle tennis courts. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Downtime Options Abound for Players and Families Every good sports event planner knows there is more to planning an event than just the games and tournaments. The safety of the players and a family-oriented atmosphere for downtime is crucial to success. Alpharetta was recently named America’s 7th friendliest city by Forbes and offers a wide variety of familyfriendly activities perfect for the young and young at heart.

Kids and adults can have a night out on the town together at Main Event Entertainment, where they can eat, play laser tag and bowl; or at Topgolf Alpharetta, where they can engage in friendly-competition with a point-scoring golf game over dinner and drinks. Families can enjoy picnics, fresh air and performances at one of three outdoor music venues: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Chukkar Farm or Matilda’s Under the Pines.

Take in a scenic outdoor walk on the Big Creek Greenway or at one of Alpharetta’s five arboretums. Release your inner daredevil during a rider training class at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

In the heart of historic downtown Alpharetta, you’ll find boutique shops, a self-guided history walk and locally-owned restaurants offering delicious food. For a more luxurious experience, Avalon offers 86 lush acres of upscale shopping, chef-driven dining, resort-level hospitality and family entertainment at Regal Cinemas or on the Plaza lawn. North Point Mall and the surrounding area is home to more than 100 major retailers, including the only

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American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Georgia, an innovative LEGO Store, and AMC North Point Mall 12 to see the latest Hollywood flicks while reclining in style. The Walk of Memories at American Legion Post 201 and Veteran’s Field honors all those who have bravely served our country with a brick-paved path memorial honoring our fallen heroes; a collection of military equipment and monuments adds to this moving tribute.

Finding Alpharetta is Easy Perfectly positioned between the North Georgia Mountains and the international city of Atlanta, Alpharetta is easily accessible from all major interstates in North Georgia and the metro Atlanta area. Located only 22 miles north of Atlanta, Alpharetta is a breeze to access off of Georgia 400. Visitors can also access Alpharetta via Georgia Route 19, Hwy 120 or Hwy 92, connecting to major highways such as I-85 and I-75. Alpharetta is surrounded by five airports in the metro area—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, DeKalb Peachtree Airport, Mathis Airport, Gwinnett County Airport and Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport.

ALPHARETTA CVB

Adam Berrios, Sports Sales Manager 678-297-2811 • adam@awesomealpharetta.com AwesomeAlpharetta.com

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COBB COUNTY, GA

Cobb County, Georgia is full of facilities to make your sports event one for the books.

A Wealth of Facilities Makes the Planner’s Job Easy 1. Kennesaw State University Sports and Recreation Park

3. Lost Mountain Park

Sports: Rugby, lacrosse, soccer, football, track Kennesaw State University Sports and Recreation Park features two state-of-the-art, synthetic-turf fields and a 16,000square-foot Owls Nest indoor training facility. This 88-acre complex accommodates field sports such as rugby, lacrosse, soccer and football. There are also a track and nearby lake.

Sports: Softball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, track, fishing, basketball Lost Mountain Park has eight softball fields, one baseball field, two football or soccer fields, 12 tennis courts and a track. On top of that, it has three concession areas, two playgrounds, three picnic pavilions, batting cages and two fishing ponds. The GRPA championship tournament for youth basketball teams is held here.

2. Al Bishop Softball Complex Sports: Softball Al Bishop Softball Complex is the hub of league and tournament events for softball in Georgia. Sponsored by the Cobb Parks and Recreation Department, this nationally recognized facility has hosted around 2,500 annual tournaments since 1979. It also hosts 2,000 league games a year on one of its five fields. A few events that come back year after year are CAM Sports Youth FastPitch Tournament, Japanese Chamber of Commerce Tournament, Metro Girls Fast-Pitch Tournament and NSA Youth Fast-Pitch Tournament.

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4. McEachern High School’s Cantrell Stadium Sports: Football High school football is extremely competitive in Georgia, especially in Cobb County. McEachern High School’s Cantrell Stadium has held the Corky Kell Classic, a Georgia high school football event that benefits the Kell Foundation to help fund scholarships for students. With a capacity of up to 12,500 people, Cantrell Stadium is perfect for those participating in a large football event.

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5. Wild Horse Creek Park Sports: Softball, baseball, soccer, football, BMX, equestrian, fishing, tennis Wild Horse Creek Park has six softball fields, a baseball field, a field used for both soccer and football, a BMX track, an equestrian facility, a fishing pond and four tennis courts. It also has concession buildings, a picnic pavilion and playgrounds.

6. Noonday Park Sports: Soccer, football, BMX, lacrosse Noonday Park offers 12 soccer fields, two soccer practice fields, two football fields and a BMX track. A picnic pavilion, playground and concession building are also available.

minutes northwest of downtown Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport boasts close to 50 million flights a year.

COBB SPORTS ALLIANCE

Rachel Rogers, Sports Sales & Services Manager 678-303-2630 • rrogers@travelcobb.org TravelCobb.org

Free-Time Activities to Keep Your Group Entertained Test your bravery on the first drop of Six Flags Over Georgia's 10-story Dare Devil Dive roller coaster. Relax on the Lazy River or slide down one of the world's tallest water free-falls at Six Flags White Water. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, the most visited Civil War site in the U.S., offers hiking, biking and picnicking on its 2,923 acres. Cobb County also is the location of the greatest spy story in American history, the Great Locomotive Chase. Visit the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, to learn more about this military raid during the Civil War. Cobb County is a shopper's fantasy come true. For the skilled shoppers on your team, its boutiques, retail stores, thrift shops and antique markets will exceed their expectations.

Regularly featured on the Food Network, Cobb County has nationally recognized restaurants such as Henry’s Louisiana Grill and Marietta Diner. Your team's visit to the area wouldn't be complete without experiencing the variety of live entertainment. Beginning in 2017, your team can catch a professional baseball game at SunTrust Park, future home of the Atlanta Braves.

A Quick Drive from Atlanta A short distance away from the largest airport hub in the country, Cobb County is in an excellent location for smooth traveling.

Not only can you experience all the wonders Cobb has to offer, but the surrounding area of Atlanta as well. Cobb County is only 10

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Fields of Dreams 1. Southeast Athletic Complex Sports: Soccer, softball, football, lacrosse This complex has hosted countless local tournaments and offers ample parking for 300 visitors as well as a concession area. Its 80 acres consist of five soccer fields (one lighted), four softball fields (two lighted), a women’s fast-pitch field and three multi-use fields.

2. Henderson Park

ATLANTA’S DEKALB, GA As far as hosting sports events is concerned, Atlanta’s DeKalb County is the MVP. DISCOVER DEKALB Dan Bell, Sports Marketing Manager 770-492-5010 • danb@dcvb.org AtlantasDeKalb.com

Sports: Tennis, soccer In addition to a stunning lake and waterfall, Henderson Park provides four tennis courts, six soccer fields and both paved and natural walking trails. The park is home to Triumph Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports association in all of DeKalb County.

3. Atlanta Silverbacks Park Sports: Soccer Home to Atlanta’s professional men’s soccer team, Silverbacks Park features four full-size soccer fields, one of which is nestled in a 5,000-seat stadium.

DeKalb County Offers Lots to Do off the Field If your teams are interested in exploring natural Georgia, look no farther than the scenic trails and spectacular views of Stone Mountain Park or the millions of years of history preserved in the archeological digs at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Whether it’s on bikes, horses or your own two feet, exploring the peaks and valleys of DeKalb County is sure to be an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches, families and spectators.

Want to beat the heat? Bring your teams to Stone Mountain Park, where Geyser Towers is full of spontaneous water eruptions that let you cool off in the summer or dart across suspended rope bridges and crawl through a maze of tunnels at SkyHike. If you aren’t in the mood to get wet, try shopping around the Decatur Square or at one of the county’s upscale shopping malls.

Just Minutes from Atlanta Only six miles east of downtown Atlanta, DeKalb County is easily accessible via I-20. Cities that are less than eight hours away from DeKalb include Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Memphis; Jacksonville, Florida; New Orleans; and Louisville. Interstates 85, 75, 675 and 285 all access DeKalb. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is only 20 minutes from DeKalb County and is serviced by American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit and United airlines.

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PERRY, GA

This Georgia town warmly welcomes visiting athletes and teams to its wide variety of sports facilities.

Ideal Venues for Equestrian Events, Golf and Fishing

Enjoy Big-Time Entertainment and Small-town Hospitality

1. Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter

Visitors can learn about the town’s historic side through the Perry Area Historical Museum or the Historical Walking Tour and Sam Nunn Museum. Local festivals include the Georgia National Rodeo, Georgia National Fair and Perry Dogwood Festival.

For fun shopping, visit the welcome center’s Georgia Artisan Center and take home a piece of Georgia. Also check out the Carroll Street Boutique District.

Sports: Equestrian, livestock shows When the grounds aren’t hosting the Georgia National Fair for 11 days in October, the buildings are open for other events. This agricenter fills 1,100 acres with two 480-stall horse barns, two arenas, four exhibit halls, a variety of conference rooms and livestock barns, four ponds and parking for as many as 13,000 vehicles. Banquet hall space is rentable as well.

2. Cherokee Pines Golf and Fitness Club Sports: Golf This club offers a 6,465-yard, par-71, 18-hole golf course.

There are four sets of tees for varying skill levels. With pretty even terrain and elevation throughout the park, walking the course is easy, but electric golf carts, each equipped with a GPS device, are available. Cherokee Pines also offers a pool, exercise studio, banquet hall and restaurant.

The “Crossroads of Georgia” is Easy to Access from Any Direction Interstate 75 runs through Perry north to south. US routes 341 and 129 connect Perry to the rest of the state in the Northwest and Southeast regions. The nearest airport is the Perry Houston County Airport in Perry. Middle Georgia Regional Airport, 20 miles north of Perry, offers flights to Atlanta.

3. Flat Creek Fishing and Archery Area Sports: Fishing, archery This 102-acre public fishing lake offers excellent fishing for bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and largemouth bass. The lake can be accessed by bank or boat and is extensively managed to maximize fishing success. Facilities include a concrete boat ramp, restrooms, picnic tables and fish cleaning station.

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PERRY SPORTS COUNCIL

Sandi Smeltzer, Executive Director 478-988-8000 • ssmeltzer@perryga.com PerrySportsCouncil.com

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LAGRANGE, GA

With its natural beauty and warm climate, LaGrange and Troup County provide an excellent location for your next tournament, and the adventure continues after a winner is decided.

Superb Sporting Facilities to Match Your Tournament 1. Harris and Shuford Baseball/Softball Complexes Sports: Baseball, softball Fourteen fields comprise the Harris and Shuford complexes, located across the street from each other on the east side of LaGrange. The fields come in various sizes for different age levels and abilities. Parking lines the west edge of the eight-field Harris baseball complex and also on the southeast corner of the sixsoftball-field Shuford complex. Spectators can watch the game from bleacher seating or stand or sit picnic-style alongside the foul lines.

2. McCluskey Tennis Center Sports: Tennis The Ann and Doc McCluskey Tennis Center offers 10 hydro soft courts and six plexipave courts, all with lighting for after-dark play. Players will enjoy the fully loaded pro shop for last-minute repairs and equipment. Parking is available surrounding the facility and spectators can watch the match from bleacher seats. The complex is located in the center of town near LaGrange High School. It is the home of several leagues and U. S. Tennis Association state championship tournaments. The facility is near several shopping centers and restaurants, and is a short drive from the downtown area and lodging locations.

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3. Pyne Road Park on West Point Lake Sports: Cross country, fishing, triathlon, water sports, biking, extreme sports On the northern banks of the scenic West Point Lake, planners will find a four-mile trail for running and biking with a pavilion for athletes to gather before and after the race. Swimmers, runners and cyclists will perform at the top level as they compete amid the wooded scenery. Bathrooms are on-site and parking is available around the park. On the south side is the Mega pavilion available for rent, along with boat launches and access to the water. The facility has hosted the Bassmaster Elite and state championship fishing tournaments, Bicycle Ride Across Georgia and West Point Lake Olympic Triathlons.

4. Mike Daniel Recreation Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, swimming, indoor soccer The hub of the Troup County Recreation Department, the Mike Daniel Recreation Center offers a dynamic location for several indoor sports. The 75,000-square-foot center offers two basketball courts, an indoor soccer/floor hockey rink and a skate park. Swimmers will also enjoy the 25-yard, six-lane swimming pool. The facility includes meeting space, a snack bar, restrooms and locker rooms. It is located on the east side of LaGrange and has a parking lot in front of the entrance.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Callaway Stadium Sports: Football, soccer, track and field Home of the LaGrange College Panthers football team, Callaway Stadium offers the seating, playing surface and extras a tournament planner needs. Also the home of local high school teams, Callaway Stadium features a FieldTurf playing surface and full concession, restrooms and locker rooms. The stadium is located on the south end of campus with parking around the field.

LaGrange College is in the heart of the city.

Getting to LaGrange Interstate 85 runs through LaGrange, and nearby cities Hogansville and West Point, coming from the northeast from Atlanta and stretching southwest to Montgomery. Interstate 185 offers access to nearby Columbus. LaGrange Callaway Airport has two runways for local air traffic. Just an hour away is Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which is served domestically by American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit and United airlines.

There’s Plenty to Do After the Game

Planner Perspective

LaGrange has the variety of attractions and activities you’re looking for in a tournament destination. See the historic downtown area on a walking tour, and view the city’s true soul on the 3.6-mile loop. Starting at the Legacy Museum, visitors will learn about the city’s growth from its founding in 1828.

After visiting downtown LaGrange, your participants can see a number of mansions, estates and other historical sites in the area. Stonewall Jackson Cemetery is the resting place of more than 300 Confederate soldiers from the Civil War, as well as the Horace King Gravesite. Visitors can also tour the Hills and Dales Estate and the 1835 Bellevue mansion.

Enjoy some first-class shopping in LaGrange’s downtown area at boutiques, coffee shops, and other retailers. There’s also great shopping in nearby West Point and Hogansville.

“Troup County Parks and Recreation Department is one of the best in Georgia. Their professional staff has always impressed me with their commitment to ensuring excellence for every tournament. Working together, the entire community has always done a magnificent job during the Dixie Youth World Series, Georgia state and district tournaments.”

—Jerry Holmes, Georgia Dixie Youth Baseball State Director

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LAGRANGE-TROUP COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Dave Marler, Director of Tourism 706-884-8671 • dave@lagrangechamber.com VisitLagrange.com

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LAKE LANIER, GA

Lake Lanier, Georgia is a high-octane field of dreams for land and water sports enthusiasts.

Facilities Fit for Water Sports and Other Athletic Competitions 1. Lake Lanier Olympic Venue Sports: Kayaking, rowing As home of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, this canoe/ kayak/rowing venue plays hosts to elite athletes from across the globe year round. Upcoming events include the Pan American Sprint Kayak Championships (May 2016) and Dragon Boat World Championships (2017). Located at Clarks Bridge Park, the venue offers rental facilities and stadium seating for up to 2,000 guests. Each facility is equipped with its own restroom, and the Boathouse is currently expanding to host additional guests.

2. Frances Meadows Aquatic Center Sports: Swimming This 34,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor center is located in Gainesville. After a $12-million renovation, the center now includes a 4,400 square foot fitness center and meeting space.

Equipped to host both leisurely swim outings and competitive tournaments, the facility has a 10-lane competition pool and 112

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four-lane instructional pool with indoor stadium seating for up to 300 spectators. The outdoor portion of the facility offers a kidfriendly water playground with slides and sprinklers. There are on-site concessions, locker rooms and a sundeck for relaxing.

3. Road Atlanta Motorsports Center Sports: Cycling, running With 750 acres of pristine Northeast Georgia land, the center hosts a wide variety of professional, world-class motorsports events, including the Petit Le Mans (150,000+ spectators). It includes a 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course, which is perfect for a cycling, running and other road-related sporting events. In 2006 the familyfriendly center underwent major renovations to include private rental spaces. The Podium Club offers private viewing decks, catering services and VIP parking. There are electric and water hookups for in-field camping and designated parking areas with shuttle service for spectators. The track includes multiple restrooms and concession stands. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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4. Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center Sports: Rodeos, archery Situated on 66 acres, the multipurpose complex facilitates equestrian and animal expositions, along with archery competitions, circuses, rodeo shows, and other community and corporate events. It offers bleacher seating, restrooms, concessions and free parking. There are 51 RV hookups reserved for vendor camping, large animal holding areas and indoor meeting facilities.

5. Allen Creek Soccer Complex Sports: Lacrosse The complex features nine youth and adult soccer and lacrosse fields that are perfect for practice, tournament and league play. The venue is located amid 54 acres of well-manicured playing fields and includes stadium seating for up to 2,500 people.

The grounds include over 800 parking spaces, restrooms and concessions.

6. Lanier Islands Resort Located on 1,500 acres by Lake Lanier, the resort includes several individual lodges and conference centers. It hosts a number of family-friendly activities and sporting events, including triathlons, adventure races, canopy tours, golf tournaments, cycling, swimming, boating and horseback riding. The main lodge offers pet-friendly luxury, and there are camping accommodations. The resort has many team dining options and daily parking passes for vacationers and sporting event guests. Resort features include a family-friendly beach, water park, boathouse, equestrian center and over 20 miles of walking trails along the lake.

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Lake Lanier is a Vacation Haven Lake Lanier and surrounding cities like Gainesville offer a perfect mixture of Southern charm and comfort that is sure to hit a home run in the hearts of your athletes and their families.

Besides fun on the water, the area offers plenty of convenient shopping locations, lodging and group dining options, and exciting family-friendly activities to help make them feel right at home. Gainesville proved its hospitality to thousands of spectators by hosting the 1996 Centennial Olympic flatwater competitions.

Making Your Way to Lake Lanier Gainesville is among the many hospitable Georgia cities located along the Lake Lanier shoreline. It is located roughly 45 minutes north of Atlanta. Gainesville is easily accessible from GA-369 E/W and I-985 N/S. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport receives flights from most major cities, and Greyhound provides shuttle service to and from Gainesville.

Locally, there is Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport.

LAKE LANIER CVB

Renee Carden, Sales Manager 770-536-5209 • renee@lakelaniercvb.com DiscoverLakeLanier.com

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GWINNETT COUNTY, GA

Sporting events are a breeze when planners choose Georgia’s Gwinnett County, a premier location for competition and fun.

Top-of-the-line Facilities 1. Suwanee Sports Academy Sports: Basketball, volleyball The Suwanee Sports Academy has over 100,000 square feet of space, including seven NBA-regulation basketball courts and 11 regulation volleyball courts. Entire national competitions are held here, all under one roof in a clean, safe and climate-controlled environment. This multipurpose facility offers flexibility to any event planner, utilizing a pick-and-choose system of options where a group can tailor-make its configuration (i.e. set-up, concessions or bleachers).

2. The Arena at Gwinnett Center Sports: Gymnastics, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, hockey The Arena can accommodate groups from 3,500 to 13,000 for a variety of sporting events. The beautifully landscaped environment and state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics guarantee an enjoyable event. The house reduction system allows staff to scale back seating with the touch of a button. The Arena is the Southeast’s venue of choice for regional and national events, including the 2010, 2013 and 2014 SEC Women’s Basketball Championships; 2012 and 2015 SEC Gymnastics Championships; 2012 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship; and Georgia High School state wrestling and basketball championships.

3. Gwinnett Convention Center Sports: All The Gwinnett Center is made up of 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 21,600-square-foot Grand Ballroom and 23 versatile meeting rooms equipped with retractable air walls. The exhibit hall can easily host a variety of sporting events. With three partitions, this facility can be configured to accommodate events requiring 10,000 to 50,000 square feet.

4. Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation Sports: All With over 40 parks throughout the county, event organizers will find a park that accommodates their needs. Facilities include swimming pools, tennis courts, disc golf courses and sports fields. Gwinnett 114

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County Parks & Recreation was named the nation’s top parks and recreation department by the National Recreation & Park Association in 2008 and was recently voted the #1 Parks and Recreation Department by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association.

5. Coolray Field Sports: Baseball Coolray Field is home to the Atlanta Braves AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves. The stadium has over 10,000 seats and includes a state-of-the-art Diamond Vision screen. It offers full-service catering, multiple bars and restaurants, and a wide variety of visual and audio equipment. It also has indoor batting cages that include a viewing area for those watching. Coolray Field has a variety of suites, the smallest of which comfortably holds 25 people. There are multiple outdoor decks that are ideal for parties or activities.

Much to See and Do in Greater Atlanta One of the best parts about Gwinnett County is that it is an easy drive from Atlanta and many other cities. Shoppers in the family will love Mall of Georgia, Georgia’s largest shopping mall. Attend a Gwinnett Braves game (the Atlanta Braves AAA affiliate) or head down to Aurora Theater to catch a show or concert. Kids can explore one of the towns’ local parks and then get competitive at Dave & Busters. The 16 cities of Gwinnett also offer a variety of restaurants and other attractions, including the Arena at Gwinnett Center, a concert venue.

Visitors can also explore the sights of downtown Atlanta. See the fish at the Georgia Aquarium and enjoy a fizzy soda at the World of Coca-Cola. Learn about college football legends at the College Football Hall of Fame, and walk in the footsteps of those who have made history at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Getting to Gwinnett County Gwinnett County is located off of I-85, just 30 minutes north of downtown Atlanta. Teams flying into Gwinnett County can choose from County Airport or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport.

GWINNETT SPORTS COMMISSION

Leigh Hooten, Sales Manager 770-814-6051 • lhooten@gwinnettsportscommission.com GwinnettSportsCommission.com

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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KISSIMMEE, FL

Warm weather and sunshine invite year-round play, and nearby attractions make Kissimmee a fun-filled escape for both athletes and spectators.

Versatile Facilities Accommodate All Levels of Play 1. Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Sports: Football, basketball, karate, archery, baseball, softball, tennis, cross country, track & field Located at Walt Disney World Resort, the 255-acre Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosts more than 350 events each year. With nine venues, the complex can host nearly every sport, from football and basketball to karate and archery.

The 9,500-seat Champion Stadium is the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves. The complex also includes two multipurpose arenas, HP Field House and Jostens Center, which offer seating capacity of 6,200; 17 multipurpose fields at Hess Sports Fields with four professional baseball fields and six fields at the softball Diamondplex; 10 tennis courts at Centre Court Stadium; a cross country course; and a track and field complex designed with professional specifications.

2. Osceola Heritage Park Complex Sports: Equestrian, rodeo, basketball, football, BMX, cheerleading, gymnastics, volleyball The climate-controlled facility can accommodate a wide variety of events ranging from rodeo and horse shows to basketball, indoor football, BMX, cheerleading, gymnastics and volleyball.

The facility has hosted the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, Sunshine State Basketball Championship and AAU Basketball.

It seats 8,300 spectators and has the floor capacity for up to 3,500 additional seats.

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3. Austin-Tindall Regional Park Sports: Rugby, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, Ultimate Frisbee, cheerleading Austin-Tindall Regional Park offers eight exceptional multipurpose fields that welcome more than 30,000 professional and amateur athletes annually, playing rugby, football, soccer, lacrosse and everything in between. It has previously hosted the American Youth Football and Cheer National Championship and USL Pro training. The facility features five lighted, regulation soccer fields, three practice soccer fields and bleacher seating for 1,500 spectators. Expansion plans scheduled for coming years include additional lighting, concessions and stadium seating.

4. ChampionsGate Sports Field Complex Sports: Soccer, lacrosse Opened in 2014, these professionally maintained fields sit adjacent to a AAA Four-Diamond Resort. ChampionsGate has played host to the North American Caribbean Rugby Association and has been used for Major League Soccer pre-season training.

It includes eight regulation fields with electronic scoreboards, a clubhouse with concessions and flexible bleacher options.

5. Osceola County Softball Complex Sports: Softball The official Eastern training venue for America's Olympic Gold Medal-winning Women's Softball team, Osceola County Softball Complex is an award-winning facility, including recognition as Complex of the Year by the United States Specialty Sports Association. It features five lighted softball fields, all built to U.S. Softball regulations, two covered dugouts per field, electronic scoreboards, eight-station batting cages and 500-seat bleachers per field. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Lake Toho & Lakefront Park Sports: Fishing Home to some of the best bass fishing in the world, Lake Tohopekaliga, or “Lake Toho/Big Toho,” hosts world-class fishing tournaments throughout the year. The Fishing League Worldwide, Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour and Bass Southern Open have all been held there. The 18,800-acre lake includes a marina, event lawns, pavilions, open stage and fishing piers, with parking for 200 cars.

Leisure Options from Make Believe to Reality When you think of Kissimmee, the phrase “something for everyone” definitely applies. The list of possibilities will surprise and thrill your sports team, as well as any family or friends along for the ride.

If your crew loves theme parks, then you’re in luck; you’re super close to Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando. Cool off with a visit to one of the nearby water parks, including SeaWorld’s Aquatica, Wet n’ Wild Orlando and Disney World’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

This part of Florida isn’t just about fantasy worlds, but also features a number of natural wonders and historic attractions that focus on important times in America’s past. Journey into the far reaches of the galaxy at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; enjoy a performance at the Osceola Center for the Arts; or discover the history of the area at the Osceola County Historical Society’s Pioneer Center. Nature lovers can step into Florida’s native lands where they can canoe under canopies of towering cypress trees and explore the headwaters of the Florida Everglades on an airboat ride around the pristine lakes.

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Kissimmee: In the Heart of it All Kissimmee, conveniently located in Central Florida, is minutes from Orlando. Located just off West U.S. Highway 192, the primary corridor of the area, Kissimmee is also accessible via the Florida Turnpike.

With three airports serving the area, Kissimmee is incredibly easy to reach from nearly every part of the country. Most major airlines fly to Orlando International Airport, which is only 20 minutes from Kissimmee.

Additional flights arrive at Orlando Sanford International Airport, less than an hour away, and Kissimmee Gateway Airport, the closest airport to the major theme parks and convention centers.

Planner Perspective

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“When it comes to tournament locations, world-class anglers on the Walmart FLW Tour demand world-class fishing and facilities. Kissimmee delivers both with Big Toho Marina and Kissimmee Lakefront Park on Lake Toho. There is no better tournament destination.”

— Kathy Fennel, President of Operations, FLW

KISSIMMEE SPORTS COMMISSION

John Poole, Director of Sports Marketing and Development 407-569-4838 • jpoole@kissimmeesports.com KissimmeeSports.com

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PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL

Bring your game to Palm Beach County, Florida for an easy-to-plan, successful event combined with a sunny vacation.

Elite Facilities for Everything from Baseball and Football to Polo and Water Skiing 1. Roger Dean Stadium Sports: Baseball, softball The spring training home of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals boasts the only two-team spring training facility outside of Arizona. This facility consists of one primary baseball diamond and 12 supplementary practice fields, all with professional dimensions.

The 7,000-seat stadium features luxury sky-box seating, permanent seating, parking and concessions, making the complex a one-stop baseball or softball tournament destination. It also hosts the USA Baseball National Championships.

2. International Polo Club Sports: Polo, soccer, field hockey This world-class facility is a must-see polo facility in the United States. The club’s pristine surfaces host the world’s top polo 118

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players during the January-April season. The club offers eight polo fields on 60 acres of world-class field space that can host up to 50 soccer or field hockey-sized fields in one location outside of polo season. The club has hosted the National Field Hockey Festival and will be home to the 2016 American Youth Soccer Organization’s National Championship.

3. Delray Tennis Center Sports: Tennis This grand tennis facility consists of 14 clay courts, seven hard courts and an 8,000-seat stadium. It hosts the ATP Tour International Tennis Championships each February. Nearby is the Delray Swim and Tennis Club, which features 28 additional tennis courts. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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4. Florida Atlantic University Stadium Sports: Football, soccer, lacrosse The 30,000-seat, multipurpose stadium, the home of FAU football, is equipped with a press level, five locker rooms and two suite levels consisting of 24 suites. It has hosted the Olympic Gold Medal-winning women’s soccer team, the 2012 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game and international soccer matches, including a FIFA match between Ecuador and Germany, the current World Cup champion. In December 2014, FAU hosted the NCAA College Cup and the inaugural ESPN’s Boca Raton Bowl, which will return in 2015.

5. Palm Beach County Convention Center Sports: Cheerleading, gymnastics, wrestling, fencing This 350,000-square-foot center boasts a huge Exhibition Hall, perfect for floor sports like cheer, gymnastics, wrestling and fencing.

The upper level offers a ballroom, great for an after-tournament banquet.

The state-of-the-art center is located right in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach with plenty of parking adjacent to the complex. In 2016 the Palm Beach County Convention Center will feature an adjacent 400-room Hilton hotel.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

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6. Okeeheelee Park Sports: Water skiing, baseball, softball, soccer, golf, tennis, BMX/cycling Boasting the premier site in the United States for water skiing on five purpose-built lakes, Okeeheelee Park has hosted the sport’s world championships and regularly hosts the USA Water Ski National Championships. The park also has baseball, softball, soccer, golf and tennis facilities in addition to a nationally-classified BMX track, which hosted an Olympic-qualifying series.

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There’s Lots to Do After the Final Whistle Blows Between, before or after games, there is plenty to keep your group busy.

If it’s Florida fun you are after, you can always direct them to some of Palm Beach County’s finest beaches, some of which feature sand volleyball courts. Or enjoy big-time thrills at Rapids Water Park. A golfer’s haven, Palm Beach County has more than 160 golf courses. Want something exotic? Lion Country Safari African Adventure offers a live safari experience without requiring a passport. The drive-through park abounds with lions, wildebeests, zebras and other animals from Africa and South America. You can encounter more exotic creatures at the Palm Beach Zoo or South Florida Science Center and Aquarium. For another wildlife adventure, consider a trip to the Everglades, the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the nation and home to alligators, manatees, snakes, sea turtles, rare birds and more than 600 species of fish. Along the Atlantic, you can climb to the top of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, an 1860 landmark.

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A Great Location on Florida’s Atlantic Coast Palm Beach County is located 70 miles north of Miami and 152 miles south of Orlando. Getting there is a cinch via Interstate 95 or the Florida Turnpike. The West Palm Beach station is served by Amtrak and Tri-Rail commuter service. Palm Beach International Airport serves over six million passengers each year.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION

Glen Allen, Director of Event Development 561-233-3174 • gallen@palmbeachsports.com PalmBeachSports.com

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SARASOTA COUNTY, FL Palm Tree-Lined Venues for Almost Any Sports Event 1. Nathan Benderson Park Sports: Rowing, triathlon, canoe and kayak, 5-10K runs, cross country, wakeboard, paddleboarding The brand new Nathan Benderson Park is unlike any venue in the world. With doors opening in 2015, the 600-acre property offers amenities for several land and water sports. The 500-acre lake boasts 10 lanes for rowing and other boat races, with a wave attenuation system, TV lane, coaching lane and starting huts. A full-service boathouse is scheduled to be complete by 2018. The 2,000-meter sprint course has hosted the USRowing Masters National Championships and in 2017 will host the FISA World Rowing Championships and a number of other tournaments.

For runners, the 5-kilometer track crisscrosses the park for a running experience with scenery like no other.

2. Ed Smith Stadium and Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex Sports: Baseball The Florida home of the Baltimore Orioles, Ed Smith Stadium, sits in the heart of Sarasota. The field seats 8,000 and includes four practice fields. Ed Smith Stadium offers full concession including Cafe ’54 inside the home plate entrance. For tournaments needing more than one field, Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park offers five fields of various sizes for different age groups and skill levels. The combined ball fields have hosted the Snowbird College Baseball Classic, Prospect Wire Florida State Finals and Annual Sarasota Baseball Classic. At the O’Neil Complex, spectators can line the foul line fences or sit in the bleachers behind home plate.

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Along the Gulf Coast of Florida lies Sarasota, a sun-kissed haven with top-notch sports facilities awaiting your next tournament. Hit for the cycle in the Sunshine State.

3. Sarasota Polo Grounds Sports: Polo, lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, rugby, touch and flag football, ultimate Frisbee, cross country Wide-open spaces make the Sarasota Polo Grounds a dynamic location for several different sporting events. The campus’s comfortable clubhouse and pavilion offer views of the fields. The nine fields offer ample space for any outdoor sport, including two stick and ball fields. The grounds have hosted events such as the USA Ultimate National Club Championships and Puma Cup Soccer Tournament.

4. Fox Lea Farm Sports: Equestrian A first-class equestrian facility since 1983, Fox Lea Farm in Venice has amenities for horse jumping, quarter horse, Appaloosa and dressage shows. Tournament spectators will have a perfect view of the shows from the bleachers and pavilions. The farm has a main barn, five smaller barns and four paddocks.

5. Selby Aquatics Center Sports: Swimming, diving The YMCA Selby Center is an outdoor swimming center boasting eight lanes with starting blocks and touchpads, timing and start systems, scoreboard and loudspeaker system. A separate diving area allows for synchronized swimming along with single or doubles diving on the dual boards. Spectators cheer on swimmers from a 1,200-seat covered bleacher section. Adjacent to the competition pool are a waterslide and aquatic center where visitors can enjoy the Florida sun. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Sarasota County Beaches Sports: Beach volleyball, long-distance swimming, surfing, canoeing and kayaking, triathlon, paddleboarding The beaches of Sarasota’s barrier islands double as top tourist destinations. White sandy beaches offer the perfect surface for sand volleyball and have hosted the Fiesta on Siesta College Volleyball Tournament. Siesta Key offers 10 permanent courts already and has room for 30 more. The ocean provides competition-ready waves for surfing, and closer to the shore long-distance swimmers and kayakers and canoers can compete at the highest level. The beaches have hosted the Rev3 Triathlon, Suncoast Offshore Super Boat Grand Prix and Stand-up Paddleboard Race Series. Lido Key, Longboat Key and Venice beaches offer ample space for triathlons.

Water Activities, Alligators and Exotic Birds Visitors can try paddleboarding off the Gulf Coast of Sarasota County, with training for beginner and advanced boarders. With a dozen different outfits ready to help you start your adventure, you’re sure to find the one right for you. Try wakeboarding with one of the several companies ready to tug you behind a boat at speeds up to 40 mph. Other water activities include fishing, boating and swimming at the beach.

Visitors can spot exotic birds at nature centers or one of the two state parks, or take a cruise to see alligators sunbathing on the banks of the swamp at Myakka River State Park. For meals

and shopping, the bustling downtown area of Sarasota offers antiquing, world-class culinary spots, and several museums and attractions.

A Great Location on Florida’s Gulf Coast With Tampa to the north, several major interstates bottleneck towards Sarasota, including Interstates 4 and 75. I-75 then continues down to Sarasota, where it intersects with Interstate 275. From the east, Florida State Route 60 reaches Sarasota from Vero Beach. Travelers from Miami take I-75, from Orlando I-4. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is serviced by Air Canada, American, Delta, Jet Blue and United airlines.

Planner Perspective “Sarasota has proven itself to be a top sports destination in the United States, with a great combination of expertise in a variety of sporting events and a real focus on working with events coming into the area.”

— AJ Dominique III, USRowing

SARASOTA COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION Robert Wells, Director of Sports 941-955-0991 • info@visitsarasota.org VisitSarasota.org

LOOKING FOR A WORLD-CLASS SPORTS EXPERIENCE? PLAY HERE! Whether you row, swim, ride, run, serve, jump, kick or swing, you’ll find the perfect place to hold your event in Sarasota County, Florida. Because with world-class venues, gorgeous weather, award-winning beaches and attractions galore, it’s the perfect sports vacation destination. So consider planning your next event or vacation where every season is a great time to train, compete or just enjoy your favorite outdoor activity.

Visit PlaySarasota.org or call 1.855.423.3165

C O U N T Y S P O RT S C O M M I S S I O N LONGBOAT KEY | SARASOTA | LIDO KEY | SIESTA KEY | VENICE CASEY KEY | MANASOTA KEY | ENGLEWOOD | NORTH PORT

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OCALA/MARION COUNTY, FL

Experience out-of-the-park success in Ocala/Marion County, Florida, where you’ll find impressive facilities and an unmatched natural environment.

Superior Facilities for Everything from Golf to Equestrian Sports

has six girls’ softball fields with three indoor batting cages.

Shocker Park hosts many district and state tournaments and hosted the 2013 Babe Ruth League State Softball Championships.

1. Ocala Rotary Sportsplex

4. Florida Horse Park

Sports: Baseball, soccer The 80-acre facility includes 11 lighted baseball fields, two lighted and three unlighted soccer fields, one multi-use field and 13 batting cages (four indoor). In 2010 and 2013 it hosted the 10U Cal Ripken World Series as well as the 2014 Babe Ruth League 14U World Series. Each year, the Sportsplex plays host to district, state and regional baseball and soccer tournaments.

Sports: Equestrian The 500-acre facility is a celebrated venue for equestrian events, including international-level equine competitions as well as adventure racing. The park features a newly constructed two-acre, 79,500-square-foot covered arena. It hosts competitions in virtually every equine discipline, from dressage to polo to versatility challenges, and is an official training site for the U.S. Olympic equestrian team.

2. Ocala Regional Sportsplex Sports: Softball, baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse The Ocala Regional Sports Complex is an 80-acre park on the west side of Ocala/Marion County. The park offers a variety of fields including four adult softball, one baseball and four football/ soccer/lacrosse.

3. Shocker Park Sports: Softball Shocker Park is a premier destination for tournaments due to its convenient location in East Central Ocala/Marion County. It 122

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5. Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Sports: Livestock shows, agricultural shows, horse shows, rodeos An Ocala landmark since 1945, the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion has the reputation of Marion County’s premier agricultural showplace. It features a covered arena, a grandstand with seating for more than 4,200, and an adjacent, indoor, air-conditioned sales auditorium with theater-style seating for 800 and 226 stalls with iron gates. Rental areas include a field events area, an open arena, an air-conditioned reception hall, an exhibition building, a picnic pavilion with showers and plenty of event parking. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Sports: Golf, tennis, equestrian Designed by Ron Garl, this majestic course boasts a riveting 18-hole, 7,062-yard championship course and incorporates eight masterfully recreated tribute holes from some of the world’s finest courses including Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol, Muirfield and St. Andrews. Golden Ocala Golf Club also offers a 10-acre short game area, two practice holes and a driving range. Some events hosted here include LPGA Tour, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Regional and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). The Tennis Club at Golden Ocala serves up six Har-Tru Hydro-Grid courts—all lighted for night play. The equestrian facility offers a full range of amenities including a 20-stall horse barn, covered round pen, large jumping arena with new footing and separate dressage arena, jumping ring, large grass paddocks, climate-controlled tack room, kitchen and lounge.

Visitors Find Unlimited Downtime Options Kayakers and canoeists enjoy paddling on hundreds of freshwater springs, lakes and the Silver, Rainbow, Ocklawaha and Withlacoochee rivers. Hiking trails abound in Ocala National Forest and the area’s many parks. Driving through Ocala’s horse country is another popular pastime, and tours of working Thoroughbred farms are available. For high-flying fun, Canyons Zip Line and Canopy Tours takes guests through a growth of oaks and pines and over lime rock quarries. Silver Springs State Park, considered Florida’s original tourist attraction, draws guests from

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near and far with its iconic glass-bottom boats that provide views of fish, turtles and alligators as they glide over springs that are 99.8 percent pure and as deep as 80 feet. Fans of motorsports will enjoy exploring Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing and the competition at Bubba Raceway Park, which is Florida’s oldest dirt track. Only an hour or so away are Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and other themed attractions. Beaches on Florida’s west and east coasts are just an hour away from Marion County.

In the Heart of Florida’s Horse Country Ocala/Marion County, located in Central Florida north of Orlando, is an easy reach from anywhere along I-75. Here are driving times from major cities: Orlando and Tampa, 1.5 hours; Jacksonville, two hours; Tallahassee, three hours; Miami, five hours; Mobile and Atlanta, six hours. Ocala International Airport is a city-owned, public airport located five miles west of Ocala in Marion County and is the region’s premier general aviation airport serving commercial, industrial and corporate needs. Another option is Shady International Airport, located in Ocala.

OCALA/MARION COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION

Corry Locke, Sports Marketing Specialist 352-438-2839 • corry.locke@marioncountyfl.org Sports.OcalaMarion.com

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FOLEY, AL

With top-of-the-line facilities and on-site amenities, Foley Sports Tourism Complex in Foley, Alabama is changing the game in 2016.

Foley Sports Tourism Complex is designed to provide the complete sporting event experience with shopping, dining, hotels, medical care and entertainment at your fingertips. Top that off with the fact that the city is just nine miles from the sugarwhite sands of Alabama beaches, and Foley is going to be the ultimate sports destination in the coming months.

In addition to the sporting necessities, Foley Sports Tourism Complex will provide visitors with the complete Foley experience with its adjacent family-friendly entertainment development. Everyone will enjoy browsing stores, dining on site and catching a few thrill rides in the amusement park.

Brand New Places to Play

Sports: Basketball, volleyball The Foley Events Center, expected to open in 2017, will be a 104,000-square-foot, multi-use, indoor facility located adjacent to Foley Sports Tourism Complex. It will offer 60,000 square feet of floor space, providing plenty of room for six basketball courts and 12 volleyball courts. It is also designed to host cheerleading, dance and gymnastics meets.

Being a multi-use facility, the events center will be able to accommodate concert seating for 7,000, banquet space for 4,500, and receptions for 6,600 as well as exhibit/trade show space for 288 booths.

1. Foley Sports Tourism Complex Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, football The outdoor Foley Sports Tourism Complex, set to open in April 2016, will feature 16 state-of-the-art, multipurpose fields ideal for year-round play. The space is designed for soccer, lacrosse, football and other competitive sports. It will also feature a championship field with TV-ready lighting, press box and seats for up to 2,000 (expandable to 10,000).

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2. Foley Events Center

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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A brand-name hotel with attached meeting facilities is slated to be completed in 2017. Stay tuned for details on this exciting development at FoleySportsTourism.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

From Sandy Beaches to Outlet Shopping Adjacent to the sports complex is a large family-friendly entertainment destination currently under construction. It will feature a theme park, a water park, two hotels with conference space, an RV park, a nature park, retail, dining and entertainment. The development will be open to the public in the fall of 2016.

Foley is a coastal community where genuine Southern charm unites an array of attractions, accommodations and restaurants. Step back in time and take a tour of the Holmes Medical Museum, located inside the building of Baldwin County’s first hospital. The Charles J. Ebert, Jr. Memorial Train offers free train rides around Foley’s Heritage Park.

Grab your wave boards and head to sandy shores of the nearby Gulf Coast, or take advantage of Foley’s pristine 484-acre nature preserve featuring a canoe/kayak launch, walking and hiking trails, picnic areas and bird watching.

After you’ve worked up an appetite, choose from more than 70 dining options that will satisfy any cuisine craving. If you’re yearning to spree, browse Foley’s historic downtown shops and galleries, or satisfy all your shopping needs at Tanger Outlets, which offers free Wi-Fi.

A Sporting Oasis Just off the Gulf Coast Beach lovers will enjoy the convenience of this state-of-art complex, located only seven miles from Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Once you arrive, you’ll never have to leave the complex with on-site accommodations such as Hilton Garden Inn. Located between New Orleans and Panama City, Florida along the Southern Gulf coast, Foley is accessible from major cities off Interstate 10 and Interstate 65. The complex is located at the intersection of the newly extended Foley Beach Express and County Road 20. Foley Beach Express offers a quick route south to the beaches and development via a connector at I-10. Foley is 30 miles from Pensacola Regional Airport, 50 miles from Mobile Regional Airport. The nearest international airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, but a three-hour drive along the coast is sure to be scenic and enjoyable.

Planner Perspective “We chose Foley first and foremost because of the people. We have been all over the country, and Don, his staff and others we met in the city were over the top, incredibly nice people and genuine. It is difficult to find that across the board in today’s society, always with a smile, and it just made us feel very comfortable about every aspect of our event….”

— Kenny Krell, National Event Director Powerman North America

FOLEY SPORTS TOURISM COMPLEX Don Staley, Executive Director 251-923-3332 • dstaley@cityoffoley.org FoleySportsTourism.com

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DON’T BE ANTI-SOCIAL. #SportsPG /sportsplanningguide

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Dear Sports Event Rights Holders,

Planners Score Big In North Carolina

Great events start with a great place and there is a reason why North Carolina is the state to play! North Carolina’s arsenal of sports venues is as impressive as the state’s wide-ranging and geographically diverse footprint. From the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to some of the highest mountains on the East Coast, it’s a footprint of unrivaled sports terrain whether you are a participant or spectator. Sports events rights holders choose North Carolina year after year due to our unbeatable venues, hospitality, temperate climate and central location on the East Coast.

Whether you are looking to bring a new event to North Carolina or already have an event in the state, SportsNC’ s partners are ready and willing to partner in the success of your event. SportsNC and its 37 partners are your ultimate planning resource. Please visit SportsNC.com to review our wide-ranging venue database and view our partners’ directory.

We look forward to seeing many of you at an upcoming sports tourism trade show and please visit us at the SportsNC booth. North Carolina would love to host your next event and remember…there is only one state to play!

Yours in Sport, Travis Dancy SportsNC Chair

NORTH CAROLINA Site InSpections

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■ Winston-Salem, NC ■ Fayetteville, NC ■ Wilmington, NC

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■ Greater Raleigh, NC ■ Cabarrus County, NC ■ Mooresville, NC

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NORTH CAROLINA

The Perfect Sports Partner

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weet tea, sports and Southern hospitality—we’re in North Carolina. With national titles in collegiate athletics, multiple professional teams, and as home to NASCAR, the state supports athletics. It’s a haven for spectators, a preferred destination for teams and event planners.

Why North Carolina as a sports event destination? It’ s affordable, beyond friendly, has a fervent fan base, enjoys four distinct, temperate seasons, and is easy to reach by air or car. The state consists of three diverse regional landscapes—mountains, the Piedmont and the Atlantic Coast. In a given weekend an adventurer can tee up outside Asheville, run a 5K in Charlotte and ride the sunset surf in Kill Devil Hills, voted one of the world’s top 10 best beach towns.

IT CAN HAPPEN HERE North Carolina knows sports events and if you can’t do it there, it most likely can’t be done. How many states can offer surfing AND snow skiing? Few sports destinations provide outlets and opportunities for such a wide range of activities.

North Carolina is a unique state, due in large part to its geographic variation. The state stretches from the Atlantic Coast to the Appalachian Mountains, with major cities offering premier event settings and crowd-

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pleasing attractions. With four international airport hubs located in key areas of the state, hosting an event—whether it’s a large-scale, multiday, multi-team competition or smaller, shorter, individual contest of endurance—is a cinch. Weather-wise, the state is reminiscent of Goldilocks’ experience with the bears—not too hot, not too cold, but just right.

ALL SPORTS, ALL THE TIME Large and small cities host top events such as the National Wheelchair Basketball Association's International Tournament of Champions, All-Star National Cheer and Dance Competition , FLW's College Fishing Northern Regional Championship , US Lacrosse Southeast Championship, 2016 USA Ultimate Division I College Championship and 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

The North Carolina Sports Association (NCSA) is a statewide collaboration of sports commissions, CVBs, parks and recreation entities, and sports authorities. NCSA, along with organizations such as Cycle NC, North Carolina Amateur Sports, North Carolina High School Sports Association and Visit North Carolina , is there to nurture and support events.

Communities across North Carolina are committed to building and maintaining the best in sports complexes. Take, for example, WRAL Soccer Center in Raleigh. Already one of the country’s top outdoor venues, it is currently undergoing an extensive renovation project thanks to a multi-million-dollar loan from community supporter Capitol Broadcasting Company. There’s also the USA Baseball National

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WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary hosts sports of all kinds.

Tough Mudder tests physical strength and mental grit.

Training Complex, which was built in partnership between the Town of Cary and USA Baseball.

The same principle of community partnerships applies on the shore.

Says Jenny Ash of Outer Banks Sporting Events, “[We] partner with many local businesses as well as the Outer Banks Visitors’ Bureau. The support from these partners comes from a joint ef fort to bring guests to our area in the shoulder season.” She adds, “100 percent of net proceeds from OBSE events is split between the Outer Banks Relief Foundation— helping those local folks in times of unforeseen need—and the Dare Education Foundation—improving our county school system’s resources.”

“Our community understands the importance of sports tourism as an economic driver, which has allowed Greater Raleigh to develop an impressive track record of hosting successful events,” says Jason Philbeck of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. GRSA Executive Director Scott Dupree agrees: “The key to our success is our host partners; that’s our trademark and what makes this such a great sports town. It’s all about teamwork and partnerships.”

Over and over again it comes back to teamwork and, importantly for organizers, partnerships with area businesses. Travis Dancy, chairman of North Carolina Sports Association and Visit Lake Norman, says, “Lake Norman has a regionally collaborative sense of community. They love to embrace different events. There is a great sense of collaboration among the town, parks and rec departments and hospitality business.”

TEAM SPIRIT Anyone who has watched or participated in an athletic contest knows it’s about teamwork; nobody gets to any finish line or final quarter alone.

North Carolina more than understands this. With deep athletic roots, it is a state offering immeasurable opportunity, unparalleled statewide and community support and involvement, and a heaping helping of Southern charm. Jesse Newsom of the Fayetteville Area CVB illustrates the point: “My community fears no obstacles and doesn't understand the meaning of can't. We will find a way . We have people who have given their whole lives to the military and they still want to give to the community that embraced them.” Across the state the attitude is the same; everyone wants to help and communities want you there.

It’s not just that they come out and cheer, though, or simply distribute water. They “get it” in North Carolina.

READY, SET, GO Philbeck sums up the North Carolina experience: “Every destination focuses on ensuring a winning experience from the moment visitors land at the airport until the moment they depart. Event attendees comment all the time about how much they appreciated the helpful, friendly staff at hotels and restaurants and how welcoming the locals were during their visit.”

Offering premier services in a comfortable, accessible, af fordable environment with support from dedicated volunteers, where you’re greeted by smiles and kindness at every corner, North Carolina is an obvious choice. The challenge is picking where to go first.

The Winston-Salem Open features the game’s best in August at Wake Forest Tennis Center.

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Things Not to Miss in North Carolina There’s so much to see and do for families visiting North Carolina. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Scenic Beauty at Every Turn

North Carolina has a well-deserved reputation for diverse and breathtaking scenery. It stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the fruitful Piedmont to the shores of the Atlantic. Travelers to North Carolina should take the more leisurely highways and enjoy the state’s natural character.

There are more than 50 North Carolina Scenic Byway routes and two All American Roads/National Scenic Byways within the state’s boundaries. These alternatives to faster-paced traffic avoid commercial areas. The routes vary in length from three to 170 miles. From curvy mountain roads to ferry rides, your North Carolina visit will be filled with scenic beauty . Download the Scenic Byways Book at ncdot.gov/travel/scenic.

2. Beacons in the Night

Long ago lighthouses along the coast protected seamen, giving them direction and a sense of security and safety. Today, seven lighthouses invite visitors to learn their history and climb to the top for wonderful views.

The Currituck Beach Light House in Corolla, opened in 1875, was constructed of red bricks. The Bodie Lighthouse overlooks Oregon Inlet near southern Nags Head. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse opened in 1870, but the location has a rich history dating back to 1803. You’ll need to take a free ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke Island to visit North Carolina’s oldest operating lighthouse, Ocracoke Lighthouse. The Oak Island Lighthouse in Brunswick County requires a two-week advance notice to climb its 134 steps. Old Baldy on Bald Head Island, accessible by ferry, has a history dating back 140 years.

Fall colors paint Newfound Gap in the Smoky Mountains.

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

3. The Lady was a Warrior

The Battleship USS North Carolina was brought to Wilmington in 1961 as an authentically restored National Historic Landmark.

Commissioned in 1941, she became the first of 10 fast battleships added to the World War II fleet. Her history of duty is inspiring.

From early August 1942 through mid-August 1945 the Battleship USS North Carolina participated in every major Pacific naval offensive, earning 15 battle stars. The Luzon Operation, Iwo Jima Operation and Okinawa Operation are just a few that have a significant place in our history. She carried out nine shore bombardments, sank an enemy merchant ship and destroyed 24 enemy aircraft while protecting American aircraft carriers and rescuing numerous downed airmen.

4. Marvelous Museums

In Raleigh the North Carolina Museum of Art features superb exhibits inside and out. The Mint Museum Uptown and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art are there to discover in Charlotte’ s artistic stroll district. The Harvey B. Gant Center for African-American Arts + Culture is close-by. Wilmington’s Cameron Art Museum features fine art collections and a Civil War site on its campus.

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro houses the Woolworth’s lunch counter display where the sit-in movement began. In the Great Smoky Mountains the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Oconaluftee Indian Village tell the history of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville honors the troops that have contributed so much to our nation’s military history.

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Rafting on the Nantahala River, western North Carolina

5. That’s Racin’

What began as racing between North Carolina bootleg moonshine runners developed into the most watched sport. The Charlotte area is the hub for much of the racing world action. The NASCAR Hall of Fame celebrates the history of motorsports and honors its champions. For 50 years the Charlotte Motor Speedway has been entertaining fans of all ages.

The RCR Racing Museum in Lexington features more than 25 No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolets driven by Dale Earnhardt, Sr. In nearby Randleman visitors explore the Petty Enterprises Historic Site with an inside look at Petty’s Garage and The Petty Museum.

6. Rails and Rafting

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City is one of the top fun things to do in North Carolina. A Raft and Rail combination is available on the Nantahala Gorge excursion. The train takes you to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, an hour from Asheville, to experience three levels of whitewater rafting. The center’s newest addition is a 550-foot zip line going as high as 60 feet above the forest floor.

Bodie Island Lighthouse, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, dates from 1872. Visitors can climb the 214 steps that spiral to the top.

All photos courtesy of VisitNC.com.

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC Choose from a Big Selection of Facilities That Host Big-Time Events 1. Wake Forest Tennis Complex Sports: Tennis Wake Forest Tennis Complex is a $3.5-million, 64,000square-foot building with eight climate-controlled, indirect-lighted Mondo-Ten tennis courts. The stands can fit up to 300 guests, and there’s a locker room for those competing in matches. The complex is located east of the Groves Complex. You will feel like a pro while playing at one of these courts.

Wake Forest Tennis Complex also has an outdoor facility that opened in the summer of 2011. It features 13 Deco-Turf II courts, the same court surface that is used at the US Open. In 2018, the Wake Forest Tennis Complex is host to the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s tennis championships.

2. LJVM Coliseum Sports: Basketball, cheer, dance Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM) is one of the premier basketball venues in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The maximum coliseum floor space is 25,740 square feet.

It can seat 14,665 for an athletic event and 15,272 for concerts. In addition to regular season basketball games, LJVM has hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship First and Second rounds in 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2007 and has been home to the MEAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, the CIAA Tournament and the Davis Cup. 134

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Search no further—North Carolina’s Winston-Salem is a hole in one for planning a great championship experience.

3. BB&T Soccer Park Sports: Soccer, Ultimate, lacrosse, running This beautiful park features 13 full-size Bermuda fields right along the Yadkin River. Other perks are a filming tower for videoing practices or games, a fieldhouse to meet with the team, picnic areas and water stations to keep athletes hydrated.

4. JDL Fast Track Sports: Track, crossfit Among upcoming 2015-16 season events at JDL Fast Track are 2016 NJCAA Indoor National Championships, 2016 Camel City Invitational/Elite Races and CIAA Indoor Championships.

The 105,000-square-foot facility is one of the premier indoor track and field venues in the Southeast and houses a 200-meter oval track with a Mondotrack FTX surface. It has held three national championships: 2014 NCAA Division II, 2015 NCAA Division III and 2015 USATF Masters Indoor National Championship. The facility includes a 100-meter warm-up track, training room and hospitality suites for the coaches.

5. Winston-Salem Fairgrounds & Annex Sports: Wrestling, fencing, cheerleading, dance, martial arts, running, cycling This is where the annual Dixie Classic Fair is held. The grounds are roughly 70 acres and have multiple facilities offering approximately 34,000 square feet of unobstructed open floor space. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Sports: Fishing, tennis, golf, mountain biking, BMX, cross-country, running, cycling Tanglewood Park, an 1,100-acre public park, offers pedal boats, tennis courts, an Aquatic Center, picnic shelters, walking and biking trail systems, horse stables and golf. Its BMX course was named the Top BMX Track in the state, and the venue hosted the 2013 USA BMX Redline Cup Finals East. Prior to that event, more than $20,000 in improvements were made to the course, including a redesign, new paved turn, and a viewing deck for family and fans at the start line.

Now That I’m Hooked, What Activities Does Winston-Salem Offer?

Right in the backyard of bustling downtown Winston-Salem, enjoy the quieter pace of the 18th century Moravian lifestyle at Old Salem Museums & Gardens, one of the country’s most authentic and comprehensive history attractions.

It has more than 100 restored buildings.

The Downtown Arts District offers a unique shopping experience, innovative galleries and entertaining special events, such as the First Friday Gallery Hop. Or visit Reynolda House, listed as one of “The Great Houses of the South” and now one of the nation’s premier American art museums. Young children will enjoy Sciworks, which offers interactive, hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and an environmental park.

Airbound Trampoline Park features 12,000 square feet of custom-made trampolines in a family-friendly atmosphere. And it's worth noting that downtown Winston-Salem will be opening the National Cycling Center, a 42,000-squarefoot facility, in 2016.

Shopping enthusiasts in your group can visit Hanes Mall, the largest indoor shopping mall between Washington D.C. and Atlanta.

Forbes.com has recently recognized downtown Winston-Salem as one of the best in America. So when your group gets hungry after experiencing a fulfilling day in WinstonSalem, there are more than 100 locally-owned restaurants, eateries and entertainment options in the downtown area.

Centrally Located and Easily Accessible Winston-Salem is about a one-hour drive from Charlotte and two hours from Raleigh, North Carolina’s largest cities. Piedmont Triad International Airport, just east of Winston-Salem, serves approximately 57 non-stop flights serviced by six major airlines.

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Planner Perspective “Thank you for co-hosting the 2015 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships. It is a tribute to Visit Winston-Salem that you successfully conducted an outstanding event.”

— John Kuzio, Assistant Coordinator for Championships & Alliances at NCAA

VISIT WINSTON-SALEM

Bonny Bernat, CSEE, Senior Sports & Events Sales Manager 866-728-4200 • bonny@visitwinstonsalem.com VisitWinstonSalem.com

11,000 athletes, 22 contested events, more than a dozen state-of-the-art facilities, one city…Winston-Salem!

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6. Tanglewood Park

— Chuck Hobgood, President, North Carolina Amateur Sports

“As host of the Powerade State Games of North Carolina, Winston-Salem provided our participants and their families with first-class facilities, great hospitality and memories to last a lifetime.”

®

• Championship level baseball, basketball, tennis, and track & field complexes • 60,000 square feet of flexible space at the Winston-Salem Annex and Fairgrounds Complex • More than 30 soccer fields including two stadium fields • Affordable, central North Carolina location • More than 4,800 hotel rooms

CONTACT: Bonny Bernat, CSEE Senior Sports and Events Sales Manager Bonny@VisitWinstonSalem.com 866-728-4200 main • 336-728-4215 direct VisitWinstonSalem.com PHOTO: Triad Sports Coverage

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FAYETTEVILLE, NC

In the heart of North Carolina, Fayetteville has a historic charm packed with culture, excitement and top-notch sports facilities.

Inviting Venues for Everything from Soccer to Sand Volleyball 1. Crown Complex

3. Smith Lake

Sports: Indoor sports Home of a pair of Fayetteville professional teams, the Crown Complex has been a jewel of North Carolina sports since it opened in 1997. The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Hockey League and Cape Fear Heroes indoor football team call the coliseum at the Crown Complex home. The facility seats 10,000 and has full concession and restrooms for spectators as well as locker rooms for players and coaches. It also features an overhead digital scoreboard and press box.

Sports: Sand volleyball, basketball, cross country, mountain biking, water sports North of Fayetteville in Fort Bragg is Smith Lake, with thousands of acres of property for hiking and miles of trails for running and biking, all surrounding a spacious lake. The lake’s beach has amenities for sand volleyball. At the Smith Lake Recreation Center, there is an outdoor basketball court. Off the beach are docks for boating sports, and the spacious lake has plenty of room for rowing competitions.

2. Arnette Park

4. Methodist University

Sports: Baseball, softball Five grass softball and baseball fields make up the ballpark complex at Arnette Park, each one equipped with lights for nighttime play. There are different sized fields for players of various abilities and ages. Bleacher seating with a capacity of 400 surrounds each of the fields. The beautifully wooded area just off the Cape Fear River offers a scenic backdrop for play. Concessions and restrooms are offered onsite.

Sports: Baseball, football Armstrong-Shelly Baseball Field is home to the NCAA Division II Methodist University Monarchs. The field, which has hosted dozens of conference championships, is lighted for nighttime play and offers batting cages and covered dugouts. There is bleacher seating for 700. The Monarchs football team plays in Monarch Stadium, across campus from the baseball field. Grandstand seating for 800 provides great views from every angle, and the natural-grass surface is surrounded by a quarter-mile track.

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5. Jordan Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer and other events Jordan Soccer Complex of Methodist University features eight full-sized soccer fields that can be striped for smaller fields for players of different ages and abilities. The championship field is equipped with lights for after-dark play. Concessions and restrooms are available at the picnic area in the center of the complex next to the large parking lot. Spectators can line the sidelines to take in the action. Nestled near the Cape Fear River for a picturesque backdrop, the complex has hosted numerous tournaments including Fall US Youth Soccer State Cup and several NCYSA tournaments.

6. Freedom Courts Sportsplex Sports: Indoor sports The 42,000-square-foot complex offers 10 volleyball courts, four basketball courts and two indoor soccer fields.

It also has amenities for sports like wrestling, gymnastics and indoor tennis. Freedom Courts has hosted numerous tournaments.

stretches north to Raleigh. Fayetteville Regional Airport is served

by American, Delta and United airlines.

Planner Perspective “Jesse has been instrumental in getting the right people in the room to assist Elite Tournaments with planning a new tournament in Fayetteville. His understanding of the youth sports market and the key decision makers has accelerated the planning and development process to get us on the way to creating a top-level event in a new location while working with excellent local partners.”

— Mathew Libber, Elite Tournaments

FAYETTEVILLE AREA CVB

Jesse Newsom, Director of Sports Marketing 910-483-5311 • jnewsom@visitfayettevillenc VisitFayettevilleNC.com

Fayetteville-Area Visitors Find Military Lore and Much More If your group likes hiking, they’ll find no shortage of trails to take in the gorgeous North Carolina nature. The All-American Trail circumvents Fort Bragg and stretches 70 miles in its entirety. Your guests can try their hand at strawberry picking at Bunce Brothers Farm or take in the natural beauty of Cape Fear Botanical Garden with 77 acres of flowers and other Southern plant life.

Fayetteville boasts a thriving culinary scene, offering more than 500 restaurants, like Steve’s Sweet Treats Bakery Cafe, which is sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. After a bite, indulge in some shopping at one of the 700 shops, boutiques and other retailers around the city, including A Bit of Carolina, a specialty shop with plenty for visitors to take home to remember their trip.

For history and military sights, Fayetteville has several memorials and locations with connections to the Civil War and American Revolution. Check out the Fort Bragg military community, the first one of its kind in the country.

Visitors can also visit the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum and Airborne and Special Operations Museum.

Getting to Fayetteville is No Problem Interstate 95, a major north-south artery, goes right through Fayetteville; Florida and Georgia drivers can take it up from the south, and it connects with New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C. to the north. U.S. Route 401 SportsPlanningGuide.com

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WILMINGTON, NC AND ISLAND BEACHES

Can’t decide between charming city life and relaxing ocean breezes? Book your next tournament in Wilmington, North Carolina and get the best of both worlds.

The Wilmington Area Offers Waterfront Settings and Other Impressive Venues 1. Wilmington Convention Center Sports: Volleyball, tennis, badminton As the largest convention venue on the coast of North Carolina, WCC offers 107,000 square feet of meeting space, 30k of which is the exhibit hall, that can accommodate indoor sports like volleyball, cheer and dance, and pickleball. This exhibit hall is equipped with two sets of restrooms and a concession area, and the center offers parking for almost 600 cars.

paved parking. The stadium offers a concession stand, press box, and home and visitor fieldhouses. The field itself is artificial turf.

4. Olsen Park Sports: Baseball, softball Located right next to downtown Wilmington, Olsen Park offers five fields that can be used for baseball and softball. Additionally, the park has a picnic area, concession stand and playground.

2. Althea Gibson Tennis Complex

5. Carolina Beach and Kure Beach

Sports: Tennis This complex offers 19 outdoor tennis courts complete with lighting and 1,500-square-foot clubhouse. The clubhouse includes a lounge, meeting rooms and snack counter. Althea Gibson offers ball machines for rent and has hosted events like the Smash Cancer Charity Tournament.

Sports: Water sports, fishing Home to crystalline waters and tons of fish, Carolina Beach has hosted fishing tournaments like the Carolina Spring Flatfish Tournament and Ruler of Kings Mackerel Tournament. Its surf is perfect for water sports like waterskiing, tubing and kite surfing.

Like Carolina Beach, Kure Beach naturally lends itself to popular water sports and has also hosted an impressive list of fishing tournaments. Anglers can drop lines right off the Kure Beach Pier during the annual Carolina Fall Flatfish Tournament, Carolina Fall King Challenge and the weeks-long King Tournament.

3. Legion Sports Complex Sports: Soccer This 6,000-seat stadium is home to Wilmington’s USL team, the Wilmington Hammerheads FC, and comes with four acres of 138

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6. Wrightsville Beach Sports: Water sports, sand sports Wrightsville Beach is equipped to host a plethora of sand and water sports. It’s North Carolina’s most accessible beach and known for its crystal blue, North Atlantic waters, spacious beach and lush greenery.

Kayak, swim, paddle board, take advantage of the world-class surf or reel in a prize-worthy fish. On land, set up for sand volleyball or make this beach a part of your next running or triathlon event. The Loop, the island’s fitness trail, is ideal for cycling and running along a stretch of paradise. Popular running events hosted here include Wrightsville Beach Marathon and Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon.

Water Park Thrills, Fresh Seafood and a Bounty of Beaches Since the Wilmington and Beaches area offers your teams both the excitement of a city and the relaxing vibes of the ocean, it has an almost endless array of activities that encompass each of its different “personalities.” Stay in Wilmington, where your teams can stroll along the Riverwalk and explore the charming shops, delicious cafes and scenic views that earned it the title of America’s Best Riverfront. Spend an afternoon hitting the rides at Jungle Rapids water park or catching a cruise down the Cape Fear River, then stop by one of the town’s seafood restaurants to enjoy freshly caught fish, crab or lobster. Once you’ve gotten your fill of Wilmington, head to the neighboring island beaches. Here, your teams can stroll down the Carolina Beach boardwalk and enjoy a fireworks show, catch family-friendly music in a park on Kure Beach or go paddle boarding through the Wrightsville Beach surf.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

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Finding Wilmington on the Map Just up the coast from Charleston and Georgetown, Wilmington and the nearby island beaches hug the Atlantic Coast and are a mere two hours east of Raleigh. Wilmington is accessed by I-40 and highways 421 and 17. In addition to Raleigh, major cities under six hours away from Wilmington include Charlotte, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Atlanta, Savannah, Georgia; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Washington, D.C. Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is just eight minutes away from the center of Wilmington and is serviced by American and Delta airlines. Myrtle Beach International Airport is an hour-and-a-half drive up the scenic coastline. Raleigh-Durham Airport is two hours away from Wilmington.

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“Carolina Beach has embraced our event and been great to work with! Our participants look forward to the laidback atmosphere and true Southern hospitality. The new boardwalk is the perfect location for our event [USA Beach Wrestling National Championships], and we look forward to our time in Carolina Beach each year.”

— Ed Duncan, North Carolina USA Wrestling

WILMINGTON AND ITS BEACHES

Bree Nidds, Sales Manager 910-332-8755 • bnidds@wilmingtonandbeaches.com SportsWilmington.com

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GREATER RALEIGH, NC Stellar Facilities to Write Home About 1. PNC Arena

There’s no doubt about it— Greater Raleigh is any sports event planner’s dream.

2,600 parking spaces. Additionally, the park has an outstanding cross country course with 5K, 6K and 8K runs.

3. USA Baseball National Training Complex

Sports: Hockey, basketball It isn’t hard to figure out why PNC Arena welcomes over 1.5 million guests every year. Home to NC State Men’s Basketball and the Carolina Hurricanes NHL team, this arena annually hosts more than 150 events. Amenities include over 68 concession stands, 37 restrooms and parking for 8,000 vehicles. For hockey games, the arena can seat 18,680 and for basketball, it can accommodate 19,722 fans.

Sports: Baseball This nationally renowned complex offers four baseball fields – one stadium field and three training fields – that are maintained to MLB standards. The stadium field has a press box and seating for 1,760 people, and all four fields have access to restrooms and concession areas. The complex has hosted the National High School Invitational and a variety of other baseball events.

2. WakeMed Soccer Park

4. Raleigh Convention Center

Sports: Soccer, cross country, lacrosse, rugby, Ultimate At 150 acres, this multipurpose complex is one of the hottest sports destinations in North Carolina. The park features one lighted stadium field, two lighted match-only fields and five additional fields, with permanent stadium seating for 10,000.

WakeMed hosts events that range from the youth to professional level, and offers concession areas, locker rooms, restrooms and

Sports: Volleyball, basketball, wrestling, martial arts, cheer, dance, gymnastics With its easy floor plan and soaring ceilings, Raleigh Convention Center’s 150,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall provides the perfect space for indoor sports of all kinds. Seating and concession areas are available upon request, and the hall can be separated into two or three separate rooms upon request.

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5. Cary Tennis Park Sports: Tennis This award-winning park offers 29 championship courts, four permanent QuickStart courts, a snack bar, a pro shop and several ball machines. The ACC Tennis Championships, USTA Tennis on Campus National Championships and Boys NCHSAA State Championships were all hosted at the park in 2015.

6. WRAL Soccer Park Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, Ultimate Located in northern Raleigh, this 21-field complex includes five synthetic turf fields with lighting. Upcoming renovations include paved parking, new restrooms and shelters, new nets and improved landscaping. WRAL Soccer Park has hosted state, regional and national events that bring in thousands of teams every year, including the annual CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series.

Some of these events have been the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regionals, U.S. Lacrosse Southeast Championships, U.S. Open Ultimate Championships and Powerade State Games of North Carolina.

Planner Perspective “Our entire program can't stop saying positive things about their experience [at the NCAA DII Baseball Championship] this year.

Every time I visit the Raleigh and Cary area, I realize more and more that the attitude and demeanor of everyone there rises above and beyond any expectations that an outsider could possibly have.”

— Tyler Madsen, Assistant Director for Athletics Communications for Truman State University and NCAA DII Baseball Committee Member

GREATER RALEIGH SPORTS ALLIANCE Scott Dupree, Executive Director 919-834-5900 • sdupree@raleighsports.org raleighsports.org

There’s Never a Dull Moment off the Field From rock concerts and movies in the park to late-night scuba dives and wild go-kart rides, the opportunities for entertainment in Greater Raleigh are as varied as they are abundant. No matter what your teams’ interests are, they’re sure to find their own perfect adventure during their stay.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find a wide variety of hiking trails, kayak tours and one-of-a-kind parks, while athletes who want to stay inside can enjoy some of America’s best shopping malls and museums. Regardless of your inclinations, Raleigh locals suggest all young visitors try looking for excitement at Fantasy Lake Scuba Park and Rush Hour Karting.

Getting to Greater Raleigh is a Cinch Raleigh is nestled between I-40 and I-440, with connections to highways 70 and 401.

I-85 and I-95 pass within 25 miles of the city.

Major cities under six hours from Raleigh include Richmond, Virginia; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida. RDU International Airport, only an 18-minute drive from the city center, is served by Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and United airlines.

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Great Facilities Draw Tournaments to Cabarrus County 1. Charlotte Motor Speedway

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CABARRUS COUNTY, NC

Known for its action on the speedways and historic NASCAR presence, Cabarrus County has taken this fame and made a name for itself as a premier destination for sporting events and tournaments.

CABARRUS COUNTY CVB

Danielle Kijowski 704-456-7972 • danielle@visitcabarrus.com WhereRacingLives.com

Sports: Motorsports, Multipurpose Cabarrus County is “Where Racing Lives,” so it’s no question that this destination is unrivaled for motorsports.

At the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, major NASCAR events are held in May and October on the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Throughout the year fans fill the 140,000-seat facility for numerous other events, including three of the country's largest car shows. The speedway’s state-of-the-art Dirt Track seats 14,500, its four-tenths-mile red clay oval featuring late model stock cars, sprint cars and monster trucks. The zMAX Dragway hosts NHRA events, including the NHRA Carolinas Nationals.

2. Cabarrus Arena & Events Center Sports: Multipurpose event space With 150,000+ square feet of temperaturecontrolled event space, there is certainly something for everyone here, including sports events. Inside you’ll find 2,300 fixed seats, additional seating for up to 6,000 and seven VIP suites.

3. Frank Liske Park Sports: Outdoor activities, tennis, soccer, softball A premier outdoor facility covering 230 acres, this public park includes an 11-field soccer complex, 10-acre lake for fishing and paddle boating, miniature golf, softball fields, six tennis courts and fitness trails.

Shopping, Auto Racing, Music and Gold In Concord, a quaint town in the heart of the county, take some time to explore historic downtown, where you’ll find specialty shops, restaurants, museums and plenty of art. In neighboring Kannapolis follow The Dale Trail to learn about one of NASCAR’s greatest legends – Dale Earnhardt. Wind through his hometown to see the community’s tribute to the late racer. North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis celebrates the state’s musical heritage. Reed Gold Mine in Midland is the only underground gold mine in the state that is open to the public. Great Wolf Lodge in Concord offers themed rooms, water rides, pools, arcades and restaurants.

How Do We Get to Cabarrus County?

Interstate 85 offers easy access to Cabarrus County, 25 miles outside of Charlotte. I-77 is just 15 miles to the west, I-40 about 30 minutes to the north.

You’ll find an Amtrak station conveniently located in Kannapolis. Allegiant Air serves Concord Regional Airport.

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3. Talbert Recreation Center Sports: Basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts This 26,000-square-foot facility has two full-size basketball courts and space for other indoor sports tournaments. Since opening in 2012, Talbert has played host to events such as the Powerade State Games Wrestling championships, the NC State Girls Gymnastics Bronze/Silver Meet, and the NC AAU Basketball 4th Grade Boys Division II National Championships.

Fun off the Field Mooresville, known as Race City USA, is proud of its connection to the auto racing industry, with Charlotte Motor Speedway only 20 miles from town and plenty of local attractions devoted to this pastime. Race-themed things to do in Mooresville include the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, Memory Lane Museum, GoPro Motoplex and Pit Indoor Kart Racing. Guided fishing tours, boat and jet ski rentals, paddle boarding and wakeboarding lure visitors to Lake Norman. Lazy 5 Ranch and Zootastic Park offer wild animal encounters.

How to Find Mooresville

MOORESVILLE, NC

In Mooresville, sports planners find more facilities, more sports, more fun and more hospitality—making the most out of any event.

Mooresville, on the shores of Lake Norman, is 20 miles north of Charlotte. Situated between I-85 & I-40, the Town is immediately accessible from I-77 via several exits. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is 30 miles from Mooresville; Concord Regional Airport is less than 20 miles away.

MOORESVILLE CVB Leah Mitcham, Executive Director 704-799-2400, ext. 203 • leah@racecityusa.org RaceCityUSA.org

Outstanding Facilities for a Variety of Sports 1. Lake Norman Tennis Center Sports: Tennis The new, state-of-the-art Lake Norman Tennis Center is located on 10 acres with easy access from Interstate 77. It features 11 outdoor courts including three hard courts, six Har-Tru sub-irrigated clay courts and two pickleball courts. LNTC also boasts five indoor heated and ventilated PlexiCushion hard courts. There is high-quality lighting both indoors and outdoors. The clubhouse includes an agility gym, locker rooms with showers, indoor and outdoor elevated viewing, classrooms, event space and a pro shop. The first major event was the USTA NC Adult 18+ State Championships in June 2015.

2. Mazeppa Road Park Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball As the hosts of Lake Norman Soccer Club, it’s no surprise that this park features six full-size soccer fields, two turf fields and four grass fields. Mazeppa Road Park also boasts lights, concessions and 374 parking spaces. In addition, it has one regulation baseball field (with a 60-foot, 6-inch dirt pitching mound and 90-foot bases) and three softball/baseball fields that have 300-foot fences and temporary fences adaptable to 200 feet and 250 feet, with 50-60-foot, 60-70-foot bases.

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5. McGee Center Sports: Various indoor sports Need space to host an event for a group, large or small? The McGee Center’s facilities are spacious and made to host events of all sizes. On a sprawling 11 acres, the center is 46,000 square feet and has a meeting room that can hold up to 150 people, along with a smaller room for up to 25. Also on site you’ll find the Conway Skate Park.

6. University of Central Arkansas (UCA)

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CONWAY, AR

This college town is dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience to those who visit – especially in the world of sports.

Venues Range from Collegiate Facilities to Multi-sport Complexes 1. Conway Expo Center Sports: Various indoor and outdoor sports Conway’s expo center is ideal for events that require a great deal of space, and over the years it’s handled a wide variety of expositions, shows and sports. With over 40,000 square feet and a capacity of over 2,700, the indoor pavilion is ready-made for large groups. Outside, the second pavilion has 55,000 square feet of usable space and is fully equipped with power and water.

2. City of Colleges Park Sports: Softball This softball venue, completed in 2009, comprises five fields and is one of the top softball parks in the region. Perfect for hosting tournament play, this state-of-the-art facility won’t disappoint teams, coaches and families.

3. Centennial Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer Conway’s premier venue for soccer features a 51.5-acre complex with 10 full-size fields and two U10 fields. A concession stand, parking, a coaches’ room and office space top off the great list of amenities. Centennial Soccer Complex is home to the Arkansas Rush Soccer Club – check out a game while you’re in town.

4. Conway Station Park Sports: Baseball Conway’s top baseball facilities can be found at Conway Station Park, where there are nine fields, eight of which have 225-foot fencing, the other with 350-foot fencing. Visitors enjoy the concession area and bathrooms that are heated in winter and cooled in summer. The park is a great place to spend a summer evening in Conway, and the perfect space to host your next baseball event.

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Sports: Racquetball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, softball, soccer There are many pros to having three colleges in Conway, and you can take advantage of their excellent sporting facilities, particularly at the University of Central Arkansas. The HPER Center offers three racquetball courts and three full-size basketball courts that can be converted to badminton and volleyball courts. The Aquatics Center features a heated, six-lane, 25-yard lap pool.

Jefferson D. Farris Softball Complex features three official-size softball fields with spectator seating equipped with lighting, on-site restrooms and concession stand availability. Also within this facility are four soccer fields (non-lighted) equipped with on-site restrooms.

Athletes and Families Will Find Plenty to Fill Their Free Time With three academic institutions making up the heart of Conway, there is a youthful vibe throughout the city that can be felt everywhere you go, making it a wonderful place to plan your next sports-related excursion. Downtown Conway has really grown in recent years and made a name for itself as a regional shopping hub. So whether you enjoy buying or browsing, a stroll through Conway will certainly make for an enjoyable outing. There are trendy boutiques, antiques stores and restaurants. For those who love a strong arts and culture scene, you’ll find entertainment venues – including the local colleges – that put on Broadway shows, sporting events, concerts and other productions throughout the year. Be sure to check what’s on when you’re in town. Conway also abounds with dining options, from Asian and Mediterranean to Mexican and seafood.

Just a Short Hop from Little Rock Conway is just a stone’s throw from Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas. Interstate 40 runs through the heart of Conway, connecting you to major cities including Oklahoma City and Memphis.

The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock is a great option for groups traveling longer distances. From the airport you’re a quick 35-minute drive away from Conway, which lies to the north on Interstate 40.

Planner Perspective “Conway has the best complexes and the best parks and recreation department, and also the best convention and visitors bureau I have ever seen.”

— Rusty Imhoff, USSSA Baseball League Director

CONWAY CVB

Rachel Shaw, Director of Destination Marketing 501-932-5409 • rachel@conwayarkansas.org ConwayArkansas.org @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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2010 Arkansas Sports Facility of the Year* 2011 Arkansas Sports Facility of the Year*

For first-class facilities, a convenient location on Interstate 40, and a clean and safe community to enjoy away from the field, Conway, Arkansas is the perfect location for your organization’s event.

Conway regularly hosts large state-wide and regional youth baseball, volleyball, basketball and soccer tournaments, as well as, numerous cheer, dance and gymnastics events.

For more information on how Conway can make your next major event a success, contact the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau at 866.7CONWAY

CVB@ConwayArkansas.org | ConwayArk.com *City of Colleges Softball Park - 2010 Facility of the Year - Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association *Conway Station Baseball Park - 2011 Facility of the Year - Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association

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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN Great Facilities Reflect the Sports Capital Title

Known as the Sports Capital of Tennessee ®, this college-centric county packs in quite a lot of fun off the field as well.

1. Richard Siegel Soccer Complex

3. McKnight Park & Star*Plex

Sports: Soccer The $13-million Murfreesboro soccer complex covers 137 acres and houses a total of 15 soccer fields. There are six standard-sized soccer fields, eight lighted soccer fields and a championship soccer stadium. Also included in this TSSAA- and USYS-hosting facility are five pavilions, two concessions buildings, ample parking and two meeting rooms. On-site amenities include restrooms and locker rooms; soccer balls, goals, corner flags and other equipment are available. In addition to the soccer facilities, there are playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits and walking trails open for use.

Sports: Softball, baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, disc golf The 81-acre community park is made up of three venues: Sports*Com, Star*Plex and several multipurpose fields.

Sports*Com is an indoor-outdoor, multipurpose facility that includes a gymnasium, track, fitness equipment, game room, meeting room, indoor pool, outdoor pool and sand volleyball courts. Star*Plex is a five-field baseball and softball facility with on-site concessions and restrooms. Youth softball fields are available, as are several multipurpose fields used to host the sports listed above.

These fields also provide a sheltered picnic area, restrooms and storage areas.

2. Old Fort Park Tennis

4. Barfield Crescent Park

Sports: Tennis Old Fort Park Tennis is located in Old Fort Park and Golf Course, a 50-acre stretch of parkland that includes Fortress Rosecrans and—you guessed it—a PGA-worthy golf course.

The facility features 24 tennis courts, 16 of which are lighted for night play, plus eight indoor tennis courts in the new, state-of-theart Adams Tennis Complex. There's a concession stand and several picnic shelters on-site; two of the shelters have restrooms.

There is also a pair of playgrounds for little ones: a small playground near the first picnic shelter, and the extensively and recently renovated Kids Castle playground. A concession stand rounds off the list of amenities for this site.

Sports: Baseball, softball, disc golf The eight-field complex has all you need to host daytime or nighttime play for softball and baseball tournaments; all fields are lighted. With spaces for 600 cars, a pair of concession stands and on-site restroom facilities, the park’s layout ensures that players and guests can arrive, park and stay comfortably. During the game, scoreboards and scorekeeper areas make keeping track easy.

Barfield Crescent Park also hosts an 18-hole, championship-level disc golf course; it was the home of the Tennessee State Disc Golf Tour Finals. The 430-acre community park has more than seven miles of paved and unpaved hiking and walking trails, plus 12 private campsites and one group campsite.

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5. MTSU Murphy Center

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Basketball, dance, volleyball, track Murphy Center is home to Middle Tennessee State University’s athletics. The arena itself seats 10,000 fans and is used for basketball and track. Aside from the arena, there are two gyms and two dance studios. Concessions and restrooms are on-site. Upstairs, you'll find the indoor track system facility. The center has hosted girls’ and boys’ basketball, volleyball and track championships.

6. MTSU Track & Soccer Stadium Sports: Soccer, track The Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer stadium officially opened in 1998 with a match against Tennessee Tech. In 2009, the venue hosted the Sun Belt Outdoor Track Championships; this was repeated in 2011, when the facility hosted the Sun Belt Soccer Championships as well. The Olympic-sized track is USTFA-certified and includes two long jump runways, a pole vault runway, a javelin runway, a high jump area and a hammer/discus cage.

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Civil War Lore and Good Southern Cookin’ No matter what the age group, Rutherford County has attractions that will definitely appeal. Is your group interested in history, art or music?

Each is well represented in this area. The Civil War, in particular, is commemorated in several areas, including Fortress Rosecrans, Stones River National Battlefield, Sam Davis Home and Plantation and Oaklands Mansion.

Discovery Center will give kids’ brains a chance to play.

Murfreesboro's Boro Beach and Smyrna's Splash Pad give them an ever-popular outlet for all that energy: swimming pools. And when that's done, a trip to The Avenue®, the largest open-air shopping venue in the state, can provide a nice break from all the action.

And let’s not forget something that, in the South, is an attraction in itself: the food. Rutherford County's food scene includes local favorites like barbecue and catfish. Enjoyed with or without live music, the Southern-comfort food here is a memorable part of any trip.

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A Central Tennessee Location Located just off Interstate 24, Rutherford County is easy to find.

It’s 30 minutes southeast of Nashville, in the exact center of the state, and is within a day’s drive of 75% of the U.S. population.

Nashville International Airport is approximately 40 minutes away from Murfreesboro. In addition to several smaller carriers, it is served

by American, Delta, Southwest, United and Frontier airlines.

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Planner Perspective “It's been a pleasure working with the Rutherford County CVB over the past three years with the Tennessee Cup. The CVB bridges the needs of the partner facilities, hotels, tourism and the event planner to help us coordinate all the areas for a successful event.”

— Scott Spencer, President, Premier Soccer Services

RUTHERFORD COUNTY CVB

Barbara Wolke, Vice President 615-278-2327 • bwolke@rutherfordchamber.org ReadySetRutherford.com

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There’s nothing like a little friendly competition; Pigeon Forge is the perfect place for youth sports. And there are no losers here, because when the players step off the ďŹ eld, they step into the Land of More. More roller coasters. More go-carts.

More entertainment. More bungee jumps. More smiles. More fun.

MyPigeonForge.com/Sports

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SEVIERVILLE, TN

From America’s most visited national park—Great Smoky Mountains National Park —to Tennessee’s most visited attraction—Dollywood—and amazing outlet and high-end retail stores, Sevierville is the place to host your next sports event.

Fairways and Greenways to Flexible Indoor Space 1. Sevierville Convention Center A regular stop for volleyball and competitive arts events, the Convention Center easily accommodates up to nine basketball and 21 volleyball courts. The facility’s flexibility shows in its 108,000-square-foot exhibit hall with 32-foot ceiling. Four ballrooms can be combined into more than 19,000 square feet with 22-foot ceilings. The latter is perfect for dance, cheerleading and other competitive arts events. The center has hosted varsity cheerleading UCA Championships and Encore Championships.

The 2014 K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament attracted more than 2,500 athletes and 10,000 spectators.

can be set up for tournament play. An expansive grass driving range, putting green and chipping/pitching green complement the courses. Additional amenities include an outdoor pavilion, golf shop, locker rooms with showers, meeting space and restaurant.

3. Smokies Park Home to the Tennessee Smokies, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the ballpark serves a dual purpose. Sitting close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the facility houses the Smoky Mountain Visitor Center. When the Smokies are in town, taking in a game is an enjoyable family experience. The stadium also hosts a series of premier annual baseball events—Tennessee Smokies Wood Bat Showcase, High School Summer Wood Bat Classic, Fall Wood Bat Classic and High School Baseball Showcase.

2. Sevierville Golf Club

4. Greenways

Located just outside the Sevierville Convention Center, the Golf Club features two 18-hole championship courses.

The Highlands is a par 70, while The River course is par 72.

Both tracks utilize the natural topography of the Smoky Mountain foothills to create challenging golf in a memorable setting. The 7,155-yard Highlands course winds through ponds and streams with water coming into play at varying degrees on 10 holes.

Water is a factor on 10 of the River course holes. Both courses

Sevierville is committed to preserving undeveloped land for recreational and environmental use. Currently there are more than nine miles of developed greenways. Sevierville recognizes their importance to the health of the community and improving the economy through tourism. As a result of this commitment, gentle rolling terrain and a pre-established route, Sevierville is a regular host for running events like the Santa Smokies Hustle 5K and Half Marathon.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

5. Sevierville City Park Three fields are set for mobile mounds and corresponding base paths, while the other two fields have permanent mounds at 50 feet and 46 feet. All fields can be lighted. Three fields regularly host softball tournaments. City Park welcomed the Independent Sports Association (ISA) Fast Pitch Softball Tournament in summer 2014. Between the Sevierville City Park and nearby Sevierville Community Center, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department offers eight newly renovated tennis courts, indoor and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, 10 lanes with state-of-the-art GSX Nex Gen Brunswick bowling machines and a 2010 newly renovated 25-meter, six-lane indoor pool.

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A Prime Family Vacation Region Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the largest and the most visited in the national park system, welcomes nine million visitors annually. There are camping, picnicking and fishing, programs and special events, and 800 miles of trails to explore. At Dollywood theme park, the FireChaser Express, Thunderhead and new Mystery Mine are just a few of the 45 rides available. More than a half-dozen daily entertainment events are featured throughout the summer. NASCAR SpeedPark offers eight family-friendly tracks. Foxfire Mountain Adventures covers 150 acres with 15 zip lines. Adventureworks Climb Zip and Swing is brand new to the area. Caves, museums, petting zoos and interactive mini-golf also await the Sevierville visitor. Tanger Outlet Center Sevierville features brand names at discounted prices. The Music Outlet, Two Rivers Outlet and Vanity Fair Outlet round out a host of outlet centers and mall shopping opportunities.

From Wherever You’re Coming, Sevierville Isn’t Far Away Easy to reach by automobile, Sevierville is within a day’s drive of more than half the nation’s population. Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville and Nashville are all less than six hours away.

McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, less than an hour away, is serviced by six major airlines, with direct flights from 18 cities. With more than 4,000 places to stay, Sevierville offers the largest selection of new lodging options in the region.

Accommodations range from campsites, mountain cabins and RV parks to condos, national chain hotels and moderate family motels. Sevier County can comfortably accommodate 40,000 guests. From mountain-style home cooking to international fare, there are plenty of dining options.

SEVIERVILLE TN CVB

Scott King, Director of Sales 865-453-6411 • sking@scoc.org VisitSevierville.com

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SOUTH CAROLINA Site InSpections

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Myrtle Beach, SC Greenwood, SC Aiken, SC Sumter, SC Columbia, SC Saluda Shoals Park, SC Florence, SC Mountain Lakes Region, SC Rock Hill/York County, SC Spartanburg, SC Greenville, SC North Myrtle Beach, SC

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Bring Your Sports Event To South Carolina

If you're searching for a place to hold a professional, amateur or collegiate sporting event, look no further. Play here. South Carolina is just right.

We're just right for soccer games, baseball tournaments, golf championships and tennis playoffs. And let's not forget about football, basketball and the awesome mud run challenges, 5K walks and runs, and fishing tournaments.

The Palmetto State has played host to national and worldwide organizations including the PGA Tour, Women’s Tennis Association, Bassmasters, International Quidditch Association, USA Cycling and so many more.

Whether your event is small or large, professional or amateur, the members of the South Carolina Sports Alliance (SCSA) are committed to helping you create an atmosphere where your sporting event can achieve the utmost success.

From the deep forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beautiful beaches of the Grand Strand, South Carolina's diverse landscapes promise a memorable escape to the great outdoors. Our charming small towns, coastal cities and inland areas offer a unique setting for indoor and outdoor sports. With award-winning restaurants, affordable accommodations and plenty of exciting attractions to keep athletes, families and spectators entertained, we can deliver an unforgettable experience. Did we mention the unrivaled Southern hospitality our visitors are certain to receive? You just might want to come back for your vacation!

Start planning your event in South Carolina today. Our team is ready to assist you in planning a winning event that your participants won’t forget.

When you step into South Carolina, you step onto your HOME TURF. Sincerely, South Carolina Sports Alliance

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sports playing well

south carolina in

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asketball, softball, quidditch, tennis, cycling, golf and fishing—South Carolina is stepping up its game when it comes to hosting these seven sports. W ith a communal passion and facilities to match, it’s no wonder these sports are succeeding in the Palmetto State.

Big-ticket basketball events are migrating to South Carolina, thanks to new facilities. Myrtle Beach Sports Center opened in March 2015 and is set to host NTBA boys’ and girls’ championships among other tournaments and camps. The 100,000-square-foot indoor facility features eight basketball courts (and 16 volleyball courts) spread over 72,000 square feet of column-free, hardwood space. Event planners love the team rooms, telescopic bleachers, a private mezzanine for elevated viewing and a café with indoor/ outdoor seating. Upward Star Center, which opened in fall 2014 in Spartanburg, hosts a variety of basketball events, tournaments and series. The 120,000-square-foot facility comprises six basketball courts (among volleyball courts, batting cages, a

running track, and outdoor sand courts and fields), complete with team and meeting rooms, a players’ lounge and café.

Tyger River Park in Spartanburg is South Carolina’s premier softball/baseball tournament facility. It features 12 fields in four-field clusters; a premier stadium with seating for 600; and a clubhouse with a conference room, meeting rooms, park administrative and athletic offices, restrooms, concessions and picnic tables in the clubhouse pavilion. The park has hosted events like the ASA State Championships, NSA & Louisville Slugger Class B Eastern World Series, 2015 ASA/USA 18U Class A Girls Fast Pitch National Championship and ASA Diamond Classic World Series. Tyger River Park and other complexes scattered throughout the state play host to SC USSSA, girls’ youth fast pitch.

“Spartanburg has always been a hotbed for softball, but with the addition of Tyger River Park it was an obvious choice to bring some of our largest tournaments here,” said Chad Greene, SC ASA commissioner. “A lot of

Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, home to the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, seats over 80,000.

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Cheyenne Woods, Symetra Tour

towns host big events, but scatter teams to venues over a 40-mile radius.

At Tyger River Park, you have the luxury of hosting those same type tournaments all at one location.”

When it comes to the game made famous by the Harry Potter series, South Carolina is a cauldron for quidditch. In 2014, North Myrtle Beach Sports Park and Sports Complex hosted Quidditch World Cup 7. The complex offers plenty of room for racing brooms and snitch snatching with eight regulation soccer/lacrosse fields (to do justice to the complex as a whole, there’s also a variety of baseball fields and eight batting tunnels).

Quidditch players and fans delight in the concession areas, picnic shelters, playgrounds, amphitheater, trails, dog park and 25-acre lake. Quidditch hightailed its way back to South Carolina in April 2015 for Quidditch World Cup 8—this time at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill. The 70-acre park features eight soccer fields, two lighted, synthetic turf fields—each with stadium seating for 750—six lighted natural turf fields and additional fields for multipurpose use. And an event of this caliber couldn’t take place without the park’s pavilions, concessions and shelters.

South Carolina of fers more than a picturesque backdrop for tennis tournaments. Take Columbia, for example, which hosted 2015’s SEC Women’s Tennis Tournament at the University of South Carolina. The university’s Carolina Tennis Center features 12 courts with lights and scoreboards on each one, plus video cameras, seating for 670 fans and courtside storage. South Carolina hosts many USTA events, too; the 2014 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships was hosted by the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter. The center serves up 24 lighted tennis courts, making it the largest tennis center in the state. In April, 2016, Charleston’s Family Circle Tennis Center will host the WTA Family Circle Cup—the largest women-only tennis tournament in the world, with 100,000 spectators and more than 70 athletes.

For cycling events, Rock Hill is a shining beacon. The city’s Rock Hill Outdoor Center houses a variety of cycling venues from paved to off road.

The center’s Novant Health BMX Supercross Track will host the 2017 BMX World Championships by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The event is expected to bring approximately 3,000 amateur participants and 300 professional athletes from over 40 countries, and attendees will stay an average of 10 days. Another major venue at the center is the 250-meter, world-class Giordana Velodrome. Endorsed by USA Cycling, the facility SportsPlanningGuide.com

Rock Hill’s Giordana Velodrome hosts national-level cycling events.

hosts national and UCI-caliber events while introducing the local community to the Olympic sport of track cycling through a variety of rider development and outreach programs.

“The Novant Health BMX Supercross T rack in Rock Hill is the new gold standard for USA BMX tracks. It has been so thrilling to see the city of Rock Hill completely commit to the sport of BMX racing and create a worldclass BMX venue,” said John David, chief operating officer of American Bicycle Association. “Hosting the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships in Rock Hill is a dream come true for all parties involved, and this will be a phenomenal event. Earlier this year we hosted the USA BMX Carolina Nationals in Rock Hill and we could not have been more pleased with the facility—especially the staff. They truly understand big events and do them well.”

South Carolina’s natural beauty sets the stage for unmatched golf events.

The state offers 368 courses, 26 of which are Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, boasting some of the country's most beautiful surroundings and wildlife. Myrtle Beach, the “golf capital of the United States,” offers hundreds of courses from pro-style to casual. PGA.com notes several other top golf courses in South Carolina, including Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, The Ocean Course Golf Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Johns Island and Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken.

You can’t go fishing without water—and not only is South Carolina positioned along the Atlantic Coast, but the state is also home to 12 major lakes with sizes from 7,500 acres to 110,000 acres, and types ranging from reservoirs (such as Lake Jocassee in the upstate mountains) to the swampy wilderness of Lake Marion in the lowlands. Lake Hartwell in Anderson, located in the upstate region popularly known as the Upcountry, hosted the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. The state also plays host to Fishers of Men Tournament Trail and Ministries, Governor's Cup King Billfishing Series, South Carolina BAIT Division 1 and Striped Bass Festival.

South Carolina rolls out the red carpet for stellar sports events. The state’s subtropical climate allows for year-round play, and top-notch facilities are catalysts for competitive and unforgettable events—not to mention the highly-visited state offers a plethora of activities for all ages and interests. To learn more about hosting your sport in this Southern state, visit discoversouthcarolina.com.

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Off the Fields and Courts

south carolina

Is Just Right For Visitors From the mountains and the midlands to the coast and the islands, South Carolina is a ready mixture of history, adventure, amusement, entertainment and a healthy dose of fun. Here’s a quick walk through each of the state’s 11 tourism regions.

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Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy, a peaceful spot in Greenville

Re-enactment of the 1865 Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel, Florence

Nature and History Meet in the Pendleton District

Hit the Greens or the Lakes in Santee Cooper Country

Located in the northwest corner of the state on I-85, Pendleton is a gem. Hiking to some of the Southeast’ s most scenic waterfalls or braving the rapids on the Chattooga River are ideal outdoor adventures.

For a more leisurely pace, visit the South Carolina Botanical Gardens and Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum.

Exciting fishing, canoeing and kayaking challenges are found on Lakes Marion and Moultrie, two rivers, two canals and a large swamp.

The area is no longer a best-kept golf secret with 20 championship layouts. Try a flat-bottom boat tour of Cypress Gardens/Butterfly House & Gardens or the peaceful tranquility of Mepkin Abbey in Berkeley.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter is a favorite.

Exploring the Upcountry Hiking, horseback riding, biking and driving the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway are fun ways to discover the Upcountry. With 150 waterfalls, three freshwater lakes and the Chattooga National Wild & Scenic River’s thousands of acres of parks and hundreds of miles of trails, great outdoor adventures await here in northwestern South Carolina. You’ll also find bustling cities and delightful small towns.

Go Back in Time in Old 96 Visit the off-the-beaten-path Old 96 Historic District to find historical importance among abundant natural resources. Revolutionary War tories are discovered at national and state parks. Museums and historic homes are not to be missed. Several thousand miles of shoreline are ready for exploring, along with hiking, walking and biking trails.

Olde English Offers History and Thrill Rides South Carolina experienced more Revolutionary War battles than any other colony. Many were fought within the Olde English District. Monuments and markers, living history sites, reenactments and Kings Mountain National Military Park all tell the story of our nation’ s battle for freedom. Carowinds amusement park recently introduced a $50-million expansion featuring Fury 325, the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster.

Capital City & Lake Murray Country Columbia, the state’s capital city, has a dozen museums, including the SC State Museum and EdVenture Children’s Museum. The Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens features lush botanical gardens and new North American river otter and grizzly bear habitats. The region’s three rivers are a delight for paddlers, with canoeing, kayaking, rafting and tubing. Lake Murray offers the best in bass fishing, sailing, jet skiing and paddle boarding.

Race through Thoroughbred Country As the name indicates, this South Carolina region has a rich horse tradition and culture. Also discover Civil War battle sites and historic plantation homes. From the Jim Harrison Gallery in Denmark to the Healing Springs near Blackville to the fall Chitlin Strut Festival in Salley, there’s something to see and do in Thoroughbred Country’s small towns.

Cycling through a cool forest in western South Carolina

Pee Dee Country: From Agriculture to NASCAR Named for the Pee Dee Indians and easy to reach, this region is served by I-95 and I-20. The South Carolina Cotton Museum and South Carolina Tobacco Museum exemplify the agrarian lifestyle of the region. The famous Darlington Raceway and its “track too tough to tame” is part of the NASCAR tradition. Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum is a must-see.

Relax in the Lowcountry & Resort Islands Regardless of your interests, this region has something for you.

The immaculate beaches of the resort islands give way inland to historic antebellum homes and farmland. The arts are alive at the SC Artisans Center. Whether you parasail of f Hilton Head Island , kayak a lush marsh or just relax under a stately live oak with a good book, this is a lifestyle to enjoy.

Historic Charleston The Charleston area, with its venerable architecture, magnificent gardens and plantation homes, is a living museum. Blended with more than 300 years of history are invigorating outdoor recreation, well-known art and music venues and world-class dining options. A carriage ride through the “Holy City” is a great way to begin your Charleston visit.

The Gibbs Museum of Art and Charleston Tea Plantation should be on every visitor’s list.

Myrtle Beach & The Grand Strand Few destinations can claim to have everything, but, with the exception of mountains, the Myrtle Beach area comes close. Centered around 60 miles of wide sandy beaches are outdoor activities from parasailing and fishing to zip lines and boating, kayaking and canoeing. There are dozens of amusements and attractions, including one very large oceanfront Sky Wheel. The evenings come alive with a half-dozen, family-oriented live entertainment theaters.

Sunrise over Myrtle Beach, a South Carolina vacation haven

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC Myrtle Beach Boasts Impressive Facilities 1. Myrtle Beach Sports Center

Bring your teams to the summery shores of Myrtle Beach, a proven winner when it comes to entertainment and adventure.

3. Grand Park Athletic Complex

Sports: Basketball, volleyball, badminton This brand new facility offers 100,000 square feet of indoor courts, as well as a cafĂŠ, retail area and entertainment zone. The complex contains eight basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts, and can be easily configured to accommodate a variety of indoor sports such as badminton.

Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, football This multi-use complex features seven lighted, full-size baseball fields that can be easily converted to accommodate soccer, lacrosse and football. The facility also offers two natural-grass youth baseball fields that also can be converted, as well as three full-size, natural-turf fields for soccer and lacrosse. Additional amenities include multiple concession locations and a batting cage.

2. Myrtle Beach Convention Center

4. Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium

Sports: Cheer, dance Adjacent to Myrtle Beach Sports Center, this facility consists of 250,000 square feet of flexible space as well as a 30,000-square foot outdoor plaza that’s perfect for dance and cheer competitions.

Sports: Track and field, football, lacrosse, soccer This NCAA-certified track is made of a full pour polyurethane synthetic surface with embedded texture, and is complete with a Daktronics video board and a FieldTurf infield that can accommodate football, soccer and lacrosse.

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5. Myrtle Beach Recreation Centers (Pepper Geddings, Canal Street and Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium)

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Basketball, swimming All three centers include one full-size basketball court, but the Pepper Geddings facility also houses a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool complete with a Colorado Timing system.

6. North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse This baseball and softball park consists of four fields with dirt infields and a 225-foot fence, along with two adult softball fields with dirt infields and a 330-380-foot fence that can be used for collegiate baseball games. The soccer and lacrosse complex consists of eight natural-grass regulation fields, four of which are lighted, as well as an official’s room and a full-service concession stand.

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Families Love a Myrtle Beach Vacation In addition to the friendly warmth of beaches and crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, your teams can find additional excitement at every turn in Myrtle Beach. If they want to take a break from the seashore but stay outdoors, head to rapids and waterslides at Myrtle Waves or strap on a harness and try out the zip line and treetop adventure course over at North Myrtle Beach Park. If your teams are interested in history, schedule a trip to the Hopsewee Plantation, where you can enjoy traditional English tea and tours of the gorgeous plantation, or take a Segway tour around an old Air Force base. If the weather isn’t cooperating, spend an afternoon at the Coastal Grand Mall, Medieval Times or the Ripley Museums. Rain or shine, Myrtle Beach will keep your teams entertained between games and after the tournament.

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Myrtle Beach is Easily Accessible Myrtle Beach connects via Highway 17. Cities that are less than eight hours away from Myrtle Beach include Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Highways 501 and 17 run through the Myrtle Beach area. Myrtle Beach International Airport is a mere seven minutes from the heart of Myrtle Beach and is serviced by American, Allegiant, Delta, Spirit and United airlines.

Planner Perspective

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“Myrtle Beach is such an easy sell to my travel teams that play in our events. The city sells itself! With miles of sandy beach, tons of attractions and plenty of hotels that accommodate any budget, teams simply love coming to play in our tournaments. Parents use our events as a vacation while getting a chance to watch their child play in a national championship. The city facilities are top-notch as well.”

— John Whitley, National Travel Basketball Association

MYRTLE BEACH AREA CVB

Mike Anderson, Executive Director, Sports Tourism 843-916-7264 • mike.anderson@visitmyrtlebeach.com MyrtleBeachSports.com

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served by Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest and United. The Atlanta and Charlotte airports are a few hours away.

Sports Travelers Enjoy Greenwood

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GREENWOOD, SC Greenwood is known for its hospitality. Add one of South Carolina’s most peaceful lakes and a gracious approach to sports travel, and you’ve got a winner.

A Solid Lineup of Facilities 1. Jeff May Recreation, Wellness and Sports Complex Sports: Softball, baseball, soccer, tennis This 25-acre Lander University venue encompasses a 950-seat baseball stadium, a 350-seat softball stadium, a soccer field, a field house, 12 tennis courts and a tennis pavilion.

After the gear has been stowed and the final score tallied, fans and players can choose from several pastimes. A simple stroll in Uptown Greenwood, with stops to dine at unique restaurants and browse boutiques and art galleries, can be a great way to unwind.

Serious shoppers will want to visit The Commons and Greenwood Mall.

Greenwood always seems to have some kind of celebration going on. May hosts the Catfish Festival, while the SC Festival of Flowers in June has life-size safari topiaries that line the streets of Uptown. July’s SC Festival of Discovery features barbecue and blues.

Planner Perspective “Not only has the Greenwood Regional Tourism & Visitors Bureau gone above and beyond in helping us host a successful event, they proactively laid the initial groundwork to get their tournament started.

Today, it’s the No. 1 stop on our tour!”

— Mike Nichols, Chief Business Officer, LPGA Symetra Tour

GREENWOOD REGIONAL TOURISM & VISITORS BUREAU

Lindsay B. Burns, TMP, Director of Sales 864-953-2464 • lindsay.burns@cityofgreenwoodsc.com VisitGreenwoodSC.com

2. Area Golf Courses The Links at Stoney Point is best known for the premier event on the LPGA Symetra Tour, offering a challenging layout with an exceptionally beautiful spot on Lake Greenwood. The Links offers a newlyremodeled clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool, tennis courts and a fine-dining restaurant.

The Patriot at Grand Harbor also embraces the shores of Lake Greenwood. It often hosts the Big South Conference Championships as well as South Carolina Golf Association events.

3. Lake Greenwood Sports: Fishing, recreational boating, kayaking and paddle boarding Combine 11,000 acres of lake water and over 200 miles of shoreline with largemouth bass and crappie, and you've got a place that will keep fishers happy for hours, if not days. Thanks to an average depth of about 21 feet, there's plenty of room for water sports of all types.

Travel to Greenwood Couldn’t Be Easier Greenwood is located between two major southeastern cities—Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina—and just an hour north of Augusta, Georgia. Groups can drive into Greenwood via Interstate 85 or Interstate 26. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, an hour’s drive, is SportsPlanningGuide.com

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AIKEN, SC

Aiken, South Carolina has a long history of providing outstanding sporting events and unforgettable family experiences.

Top-of-the-Line Sporting Facilities 1. Weeks Recreation Facility

3. Citizens Park

Sports: Pickleball, disc golf, soccer, volleyball, basketball This state-of-the-art recreation facility has something for everyone. With its two full-size gyms, nine pickleball courts and soccer field, it accommodates a wide variety of sports events.

Athletes and fans alike can enjoy its mile-long walking track and nine-hole disc golf course. The facility also has outdoor workout and training equipment, a variety of workout rooms and locker rooms, plus picnic shelters and playgrounds that are perfect for families with kids or an outdoor team lunch.

Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer This 123-acre, multipurpose sports park is perfect for hosting a multitude of tournaments. There are 15 lighted baseball/softball fields and access to meeting rooms and umpire rooms. The park has three score towers, concessions and multiple open fields.

Players can practice their skills to their heart’s content in one of the park’s eight full-size batting cages. Adults and children alike will be entertained at the new Sprayground and can enjoy a meal at one of the picnic tables and the covered eating area. In addition, there is a playground.

2. Weeks Tennis Center

4. Convocation Center

Sports: Tennis Located in Virginia Acres Park, this sprawling, 46-acre complex will make any tennis player feel like a pro and includes 10 lighted clay courts and 10 lighted hard courts. The city also provides access to over 40 courts in the surrounding area. The center also features a covered wrap-around porch with Adirondack chairs, dining tables with chairs and ceiling fans so both players and their audience can stay cool in the shade. Players can purchase gear and other items in the full-service pro shop and enjoy the locker rooms and concessions.

Sports: Basketball, volleyball Home to Pacer athletics of the University of South Carolina at Aiken, this 100,000-square-foot building is a sports event planner’s dream. The complex holds three gyms and can also be used as an entertainment venue. The main arena has state-ofthe-art sound and scoreboard systems and is surrounded by a practice court on each side. Athletes and coaches will be happy with its training facilities, and fans will appreciate the spacious seating, which has room for up to 4,000 people. The center also features eight locker rooms, concessions and meeting spaces.

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Getting to Aiken is a Snap Near the western edge of South Carolina, Aiken is a hidden gem surrounded by forests not far from major Southern cities.

Getting there is surprisingly simple, with a choice of several nearby airports and only 20 minutes away from Interstate 20.

Aiken is within 2½ hours of Atlanta, Greenville, Charlotte, Charleston, Hilton Head Island and Savannah. It is connected to Atlanta by Interstate 20; Routes 78 and 1 connect other interstates to the city. Aiken is home to Aiken Municipal Airport.

Nearby is Augusta Regional Airport, just seven miles from downtown Augusta. Other airports within driving distance of Aiken include Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Aiken is Horse Country Traveling for sporting events is about more than the games won and lost; it’s about the times spent with family in unforgettable locations. Aiken is just that. With a rich equestrian heritage, this town is definitely horse country. There are horse statues in the streets, the annual Aiken Triple Crown, the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and a horse district. Surrounded by polo fields, tracks and early 20th century estates, Aiken is a scenic beauty just waiting to be experienced.

For those interested in outdoor activities, there are many equestrian sites, a farmers’ market and the Citywide Arboretum.

Families and athletes can relax after a grueling day of play by

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heading to Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in America, explore the grounds at Hopelands Gardens or head to Aiken State Park. There they can enjoy a peaceful hike on one of the many nature trails, kayak the Edisto River, unwind while having a picnic or cool off in the lake. In the heart of the town are historic homes and churches to tour. The interactive Train Museum is located in the town’s old train depot. The blend of historic and newly established restaurants, such as The Little Bake Shoppe and Stables Bar and Restaurant, will satisfy any hunger cravings.

Planner Perspective “We love coming to Aiken, and the reason we do is they are always so on top of everything—they anticipate our needs. Aiken is a nice, quaint town that people love going to and experiencing!

At a tournament a couple years back it rained the final day, but that didn’t stop the City of Aiken staff from helping out. They actually came out and dried the courts for us and we were back playing within 30 minutes!”

— Mary Goins, USTA Director of League

CITY OF AIKEN PARKS RECREATION & TOURISM DEPARTMENT Jeff Metz, Athletic Superintendent 803-642-7652 • jmetz@cityofaikensc.gov CityofAikenSC.gov

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SUMTER, SC

Visit this South Carolina town for a taste of hospitality and sporting fun.

There’s No Place Like Sumter Looking for that perfect East Coast tournament spot? Look no further than Sumter, South Carolina, where you are in the middle of everything. The city of Sumter is in the heart of the community with a total city and county population of 108,123. Come enjoy an outdoor lover’s paradise with an abundance of leisure activities, including a vibrant arts culture and superb sport facilities. More than enough exciting attractions orbit this wonderful community as 168

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well. In Sumter, you’re just a 90-minute drive from the state’s beautiful beaches, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are only three hours to the northwest.

Sumter proudly houses Shaw Air Force Base, which inspired the town motto “Uncommon Patriotism.” Truly, Sumter loves nothing more than showing visitors the town’s “uncommon” personality, offering visitors a hometown feel with the conveniences of a large city. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Just the Place for Swim Meets and Tennis Matches 1. Aquatics Center Sports: Swimming The public Aquatics Center meets requirements for competition swim meets with its unique design and is fully equipped with swim lanes, diving blocks, and electronic timer and touch pads. Each year, the center hosts more than 11 swim meets for the city league, community invitational and high school. In October the center is host to the TriSumter Triathlon. The sprint triathlon includes a 300-yard swim in the heated 25-meter, six-lane pool, continues on with a 16-mile bike ride and wraps up with a 5k run at the Aquatics Center. For the recreational swimmer, the center is open six days a week and is swimmer-friendly for all ages. The Aquatics Center also has a twisting tube waterslide, an adjustable spray fountain and a wading pool with beach entrance for easy access.

This official American Red Cross facility boasts an experienced training staff for the Sumter community. Training is available for lifeguards and water safety instructors. Stroke and turn training for volunteers and staff to assist at swim meets is also available.

2. Palmetto Tennis Center Sports: Tennis The Palmetto Tennis Center at Palmetto Park boasts 24 state-of-the-art, Deco-Turf courts with lighting for night play.

Other amenities include shaded stadium and courtside bleacher seating, cool water misters, a bistro-style seating area, a shelter area with picnic tables, two ball machines, stringing service, pro shop and a locker-showers facility. The tennis center is conveniently located adjacent to a playground and spray park. Tennis tournament knowledge is paramount to a facility’s continued success. The PTC’s years of successful new and returning events and tournaments come from experience. In April of 2004, the PTC opened the doors to the Conference Carolinas and added a fall individual event soon after. Collegiate play also includes the Southeast Regionals and National Small College Championships. They’ve learned from the best by hosting annually a Women’s 25K Pro Circuit Event since 2008 and the National Zonal TEAM Championship since 2013, as well as four junior state tournaments.

Explore Sumter’s Many Enjoyable Leisure Opportunities There’s plenty to do in Sumter when you need to unwind from your latest game. Enjoy the local artistic community by visiting spots like Sumter Little Theater, Sumter Opera House and Sumter County Gallery of Art. In between games, teams can be inspired by the artists and performers and support the community at the same time.

Sumter offers much natural beauty for its visitors to enjoy, with nature trails through Crosswell, Memorial and Palmetto parks, among others. The crowning jewel would have to be Swan Lake Iris Gardens, a vast collection of expertly maintained gardens with sections like the Butterfly, Chocolate and Camellia gardens.

Local eateries offer a diverse range of cuisines, from Sambino’s Bistro, Asian Barbecue, Willie Sue’s and Hamptons to J. O’Grady’s, Mary Ann’s Deli, Thai House and Duncan Dogs.

There’s something to suit everyone’s taste.

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Getting to Sumter is Simple Sumter is located in Central South Carolina, meaning a fairly even travel distance from multiple points in the region. Several major roads intersect in Sumter. Routes 76 and 521 come in from the west and northwest, respectively, while Route 15 bisects the town from north to south, with Route 521 accompanying the southern portion of 15. Coming in from the east and northeast are Routes 378, 401 and the other tail of Route 76. Sumter’s two nearest commercial airports are Florence Regional Airport and Columbia Metropolitan Airport, with Florence roughly 50 miles to the east of Sumter and Columbia roughly 50 miles to the west. Teams can expect to arrive in town from the airports in just over an hour.

Planner Perspective “On behalf of all the ITA coaches and players who participated in the 2014 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to you for serving as tournament organizer for this special event. All of our ITA coaches and players felt the Championships went great and much of this was due to the quality of the tennis center and the super support of the staff and local community….We hope to be able to return to Sumter and the Palmetto Tennis Center next fall for our 2015 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships event.”

— David A. Benjamin, Executive Director, Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)

CITY OF SUMTER RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Susan H. Wild, Recreation Programs & Facilities Director 803-774-1651 • swild@sumter-sc.com SumterSC.gov

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COLUMBIA, SC

Columbia, South Carolina is hot on the scene for amateur sports, making it the perfect destination for your next tournament.

Columbia’s Top-Notch Facilities are Sure to Meet Your Needs 1. Williams-Brice Stadium

3. Carolina Stadium

Sports: Football This giant stadium, home to the USC Gamecocks, is one of the finest in the country and when filled to capacity hosts over 80,000 spectators. Over the years the stadium has undergone nearly $30 million in renovations and expansions to make it the topquality venue that it is today. The single football field is natural grass. Spectators can find some of the best premium seating and suites in all of college football. The 11,000-square-foot banquet facility offers excellent views.

Sports: Baseball One of the premier baseball stadiums in the U.S., this University of South Carolina ballpark is a recent addition to the Columbia sports world, with the ability to host 9,000 fans. Visitors enjoy amenities such as a Picnic Terrace along left field and premium seating in the Suite and Club levels. The $35-million facility boasts everything from a state-of-the-art video scoreboard and sound system to a fully equipped press box with TV/radio booths. Field dimensions: 325 feet down the lines, 400 to center field. The stadium is fully ADA-accessible. Players will enjoy the enormous weight room and four indoor batting tunnels.

2. Colonial Life Arena Sports: Basketball This University of South Carolina arena is the largest in the state, with 18,000 seats and square footage of 329,006. Colonial Life Arena is a perfect entertainment venue that features 41 suites, a four-suite Entertainment Club and a hospitality room that can host 300, plus plenty of concessions. A state-of-the-art sound system and scoreboard complete the experience, making Colonial Life an unforgettable venue for basketball fans and players alike.

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4. Lexington County Tennis Complex Sports: Tennis Just eight miles west of downtown Columbia, the Lexington County Tennis Complex has played host to major tennis events, including the USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championships.

It features 21 hard lighted courts and seats upwards of 500 spectators, making it the region’s premier tennis venue. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Lexington Sports Complex Sports: Baseball, softball, t-ball, tennis This multipurpose facility in the western Columbia suburb of Lexington is ideal for baseball and softball teams of all ages. Featuring five youth baseball fields, one intermediate field, one regulation baseball field and two T-ball fields, the complex plays host to groups of various experience levels. It also boasts four softball fields and four tennis courts.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Kelly Mill Recreation Complex Sports: Baseball, football, soccer Four baseball fields with a press box and concession stand are joined by a football and soccer field along with a playground, picnic area and walking trails. A recent addition to the community within the last few years, it’s a testament to the strong presence of sports in the area.

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Columbia Offers Endless Possibilities for Leisure Time Fun Looking to get out into nature? Rent a boat, kayak or canoe, and explore Columbia’s three rivers or Lake Murray. There are riverfront trails for running or biking and an abundance of parks where you can pass an afternoon relaxing in the sweet Southern air.

Animal lovers can’t miss out on the Riverbanks Zoo – one of the best in the country and just steps from downtown. It’s home to over 2,000 animals plus a lush botanical garden in a beautiful riverfront setting.

The University of South Carolina is right in the center of the city, its gorgeous campus great for a stroll taking in some Southern architecture or attending a university sporting event.

Learn about the state’s history at one of the many museums, including the South Carolina State Museum and African American History Monument. Walking tours are a popular way to see the city and learn about Columbia’s rich military and civil rights history.

Columbia’s youthful vibe flavors the colorful arts scene and lively entertainment districts. Major headliners have passed through the city, so be sure to check out what concerts will be going on while you’re in town or catch a local band at any of the city’s music venues. Columbia boasts over 450 restaurants, so don’t worry about finding your favorite meal the night before the big game.

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How Do I Get My Sports Group to Columbia?

Groups can drive into Columbia via I-77 from the north, I-20 from the west or I-26 from the south. Delta, American and United airlines serve Columbia’s airport, which is located just eight miles from the city center.

Amtrak’s Silver Star line between New York City and Miami stops in Columbia. The train station is conveniently located in the center of downtown.

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Planner Perspective “We are really for the Columbia Sports Council! You and your team are to be commended for your hard work. We can’t thank you enough for your care, energy and time.”

—Randy Coleman, CEO/President, International Dance Challenge, LLC

COLUMBIA SPORTS COUNCIL S. Scott Powers, Executive Director 803-545-0004 • spowers@columbiasportscouncil ColumbiaSportsCouncil.com

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SALUDA SHOALS PARK, SC

Located in the Midlands of South Carolina, Palmetto Health Fields at Saluda Shoals Park is built to support modern competition and rewards fans with a fun, memorable getaway in an amenity-packed area.

Palmetto Health Fields at Saluda Shoals Park Has Everything You Need Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, rugby, quidditch, competitive runs, biking, canoeing, kayaking The Palmetto Health Fields at Saluda Shoals Park offers so much for sporting groups. Six multi-use, natural-turf fields with state-of-the-art lighting offer exceptional field visibility and can host a wide variety of events. Amenities like conveniently located restrooms, Wi-Fi access, on-site concessions and ample parking ensure a great experience for your teams. Responsive professionals offer detailed tournament planning and unparalleled customer service before, during and after every event. Customized contracting flexes to fit your event’s unique requirements, and large-bracket tournaments can utilize a bullpen of supplemental fields nearby.

The athletic complex is located within a 400-acre riverfront park.

Saluda Shoals Park’s amenities include 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails for walking as well as access to the Saluda River for canoeing, kayaking, tubing and fishing.

Local Attractions for Off-the-Field Fun First on your list is Saluda Shoals Park, a natural park located a mile and a half from Lake Murray with beautiful outdoor experiences, such as picnicking and swimming, that the whole family can enjoy.

Then, check out Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, one of the nation’s premier natural habitat zoos. The Harbison Boulevard area offers two movie theaters, a bowling alley and Frankie’s Fun Park for families to enjoy. For those who are interested in history, arts and culture, the city of Columbia is less than 20 minutes away. There you can visit the SC State Museum and Planetarium, Columbia Museum of Art, SC State House and EdVenture Children’s Museum.

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Saluda Shoals Park is Easy to Reach Interstate 26, a major South Carolina highway, is located within two miles of the park. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is less than 20 minutes away.

Planner Perspective “Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission facilities are top-notch. The staff goes over and above to make sure our event and participant experience is outstanding. We have enjoyed our partnership and are looking forward to returning for many years to come.”

—Jason Gross, Gameday Sports Executive Director, SC USSSA State Director

IRMO CHAPIN RECREATION COMMISSION Ashley Smith, Market Development Director 803-772-1228 • asmith@icrc.net ICRC.net

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FLORENCE, SC

Offering outstanding venues and plenty for athletes to do after the competition, Florence bills itself as the Amateur Sports Destination of the Southeast.

Florence Sports an Impressive Line-up of Facilities 1. Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center Sports: Tennis Since its founding in 2011, the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center has been the area's premier place to play, averaging about 13 events every year. With 24 asphalt courts, six clay courts and a 5,000-square-foot activity area, it has the space to host tournaments. In fact, there is a partnership with McLeod Health Systems for the annual October Ladies Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament, now named the McLeod for Health Florence Open, to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Lowcountry.

In the activity center, additional amenities include a lounge area, a study area, restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and space for meetings or offices. A pro shop rounds out the indoor amenities; outside, guests will find ample parking space and easy access to and from town.

2. Freedom Florence Recreation Complex Sports: Softball, football, gymnastics This 100-acre, multi-use park is part of Florence’s Parks and Recreation Department, and it was purpose-built to provide an elite, beautiful site for tournaments. Sport-ready areas at the complex include nine lit softball fields, three football fields and a roomy, 11,600-square-foot gymnastics center. Outdoor amenities are just as extensive; they include a lake, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and a selection of trails. While access to the majority of the park is free, most tournaments will require some kind of usage fee. Freedom Florence Recreation Complex averages approximately 50 events each year.

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3. Sparrow Stadium at Francis Marion University Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer Sparrow Stadium, which includes Clifford S. Cormell Field, is a new, state-of-the-art venue for baseball. The facility has seating for 900 with a capacity of 1,755. On-site amenities include a concessions area, a single ticketing area, restrooms, VIP room and a press box. Sparrow Stadium is part of the university's $11.1-million R. Gerald Griffin Athletic Complex, which includes a lake, soccer and softball stadiums, and a fieldhouse.

Note: The university's former baseball facility, also named Cormell Field, is used by Florence-Darlington Technical College.

4. Florence Civic Center At 50,000 square feet, the Florence Civic Center is the largest convention facility in the northeastern part of South Carolina. It includes a 10,000-seat arena, a 14,500-square-foot ballroom and several smaller meeting rooms. The arena covers 29,000 square feet, and the facility comes packed with amenities, including four breakout rooms, five dressing rooms, corporate suites, facilitywide Wi-Fi and available catering. In-house personnel can help with planning your event.

5. Darlington Raceway Sports: Racing One of the Florence area's premier sports venues, Darlington Raceway hosts numerous events each year, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500®. This year, NASCAR racing returned to its historic Labor Day weekend date. Other events include the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce's annual July 4 bash Freedom Fest, NASCAR XFINITY series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 on Labor Day @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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weekend, and November's Speed and Feed BBQ Cook-Off and Car Show presented by Sam Carbis Solutions Group. Track rentals and tours are available. Other on-site race weekend amenities include camping and RV areas. The Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA Hall of Fame are open year-round, excluding holidays and weekends.

Planner Perspective “We loved working with the Florence Area Sports Council… I wish all of our CVB and sports commission contacts were like that!”

— Lindsay Judd, Color Vibe

After the Game is Over, Leisure Options Abound Once the gear has been packed and the day's score settled, it's time to relax and enjoy life off the playing field. And in Florence, you can take a civilized approach to this part of sports travel planning. Here you’ll find two museums that highlight the area’s heritage, live entertainment to take in, and plenty of strolling to do in and out of the city.

If a window into the past is likely to resonate with your group, they'll want to check out the Florence County Museum and the War Between the States Museum. Each March, there's a reenactment of a Civil War skirmish at Columns Plantation.

In town, you can catch a show at the Florence Civic Center,

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where everything from the circus to the Beach Boys has stopped by. Or take in a local performance at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center or Florence's own Little Theatre. Florence's downtown area is a great place to stroll, browse, eat and generally enjoy life.

And don't forget the great outdoors when it's time to relax.

Anchored as it is by the region's namesake Pee Dee River (and in the city itself, by Jeffries Creek), Florence has a trail and park system that invites a steady saunter or a quiet rest.

90 Minutes from Myrtle Beach One of seven counties in South Carolina's Pee Dee Region, Florence is about 90 minutes away from Myrtle Beach and within a few hours' drive of Charleston and Charlotte. Both I-20 and I-95 lead to Florence County. It's approximately midway between New York City and Miami. Florence is served by the Florence Regional Airport. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (2.5 hours) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (1.5 hours).

FLORENCE AREA SPORTS COUNCIL Jade Perkins 843-664-0330 • jade.perkins@visitflo.com PlayFlorence.com

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MOUNTAIN LAKES REGION/ OCONEE COUNTY, SC From Spacious Lakes to Disc Golf Courses 1. Lake Keowee Sports: Golfing, sailing, hiking, fishing, boating, water sports, tennis This man-made lake, known for its Christmas tree shape and crystal-clear waters, was built in 1971 to generate hydroelectric power. Now, it serves as an excellent public recreational destination with fishing, boating, swimming and other water activities for its guests. Tennis Play Days are available every week, where players at all levels are welcome to participate in friendly competition.

Connected to the Keowee, Little and Seneca rivers, which flow into the larger Savannah River, Lake Keowee is the center for fun in the water.

2. Lake Hartwell Sports: Fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching Lake Hartwell State Park not only provides access to the 56,000-acre lake, but also various nature trails and wildlife spottings. Coyotes, deer, skunks, groundhogs and foxes tip-toe on the trails. The park also takes bird watching up a notch—see birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, or possibly spot the country’s national emblem, the bald eagle. Boat access is available for visitors to participate in various water sports, from water skiing to fishing, but don’t forget your South Carolina fishing license; you won’t be allowed to fish without it.

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Pick South Carolina’s Mountain Lakes region for your next sporting event to bring everyone together and in the zone.

3. Lake Jocassee Sports: Hiking, fishing, kayaking This lake provides guided tours for vacationers, giving you the ultimate experience of the deepest lake in South Carolina (385 feet). Lake Tours navigate through the lake to rivers and waterfalls to see the exquisite, untouched nature. Take a Twilight Cruise that lasts past sunset. Kayak Tours travel around the 75-mile-long shoreline. Hop through rocks on the Adventure Tour by foot. Drop your boat in to partake in a day of waterskiing, wakeboarding or tubing.

4. Shaver Baseball/Softball Complex Sports: T-ball, baseball, softball Shaver Complex’s four 200-foot fields and two 285-foot fields can handle youth baseball and softball tournaments. Both the Dixie Youth/Ozone State Tournament and Dixie Boys World Series take place at this complex, attracting teams from all over the state.

5. Shaver Disc Golf Course Sports: Disc golf This course is the most technical of the Mountain Lakes region’s disc golf courses, with a wood-chip bath in the wooded areas and well-labeled signs to navigate through the course. The fairways are tight with rolling elevation. It even has a pro shop that sells equipment. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Sertoma Field Disc Golf Course

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Disc golf Sertoma Field Disc Golf Course has amazing scenery with a handful of elevations. One-fourth of the holes are accompanied by water, making this challenging course a must-play. The foliage is mixed with both green areas and open spaces. Tee types are either concrete or gravel depending on your preference.

An Area Blessed with Natural Resources Mountain Lakes’ sporting events typically go hand-in-hand with its natural resources: four lakes, over 150 waterfalls, two rivers and over 80,000 acres of national forest land. This makes it a unique destination for fishing tournaments, road cycling, water sports, hiking adventures and archery.

Road bicycle events vary from three-day endurance rides through the mountains (Road Titans 300) to one-day rides with different mileage options (Issaqueena’s Last Ride, Rally in the Valley or Tour de Tugalo). For water-savvy athletes, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet racing and acrobatic competitions are all in season. The National Watercross Tour and INT Wakeboard Competition all occur within the region’s borders.

Bass fishing is one of the most popular attractions in Mountain Lakes region. With seven different genus species of bass, its bass fishing tournaments reel in fishermen near and far. Bass Fishing League has multiple events on both Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell. Hike the Big Bend Trail to get a glimpse of the notorious Big Bend Falls or visit one of the region’s five public golf courses to practice your backswing. Culturally, the area abounds with museums, art collections and theaters. Located in the center of Walhalla, the Oconee Heritage Center is located in the old Tobacco Factory and provides a vast collection of artifacts that illustrate the diverse history and heritage of Oconee.

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Easy Access a Big Plus Smack-dab in between Atlanta and Charlotte, the Mountain Lakes region is less than a three-hour drive from each. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is about a two-and-a-half hour drive from the Mountain Lakes region. Greenville International Airport is 45 minutes away.

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Planner Perspective “After working with more than 20 bureaus across the country, the SC Mountain Lakes CVB definitely ranks highest. They have far exceeded our expectations. They were prepared to help and accomplish anything necessary as a partner with our event.”

—Jonathan Strauss, Operations Coordinator Road Titans 300

MOUNTAIN LAKES CVB

Charlotte Waters, Sales Manager/Event Planner 864-364-4525 • charlotte@scmountainlakes.com SCMountainLakes.com

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ROCK HILL/ YORK COUNTY, SC Top Venues for Soccer, Cycling and Water Sports 1. Irwin Belk Track at Winthrop University Athletic Complex Sports: Soccer, track and field This newly built $2.8-million track and soccer complex, named after Charlotte’s famous businessman and philanthropist Irwin “Ike” Belk, is Rock Hill/York County’s best facility yet. Its top-quality Mondo rubberized surfaces attract NCAA Division I competitors. The complex includes a full-sized soccer field and designated area for field events like discus and pole vault.

Comfortable seating is provided for fans to cheer on their track stars.

2. Giordana Velodrome Sports: Cycling The Giordana Velodrome, part of the Rock Hill Outdoor Center, is a 250-meter, world-class cycling track endorsed by USA Cycling. The idea backing this facility is to introduce to the community and its visitors the Olympic sport of track cycling. Its home base was made to train and develop those interested in track cycling, and offers programs for cyclists of all levels and equipment rental.

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Planning a sports event shouldn’t cause blood, sweat and tears; Rock Hill/York County, South Carolina ensures your event will be a smooth success.

3. Novant Health BMX Supercross Track Sports: BMX Cycling This BMX Supercross Track opened in 2014 and is the only Olympic-caliber training center on the East Coast. One of only a few in the country, it hosts local, state, regional, and national events and provides training and insight for those dreaming of entering Olympic cycling one day. With all ages and experience levels welcome, and countless programs, races and events to choose from, the track is a premier cycling facility.

4. Lake Wylie Sports: Water sports, golf, 5k/10k runs Lake Wylie offers natural beauty and sports activities close to the city. Put your water sports skills to the test with swimming, rowing, sailing, fishing, skiing, wakeboarding—you name it. The lake hosts the annual Splash Dash, a 5k/10k walk or run, and Captain’s Choice Golf Tournament.

5. Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer, biking Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex is a new 70-acre park featuring six regulation and two championship soccer fields, a stadium to hold 1,500 people and a pavilion with concessions.

Other features include bike trails, a picnic pavilion and playground. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Wild Rides and Lakeside Leisure

Convenient Location a Big Plus

York County is full of activities ready to be experienced once you get a break in play. Carowinds, an amusement and water park, has rides of all speeds and sizes, with roller coasters for adrenaline junkies or carousels for theme park beginners. Comfort Inn at Carowinds and Hampton Inn, Rock Hill are the perfect places to stay and play.

Check out “The Stadium” Sports Amphitheatre at Revolutions in the Rock Hill Galleria or sit down at its full-service restaurant after bowling on one of its 20 VIP bowling lanes.

Cherry Park has five state-of-the-art softball/baseball and multipurpose fields, plus a playground with picnic tables and grills. The legendary baseball player Mighty Casey is honored here with a sculpture—perfect for photo ops with the team.

Looking to enjoy the beauty of nature? Kings Mountain State Park sets the stage for a great retreat. With two lakes and streams for fishing and 35 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, the park is the place for everyone to unwind.

Quaint boutiques and antiques shops filled with hidden treasures line the streets in Rock Hill, a charming Southern town. Stop by Gettys Art Center to get a glimpse at local Rock Hill/York County artwork and view artists’ galleries and studios.

With various downtowns to choose from, Rock Hill/York County has a vast selection of shops.

The Carolinas have access to three major interstate systems: I-77, I-85 and I-40. Whether coming from the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest or Midwest, there will be an easy route option for your arrival to Rock Hill/York County. I-40 provides an important east-to-west link for coast-to-coast travel. Located 25 minutes from downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, Rock Hill is 20 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in the U.S. with over 120 non-stop service destinations.

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Planner Perspective “We had a great experience working with the City of Rock Hill, York County, and the folks at Manchester Meadows. They went above and beyond to help us put on a fantastic event for participants and spectators alike.”

— Alicia Radford – Acting Executive Director, US Quidditch

ROCK HILL / YORK COUNTY CVB J. Auvis Cole, Sports Sales Manager 803-487-5702 • acole@visityorkcounty.com VisitYorkCounty.com

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SPARTANBURG, SC Spartanburg Has the Facilities You Need 1. Tyger River Park Sports: Baseball, softball As one of the South’s premier baseball and softball tournament facilities, Tyger River Park features 12 ball fields arranged in convenient four-field clusters in addition to a championship stadium that comfortably seats 600 people. In addition to its excellent playing fields, Tyger River Park also offers top-of-the-line site amenities including a clubhouse, several concession areas, umpire changing rooms, a lounge, a VIP Suite, Wi-Fi, covered seats and two parks where the whole family can play.

2. Upward Star Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball (indoor and beach), soccer, lacrosse, cheerleading, 7-v-7 football This 120,000-square-foot, multi-sports facility opened this year and can host almost any sport that comes its way. Indoors, the center is equipped with six full-sized basketball courts, 12 indoor regulation volleyball courts, several studios designed for cheerleading, dance, aerobics and yoga, as well as a team shop.

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Bring your teams to the sports mecca of the South and mix tournaments with outdoor adventures in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

soccer fields with artificial turf and four grass fields that can be used for soccer, lacrosse or 7-v-7 football. Upwards Sports is partnered with Spartanburg Regional Health Services and is able to offer strength training, rehab opportunities and orthopedic services.

3. Milliken Arboretum and 5K Fitness Trails Sports: Cross country The rolling hills of the Milliken Arboretum have hosted renowned cross-country events including the NCAA National Cross-Country Championships, Junior Olympic National Cross-Country Championship and Milliken Earth Run. The all-grass course is part of a 600-acre private corporate campus and is available for approved community events.

4. Viking Track Sports: Track and field The world-class outdoor track boasts the same surfacing materials used at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the recent World Indoor Championships in Valencia. The custommade track lends itself to optimal traction, providing the best contact between the track and the athletes’ spikes. Viking Track contains eight lanes, two jump pits, pole vault and high jump areas. The complex is lighted and uses the Lynx MVP automatic timing system. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park Sports: Soccer, football, tennis, beach volleyball, disc golf Renovated in the spring of 2015, the park offers seven regulation-sized fields that are covered in Bermuda grass and can be used for soccer or football. Additionally, the park features an 18-hole disc golf course (see below for Shoally Creek), three tennis courts, two beach volleyball courts and shaded picnic tables. The recent renovations also included a restroom and concession complex as well as an expanded parking lot.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Shoally Creek Disc Golf Course Sports: Disc golf Heralded as one of the best disc golf courses in the state, Shoally Creek contains 18 holes that span 4,647 feet when played from the short tees, and 6,796 feet when played from the long tees. The course runs mostly through the woods and has several elevation changes.

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Spartanburg is Easily Accessible Located a few hours away from a variety of metropolitan hubs, Spartanburg is a laid-back oasis in the heart of the Carolinas. By car, Spartanburg is just one hour and 10 minutes south of Charlotte, and is connected to the popular North Carolina city by I-85. Cities less than six hours away include Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee.

Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, a mere 24 minutes away from the city center, is served by Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines.

Outdoor Adventures Keep Traveling Teams Busy Whether you’re trying to fill downtime between games or looking to spend a few laidback days at the end of your trip, Spartanburg is full of timeless attractions that will have your team begging to come back.

Explore the great outdoors of Upstate South Carolina as you kayak the lakes, rivers and streams surrounding Spartanburg, hike, ride or bike along its hundreds of miles of trails. Discover plants and animals in the sprawling gardens and forests of preserves such as Hatcher Garden, the Cottonwood Trail, Glendale Shoals and many others. Spend an afternoon exploring Croft State Park and go fishing, boating or geocaching, or head to Strawberry Hill USA and pick delicious in-season berries, peaches or pumpkins.

Check out Hollywild Animal Park, a zoo where your team can help feed a variety of animals or relax on a safari ride. Prefer to beat the heat and stay indoors? Go rock climbing at Climb Upstate. Get a little shopping in at the WestGate Mall, then head next door to the Regal Spartan 16 and catch a movie. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at a well-loved Spartanburg classic like the The Beacon Drive In, Wades Restaurant, Sugar-n-Spice or Cribb’s Kitchen.

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Planner Perspective “Spartanburg has great sports facilities that are well maintained, and they are easily accessible from the airport and highways. We found super support for our events from the City, CVB, hotels and tourism industry.”

— Warren Jones, State Commissioner, Ohio Amateur Softball Association

SPARTANBURG CVB Kristyn Hawkins, Sales Associate 864-594-5050 • ksmith@visitspartanburg.com SpartanburgSports.com

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GREENVILLE, SC Elite Facilities Draw Major Tournaments to Greenville 1. MeSA Soccer Complex Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, ultimate This is home to the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy, which has both recreational and competitive soccer programs and recently came in second place in the National Soccer Championships. In 2012 the complex hosted the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Soccer Tournament, which welcomed over 10,000 athletes and spectators. MeSA Soccer Complex accommodates both large and small group events.

With exceptional facilities and a lively city, Greenville, South Carolina is more than the sports metropolis of the South—it’s a family-friendly oasis. entertainment arena. It is home to the NY Rangers affiliate Greenville Road Warriors that play in the ECH AA hockey league.

In 2013 it began a three-year renovation project that has seen the installation of a new curtain system, a 360-degree ribbon board, a high-definition video scoreboard, digital menu boards and concourse signage, parking lot upgrades and new risers. Bon Secours Wellness Arena has been recognized as one of the top 50 venues in the world.

4. Furman University

Sports: Swimming, water polo, kayaking Westside Aquatic Complex has an indoor 25-by-50-meter, 20lane competition pool and an indoor, five-lane, 25-yard heated therapy pool. Its state-of-the-art Paddock Evacuator System provides fresh, clean air for everyone and its concessions will fill all your cravings. The complex also includes newly renovated locker rooms, meeting rooms, an exercise room and aerobic equipment.

Sports: All This university features 11 state-of-the-art, sport-focused facilities. The Latham Baseball Stadium is a 10,000-square-foot complex that has undergone significant improvements in the past years and provides seating for 2,000. The Pepsi Softball Stadium boasts a 2,700-square-foot press box facility and seats 300. The Timmons Arena is a 100,000-square-foot arena that seats 3,500 people for basketball and 6,000 for concerts and other entertainment. Paladin Stadium is a 44,000-square-foot, four-story facility that serves as the new home for Furman football. The Eugene Stone Soccer Stadium houses more than 3,000 fans and includes a fully-automated scoreboard, press box and lighting.

3. Bon Secours Wellness Arena

5. Fluor Field at the West End

Sports: Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, mat sports, crossfit Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, Bon Secours Wellness Arena is a state-of-the-art, 15,000-seat sports and

Sports: Baseball A replica of Boston’s historic Fenway Park, Fluor Field at the West End serves as the host field of the Greenville Drive, a

2. Westside Aquatic Complex

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Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. It includes a 30-foot-high “Green Monster,” which is named after the famous left field wall at Fenway. The facility can seat more than 5,000 fans and has a handoperated scoreboard. Spectators will not be disappointed when watching a game here as the farthest seats are only 12 rows away from the field.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Conestee Park Sports: Baseball, softball Conestee Park features four top-tier baseball/softball fields, and a stadium field with a permanent pitching mound at 60 feet, six inches and 400 feet to the center field fence. Its event pavilion in the center of the four fields has a seating capacity of 200 people. It offers restrooms, electrical power, two grills and ample parking. Adjacent to the pavilion are a large playground and open green space for the kids to play in.

Lake Conestee Nature Park is located 100 yards away.

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Enjoying the Area with Family and Teammates In downtown Greenville, visitors love browsing the one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques. Your team can even catch a game in their downtime with Greenville’s professional hockey and baseball teams – the ECHL Greenville Road Warriors and the MiLB Greenville Drive. Afterward, when everybody is hungry, there are more than 100 restaurants to choose from, many of them chef-owned. Next, take a stroll over to Heritage Green, which sets the stage for art, learning and entertainment.

At Falls Park on the Reedy savor the peace and quiet at this tranquil spot which features the Liberty Bridge, waterfalls and landscaped gardens.

If you are looking for something more fast-paced, Greenville is sure to supply. Fly through the air at exhilarating speeds on the Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour that is perched precariously on the rim of the famous Green River Gorge. Cook a world-class meal at Charleston Cooks! where visitors can view demonstrations or take a hands-on class. Make a splash and bask in the sun at one of three GCPRT waterparks. Or take a look at out-of-this-world art at Art Crossing at River Place, where artists gather daily to create.

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Greenville is Easy to Reach Located directly off of Interstate 85, Greenville is within a two- or three-hour drive of many major cities in North Carolina and Georgia.

It is only an afternoon’s drive away from the beaches on the coast.

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is served by six major carriers and has around 50 direct flights daily. The airport is a 15-minute drive from the heart of the city.

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Planner Perspective “Greenville hits all of our marks when we’re looking for a site to host our events. It has the accommodations we need, it has the facilities and it has the nightlife…. We are treated wonderfully here from the CVB to the Recreation Department.”

—Christian Smith, Director of Division II National Club Baseball Association

VISITGREENVILLESC Robin Wright, Senior Sales Manager – Sports 864-421-0000 • rwright@visitgreenvillesc.com VisitGreenvilleSC.com

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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC Looking for a venue to host your unique sport? Call North Myrtle Beach; we’re only limited by our imagination.

You’ll Find Just the Right Venue for Your Event 1. Wyndham Vacation Baseball/Softball Complex Sports: Baseball, softball For baseball/softball, the Wyndham complex at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex features four regulation youth baseball/collegiate softball fields and two regulation high school/collegiate baseball fields. The latter can be changed to regulation youth baseball, or collegiate fields. The complex has eight batting tunnels. Umpire rooms, misting fans in each dugout, picnic areas and concessions enhance athlete and family enjoyment. Free live streaming video is on all baseball/ softball fields with over 200,000 views to date. Family and friends back home can keep up with all the action.

2. Wild Wing Cafe Soccer/Lacrosse Complex Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, cross country This facility at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex features eight soccer/lacrosse fields with officials’ room.

As on the baseball side, there are concessions, picnic areas and playgrounds. The NMB Park and Sports Complex includes a 10-acre meadow, 25-acre lake, walking/bike trails and amphitheater. There’s even a three-acre dog park.

3. Central Park Sports Complex Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, pickleball, archery This 20-acre park can host a variety of events. Two multipurpose fields measure 100 by 200 feet, with another at 180 by 300 feet.

There are four outdoor pickleball courts. Two youth baseball/ softball fields measure 200-225 feet to outfield fences, while one field has 185-200-foot fences. Each has clay infields. The baseball/ softball area has five batting cages. The complex also features restroom facilities, concessions, playgrounds and two basketball half-courts.

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Team up with great venues, wide sandy beaches and plenty of family fun. Only in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

4. North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center Sports: Swimming The NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center is a membershipbased facility and a favorite of high school regional and Masters Swimming events. A full Colorado timing system and scoreboard keep track of the action on an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool.

The center also offers a three-lane, warm-water therapy pool, sauna, hot tub and 20-foot indoor waterslide.

5. J. Bryan Floyd Community Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball, pickleball This indoor venue features two regulation-style basketball courts that have hosted major events, including the USBA Summer Nationals. Easily transformed, the courts can become six pickleball or four regulation volleyball courts. Officials’ room and meeting rooms are available to planners.

6. Main Street, North Myrtle Beach Sports: 5K, 10K, half marathon, beach volleyball What’s a beach destination without a beach venue? The Main Street location is an ideal start/finish line for half-marathons.

Runners, including the DIVAS Half-Marathon, are treated to a scenic ocean view route, completing their run in the heart of North Myrtle Beach.

Good Times Await Away from the Field, Court and Pool With 10 miles of pristine beaches and all the fun they offer, do we need to look any further? You decide. Located in the southeast corner of the NMB Park and Sports Complex, Go Ape Treetop Adventure spans six acres, includes five zip lines, rope ladders and two Tarzan swings, and finishes crossing a lake. That lake is also home to Jetpack Adventures. Do your best George Jetson and enjoy the ride. The North Myrtle Beach Segway Experience takes riders on a cruise around the NMB Park and Sports Complex, then into the woods for nature and photo ops.

Barefoot Landing is a shopping, dining and entertainment @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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destination and home to Alabama Theatre, Alligator Adventure and House of Blues; it has 15 restaurants. Specialty shops and boutiques offer accessories, apparel, jewelry, shoes and gift items. Belk and Bass Pro Shops anchor nearby Myrtle Beach Mall. Tanger Outlets, with 100 outlets you’ll recognize, is just across the highway.

Inlet Point Plantation Stables provides year-round horseback riding on the beach. Maybe watersport options are more your style. Consider parasailing, kite surfing down the beach, kayaking, or inlet or deep-sea fishing.

Amongst all the sports action and off the field fun there’s a milder side of North Myrtle Beach awaiting visitors. From the point at Cherry Grove to the peaceful Intracoastal Waterway to the majestic marshlands, guests are discovering a quiet, peaceful, relaxing destination. Find a comfortable chair, prop up your feet and listen to the comforting sounds of quiet.

Come hungry and discover the dining delights of NMB. From seafood buffets to grills to raw bars there are more seafood restaurants than you can imagine. As at any beach destination, breakfast is important and NMB is famous for its top breakfast places.

With more than 15,000 vacation rentals, there are plenty of overnight options. Outstanding condominiums and resorts offer oceanfront, waterway and golf course views. Large families, multiple families and groups may prefer a beach home, available in all NMB communities. There are 18 rental companies ready to help you search. More than a dozen flag and family hotels/motels are available from oceanfront to inland.

NMB is Easy to Reach by Car or Air Located midway between New York City and Miami, North Myrtle Beach is within a day’s drive of most metropolitan areas east of the Mississippi River. It is slightly more than an hour from the intersection of I-95 and I-20. Myrtle Beach International Airport has non-stop flights from more than 30 cities in the United States and Canada. Airlines servicing North Myrtle Beach are Allegiant, Delta, Porter (Canada), Spirit, United, American, ViaAir and WestJet (Canada).

Once you’ve arrived finding your way locally is a breeze.

All sports venues are well marked and easily found. All are within minutes of the Main Street and U.S. Highway 17 intersection.

Area accommodations, attractions and restaurants are also effortlessly located.

For information about NMB accommodations, attractions and dining:

NMB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CVB Sports & Group Tourism Manager 843-361-3047 • groups@explorenorthmyrtlebeach.com NMBSportsTravel.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YH9NLiw7hQ

For more information about NMB sports facilities:

CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH Matt Gibbons, CPRP, Superintendent of Sports Tourism/Athletics 843-280-5574 • jmgibbons@nmb.us NMBPark.com

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There’s something for everyone in your group, including you.

From our homestyle cooking that satisfies the pickiest eaters to our country store filled with gifts and games for everyone.

With our designated tour bus parking*, dedicated group phone line, and large party seating accommodations, it’s like we were custom built just for you. And as always, a meal for your driver and guide is on the house. It’s just one of our ways of making sure everyone on the road is taken care of.

crackerba el.com/tourgroups • 1-800-576-7693 Sunday–Thursday 6 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 6 a.m.–11 p.m.

All locations company owned and operated. *DESIGNATED TOUR BUS PARKING AT MOST LOCATIONS. ©2015 CBOCS PROPERTIES, INC. “CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE” NAME AND LOGO ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF CBOCS PROPERTIES, INC., REG. USPTO.

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East Region

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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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SITE INSPECTIONS

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Charleston, WV Valley Forge, PA Erie, PA Pocono Mountains, PA Long Island, NY Maryland Norfolk, VA Merrimack Valley, MA

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The Color Run adds a splash of festive fun to Erie, Pennsylvania’s events calendar.

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CHARLESTON, WV

This state capital welcomes tournament planners with open arms and facilities to impress.

A Tempting Smorgasbord of Excellent Facilities 1. Charleston Civic Center

3. Magic Island

Sports: Indoor sports This large venue is sought after not just by athletes, but entertainers and convention planners as well. Sports event planners will look no further than the Coliseum for their perfect venue. This vast arena within the Civic Center has over 30,500 square feet of event space, with comfortable seating for up to 13,500. The area is capable of turning into a facility for just about any indoor sport, from basketball to hockey and beyond. Plans for renovation are becoming a reality as well, as the facility is looking to expand and update its mechanics and technology.

Sports: Outdoor sports Magic Island was once an actual island in the Kanawha River, but today it is attached to land. It still disappears beneath the river every now and then, giving it the “Magic” title. Magic Island is a full-blown park that often hosts communal gatherings and activities like a movie night. The five-acre park has tracks for running and two sand volleyball courts. As a popular downtown venue, Magic Island has hosted many sport events, including the WV Games and SportFEST. Martial arts, jet skiing and cornhole are featured in those events, so chances are Magic Island is up for whatever you throw its way.

2. University of Charleston Laidley Field Sports: Football, soccer, track and field This facility is home to the University of Charleston’s Golden Eagles. As such, it is kept in excellent condition and offers a stellar collegiate-level stage for your next event. The field, made of artificial turf, is available for football or soccer games. Track and field events will also find a welcoming home at this venue, which has concessions, restrooms, locker rooms and a sky box. Local high schools and middle schools use the facility for track, football and band competitions. Other groups are welcome to book Laidley for their next big game.

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4. Little Creek Park Sports: Baseball, softball, soap box derby This charming park in South Charleston has five baseball/ softball fields and one soccer/football field. Little Creek is also known for hosting the Soap Box Derby youth racing program, which offers kids the chance to build and race their own soap box car. The park has the only soap box car track that is lighted for nighttime racing. The park also has hiking trails, a playground and 11 sheltered rest or picnic areas available for rent. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Friends of Coal Fields at Trace Fork

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Soccer Friends of Coal at Trace Fork is a soccer complex in Charleston’s southern region. Project developer Kanawha-Charleston, a non-profit organization devoted to creating more high-quality soccer fields in the Charleston area, built six soccer fields for the complex, including one with artificial turf, lights for games at night and an electronic scoreboard.

A restroom and concessions building is on the premises, along with sheltered picnic areas.

6. Charleston Tennis Club Sports: Tennis This club is the premier location for tennis in the Charleston area. It features 13 outdoor tennis courts (four hard and nine Har-Tru) and six indoor courts. The top-notch facility also offers a two-mile hiking trail, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center with machines and free weights, an outdoor pool, basketball court, playground, picnic areas, a tennis pro shop and a clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining.

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Having Fun in Charleston is No-Brainer Whatever you’re looking for in your time off, chances are you’ll find it in Charleston. In the arts and culture sector, the Artwalk Tour allows visitors to explore downtown Charleston and see some of its best public art installations. The Clay Center for Arts and Sciences offers kids a chance to explore and create in a dynamic museum environment.

Charleston offers live music seven nights a week. Groups visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day can experience free concerts at Live on the Levee on Friday evenings at Haddad Riverfront Park.

Visit the State Capitol building and receive a tour full of West Virginia history. The neighboring West Virginia State Museum offers a highly immersive look at the Mountain State.

Shopping at the Charleston Town Center, one of the largest indoor malls in the Eastern United States, is another great way to pass time, as is visiting the Bridge Road shops and boutiques.

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Beating a Path to Charleston Interstates 64, 77 and 79 all meet right in the middle of Charleston, making access via major roadways simple and easy. Charleston’s Yeager Airport is serviced by four major airlines—Delta, Spirit, United and American. Tri-State Airport in Huntington, West Virginia, 62 miles away, is the second nearest airport.

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Planner Perspective “We started our partnership with Charleston, WV in 2008. Each year we come back and enjoy the friendly community. The city is fun, clean and we have easy access to everything. We’re looking forward to our eighth trip to Hip, Historic… Almost Heaven Charleston, WV.” — AJ and Jennifer Handler, Pro Watercross Tour

CHARLESTON CVB

Samantha Carney, CSEE, Special Events/Sports Sales Manager 304-344-5075 • samantha.carney@charlestonwv.com CharlestonWV.com

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Come Out a Play CWV is upping its game to be a premier destination for a plethora of sporting events. The revamped Convention Center in 2018 will offer state-of-the-art facilities for volleyball, basketball and more, while a variety of outdoor fields and sites will host soccer, football, lacrosse, disc golf… well, just about anything.

Whatever the sport, it’s Game On in CWV! charlestonwv.com

#CWV

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VALLEY FORGE, PA Premium Venues for Every Sport Imaginable 1. Competitive Edge Sports Sports: Basketball, volleyball and futsal As the mid-Atlantic region’s premier basketball destination, Competitive Edge boasts five maple hardwood courts, wireless electronic scoreboards and a 6,000-square-foot SAQ area. The center annually hosts over 10 different AAU basketball tournaments. Parking attendants are onsite to make sure transportation runs smoothly.

2. Germantown Academy Sports: Swimming, diving, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, football, lacrosse, baseball, softball, track & field, tennis, cross country, field hockey, soccer In addition to being one of the oldest schools in the entire United States, Germantown is also known for its top-of-the-line athletic facilities. The school offers 12 outdoor tennis courts, three artificial turf fields, six natural grass fields, a cross country course, a softball field and a baseball field. Germantown’s Carey Stadium provides track & field athletes with a six-lane track, two long jump and high jump pits, two shot put areas and bi-directional pole vault runways. The stadium seats 900 and has parking for 220 vehicles.

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The town where George Washington’s forces set up camp and surrounding Montgomery County offer the perfect setting for competition and leisure. wood courts, a six-lane pool and diving platforms, a wrestling room with two competition mats and a 15,000-square-foot field house that contains two basketball courts, three volleyball courts, a rock climbing wall and seating for 2,750.

3. The Hill School Sports: Track & field, basketball, volleyball, tennis, squash, wrestling, water polo, ice and field hockey, swimming, soccer, lacrosse Just outside Valley Forge, this boarding school provides an impressive array of sports facilities. Mercer Field House contains an indoor track, long jump, high jump and pole areas, three basketball courts that can be converted to accommodate volleyball and tennis, and a squash center that houses seven courts.

The school also has a wrestling room, a pool that accommodates water polo and swimming, an ice hockey rink and a gymnasium.

Outdoors, the school has six lacrosse fields, two softball fields, one football field, two baseball fields and multiple fields for soccer and field hockey. It also offers an outdoor track and 11 tennis courts.

4. Oaks Center Ice Sports: Hockey, figure skating As one of the premier ice rinks in the Philadelphia area, Oaks Center is home to three separate ice sheets. Highly successful youth and adult hockey tournaments, such as My Hockey, have come out of the center, as well as Center Ice Figure Skating Club. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Sports: Volleyball, billiards, wrestling, basketball With 40-foot ceilings and 240,000 square feet of uninterrupted space on a single floor, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is able to host massive tournaments, like regional qualifiers, with ease. Parking is free, and there are over 5,000 spaces available for use. Concession stands, scoreboards and spectator seating can be easily set up upon request.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

6. Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Sports: Lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, track & field, field hockey, tennis, basketball, volleyball, wrestling Similar to Hill School and Germantown Academy, Plymouth Whitemarsh is another academic institution that doubles as a home for various athletic competitions. The high school offers three baseball fields, three softball fields, an outdoor track—complete with long jump and high jump pits—and eight multipurpose grass fields. The school also provides an expansive parking area. Indoors, the high school can accommodate basketball, volleyball and wrestling.

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American History, Outdoor Fun & Big-Time Shopping Your teams can travel 238 years into the past at Valley Forge National Historical Park and see where a ragtag band of militiamen came together to form the Continental Army that won America’s freedom.

After a tour of the park, they can explore over 30 miles of trails or have a picnic lunch. Valley Forge offers countless other outdoor opportunities including zip lining across the slopes of Spring Mountain and hand feeding bison at Elmwood Park Zoo. If your athletes would rather conserve their energy, they can shop at King of Prussia Mall or stroll through a tunnel of sharks at Arnolds.

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A Short Hop from Philadelphia Valley Forge is only a half hour northwest of Philadelphia. Other metropolitan hubs under eight hours away include Boston; New York City and Buffalo, New York; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Cleveland; and Washington, D.C. Valley Forge lies just off Interstate 76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike). Nearby highways include PA-252 and PA-23.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), just under 40 minutes from Valley Forge, is served by American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United airlines.

Planner Perspective

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“The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board has been nothing short of amazing to work with on our Adrenaline Lacrosse events.

Based in San Diego, California, it can be daunting for us to take on a large scale event across the country, but the entire team at Valley Forge welcomed us with open arms and jumped in to help whenever and wherever needed…. the commitment and support we get from Valley Forge will certainly keep us coming back.”

—Suzanne Keller, Events Director, Adrenaline Lacrosse

VALLEY FORGE TOURISM & CONVENTION BOARD Andy Carl, Sports Sales Manager 610-834-7996 • acarl@valleyforge.org ValleyForge.org

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ERIE, PA

On the shores of Lake Erie, the city of Erie, Pennsylvania is a haven for event planners looking for high-quality venues and a supportive community focused on fostering an appreciation for athletic pursuits.

Erie’s Impressive Array of Sports Facilities 1. Erie Insurance Arena Sports: Hockey, indoor football, basketball, wrestling Located in the heart of downtown Erie, this multipurpose indoor arena is ready to host a wide range of sports, including hockey, basketball and wrestling. The arena underwent a huge restoration and expansion in recent years that has made it bigger and better than ever. And organizers agree – as the venue has hosted major events including the 2011 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four National Ice Hockey Championship and 2014 NCAA Women’s Division II Basketball Elite Eight.

There is seating for nearly 7,000 spectators and eight team locker rooms.

2. Bayfront Convention Center Sports: Various Need space for your next event? Bayfront Convention Center is made to host your group in style. The 28,000-square-foot Great Hall has hosted everything from gymnastics meets to boxing matches, cheerleading and even dog shows. Visitors love the access to nearly 500 free parking spaces and two adjacent hotels.

The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel is connected to the Convention Center via a skybridge; the Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel will open in spring 2016.

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3. Jerry Uht Park Sports: Baseball What could be better than playing baseball in the heart of downtown Erie, on the same field that the AA Erie SeaWolves call home? This 4,200-seat stadium has seen recent improvements that have added a scoreboard with a 40-foot video display and a two-tiered Picnic Garden with 11 Club Seat Boxes. Jerry Uht Park has experience hosting all levels and makes for the perfect baseball destination.

4. Presque Isle State Park Sports: Running, beach sports, triathlons Presque Isle State Park, a forested peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, is perfect for all of your outdoor pursuits. Across 3,200 acres you will find seven miles of sandy beaches and flat trails, ideal for cycling, running, cross country, triathlon and beach volleyball events. The park offers plenty of boat launch areas, making it the perfect venue for fishing tournaments and other water sport events. The staff is well-versed in hosting competitive events – on average, Presque Isle hosts 90 sports events each year.

5. Family First Sports Park Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, basketball Northwest Pennsylvania’s largest multi-sport facility includes 17 outdoor playing fields, two indoor soccer fields, an inflated sports dome, a gymnasium with four basketball courts, a fitness center, multi-use flex space and recreation area. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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6. Cathedral Prep Events Center/Aquatics Center Sports: Swimming, diving, basketball Set to open late 2015, Cathedral Prep’s Events Center/ Aquatic Center will include a new gymnasium with two collegesized basketball courts and an aquatics center with two pools with a seating capacity in excess of 500. The aquatic center will feature an eight-lane competition pool and a shallower three-lane training/teaching pool to serve as a warm-up area.

Plenty of Fun Awaits in Erie Visiting athletes in Erie may have a chance to enjoy games played by any of the four professional teams that call Erie home.

You have the NBA D-League Erie Bayhawks, Erie Otters hockey team of the Ontario Hockey League, baseball’s AA Erie SeaWolves and Erie Commodores of the National Premier Soccer League.

Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie is the perfect place to take in the natural beauty of the region. Stroll along the seven miles of sandy beaches, hike along the 25 miles of trails, or rent a kayak and explore by water. You can explore by Segway, surrey, water skis, boats and bikes.

At Waldameer Park & Water World, near the entrance to Presque Isle Park, get your adrenaline pumping on Ravine Flyer II wooden roller coaster. There are waterslides, a wave pool, live shows and an arcade. At Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park & Resort it’s a balmy 87 degrees year round. The Erie Zoo & Botanical Gardens is another group favorite.

The Erie Playhouse is one of the oldest community theaters in America, with performances year round. The Erie Philharmonic and Erie Art Museum also reflect how this city is growing to become a regional superstar.

Getting to Erie is Easy Erie sits perched along the shores of Lake Erie. To the southwest is Cleveland, Ohio, to the northeast Buffalo, New York.

You can get to Erie via I-79 from Pittsburgh and I-90 from the east or west. Erie International Airport is served by United, Delta and American Airlines. Amtrak’s station is located in the center of downtown Erie.

Planner Perspective “Bringing The Color Run to Erie, PA was the easiest experience I have ever had. I've never had more community support in any city than Erie. All of this was because of the involvement of Ron Sertz and Mark Jeanneret at the Erie Sports Commission. Without their knowledge, contacts and advice, the entire process would have been so much more difficult.”

— Walter Sonntag, The Color Run, Race Director

ERIE SPORTS COMMISSION Ron Sertz, Executive Director 814-454-1000 • rsertz@visiterie.com ErieSportsCommission.com

BRING IT! ERIE INSURANCE ARENA

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK

Looking for a great venue and great waterfront city for your big event?

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Put one of the most recognized sports commissions in the country to work for you.

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FAMILY FIRST SPORTS PARK

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VisitErie major sponsors:

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1 Places to Play in the Pocono Mountains 1. Blue Mountain Challenge your teams to take on the Spartan Race at Blue Mountain, a 5-mile group race up and down the mountain face that will test your team’s endurance with 20 grueling obstacles. After the dust settles, relax at the resort for a day or two, then try out the Blue Mountain biking trails or enjoy the views from the high ropes.

2. Pocono Whitewater

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA

Tucked away in northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains is the perfect getaway destination for teams looking to brave the outdoors and challenge themselves.

POCONO MOUNTAINS CVB

David M. Jackson, Vice President of Sales 800-722-9199 • djackson@poconos.org PoconoMountains.com

Whether you’re looking for a lazy drift through Class I rapids or the adrenaline-pumping thrills of a dam release, Pocono Whitewater has rafting adventures for both the brave and the cautious.

Once you’ve dried off and set foot back on land, take on the fields, castles and rivers that make up the Skirmish paintball course so your teams can enjoy a full day of “battles and paddles,” or push and conquer your limits in the Savage Race.

3. Pocono Raceway Unlike other NASCAR tracks, Pocono Raceway has only three turns, allowing visitors to get closer to the action and giving drivers an exciting new challenge. The “Tricky Triangle” also plays host to the Warrior Dash, a 5K obstacle course that will test your team’s stamina and strength while fostering a sense of unity.

Visiting the Pocono Mountains Adventure is always just around the corner in the Pocono Mountains, making it the perfect getaway for athletes who love the outdoors and want to test their strength, teamwork and other competitive skills. In addition to placing nature at your fingertips, the Pocono Mountains offers cultural and historical sites, antique shops, outlet stores and an array of restaurants that serve everything from farm-totable eats to Italian and Thai meals.

A Convenient East Coast Location Interstates 80, 476, 380 and 84 all run through the region, which is just under two hours from Philadelphia. Other cities that are less than five hours away from Stroudsburg, the very center of the Pocono Mountains, include Pittsburgh, New York City, Baltimore, Boston and Washington, D.C. New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport is just over an hour from the heart of the Pocono Mountains, with Philadelphia International Airport roughly two hours away.

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LONG ISLAND, NY

This first-class location on the Eastern Seaboard is perfect for your next tournament.

An Impressive Line-up of Facilities for Sports of All Types 1. Nassau County Aquatic Center

3. St. Joseph College Outdoor Sports Complex

Sports: Swimming, diving The 80,000-square-foot Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow on the west side of the island was built in 1998 for the International Goodwill Games and has hosted local high school tournaments. The pool is 68 meters long with a 50-meter stretch and three moveable bulkheads. Divers compete on the 10-meter diving tower or the three- and one-meter-high diving boards. The center includes a training and exercise center.

Sports: Soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, softball, baseball Spanning 24.8 acres, the complex has hosted hundreds of NCAA Division III events. Danzi Stadium includes a 400-meter track and space for field events like long and high jump. The synthetic turf field can host soccer and lacrosse with bleacher seating for 1,500. The Gregg Alfano baseball field features a synthetic turf infield, grass outfield stretching to 403 feet in center field and bleachers seating 300. The softball stadium offers seating for 400, measuring 210 feet to center field, 200 feet to right and left. Six new tennis courts with Deco Turf surfaces make up the tennis complex.

2. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum & Exhibition Center Sports: Basketball, volleyball, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, cheer and dance Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Exhibition Center is undergoing a major renovation, to be completed in December 2016, that will include a 416,000-square-foot arena seating 15,000 spectators. Located in Uniondale on the west side of Long Island. The facility features three levels of seating, locker rooms, coaches offices and meeting space for a perfect tournament headquarters.

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4. Mitchel Athletic Complex Sports: Football, soccer, lacrosse, track and field, baseball, softball Located on the western side of Long Island in East Garden City, the Mitchel Athletic Complex spans 49 acres, offering several playing fields. The former site of Mitchel Air Force Base has hosted high school and collegiate events and is no stranger to tournaments.

Softball tournaments can play on four fields, with two for baseball, and all the fields are equipped with lighting for play after dark.

Bleacher seating is available at all of the fields. A nine-lane track surrounds a synthetic playing field for soccer, lacrosse and football. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Stony Brook University Arena

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Sports: Basketball, volleyball Renovated in 2014, the Island Federal Credit Union Arena is home of the Stony Brook University SeaWolves men’s and women’s basketball teams. The 4,000-seat arena, with video boards on either end of the court, has played host to Division I basketball. There are practice courts as well.

6. Bethpage State Park Sports: Golf, biking, cross country, cross country skiing A site of the U.S. Open, Bethpage Park in the heart of Long Island features 15, 18-hole championship golf courses, with amenities to host tournaments of any size and players of all abilities. The famous Bethpage Black golf course has hosted America’s premier major tournament twice, in 2009 and 2002, and other professional events.

The park includes a full-service pro shop and a clubhouse that can handle banquets and large gatherings. Bethpage comprises 1,300 acres and has miles of trails for biking and cross country in the warmer months and cross country skiing in the winter.

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Keeping Busy Between Games A difficult question tournament planners have to ask themselves is “What can my participants do in between games?” They have to find locations that will offer vacation-type activities for guests to enjoy in their leisure time. That is why Long Island is the ideal location for your next event. 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. For fun in the water, visit one of several famous beaches. Fire Island National Seashore, with its high dunes, maritime forests and historic lighthouses Fire Island, stretches 26 miles along the shore of the Great South Bay.

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A Hop, Skip and Jump from New York City Interstate 495 goes from New York City all the way through the heart of the island to the eastern side. Travelers coming from New England and along the Eastern Seaboard from the south can take I-95 into the city and make their way to Long Island from there. MacArthur Airport, in the center of Long Island, is served by Southwest Airlines. It’s a short drive east or west to the major cities of Long Island. Travelers can also fly into both major New York City airports, LaGuardia and Kennedy.

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Planner Perspective “This year we celebrate the fifth year of the Divas Half Marathon & 5K on Long Island…The residents, the county and the CVB have been a true pleasure to work with and have always been there supporting us …That is why Long Island holds such a wonderful place in our hearts.”

— Robert Pozo, Divas Half Marathon

LONG ISLAND CVB & SPORTS COMMISSION

Jennifer Rothman, CSEE, Sports Sales Manager 631-951-3900 • jrothman@discoverlongisland.com DiscoverLongIsland.com

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M ARYLAND

S PORTS

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Dear Event Owners, Dedicated statewide sports partners - TEAM Maryland!

Determined state sports commission - Maryland Sports!

Committed to excellence - Maryland! Success - partnering and working together!

Maryland is an ideal location for any event large or small. We are sure we have a venue that will suit your needs. With over 1,200 sports venues located within a day’s drive of over two-thirds of the U.S. population, our state is easily accessible via all modes of transportation. W e will make a game plan that best works for you and your needs.

All you need to do is consider Maryland!

Terry Hasseltine, CSEE Executive Director Maryland Sports thasseltine@marylandsports.us 410-223-4158 MarylandSports.us

Over the past seven years, the state of Maryland has pursued over $1 billion in event recruitment activity, has secured over $500 million in economic impact and hosted successful events of all sizes and scope. We have been successful because of the partners and stakeholders we continuously work hand in hand with to ensure every event is a success. Let us partner with you to make your next event a success in a sports destination that is Here to Play!

One TEAM - TEAM Maryland One STATE - Maryland Sports!

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Sports Venue Tour of

Maryland Eastern Shore Region

Central Region

HENRY S. PARKER ATHLETIC COMPLEX Wicomico County Sports: Softball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, flag football, kickball, field hockey Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex features four softball fields (three lighted), one lighted baseball field and four lighted multipurpose turf fields.

Amenities include two concession stands, restrooms, spectator seating and parking for approximately 720. Previously hosted events include USSSA Girls’ Fast Pitch East Coast Nationals and ISSA Eastern Shore Championship.

CHESAPEAKE BMX Anne Arundel County Sports: BMX Ranked No. 1 among all BMX tracks on the East Coast, Chesapeake BMX offers a giant starting hill and an eight-lane course that includes a straightaway, hills, berm turns and a series of jumps. It has hosted the East Coast National BMX event since 2013 and will continue to do so.

CALVERT REGIONAL SPORTS PARK Cecil County Sports: Lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, football, ultimate Opening in fall 2015, Calvert Regional features four natural-grass, multipurpose fields; one is lighted and made of artificial turf. Phase II will expand amenities and produce a minimum of seven natural linear fields.

OCEAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER Ocean City Sports: Volleyball, cheer, dance, gymnastics, badminton, indoor tennis Ocean City Convention Center is minutes away from the beach and offers two exhibit halls ideal for a variety of indoor sports. When combined, the two exhibit halls provide 45,770 square feet of uninterrupted space, and the convention center offers 30-foot ceilings.

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Maryland Sports, the state’s sports commission, is your one-stop-shop for everything sports in this East Coast state.

Here is a breakdown of top facilities by region for a taste of what Maryland has to offer sports planners.

M&T BANK STADIUM Baltimore City Sports: Football, soccer, lacrosse Home to the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, M&T Stadium seats 71,008 fans and offers two video screens. The stadium has hosted the N CAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship, CON CACAF Gold Cup matches, Army vs. N avy football games, high-profile collegiate football games and International Soccer friendlies. It became the first existing outdoor professional sports facility in the US—including all NFL and MLB stadiums—to receive U.S. Green Building Council’s Gold rating in 2013.

TURF VALLEY Howard County Sports: Golf Turf Valley Resort’s golf course features 36 holes, two distinct courses and stunning scenery. Golfers can start on the Original Course, which plays directly through the heart of Turf Valley, then go on to tackle the woods and hills of Hialeah Course.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Capital Region

Southern Region

Western Region

MARYLAND SOCCERPLEX Montgomery County Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, ultimate, cricket At 162 acres, Mar yland SoccerPlex offers 23 fields—19 are natural grass, three are lighted turf fields and one is the 115-by-75-yard Championship Stadium, which offers seating for 4,000 and has hosted MLS Open Cup Matches, the New Zealand N ational Team and the US Y outh Soccer N ational Championships. The SoccerPlex encircles the Discovery Sports Center, Montgomery Tennisplex and the Germantown Indoor Swim Center.

REGENCY FURNITURE STADIUM Charles County Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer Regency Furniture Stadium is home to the Blue Crabs, Southern Maryland’s Atlantic League baseball team. The natural-grass stadium seats 4,200 and offers on-site restaurants like the Gold Glove Grill and a playground along the first baseline.

MUNICIPAL STADIUM Washington County Sports: Baseball Municipal Stadium is home to minor league baseball’s Hagerstown Suns. The stadium seats 4,600 and the field is natural grass. Amenities include a manually operated scoreboard, a press box and team clubhouses.

MUSKET RIDGE GOLF CLUB Frederick County Sports: Golf Musket Ridge Golf Club is nestled in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains and offers two nine-hole courses, the Blue and the Ridge, as well as a stateof-the-art clubhouse and a fully stocked Pro Shop.

FEDEX FIELD Prince George’s County Sports: Football, soccer, lacrosse FedEx Field has hosted W ashington Redskins’ NFL games since 1997 and can seat 75,000. Made of Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass, it also has hosted college football games and international soccer matches for the U.S. and El Salvador.

SMALLWOOD STATE PARK Charles County Sports: Fishing, triathlons Smallwood State Park has hosted everything from triathlons to fishing competitions. It offers cabins, boat rentals and a variety of historical stopping points in addition to endless miles of scenic trails and lakes full of trout, bass and bluegill.

WICOMICO MOTOR SPORTS PARK Charles County Sports: Dirt biking Wicomico Motor Sports Park is Mar yland’s go-to spot for dirt biking. The 300-acre, familyowned park offers miles of one-way wooded paths, a beginner track with spectator seating, an inter mediate track, and an advanced track, that was designed by a professional rider and includes a triple and two sets of doubles.

ADVENTURE SPORTS CENTER INTERNATIONAL (ASCI) Garrett County Sports: Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking At ASCI, rapids range from Class I to Class IV in kayaks, “duckies” or whitewater rafts. It also offers climbing courses with 15 developed sport routes that include the 25-foot Boulders, the 12-foot Boulder 360 and the 40-foot Ledges—all composed of sandstone.

Difficulty ranges from 5.4 to 5.12. In 2014, ASCI hosted the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships—the first time the event had been back in the US in more than 20 years.

GREENBRIER STATE PARK Washington County Sports: Triathlon, mountain biking, flat-water kayaking Located in the Appalachian Mountains, this state park offers an ideal venue for some of the toughest triathlons.

The 42-acre, manmade, freshwater lake and surrounding beach are just the start of a route that takes participants all around South Mountain’s rolling terrain, making for a challenge course ideally set in semi-shaded areas.

Planner Perspective:

Planner Perspective: “The Greater Washington Region is a complicated and manic market place for attracting marquee sporting events. Working with Maryland Sports has made all the difference. Terry's group has been incredibly helpful navigating the political systems in Mar yland, introducing international sports clients to appropriate officials and showcasing venues, and rolling up their sleeves to help prepare bid documents and execute events. As president of the 2024 Olympic bid, I relied on T erry and his expertise on outstanding Maryland venues as well as navigating the political infrastructure in the state. Maryland Sports was untiring in their efforts to promote all of the state's assets.”

Bob Sweeney, President, 2024 Washington DC Olympic Bid

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“During my five years as CEO of USA Canoe/ Kayak, I had the honor and privilege of working closely with T erry and his team at Mar yland Sports in hosting the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in McHenry. I was blown away by the depth and for ce in which Terry became directly involved with the sport and the event. Traveling to international events, supporting our athletes, cultivating international relationships and creating a legacy for the paddlesports in Maryland were just a few of the key actions Terry undertook. Throughout this process, Terry became a trusted friend to and leader on paddlesports.”

Joe Jacobi, CEO USA Canoe and Kayak

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NORFOLK, VA Choose from a Bounty of Great Arenas and Stadiums 1. Norfolk Scope Arena Sports: Hockey, basketball, boxing, MMA Located in downtown Norfolk, Scope Arena is home to the Norfolk Admirals professional hockey team and a flexible main arena that seats anywhere from 8,000-10,500 fans depending on the event. The arena is known for hosting hockey games and basketball tournaments, and has hosted a handful of boxing and MMA events.

2. Harbor Park Sports: Baseball, softball This AAA baseball stadium sits right beside the Elizabeth River and is home to the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball team.

The stadium has 9,000 lower-deck seats, 2,800 upper-deck seats, 24 luxury sky boxes and a 300-seat restaurant where visitors can enjoy a full view of the playing field. In addition to expansive seating, the park also offers a full press box, a large parking lot and a tiered picnic area.

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Hold your next tournament in Norfolk, Virginia and discover why life on the water simply can’t be beat.

3. Ted Constant Convocation Center Sports: Boxing, wrestling, basketball With seats for 9,100 spectators, this multipurpose arena is the shining star of Old Dominion University’s athletic facilities. Amenities include cushioned seats, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, 50 high-definition flat-screen TVs to provide better viewing of the event, and a brand new lighting and sound system. Past events held at the convocation center include boxing, wrestling and basketball.

4. William Dick Price Stadium Sports: Track and field, football Located on the southeast end of Norfolk State University’s campus, this top-tier stadium has a natural-grass infield as well as an eight-lane, class I IAAF surface track. Additionally, William Dick Price Stadium offers a two-story press box, multiple concession areas and two brand new LED video display boards at each end. The stadium seats 30,000 fans and is recognized as one of the largest sports and entertainment venues in southeastern Virginia. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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5. Foreman Field & Ainslie Football Complex Sports: Football With seating for over 20,000 fans, a two-story press box and two state-of-the-art scoreboards, Forman Field is home to the Old Dominion Monarchs and is the perfect venue for a football event. The field itself is made of Astroturf GameDay Grass.

6. Batten Student Center at Virginia Wesleyan College Sports: Basketball, volleyball, swimming, racquetball This student center, located in the heart of Virginia Wesleyan’s campus, is home to the school’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams. With two multipurpose gyms, the center is able to fit large crowds and is perfect for hosting big events. The facility also offers three racquetball courts, an eight-lane indoor pool and a 36-foot rock climbing wall.

Fun Abounds in This Waterfront City Kayaking, sailing, crabbing, swimming, fishing, tubing, simply relaxing… when it comes to getting your feet wet, Norfolk knows best. Whether your teams are splashing in the Atlantic Ocean, boating in the Chesapeake or exploring the many rivers that run through the area, they’ll gain a new appreciation for life on the water and have a hard time coming back to land. Once you’ve convinced them to dry off, your athletes can enjoy a variety of activities like attending seasonal festivals or concerts, taking a

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harbor cruise or touring the world’s largest naval base. Worked up an appetite? Take your team on a culinary tour, or settle down at local favorites like Mojo Bones, Shula’s 347, Belmont House of Smoke and No Frill Grill. Your teams will be happy and comfortable no matter where in Norfolk they decide to stay, but with so many activities right at their fingertips, you can be assured that your athletes won’t want to spend too much time just sitting in their hotel rooms.

A Prime East Coast Location Norfolk, only an hour-and-a-half south of Richmond, is centrally located in a cluster of East Coast cities. I-664, I-64 and I-264 all provide access to Norfolk. Cities under seven hours from Norfolk include Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Baltimore; New York City; Charleston, West Virginia; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Norfolk International Airport, only 15 minutes from the city center, is served by American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines.

VISIT NORFOLK

Donna Allen, Vice President of Sales & Marketing 800-368-3097 • dallen@visitnorfolktoday.com VisitNorfolkToday.com

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MERRIMACK VALLEY, MA A Range of Blue-Ribbon Facilities Attracts Tournaments Big and Small 1. Edward A. Lelacheur Park Sports: Baseball Home to the Lowell Spinners baseball team, Edward A. Lelacheur Park is the ideal place to hold a baseball tournament.

The stadium, located on the banks of the Merrimack River, can hold up to 5,000 guests.

2. Lowell Memorial Auditorium Sports: Boxing, dance This auditorium was built in 1922 in honor of the local war veterans. It’s a multipurpose facility, but it has mainly hosted boxing competitions, such as the Golden Gloves. Lowell Native, Micky Ward, of whom the film “The Fighter” was made after, began his boxing career here. Famous boxers like Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano each won their first Golden Gloves title here. The auditorium seats up to 3,000 people.

3. Martin Alumni Athletic Complex Sports: Baseball, football, field hockey, lacrosse, track, softball This multi-sport complex, with a seating capacity of 6,000, can host baseball, softball, football, field hockey, lacrosse and track tournaments. Its recently renovated turf field is ideal for all of the above.

4. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell Sports: Hockey, tennis, skating, curling, cheerleading, synchronized skating, wrestling, basketball Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell has 17,000 square feet of arena space and can seat 6,500 spectators for a hockey tournament.

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Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts has everything in the deep blue sea for a sporting team—well, on the Atlantic coast, that is.

Tournament and 2005 National Synchronized Skating Championship. It’s also home to the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks Division I ice hockey team. The arena is within walking distance of downtown Lowell.

5. UMass Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse Sports: Watersports The boathouse recently underwent a $1-million renovation.

Rowing and kayaking are the two main water sports seen at this facility. Located along the north bank of the Merrimack River, it offers spectacular sunset views and has hosted numerous US Rowing events.

6. UMass Lowell Cushing Field Complex Sports: Track, soccer, field hockey UMass Lowell Cushing Field Complex contains a natural-turf soccer field with a state-of-the-art press box, lights, and a track to host competitive track and field events. It is located along the VFW Parkway.

Merrimack Valley Offers a Bounty of Options Away from the Field Go for a Liberty Ride down the historic Battle Road in a trolley where your tour guide, dressed in colonial clothes, recounts the events that defined America and its culture today. Altitude Trampoline Park makes for a day full of adrenaline. Bring the team to this 30,000-square-foot indoor park to enjoy a two-sided rock wall, dodgeball courts, tumble tracks, open jumps and foam pits. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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A Short Hop from Boston Brush Art Gallery and Studios presents exquisite art from all different mediums—paintings, photography, jewelry, sculptures, ceramics and quilting can all be seen here. The Annual Summer Artisans Market has one-of-a-kind creations to add to your collections. Ceramics, jewelry and woodworks are some of the treasures you can take home. A Pocketful of Posies is also a beautiful shop to stop in, with unique gifts and home accessories.

It was named Best Gift Shop of 2014 in Boston’s A-List. Crafty Yankee in Lexington is a local artisan shop showcasing beautiful ceramics, jewelry, pottery, glassware and home accessories.

These works are designed by New England artisans as well as artisans from around the world. Fashionistas in your group will love Humanity Boutique in Lowell.

If you’re in town at the right times, visit one of Merrimack Valley’s festivals. The Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell Food and Wine Festival, Yankee Doodle Homecoming Festival and Fine Arts & Crafts Festival are a few fun events it has to offer.

Merrimack Valley has many excellent restaurant options.

189 Prime is a steakhouse in Andover that features prime steaks, fresh Atlantic seafood, salads with locally sourced greens and organic produce in season. Artistry on The Green offers New England-style cuisine in Lexington. Athenian Corner Restaurant is not only delicious, but entertaining as well—there’s live Greek music and belly dancing on weekend nights. Cobblestones of Lowell has a unique variety of options to please even the pickiest of eaters.

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Being in the Greater Boston area, Merrimack Valley has endless transportation options. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) services the Merrimack Valley directly via commuter rail and bus. The commuter rail or bus can be picked up throughout the state and provides direct service to the Lowell Station. The area is also served by Amtrak. Merrimack Valley is easily accessed by four major highways: I-95, I-93, I-495 and Route 3. Two airports are near Merrimack Valley: Boston Logan International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

Planner Perspective “We work with the CVB leadership and staff every year in conjunction with our annual synchronized skating competition.

Not only does the CVB help coordinate sponsorships from the local hotels and restaurants, this organization is our biggest supporter before, during and after the event. Every year, we can’t wait to work with the CVB again!”

— Kris Farren, Chair, Colonial Classic Synchronized Skating and World Junior Team Selection Competition

GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY CVB

Deb Belanger, Executive Director 978-459-6150, ext.115 • dbelanger@merrimackvalley.org MerrimackValley.org

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Eric Smith (left) and Billy Owens hit it off with their love for baseball and became family friends.

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TURN FOR YOUTH Equips Underprivileged Players to Shine on the Diamond By delivering equipment to underprivileged children in poverty-stricken areas, Turn Two for Youth gives a second chance for baseball and softball players to play the game—how it was meant to be played.

By Lauren Reiniger

nce in a blue moon, there comes along an idea that everyone can get on board with—a good cause that truly has no gimmicks or scams. What’s even rarer is when this idea is born in the most unlikely circumstance. Turn Two for Youth’s story begins when two close friends and their families were vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

While deep-sea fishing, Billy Owens and Eric Smith chatted up the ship’s captain. They learned he was not just in the fishing business, but he was also a youth baseball coach. They were upset to hear the kids were using—sharing—torn-up gloves and makeshift equipment. Helmets?

Nope. Cleats? Forget about it. The captain asked if the two friends had any extra equipment they could send back. Moved and inspired, Eric and Billy made a promise to send what they had lying around, not imagining that the gesture would snowball to create this organization.

Less than a year later, they one-upped their vow by sending more than what they had collecting dust in their own homes. Their plan was simple; they organized a grassroots collection effort in their hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. In came bats, gloves, uniforms, catchers’ equipment, batting tees and an assortment of other provisions from local baseball families. Billy and Eric were pleased to find that donors were more than willing to clean out their closets. The two friends shipped a full container (the size of a tractor trailer bay with approximately 3,200 pounds’ worth of equipment) to a ministry team in Turks and Caicos that distributed the equipment—all at their own expense.

Eric and Billy thought that would be the end of it. But then fate came of f the bench. Billy’s son, Bo, had an opportunity to go on a baseball tour of the Dominican Republic. When he returned to the States, Billy noticed all his equipment was missing.

When Billy asked his son about this, Bo simply replied, “I saw some guys on the team playing against us with just cardboard on their hands, so I gave them my equipment.” The drive to collect for players in the Dominican Republic was sparked.

"Turn Two is not about making money; it's about our love of baseball and wanting to share the things we learned on the baseball field about teamwork, managing people and competing with others with today's youth. We want to make sure the kids have whatever they need to go out and enjoy the game and learn some good life lessons."

Eric Smith, Turn Two For Youth

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Photos by Laura Meier

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Billy (left), Eric (right) and their families collect donations at the Charlotte Knights game on August 23 at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, North Carolina.

TURN 2’S 2015 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CAMPAIGN AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS That initial grassroots campaign became the model for a formal, non-profit organization to take the next step with the Dominican Republic. Their goal is to build a network of volunteers through other baseball families who simply want to give back to the game they love.

"Turn Two is not about making money; it's about our love of baseball and wanting to share the things we learned on the baseball field about teamwork, managing people and competing with others with today's youth,” said Eric. “We want to make sure the kids have whatever they need to go out and enjoy the game and learn some good life lessons."

The 2015 campaign focused on delivering a full, 20-foot container of bats, gloves, helmets, cleats and uniforms to the Dominican Republic in August.

To make this happen, Turn Two for Youth set up partnerships with Triple Crown Sports, the American Legion World Series, the Charlotte Knights (minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox), Mingo Bay Baseball Classic, Jack Sink Spring Break Classic and International Paper Baseball Classic. Turn Two put out bins and created a volunteer workforce to collect and manage the logistics in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the Triple Crown Sport Summer National in July; in Shelby, North Carolina at the American Legion World Series in August; in Charlotte at a Charlotte Knights’ home game in August; in Charlotte at the Jack Sink Spring Break Classic inApril; and in Georgetown, South Carolina at the International Paper Baseball Classic in March. Once equipment was collected, it was shipped to Charlotte to be cleaned, refurbished and stored until a complete container of gear was ready to be shipped to the Dominican Republic.

Turn Two carefully selects creditable volunteer organizations on

Turn 2 for Youth SportsPlanningGuide.com

the receiving end to ensure the equipment is delivered and distributed as intended. In this year’s campaign, Turn Two for Youth established a strategic partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB), which ensured that the shipment was distributed through its Dominican Republic-based MLB Academies that provide opportunities for young players to learn the game.

JOIN THE TEAM Take a moment to think back on your favorite sports memory.

Were you a player? A coach? A fan? Did you feel empowered, like you could conquer the world, even if just for a fleeting moment?

Now, here’s the too-often-overlooked question: was the equipment ever an issue? Did you ever think to yourself, “If only I had better shoes, I could run just a little faster ,” or “Imagine how far that ball would fly if he was using a bat and not a two-by-four”? Poor equipment is stopping young players from experiencing that same moment that made you feel 50 feet tall, and you have the power to do something about it.

Anyone can get involved on any level, whether you are a onetime donor, volunteer ambassador or an event planner who can host collections at tournaments.

“Anytime you have a baseball or softball event where you can host a collection, we’ll make sure the goods get to someone who needs them,” said Eric. “It’s not a huge time commitment on your part; we’re just asking for you to tell the coaches to tell their players and parents to bring along their extra equipment.”

So spread the word, clean out garages, closets and storage units and visit turn2foryouth.com to learn how you can be a part of this movement. Miracles happen when we step up to the plate and do the right thing. ■

@Turn2forYouth

@Turn2forYouth

#LetsTurn2

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10 Sports Industry Trends for 2016 M

usician Neil Young sang, "Rock 'n roll will never die," and if he was in our industry, he would say sports tourism won't either.

According to Dr . Lisa Neirotti of George Washington University, sports tourism is an $8billion industry. This niche market is enjoying unprecedented growth and accounts for 14% of all tourism. Membership of the National Association of Sports Commissions has steadily grown from 34 members at its inception in 1992 to a record 718 in 2014. The end does not appear in sight, but here are 10 trends we should keep our eye on that will impact the future of what the sports industry looks like: Trend #1 – Venue development. Destination marketing companies and sports commissions are taking a more active role in venue development and management. Several CVBs, sports commissions and rights holders are now taking equity stakes in building and managing venues.

Trend #2 – Management structures are evolving. Over the past year , several sports commissions have merged into convention bureaus. At the same time, many small and midsized markets have spun their sports commissions out of their DMOs. Trend #3 – Social media evolves. Social media is no longer just for marketing your event in advance. It is an asset for continuing real time updates during the events, changes on the fly and VIP sightings. Due to flexibility, and often times cost, apps have taken over the printed guide. Your phone is your information source and also your way to let everyone know you are where the action is.

Trend #4 – Usage of volunteers. There is a pending lawsuit filed by a volunteer who feels she should have been paid for her work at a sporting event. A federal judge ruled to allow the suit to continue in the courts (the suit is against the owners of a major running series, one of the largest sports events companies in the world).

The outcome of this case could have massive implications on the work we do.

Trend #5 – Board governance. Volunteer leadership challenges can be found with rights holders, national governing bodies, sports commissions and convention bureaus. Our industry needs more formal and regularly administered board training. This should start with the orientation process and include annual reviews of board member roles and responsibilities. Volunteers cannot be effective unless the organization gives them specific goals, expectations and direction.

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Trend #6 – Bid fees. Host cities are less willing to pay bid fees, and are looking for a financial partnership with event rights holders.

This shared risk-reward model is becoming more prevalent every day . In addition to diversifying risk, many host cities want an equity stake in the events they host (that is, a share of the event’s financial upside). In many instances, the sports tourism game is more about money than heads in beds.

Trend #7 – Third party housing . This industry has a windy road ahead. Hotel rebates are coming to a head, with at least one major hotel brand looking to institute a cap on commission and rebate programs. The challenges of protecting rate integrity and of tracking room blocks and rebates has forced the industry to revisit housing in its totality.

Trend #8 – Enhanced fan and participant experiences. The NCAA Women's Final Four states, "It's More Than Three Games."

And it has to be. Participants and spectators want activities to do and sights to see that will create memories. It’s a chance to showcase your community to develop an “I want to revisit this place” attitude for your guests.

Trend #9 – Legacy projects. Habitat for Humanity houses, playground clean-ups, charity runs and hospital visits are all types of legacy leave-behinds for events we host. It doesn't have to be millions, but leave-behinds are growing in stature. Answer the question, “How can I engage my people and create a positive impact on my community?”

Trend #10 – Sponsors as partners. In the long-term, activation is more important than a sponsor’s money. Through well-planned activation, the sponsor will get more out of the experience and so will you. Sponsor solicitation is about relationships....always has been, always will be. Get to know your sponsors before you ask them for money. Engage them and teach them about what you do. Remember , a company doesn't make a decision, a person does.

2016 promises to be another good year for our industry. At the same time, as leaders of our organizations we need to be in a position to address challenges before they happen. If we keep our ears to the ground for trends and anticipate change, we can better serve our companies and our communities. ■ The Huddle Up Group can be reached at jon@huddleupgroup.com, 602-369-6955; or gary@huddleupgroup.com, 615-642-7117. To receive the weekly “Monday Huddle Up,” sign up at huddleupgroup.com/contact.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Jon Schmieder is the founder of the Huddle Up Group LLC, a consortium of three sportsrelated companies led by awardwinning executives. Schmieder has 20 years of experience in leading non-profits and sports tourism organizations.

Gary Alexander is a principal with the Huddle Up Group.

Alexander has 24 years of experience in the industry including stints with the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Nashville Sports Council/Music City Bowl.

PLANNING A

SPORTS

TOURNAMENT FROM A-Z W

hether it’s your first or 100th time, organizing a sports event is no simple task. All the pretty budgets, org charts and detail lists won’t mean much if your staff fails to properly execute. It’s that game-day operation that matters most to participants, spectators and rights holders.

FREE GUIDE If you want to knock your next event out of the park, download your Free Copy of the A to Z Guide to Organizing a Sports Event, by noted authority Bill Hanson.

It will answer your questions about logistics, administrative tasks, budgeting, media, crowd control, volunteers and the myriad of other issues planners and organizing committees face. Along with its companion piece, 14 Essential Tools, Forms and Plans for Organizing a Sports Event, you’ll have a blueprint to make your first, or next event the best ever.

GET YOURS TODAY!

Visit Sportsplanningguide.com/atoz/

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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