2022 SPG State Guide to Sports in Oregon

2022

OREGON GUIDE Rediscover the Outdoors in Oregon

Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of the Pacific Northwest

Sport Oregon Attracts Big Events

Group Generates Major Revenue for the Beaver State

A Premier Travel Media publication www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

If you’re an experienced event planner, you’ve read a thousand of these letters by now. Every destination thinks they’re special, and honestly, they are. They all have sparkling new venues, wonderful hotels and endless visitor attractions. Here in Oregon, we have all of that too. But that’s not what makes us special.

There’s an intense spirit of sport that flows through our entire state, from the bright lights of Portland to the windswept shores of Bandon Dunes; from the stunning Columbia River Gorge – home to the world’s best windsurfing and kiteboarding – to the high desert adventure oasis of Bend; from the world-famous Pendleton RoundUp in rugged Eastern Oregon to the nation’s undisputed epicenter of track and field in Eugene. On top of that, we have a broad coalition of experienced tourism partners across the state – ready and eager to serve events of all shapes and sizes.

So yes, we think we’re special too. After all, where else can you go surfing in the Pacific Ocean, skiing on Mt. Hood and tax-free shopping at the Nike, adidas and Columbia Sportswear stores – all in the same day? Where else can you run a half marathon through the lush vineyards of Oregon wine country in the morning and be inspired by jaw-dropping scenic wonders like Crater Lake and the Painted Hills in the afternoon?

But enough about all that. Let’s cut through the clutter. You have an endless list of options of where to hold your next event. We know your time is valuable and we know how important it is to have a fully committed local partner by your side at all times.

Together with our hospitality and business partners across the state, this is exactly what we do here at Sport Oregon. We’re fully engaged with you, from the bid stage through the planning process to event execution. This is why we break attendance records for events like the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, earn unprecedented praise for staging best of class events like the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, and usher in brand-new tourism-inducing events like the inaugural IRONMAN Oregon 70.3. And this is why, in 2022, Oregon will host the IAAF World Track & Field Championships for the first time ever in North America.

But we’re not stopping there. We’re looking for every possible opportunity to bring the best in sport to our state. So, give us a shot. If you’d like to explore options for bringing your next event to Oregon, e-mail me at jim@sportoregon.org, and we’ll quickly figure out if we can make it happen. Consider this your formal invitation – please join us as we celebrate the magnificent spirit of sport in the state that we are so fortunate to call home.

Jim Etzel CEO Sport Oregon

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

OREGON

4 Rediscover the Outdoors in Oregon 6 Sport Oregon Attracts Big Events

18 Sports Industry Trends for 2022 ©iStock.com/bgblue

SI

Hiking in the Coos Bay dunes.

Photo courtesy of Sport Oregon

Site InSpections 8E ugene Cascades and Coast 10 Medford 12 Portland 13 Corvallis 14 O regon’s Adventure Coast 16 Salem

ON THE COVER: Eugene Cascades and Coast Photo courtesy of Sport Oregon

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OREGON

From Route 5 to the Pacific coast, become immersed in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest

Photo courtesy of Justin Katigbak with Travel Portland

REDISCOVER THE OUTDOORS IN

Forest Park in Portland

T

By Jill Pillow

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spaces for visitors. Notably, Riverfront Park, home to the well-known Riverfront Carousel, has grassy areas, an amphitheater, play equipment and a dock and is known for hosting a variety of large events and festivals. About three miles southeast lies the relaxing Cascades Gateway Park, the perfect way to spend an afternoon with a disc golf course, fishing access, picnic areas and a natural trail system.

About 45 minutes south of Corvallis lies the adventure hub Eugene Cascades and Coast Photo courtesy of Melanie Griffin

he Pacific Northwest is known for its abundance of greenery and beautiful natural attractions and the state of Oregon is no exception. From breathtaking waterfalls to wonderful wildlife and miles of hiking trails, Oregon provides travelers with practically endless opportunities for having fun in the fresh air.

When you first think of city living you may not immediately jump to natural attractions, but Portland is packed with over 200 parks and gardens to satisfy one’s need to disconnect. Northwest of the downtown area, West Hill’s Forest Park expands across 5,000 acres and is home to over 70 miles of hiking and over 100 species of birds.

Leach Botanical Gardens also hosts thousands of species of both plants and animals with wildlife viewing areas and walking trails while a trip to the West Hills and Portland Japanese Garden brings tranquility and one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

Farther south, the state’s capital, Salem, is located in the heart of Willamette Valley and is surrounded by orchards, vineyards, and luscious fields of flowers and greenery.

The city prides itself in its parks system, which provides event space, neighborhood recreation and peaceful leisure

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Photo courtesy of Travel Oregon

Photo courtesy of Travel Oregon

that is Alsea Falls. This natural recreation site is the perfect place to spend either a few hours or an entire weekend. With swimming holes, hiking trails, campsites, fishing, and more, the area has activities for visitors of all ages.

Closer to the downtown Corvallis area is the Brandis Natural Area with Douglas fir groves and beautiful views of the open natural landscape.

Southeast of the city is the protected Willamette Crabbing in area which is home to cultivated farmlands, Charleston wetlands, prairies, and forests which provide the perfect refuge for Canada Geese and Tundra Swan making it a must visit for birdwatchers.

ATVing in the dunes on the Coos Adventure Coast With year-round temperate weather, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region is naturally a great choice for outdoor adventure seekers. “The landscape is perfect for outdoor activities with an impressive range of nearby hikes, bike trails, and natural parks at your fingertips.” Being the sunset state, one can only anticipate gorgeous sunset viewing areas during their stay and the Eugene region has plenty. Fern Ridge Reservoir at Orchard Point and Ferry Street Bridge are both locations where you can watch the sun sink down upon the water. Looking to work for those sunset views? You can hike Mount Baldy for an open view of either sunrise or sunset while avoiding the golden hour crowds.

Due to the higher levels of rainfall typically seen in the region, the Eugene area is also a destination home to an abundance of waterfalls.

The Trestle Creek Falls hike is the “ultimate waterfall adventure” with options for either a moderate 0.75-mile hike or a more difficult 3.25-mile hike which takes adventurers behind the waterfall itself. More experienced trail-goers should also take a trip to the Kentucky Falls, sandboarding, horseback riding, and ATVing among where hikers should expect the unexpected along with a other unique activities. Those interested in sandboarding steep climb on the tail end of the journey. have the option to try both gradual roped off beginner Along the western shore, Oregon’s Adventure Coast is slopes and more thrilling and steep slopes for the more comprised of Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston and experienced boarder. is an undiscovered jewel on the Oregon coast that offers In the southernmost region of Oregon and in the heart space to spread out while visitors experience some of the of Rogue Valley, the Medford area has a wide variety of best outdoor recreation in the state. The area has a plethora natural attractions and outdoor activities ranging from of outdoor adventure options both on land and in the water relaxing to adrenaline sparking. Rogue Valley Zipline from crabbing, fishing, and exploring tide pools to visiting Adventure takes guests on a 2-3-hour journey across five one of the many gorgeous lighthouses in the area or different ziplines for views that can’t be found anywhere sandboarding on the dunes. else. Then, explore the Rogue River from the shore or by Coos County has around 30 different fishing locations, paddle board, kayak, or whitewater rafting trip. Jet boat both lake and river, where the fish stay biting throughout tours on the river also allow guests to take in the serene every season. And, with both rocky and sandy beach shores atmosphere while learning about the history behind the along the coast, marine life varies greatly from location to surrounding Table Rock area. location and tidepools allow for clear and easy observation Lastly, among the many beautiful sights in Medford and of the fascinating marine world of crabs, sea stars, sea slugs, Rogue Valley are the aromatic fields of purple lavender and octopods, and much more. vineyards of wine country, the ideal destinations for a summer The Adventure Coast region is also where thrill seekers day trip or weekend getaway. Whether seeking relaxing can experience the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes coastal views or thrilling physical challenges, Oregon’s natural in North America. The 30,000 + acres of dunes allow for beauty brings something fun for every kind of traveler.

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Portland Timbers fans are among the most passionate in sports.

Photo courtesy of Sport Oregon

SPORT OREGON

ATTRACTS BIG EVENTS Nonprofit group generates sizable revenue for the Beaver State through sports

O

By Jason Paha

regon’s reputation as a must-visit destination is well deserved as it is home to a diverse array of mountain ranges, dense forests and a myriad of immaculate lakes. With so much scenery across the state, Oregon has become a popular stop for tournaments, be they indoor or outdoor.

In order to harness the burgeoning interest of tournament planners and the growing importance of sports tourism, Sport Oregon, a nonprofit group promoting athletics across the state, has expanded its staff in recent years.

“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in the last three years alone,” said Matt Reed, director of sports tourism for Sport Oregon. “We’ve got a new brand, a new office, a

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new CEO and we just hired an eight-person staff. We had two-and-a-half people on staff for two decades prior to the new hires.”

With upwards of 150 members, including premier partners like Nike, Adidas, Travel Portland, Travel Oregon, the City of Portland and PNC Bank, Sport Oregon, which has been in existence for almost 30 years, is thriving like never before.

“Our CEO, Jim Etzel, has done a tremendous job of garnering support in the community,” Reed said. “There are people that are always curious about what Sport Oregon is about, but less and less people are asking now that it is being ingrained in their minds.” @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS TOURISM

Photo courtesy of Sport Oregon

“It was more perfect than we could have imagined,” According to Sport Oregon, even when excluding Reed said. “The community embraced it, athletes had an professional sporting events, visitors spent more than $11 awesome time. It was a perfect example of what we can do billion on sports tourism in the U.S. in 2017. Those numbers, across the state to key up that conversation.” prior to the 2020 global pandemic, continued to grow in Positive developments like IRONMAN are poised to be 2018 and 2019 and are expected to reach comparable dollar the norm in Oregon as the Beaver State has multiple other amounts in ensuing years. Those statistics paint a clear events on tap. Among them include the World Athletics picture why organizations like Sport Oregon are so integral Championships that will take place in Eugene in July of to a state’s economic growth.

2022, the first time this heralded track and field event will “Sports people understand the impact of sports tourism be held in the United States; and multiple NCAA men’s and nationwide,” Reed said. “That trickled into Oregon. Sports women’s basketball tournament games which Portland will are an easy thing for people to get excited about. We host in 2022, 2024 and 2026. understand what we are capable of attracting and there’s a “There are other major events we have our sights natural excitement that comes along with hosting sporting on,” Reed said. “Last year, one of the biggest projects I events. We have a very collaborative nature here. It seems worked on was bidding on the Women’s Final Four. It to seep into the events that we host.” was disappointing we didn’t get it, but it was an amazing Sport Oregon owns and produces multiple annual events process and we are much better off now than we were including the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon, Oregon before. The process enhanced our relationships with the Sports Awards and the TrackTown Youth League. Revenue NCAA and we will bid on that event again. We believe it was from its owned events is continually re-invested into the tailor-made for Portland.” community to grow the organization and to help attract The entire state of Oregon seems tailor-made for events high-impact national events into Oregon. thanks to its small-town charm and impressive attributes.

In recent years, Oregon has attracted some major “There is a kind of pioneer spirit here,” Reed said. “A national events including the 2014 MLS All-Star Game welcoming ‘let’s do it’ attitude. I’m in Portland right now (held at Providence Park in Portland), the 2016 IAAF and I’m an hour and 15 minutes from the coast and an World Indoor Track and Field Championships (held at the hour and 40 minutes from Mount Hood (a legendary Oregon Convention Center in Portland) and the Phil Knight stratovolcano that attracts hikers and outdoorspeople).

Invitational basketball tournament in 2017 (also known “When you come to this state, it’s a big state but there’s as the PK-80 Invitational), which took place at the Moda so many things you can do within a reasonable time frame,” Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland. Most Reed added. “What (Sport Oregon) is trying to figure out is recently, Oregon landed the prestigious 2021 IRONMAN where people are going and what they are doing so we can Oregon 70.3, which unfolded in Salem this past July. make their experience better for them next year.”

“IRONMAN is an amazing example of how things aligned perfectly for us,” Reed said. “I had a previous relationship with IRONMAN from when I worked in the Bay Area that allowed us to go to other Oregon communities and start a conversation with them.

Salem stepped up in a gigantic way and the ducks fell in a row.

With COVID, we had our fingers crossed that this could happen.

Our target date was July 2021 and we held our breath.”

And happen it did. Athletes descended upon Salem to swim 1.2 miles down the beautiful Willamette River, bike 56 miles through Oregon’s magnificent wine country and run 13.1 miles near the lush, 1,200-acre MintoBrown Island Park. The IRONMAN 70.3 brought in an estimated $11 million to Oregon and was a prime example of how Sport Oregon continues to make a name for itself on the national stage.

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will return to Portland in 2022.

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Eugene, Cascades & Coast, OR

Scan to discover more of what Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST SPORTS COMMISSION DEMONSTRATES LANE COUNTY’S POTENTIAL FOR CUTTING-EDGE SPORTING EVENTS

Jake Willard, TrackTown USA

Hayward Field

Eugene Airport is a mere 15 minute drive from the downtown, which also features Amtrak stops. I-5 connects Portland to the north and Sacramento to the south while running straight through the heart of Eugene. Highway 126 runs east to west through Eugene as well, taking you all the way to the coast.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Hayward Field

Track and Field The newly re-imagined Hayward Field at the University of Oregon is a purpose-built theater for track and field. In the inaugural year after a transformational renovation, the venue has hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, and the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic.

The venue will host the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in 2022 and the

Wanda Diamond League Final in 2023—both being hosted in the U.S. for the first time. The world-class facility offers permanent seating for 12,650 and is expandable to nearly 25,000.

Fans enjoy an unobstructed view of the ninelane track and the first row of seating is at track level.

Autzen Stadium Football

Featured in the 1978 film National Lampoon’s Animal House, Autzen Stadium in Eugene seats 54,000 spectators and is regularly @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ The Oregon coast has the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes

ranked amongst the nation’s top-10 venues to watch a college football game. With consistent renovations since 1969, Autzen Stadium now features a FieldTurf surface with polyethylene and polypropylene fibers designed to resist extreme temperatures and weather conditions. With the 1981 addition of Barker Stadium Club, the facility offers supplementary meeting space and functional surroundings for pre-game activities.

Matthew Knight Arena

Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene opened in 2011 and is one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified arenas in the NCAA. This 12,364-seat multi-purpose arena is home to the University of Oregon Ducks basketball team. The venue features a 65,000-pound center-hung scoreboard and four 20-by-12foot high definition LED monitors.

in North America, making it

Bob Keefer Center for Sports

the perfect place for some

Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball

sandboarding.

Located in Springfield, Bob Keefer Center for Sports is a planner’s dream when it comes to utility. The center features a 97,000-square-foot venue with three regulation-sized basketball courts, four indoor tennis courts, three roller derby rinks, 11 volleyball courts, eight pickleball courts, a 33-foot high climbing wall and a fitness center. One of the largest sports and recreation facilities in the Northwest, the center can accommodate any type of event, from small games to large scale tournaments.

EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST SPORTS COMMISSION

▶ McKenzie River features crystal clear waters and river rafting along one of the Pacific Northwest’s most heralded treasures.

▶ Explore an abundance of

waterfalls in the area, including Proxy Falls, Sweet Creek Falls and Salt Creek Falls.

▶ Visit Cascades Raptor Center, one of the largest collections of native birds of prey species in the Pacific Northwest.

Joey Jewell, STS Senior Director

▶ Skip the sunscreen at Splash! at

541-743-8757 Joey@EugeneCascadesCoast.org

Lively Park, a year-round indoor

www.eugenecascadescoastsports.org

water park with plenty of options

Autzen Stadium

Peter Callero

for all ages.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“We could not ask for a better partner in delivering world-class events than the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission. Whether we have hosted a regional, national, or international event, they have been integral to our strategic planning and the overall experience for numerous clients. When collaborating with the Sports Commission, our events enjoy tremendous success.”

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Dave Horton

Bob Keefer Center

Stafford Photography

— Michael Reilly, President of TrackTown USA

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Medford, OR SITTING NEAR OREGON’S SOUTHERN BORDER, MEDFORD IS WHERE FIRST-RATE FACILITIES MEET INCREDIBLE ATTRACTIONS

Rogue Credit Union Community Complex

Scan to discover more of what Travel Medford offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Our relationship with Travel Medford has been invaluable to the operation of our event. They have walked side by side with us from year one through year seven and have helped us roll out the red carpet for our participants. The Rogue Valley Timbers and the Rouge Memorial Challenge are thankful to have a strong working relationship with Travel Medford and the Medford Chamber of Commerce.”

U.S. Cellular Community Park

Gold Hill Whitewater Center

Located within the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon, Medford is accessible by air through Medford Airport, where flights are available from Alaska, Allegiant and Skywest through Delta and United Express. The airport is located just three miles northeast of downtown Medford and is accessible from I-5, which connects Medford along the road from Portland to San Francisco.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

U.S. Cellular Community Park

Baseball, softball, soccer, football Since opening in May of 2008, U.S. Cellular Community Park has hosted more than 47,000 youth and adult games and has generated more than $120 million in economic impact. It spans 132 acres, boasts 15 fields and accommodates several different sports. If it’s not already clear that this complex is a tourney planner’s fantasy facility, some other amenities to take notice of: FieldTurf synthetic grass, Musco lighting systems and Daktronics scoreboards. There are three

full-sized baseball fields, seven fields for both softball and baseball, and five fields for soccer and football.

Gold Hill Whitewater Center Rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding

An Olympic hopeful when the 2028 Games come to Los Angeles, Gold Hill excels in length, water flow and drop, rivaling any natural or artificial course in the country. It is perfect for rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and it is used to host races and events — for @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Jim Craven

— Kevin Primerano, Director of the Rogue Memorial Challenge

example, the facility looks forward to holding the King of the Rogue competition every summer.

Whether it gets an Olympic event in 2028 or not, this course is the real deal when it comes to rafting, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.

Prescott Park

Running, biking, equestrian Consisting of 1,740 acres, Prescott Park is one of Southern Oregon’s largest and most scenic nature parks. It is home to the annual Tough as Nails race, featuring a 10 mile race as well as a 5K competition. It is also a great place to walk, hike and bike as it contains trails that are both paved and unpaved. Roxyann Peak is the crown jewel of the park with its peak offering stunning views of the park and Rogue Valley.

Rogue Credit Union Community Complex

Basketball, swimming, volleyball, pickleball, wrestling, cheer, dance Slated to open in early 2023, a new indoor 90,000-square-foot center for sports, aquatic and meetings will open for leisure and

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competitive activities. The Rogue Credit Union Community Complex – referred to as “Rogue X” - will boast competition and recreation pools, meeting space, and room for eight basketball courts and any variation for volleyball, pickleball, wrestling, cheer and dance competitions, and more. The site will also feature food trucks, concessions and an information center to accommodate visitors and locals, alike.

Tournament space is filling quickly for this prime venue, so contact Angela Wood at Travel Medford for more information.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Explore the remnants of a destroyed volcano and swim in the deepest lake in the country when you trek along Crater Lake National Park.

▶ Medford’s nature scene is off the charts and there are plenty of areas to go white water rafting, hiking, biking, ziplining and jet boat tours.

▶ Southern Oregon’s burgeoning wine scene boasts more than 88 vineyards and more than 50 wine tasting rooms.

TRAVEL MEDFORD Angela Wood, Director of Sales & Sports Development 541-608-8517 Angelaw@travelmedford.org www.travlemedford.org

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Portland, OR

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EXPERIENCE THE CONFLUENCE OF SCENIC BEAUTY AND A VIBRANT CITY IN PORTLAND

Portland, Oregon offers unmatched scenic beauty fused with a sports and recreation culture so rich it flows through the entire state. Headlined by Nike, adidas and Columbia Sportswear, the state is home to more than 800 athletic and outdoor companies.

Expo Center

Moda Center

The seamless fusion of natural scenic beauty with a large vibrant city is unique to Portland, Oregon, which makes it a must-see destination in the Pacific Northwest. Against the stunning backdrop of majestic mountains, rivers and trees, you will find world-class sporting events and state-of-the-art exhibition venues.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Moda Center

Basketball, Hockey With a capacity of nearly 20,000, the Moda Center is the home to the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and junior ice hockey Portland Winterhawks, as well as concerts, conventions, and more. The state-of-the-art multipurpose arena can also be transformed into an intimate, 6,000-seat venue with its Theater of the Clouds and features six banquet rooms.

Providence Park

POPULAR ACTIVITIES Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) Located on the east bank of the Willamette River in the heart of Portland, OMSI features five enormous halls that bring science to life with hundreds of hands-

Soccer Located near downtown Portland with easy access to the MAX light rail line sits Providence Park, home of the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns professional soccer teams.

Since first being used for spectator sports in 1893, the stadium has undergone several major renovations, most recently in 2019, and offers world-class views, private meeting spaces, and

amazing local food and drink while hosting numerous events all year long.

Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Hockey, Events Opened in 1960 as a memorial to veterans of all wars, Veterans Memorial Coliseum features a 12,000-seat arena, a 40,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, and seven meeting rooms, and can be configured for a more intimate setting of 1,000. The original home of the Portland Trail Blazers now hosts more than 150 events each year including Portland Winterhawks hockey games.

TRAVEL PORTLAND Cathy Kretz, CMP 503-936-2171 cathy@travelportland.com www.travelportland.com

on exhibits.

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

CORVALLIS, OR

Scan to discover more of what Visit Corvallis offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

WITH A PENCHANT FOR REDEFINING ITSELF AND ITS FUTURE, CORVALLIS IS A HUB FOR INNOVATION, ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Oregon State University Legacy Park

Alsea Falls Recreation Site

Corvallis is located about 10 miles west of Interstate 5, while state Route 99 drives right through it. If you’re flying in, Portland International Airport (PDX) is the closest major airport, located northeast of Corvallis. The Eugene Airport is also available as a closer, regional, airport option.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Make a splash and catch a gorgeous Oregon summer sunset at Otter Beach Waterpark, part of the Osborn Aquatic Center.

▶ Learn what early life was like in

Oregon at the Corvallis Museum, where hands-on art projects, storytelling and artifacts immerse you in the 19th century way of life.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Oregon State University All

As the largest university in the state, Oregon State University features some premier athletic facilities. From Reser Stadium, home of the school’s football team (seats 43,363) to Gill Coliseum (seats 9,604) which plays host to basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and volleyball competitions. The campus can host an array of indoor and outdoor sports like tennis, indoor rock climbing, and ultimate Frisbee, just to name a few.

Alsea Falls Recreation Site

Corvallis Parks & Recreation

Soccer, disc golf, softball, swimming, water polo, pickleball, ultimate Corvallis Parks & Rec has you covered for all your sporting needs. Notably, the Crystal Lake Sports Complex features an impressive display of outdoor fields, with 10 soccer fields that can be used for lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee or rugby and nine little league baseball fields. Parks & Rec also operates the Osborn Aquatic Center which features an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool with a moveable bulkhead that divides the pool between its eight lap lanes.

Trail running, mountain biking, BMX, fishing Located in Oregon’s Coast Range, the site of the Alsea Falls XC Race provides a gorgeous natural backdrop in the titular falls for hikers, runners and bikers. The Fall Creek trailhead provides more than 12 miles of trails specially made for mountain bikers, though hikers are welcome to explore as well.

VISIT CORVALLIS Morgan Baker, Sales Manager 541-231-0297 morgan@visitcorvallis.com www.visitcorvallis.com

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Oregon’s Adventure Coast

Scan to discover more of what Oregon’s Adventure Coast offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND OUTDOOR ESCAPADES ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER IN OREGON’S ADVENTURE COAST: COOS BAY, NORTH BEND, CHARLESTON, WHERE RELAXATION AND SPORT COLLIDE

Southwestern Oregon Community College

Whiskey Run Mountain Biking Trail

Mingus Park Swimming Pool

Oregon’s Adventure Coast is most easily accessible via U.S. Highway 101, which runs from north to south along the Pacific Ocean from Washington to California. If you’re flying into the area, Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend offers passenger flights through United Express.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Whiskey Run Mountain Biking Trail

Southwestern Oregon Community College

Professionally-built to accommodate riders of all skill levels, the Whiskey Run Trails are a blend between flow and cross-country style, giving riders open sight lines, easy climbs and chances to catch big air, if you’re into that sort of thing. Whiskey Run was built to withstand all weather types and feature more than 30 miles of single-track two way trails as riders whip through the forest while experiencing a gorgeous forest floor.

With scenic views of Empire Lakes and the surrounding forests, Southwestern Oregon Community College’s sports facilities provide an excellent backdrop for your next tournament. The campus’ rec center can host basketball, volleyball, wrestling, racquet ball, track and field, dance and rock climbing competitions and features state-of-the-art scoreboards, six automatic basketball hoops, a rock climbing wall and full fitness room.

Biking

Multipurpose

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

City of Coos Bay Mingus Park Swimming Pool

where it hopes to upgrade its existing complex and build beyond one baseball field.

First opened in 1943, this historic pool promotes a healthy, active and fun lifestyle and is open to all ages seven days a week. It serves as headquarters for the Gold Coast Swim Team and a variety of swim meets annually.

North Bend High School

Swimming, diving

Marshfield High School Multipurpose

With five grade levels and a campus consisting of four main buildings, Marshfield High School is one of the hosts of the OSAA 3A Basketball Tournament annually in February and March. The school can host some of the largest indoor events in the region, with a main gymnasium that has seating for 4,000.

Barview Area Charleston Area Park Association Baseball Complex Baseball, softball, multipurpose

BACAPA Park started as a dream years ago and in 2019 made strides toward the future,

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▶ Come meet the local seals and sea lions when you stop at the Cape Arago Beach Loop, or find the cascading waterfall in the

Multipurpose

Golden and Silver Falls State

Longstanding traditions and excellent amenities are the norm at Vic Adams Field, where North Bend hosts its version of Friday night lights during football season. Clyde Allen Baseball Park is another historic venue, with seating for 300 spectators and standing-room for 300 more. In existence since 1947, the field has 8-foot-tall fences that measure 310 feet in left field, 375 to dead center and 289 feet to right field.

Natural Area.

▶ The Oregon Dunes National

Recreation Area are the largest expanse of sand dunes in North America and are perfect for dune buggies and ATVs.

▶ Delicious fresh catch is available throughout the region, which is a hotspot for fishing, crabbing and clamming.

OREGON’S ADVENTURE COAST

▶ A treasure trove of eclectic items

Janice Langlinais

await in downtown Coos Bay and

Executive Director

downtown North Bend, home to

541-269-1181 x2303

unique shopping experiences.

Janice@OregonsAdventureCoast.com www.OregonsAdventureCoast.com

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Salem, OR

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LOCATED ALONG THE TWISTING TURNS OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER, OREGON’S CAPITAL CITY HAS PLENTY OF TRICKS UP ITS SLEEVE, REVEALING A TOURNAMENT-READY DESTINATION

Riverfront

Salem is located halfway between Portland to the north and Eugene to the south. It’s about a one-hour drive from either city on Interstate 5. To get to Salem from Portland Airport, follow I-205 south to its connection to I-5.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Oregon State Fair and Expo Center Multipurpose indoor, multipurpose outdoor

Spread across 185 acres, the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center presents a tremendous wealth of options for tournament planners. The Jackson-Long Building offers 48,000 square feet of indoor space to work with, ideal for hosting indoor sporting events as well as boat or RV shows. The Pavilion is a 5,000-seat arena with 30,504 square feet of floor space to work with, while the L.B. Day Amphitheater is the

go-to spot in town for outdoor concerts, with seating for 8,900.

Wallace Marine Park Softball Complex

Softball, baseball, soccer, running, fishing, boating Dubbed “Softball City, USA,” Salem’s crowning softball jewel is located within Wallace Marine Park. The softball complex features five natural, lit fields surrounded by shaded and grassy areas. Spectators will also appreciate seating for more than @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

1,000, including an elevated grandstand and portable bleachers. A boat ramp and fishing docks give visitors access to the Willamette River as well. As one of the best sports facilities in the entire Northwest, this complex is annually home to large regional and national tournaments, including the 18A National Girls Fastpitch Softball tournament and the Senior Softball USA Jim Sherman Memorial NW Championships, each held in July of 2019.

Volcanoes Stadium

Capital FC Timbers Complex

The Capital Fieldhouse is the ultimate health, fitness and indoor sports experience in all of Willamette Valley. With more than 51,000 square feet of indoor space to play with, this complex features six basketball courts and six volleyball courts, making it one of the largest in the region.

Soccer

Home to the Capital Futbol Club Timbers, the Capital FC Timbers Complex comprises eight full-sized fields ideal for hosting large tournaments bolstered by a suitable climate.

The complex has eight full-length fields, including the premier John Chambers turf field and two fields for 9 vs 9 play. The complex annually hosts the Capital Cup Soccer Tournament during the final weekend of June and was the host site of the United States Australian Football League tournament from July 26-27 in 2019 as well.

Baseball

Volcanoes Stadium is a fabulous minor league baseball park in the northwest United States, located in Keizer, Oregon. It is the home field of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, formerly the Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants in the Northwest League.

Capital Fieldhouse

Basketball, volleyball, multipurpose indoor

▶ The Gilbert House Children’s Museum is an interactive

museum where kids have plenty of space to play and learn while engaging in STEAMfocused activities.

▶ Salem’s Riverfront Park is the city’s premier urban event park, located near numerous businesses, restaurants, entertainment and other trails and parks.

▶ The Salvation Army Ray and

Joan Kroc Crops Community Center features a waterpark with a junior Olympic competition pool, water slide, lazy river, hot tub and a splash pad.

TRAVEL SALEM Matt Mayfield Sports & Events Sales Manager 503-581-4325 ext. 159 mmayfield@travelsalem.com travelsalem.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Salem has been a wonderful host and a great partner. We look forward to working with you to continue to grow the tournament next year!

— Terry Hennessy, CEO Senior Softball USA

Salem Convention Center

Wallace Marine Park Softball Complex

Volcanoes Stadium

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JON SCHMIEDER

SPORTS TOURISM TRENDS FOR 2022

W

e have a secret … sports saved the tourism industry’s bacon in 2020 and 2021.

Yes, COVID-19 knocked us all for a loop, but one great thing came from it. Most tourism leaders across the country finally realized the value sports brings to the collective table. We say most because, ironically, there are still some destinations that are talking about when leisure travel and the meetings industry will bounce back.

The answer may be “never” but some are still holding out hope that the tourism industry will be back to normal in the near future. We think that is very unlikely. Sports tourism will continue to drive the bus for our industry in 2022 and likely the years that follow.

Here are the top 10 trends we are closely following as we move into 2022.

1

Downsizing – Nearly every CVB, sports commission, or event organization we work with cut their staff in 2020 and 2021. A good number of folks figured out they could run with a leaner ship and are going to see if that is sustainable as things ramp back up.

2

Alignment – The pandemic forced tourism driven organizations to fight for declining resources, which means they had to be able to effectively message their mission and impact and how that aligns with the community they represent. This forced alignment should bear fruit in the future as communication lines are more open now than in years past.

3

Vulnerability – Many of the CEOs we have spoken to recently talked about the limited control they had over their funding sources. The goal is to diversify revenue streams as much as possible so your organization is not vulnerable if one financial channel shuts down.

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Accountability – Given that resources are more limited

Sports Planning Guide

“The New World”

today, the microscope is now on every transaction that is made. Every dollar has to have a good result and people are paying a lot more attention to how money is spent. Transparent organizations have a process for why decisions are made and document every move.

5

Choices – Today, our industry has an unprecedented number of resources available to leverage in an effort to drive our organizations forward. The key is choosing the right tools and people to engage with that will drive the highest and most efficient return on investment.

6

Focus – The pandemic has changed the way we all do business, including the approach on what events we look to partner on, whether you are an event owner or a destination. It’s more important today to “right size” the events you seek to host or produce to generate maximum impact. This can include how we market the event and even if we limit capacity to create scarcity in the marketplace.

7

Development Mentality – Destinations have been forced to become more proactive than reactive.

We work with many CVBs and sports commissions to help build a culture of “development.” These organizations are now leading efforts to develop new venues, develop new events, develop staff and board, and to develop relationships. Build your pathway or leave it to others to potentially choose your fate for you.

8

Remote Control – Working remotely is not just a trend that industry was forced to adopt due to the pandemic. It is here to stay. If anything is the “new normal,” this is it. Given that the generations entering the workforce today largely prefer flexibility, remote work teams were likely going to take

over the business world anyway.

COVID-19 just sped up the process.

9

Silent Sports – Several outdoor sports have seen massive spikes in participation the past two years.

Golf, canoe/kayak, and fishing (among others) all offer opportunities for those destinations that seek them.

These “silent sports” have become a cornerstone for business development with many CVBs across the country.

10

DMO vs. CVB – We have seen more CVBs transition to a destination marketing organization (or DMO) mission. The difference is that DMOs are responsible for branding and marketing their destination beyond tourism. DMOs have a lot of verticals to contemplate and manage. Yes, tourism is one, but just one of many things a DMO blends into a community-wide strategy to put their destinations in the best light. By transitioning to a DMO, tourism suddenly has a more important and integrated seat at the larger table in these destinations.

While the past two years have been a rollercoaster, a lot of good has and will come from what we have all been through. Those that accept the challenges of the past and build from them rather than focus on them have a bright future ahead. Good luck to all in 2022.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jon Schmieder is

the Founder of the Huddle Up Group LLC, a sports industry consulting company led by award winning executives. Schmieder has 25 years of experience in leading sports tourism and events organizations through strategic growth and increased community collaboration. We can be reached at Jon@HuddleUpGroup.com or www.HuddleUpGroup.com. © Huddle Up Group, 2021

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG