2022 SPG Sports Guide to Virginia

2022

VIRGINIA GUIDE Virginia Sports Services Shine

Easy Stops Off Virginia’s Interstates

Attention to Detail are the Hallmarks of a Successful Virginia Event

Virginia is for Lovers of Adventure and New Experiences A Premier Travel Media publication www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

Virginia is for Sports Lovers On behalf of Virginia Tourism Corporation and our statewide Sports Virginia partners, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you, your athletes, and families. Whether you are visiting for the first time or frequently host tournaments in the Commonwealth, there is always something new to discover when you visit Virginia.

Sports Virginia is a statewide collaboration of professionals from local convention and visitor bureaus, sports commissions, parks and recreation offices and facilities. The Commonwealth has been hosting successful sporting events for decades and we are committed to providing excellent service.

Home to state-of-the-art venues for all types of sporting events, Virginia is the perfect location for any type and size of competition. Located midway between New York and Florida, Virginia is the gateway to the South. Easily accessible by major highway systems, Amtrak rail service and nine airports providing multiple affordable options for athletes and their families. Visiting Virginia has never been more convenient.

Soccer at the River City Sportsplex Photo courtesy of Visit Richmond

While you might be coming to Virginia for the sports, you will definitely be staying for all the fun activities that Virginia has to offer. Enjoy the outdoors at one of over sixty state and national parks; discover American history at known historical attractions in the birthplace of our nation; explore breweries and the local cuisine in urban cities or enjoy the charm of small towns. And with its distinct climate regions, welcoming visitors to enjoy a range of activities, Virginia is truly a year-round sport and vacation – destination.

Visit SportsVirginia.org for more information or please contact me at dsaadat@virginia.org for personal assistance and remember…Sports Virginia is with you from start to finish!

Danish Saadat National Sales & Marketing Manager Virginia Tourism/Sports Virginia 804-545-5543 • dsaadat@virginia.org

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Sports Planning Guide

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

VIRGINIA ©iStock.com/bgblue

SI Site InSpections

6 U nique Attractions Along Virginia’s Major Interstates 8 Sports Services Help Virginia Host Great Events 26 Sports Industry Trends for 2022

10 Hampton

18 Lynchburg

13 Richmond

20 Williamsburg

14 Virginia Beach

22 Loudoun County

16 V irginia’s Blue Ridge Sports

ON THE COVER: Thumbs up at the finish line Photo courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

Overlooking the action at the new Virginia Beach Sports Center Photo courtesy of Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Sports Planning Guide

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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National Museum of the Marine Corps dramatic interior entrance.

Unique Attractions Along Virginia’s Major Interstates Virginia is for lovers of adventure and new experiences and travelers don’t have to go far to find fun destinations for the whole family

E

By Jill Pillow

very corner of Virginia has attractions that satisfy the craving for adventure many have been feeling after a year of being cooped up at home.

With numerous attractions being just off of the state’s three main interstates (I-95, I-81, and I-64), many are just a short car ride away. When traveling north or south on 95, one can find a variety of museums that provide a fun and knowledge-filled outing. Northern Virginia’s Fort Belvoir is home to the National Museum of the United States Army, where galleries, learning centers and audio tours offer an engaging way to learn about our nation’s soldiers. The museum provides a comprehensive portrayal of life in the army with history and traditions being presented through the eyes of a soldier.

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Sports Planning Guide

A bit farther south, Triangle brings more military artifacts and education with the National Museum of the Marine Corps. In close proximity to the Quantico base, innovative technology allows visitors to immerse themselves into the lives of Marines. Notable exhibits include the Combat Art Gallery, the Leatherneck Gallery, and war exhibits which include the American Revolution, both World Wars, the Korean War and Vietnam War. Farther down I-95 brings travelers to Richmond, which is home to the Science Museum of Virginia. This museum has hours of interactive exhibits for guests of all ages which tackle a wide range of STEM subjects including climate change, mental health, memory, dinosaurs, and many more.

At 76 feet, SMV’s The Dome is the largest screen in Virginia @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Photo courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

drive through safari. Giraffes, zebras, tigers and cheetahs are just a handful of the beautiful creatures to look out for.

Only 25 minutes apart via I-81, Quicksburg and Luray provide magnificent underground cavern tours with marvelous geological spectacles. Known as geology’s hall of fame, Luray Caverns is a destination rich with natural pools, stone columns, and huge stalactites that sound almost as cool as they look. Shenandoah Caverns, just a short drive northwest from Luray, is home to underground wonders and hour long personally guided tours of 17 rooms and passageways below the earth’s surface.

After an eventful day of exploring the caverns, a pit stop at Route 11 Potato Chips is a no-brainer. Making delicious potato chips since 1992, the Route 11 team uses high quality ingredients to satisfy their customers and keep them ordering more. The store front brings visitors up close to the chip-making procedure where they can watch the full process of the chips being made, try samples, and then bring some home to enjoy.

Experience living history at the Frontier Culture Center/Staunton.

More than 800,00 gallons of fresh and saltwater house exhibits at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center/Virginia Beach.

Photo courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

and makes viewers feel like they are really traveling through the rainforest, in the ocean, or outer space. Then, take a short trip to Colonial Heights where you can find Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum and learn about the last century of agricultural heritage and machines. Covering more than 125,000 square feet, the collection has grown from two road trucks to now containing hundreds of farm vehicles and road trucks.

From the eastern shore to the Shenandoah mountains, I-64 has plenty of historic sites, museums, and more located just off of the highway for anyone looking for new experiences without the desire to travel far. The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton has the goal of educating the public on American folk culture from all perspectives. Exhibits include recreations of farms and schoolhouses from the 17th and 18th centuries in colonial America as well as a 1700s west African farm and an American Indian exhibit that educate visitors on European colonization, suppression, and the impact they’ve had on present day America.

Close to the site of the original settlement, the first permanent English colony in America is the perfect place for field trips and weekend outings. The Jamestown Settlement is a place where guests can learn about the experiences of real people who lived in the settlement and through the cultural convergence of Europeans, Powhatan natives, and enslaved peoples from West Africa. Films, the recreated James Fort, and recreated ships that make up the “Official fleet of the Commonwealth’’ provide for an in depth and fun learning experience. After a morning in Jamestown, travel further east towards the coast for a day cruise on the Victory Rover for a relaxing and informative ride to see the sights of Norfolk Harbor and the destroyers and submarines of the U.S. naval fleet.

Looking to be swept away by the natural beauty of marine life and to learn more about ocean conservation? Then look no further than Virginia Beach’s Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Through educational programs, research, and sustainable practices, the center is inspiring the public to take steps toward conserving the world’s oceans. Outside, guests can enjoy a short walk through the woods and marshes before observing animals such as sea turtles, harbor seals, zebra sharks, and Komodo dragons inside the aquarium.

In the state’s western region, I-81 stretches across the beautiful mountains and valleys of western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley area. At the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, every visit is different with over 180 artisans creating one-of-a-kind and traditional artwork available for purchase. The center is also a music venue that showcases unique and traditional instruments and is home to The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Guests can sit back and listen to bluegrass and gospel music from local artists and even join in during Thursday night open jams.

Further north in gorgeous Natural Bridge is where visitors can get a view from their vehicle not found anywhere else in the state. With a passion for wildlife conservation, Virginia Safari Park is home to hundreds of animals typically seen on the African savannah. Guests can get up close and personal and even feed animals from their car during the three-mile

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Photo courtesy of Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Competition at the new Virginia Beach Sports Center

Sports Services Help Virginia Host Great Events Intense planning and attention to detail are the hallmarks of a successful Virginia event and the state’s experts deliver

F

By Dave Bodle

rom the outside, it might appear Virginia’s sports services wear multiple hats in their community. In fact, they do, but with just a single mission.

Danny Bonifas, sports event manager/Richmond Region Tourism, describes his organization’s mission as a “Resource to the rights holders every step of the way, including community outreach, vendor sourcing, and side events. Our purpose is to enhance the attendees’ experience.”

Kenneth Payne, of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, defines the role of sports services in Virginia Beach in a personal manner: “What can I do to make a rights holder experience a great event and make them want to bring their event back to Virginia Beach.” Payne

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continued, “That commitment extends to providing a great experience to the participants, too.”

Success from teamwork

Many Virginia sports staffs are small and in most of those destinations the sales team operates as sports services, also. Whether it’s a full-time destination sports services person or the sales team taking on the responsibility, sports services often begin with the conception of the event.

Sports services is looped in from the early stages of bid and site inspection and that often begins with researching past events. Working with the sales team, sports services is looking for ways to make events happen and exceed the past performance. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Whether the Virginia sports teams are one person or more and include a sports services member, interaction with the sales team is critical and often includes travel to conferences. Their knowledge of the destination venues is often critical to the process. Likewise their first-hand expertise in non-competition events such as social, opening events and other services that can deliver the full experience is just as important in the early process.

are continually updating their dining and accommodation options along with off-field event venues and the variety of what’s needed to host a successful event. Virginians attribute much of their success to those on their sports team, but also to their community partners where deep relationships have been formed.

Success from evaluation

Another success point for Virginia sports destinations is the detail placed on their evaluations of performance after each event, even the most successful events. The first step is debrief and evaluation with venues and facilities.

An honest assessment of what was done right, what could be done better and how could we improve. In most cases, the next step is to reach out to the rights holder for their assessment to include facilities, off field events, accommodations and dining.

A summary is prepared and distributed, but multiple evaluations are generally the rule. The main purpose of an evaluation is to assure a positive experience with the intent of bringing the event back. Just as importantly, evaluations serve as the benchmark for exceeding expectations of both athletes and rights holders on their next visit.

Success from experience

When you Google university degrees in Sport Services, the 688,000,000 responses list an abundance of good sources to find degrees in Sports Management, Entertainment and Sports Management and others, but nothing specifically about sports services as a major. It’s certain Sports Management degrees provide coverage and possibly sports service classes.

Full-time sports service professionals, or even a member of the sales team, may very well have a sports management degree. However, it’s more than likely they bring specific experiences that qualify them for their sports services position. Anyone coming from a destination’s parks and recreation will have specific knowledge of facilities and each one’s capability. Likewise, anyone coming from the event-planning environment will have a head start on handling the non-competition side of their position.

Partners throughout Virginia are willing to share their experiences, while organizations like Sports ETA and Events Services Professional Association offer further educational tracks at their conferences.

Success from meeting challenges

Ask anyone in Virginia sports services and you will likely hear they enjoy their job. However, the job does come with challenges. Whether it’s pursuing sponsorships outside your destination due to your bureau’s rules or a caterer cancelling on short notice, there are challenges.

Possibly none will ever be as demanding as presented

by COVID-19. There were shutdowns and mandates that seemed to change state by state. Virginia certainly dealt with its share of problems, but by spring 2021, sports began leading the tourism rebound. With that return another challenge presented itself.

Danny Bonifas said it best, “Welcoming visitors and providing the best experience while not overwhelming our hospitality partners is still a challenge.”

Every segment of the industry is still hurting and many are not yet at full staff and service. Bonifas continued, “Richmond addresses the situation by regular communications with the hospitality industry. The goal is to be pro-active in preparations, so establishments can be prepared.”

Virginia’s sports services people are the poster for how to get things done right. There’s more about Sports Virginia on the pages of this guide, then visit online at Sportsvirginia.org.

Virginia sport services seem to agree that planning and preparation are essential to the success of their events with both the rights holder and athletes. As pointed out earlier, it begins on tradeshow floors, bids and site inspections. And it’s ongoing. How much time is spent on event planning is dependent on the type of event and the level of competitiveness.

Virginia certainly has the facilities to host top-tier events for elite athletes. These top events bring athletes to compete, eat, sleep and compete again. The facilities, accommodations and dining options are each critical and require a close working relationship with partners in the local community.

The community partner relationships are even more impactful when an event requires a dynamite noncompetition event. Sports services is often required to provide an opening event that might include catering, a venue, dejay or volunteers. Virginia Beach recently provided a boardwalk scavenger hunt for a cheerleader competition.

Regardless of the situation or demands, Virginia sports services rise to the occasion.

Although being in regular communication with the original point of contact whether it be the rights holder or their delegate, and in some cases, a Local Organizing Committee (LOC), no two days seem to be the same in sports services. Certainly, the seasons and sports being played impact each day. Beyond that to be the best, Virginians are always planning.

They are staying on top of their touch points that enhance the experiences of their visitors. Sports services SportsPlanningGuide.com

Photo courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism

Success from planning & preparation

Approaching the finish line at the Richmond Aquatic Centre

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Hampton, VA

Scan to discover more of what Sports Hampton offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

THIS SPORTS-MINDED CITY PRESENTS AN ENTERTAINING DESTINATION WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART SPORTS FACILITIES

Hampton Virginia Aquaplex

Located just north of Norfolk and across the water, Hampton is connected via Interstate 64 on the route from Richmond to the northwest and Virginia Beach to the southeast. If you happen to be flying in, Norfolk International Airport is only 17 miles away and offers flights through Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Breeze, Delta, Delta Connection, Frontier, Southwest, United and United Express.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Hampton Virginia Aquaplex

Swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo The Hampton Virginia Aquaplex, Virginia’s largest competitive aquatic facility, is slated to open in Summer 2022. Purpose-built for competitive aquatics, the Aquaplex was designed to host Mid-Atlantic and national competitive swimming and diving events, artistic swimming, water polo, and more.

This new, 62,739 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility features an eight-lane, 50-meter competition

pool, two moveable bulkheads, spectator seating for 1,500 with a mezzanine, on-deck athlete seating for 760, a 25-yard warm-up pool, and an outdoor splash park.

Hampton Roads Convention Center

Aerobics, basketball, body building, boxing, fencing, futsal, gymnastics, team handball, martial arts, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, cheerleading, archery, field hockey, volleyball The Hampton Roads Convention Center— boasting 35 fl xible spaces with the capacity @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

for up to 14,000 delegates, including a 102,600-square-foot exhibit hall (divisible by three)—is the perfect venue for any indoor event. With portable floo ing, the center accommodates 12 basketball courts or eight volleyball courts, ideal for tournament play.

The center is supported by more than 2,000 hotel rooms in close proximity, including the Embassy Suites host hotel. It has 4,000 parking spaces, 11 loading dock bays and three concession stands.

Boo Williams Sportsplex

Basketball, aerobics, volleyball, field hockey, body building, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, team handball, martial arts, table tennis, weightlifting The 135,000-square-foot Boo Williams Sportsplex is specifically desig ed for amateur sporting competitions. Accommodating athletic events like basketball, indoor field hockey and volleyball, the center boasts eight hardwood basketball courts and retractable bleacher seating for 4,000 attendees. This seating is fl xible and can expand upwards to 6,000 with perimeter seating. It includes eight tournament play basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, a 200-meter, six-lane indoor track

Hampton Roads Convention Center

and two training rooms. A 4,238-square-foot concession area is available as well as 64,000and 31,000-square-foot playing pavilions.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Parents and kids alike will enjoy

a visit to the Virginia Air & Space Science Center where the legacy of the Apollo missions

Hampton Coliseum

lives on. Investigate robotics,

Wrestling, boxing, fencing, aerobics, basketball, body building, gymnastics, team handball, judo, karate, taekwondo, cheerleading, archery One of the most recognizable architectural jewels in all of Hampton Roads, the Hampton Coliseum is set on scenic waterf ront at the convergence of I-64 and I-664. The arena has hosted a plethora of world-class sporting events and concerts in its 46-year existence.

The Coliseum holds a 26,263-square-foot arena floo , 3,200 parking spaces, 10 Xenon Super Trooper Lights and a fully equipped sound system.

physics, chemistry and more with STEM Saturdays. This world-class science and learning facility immerses guests into a full-throttle space and aviation experience.

▶ Cast off for an adventure aboard the Ocean Eagle. The friendly crew will have everything you need for a fishing adventure on the Chesapeake Bay.

▶ Plan your day in the sun with a trip to Buckroe Beach and

Park. Bordering the picturesque Chesapeake Bay, this beautiful

SPORTS HAMPTON

beach offers sheltered picnic

Brooks Hierstein, CSEE, Senior Group

areas and a nautical-themed

Sales Manager

playground.

757-728-5315 bhierstein@hamptoncvb.com www.sportshampton.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The City of Hampton, and Fort Monroe in particular, allows an almost perfect location to hold an inboard hydroplane race. Mill Creek is a protected body of water that lends itself to record- setting possibilities. Thanks to the tremendous support we have received over the years from Sports Hampton and the City, the Hampton Cup Regatta is one of the oldest and most successful races in the United States.”

— Lisa Hearn Adkins, President, Chairman/Race Director, Hampton Cup Regatta

Boo Williams Sportsplex

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Hampton Coliseum

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$0.1&5*5*0/ Make an inspired choice for your next sporting event — Hampton.

Located in Coastal Virginia, Hampton boasts numerous venues with nearby attractions, entertainment, and hotels, plus easy airport access. Sail our waterways. Plan basketball and volleyball tournaments at the Boo Williams Sportsplex. Schedule wrestling, boxing, and gymnastics events at the Hampton Coliseum. Bring big conferences and athletic events to Hampton Roads Convention Center. In summer 2022, Hampton Virginia Aquaplex opens for National and Mid-Atlantic competitions!

Schedule your next competition compe in Hampton today at SportsHampton.com

RICHMOND, VA

Scan to discover more of what Sports Richmond, VA offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

TOP-FLIGHT SPORTS VENUES, SCENIC VIRGINIAN LANDSCAPE AND GREAT FUN AWAIT TEAMS IN RICHMOND

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“USA Field Hockey loves working with Sports Richmond, VA. The CVB and Convention Center staff are amazing to work with. We can always count on their professionalism and expertise.

They always put their clients first, and are constantly looking forward on how to enhance the Richmond experience.”

— USA Field Hockey

Greater Richmond Convention Center

The Richmond International Airport, located only 8 miles from downtown Richmond, is home to all major air carriers, including low-cost carriers such as Allegiant Air, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and Southwest. Due to Richmond’s advantageous location, it’s only within a day’s drive to half of the U.S. population by Interstates 64, 295 and 95.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Stay on the history trail with a walk or bike ride on the Virginia Capital Trail.

River City Sportsplex

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT River City Sportsplex

Soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, flag football River City Sportsplex encompasses 115 acres of top-notch athletic fields, i cluding 12 all-weather turf fields, all of whi h are fully lighted. In addition to warmup areas, River City Sportsplex includes a plaza and common area with access to electricity, bleachers on both ends, indoor restrooms and a concession stand.

Greater Richmond Convention Center

You’ll encounter various courthouses,

Multisport

forests and rivers.

Teams will feel like champions no matter what the score at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, located only minutes from Richmond International Airport. The 700,000-square-foot facility boasts the title as largest convention center in Virginia with 180,000 square feet of exhibit hall space.

▶ James River awaits those who enjoy white water rafting and boating.

This 348-mile wonder starts in the Appalachians and continues into the Chesapeake Bay. SportsPlanningGuide.com

Dorey Park

Baseball, softball, football, soccer, disc golf This 400-acre park is conveniently located 10 minutes from Richmond International Airport and features abundant competition fields a d amazing amenities for the traveling fan. The park features six (four slow pitch and six fast pitch compatible) softball fields, s ven 12-andunder baseball fields, o e 13-and-up baseball field a d seven football/soccer fields with o e field eaturing a 500 seat grandstand. There is also an 18-hole disc golf course, fi e miles of horseback riding trails and hiking trails.

SPORTS RICHMOND, VA Jerrine Lee, Director of Sports Development 804-783-7418 jlee@visitrichmondva.com www.sportsrichmondva.com Sports Planning Guide

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Virginia Beach, VA

Scan to discover more of what Virginia Beach CVB offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

VISIT ONE OF MOST BEAUTIFUL AREAS IN THE COUNTRY AND COMPETE IN SOME OF THE FINEST FACILITIES

Virginia Beach Sports Center

Virginia Beach, located in the Coastal Virginia Region, has a reputation as one of the most attractive destinations in the country. A vibrant coastal city with unique districts that is open year-round, it features a variety of attractions and a beautiful oceanfront and boardwalk.

Visitors can reach Virginia Beach from I-80, I-85, I-95 and I-64.

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Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Virginia Beach Sports Center

Basketball, volleyball, indoor track and field, indoor field hockey This state-of-the-art facility which opened in October of 2020 can host a diverse roster of sporting events and tournaments. With 285,000 square feet of space, including 117,000 square feet of multi-purpose space and 195,000 square feet of programmable space, the center is built to accommodate 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, a 200-meter, hydraulically banked track,

seating for 5,000 spectators and more. It also offers two skybox meeting rooms overlooking the track and one skybox meeting room overlooking the courts.

Princess Anne Athletic Complex

Baseball, lacrosse, football, soccer, softball This complex features 16 Musco-lit, multipurpose fields, eight of whi h are fully fenced and equipped with irrigation systems, electronic scoreboards and shaded player benches. Planners can choose between four @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

full-sized synthetic fields a d scoreboard or four hybrid Bermuda fields. Be ween games, spectators can picnic at two nearby Gazebos with four seated areas.

Virginia Beach Convention Center Wrestling, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, cheer/dance

Host your next sporting event in the beautiful, eco-friendly Virginia Beach Convention Center. The center features more than 959,551 square feet of meeting space, 26 meeting rooms and can handle sports of any capacity. The center features portable walls, a staging area, and its largest room is 150,012 square feet. Its second-largest room stands at 112,509 square feet and its column-free exhibit space totals 150,012 square feet.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Fat tire biking, roller skating, running, soccer, surfing, ultimate f risbee, beach volleyball This pristine waterfront is home to a 28-footwide boardwalk that stretches three miles and features a separate bike path ideal for strolling, rollerblading and biking. Along the boardwalk there’s a wide variety of shopping,

POPULAR ACTIVITIES outdoor restaurants and vendors offering bike and surrey rentals. Live music and street performers can be found at the Oceanfront, but it is also a go-to place for sporting events and has hosted the North American Sand Soccer Championships, the Shamrock Marathon, and the East Coast Surfi g Championship.

Hampton Roads Soccer Complex

▶ Enjoy the majestic views of the Oceanfront, Sandbridge and Chesapeake Bay beaches or take a peaceful walk or bike ride along the three-mile long Virginia Beach Boardwalk.

▶ The Cape Henry Lighthouse is the fourth-oldest lighthouse

Soccer, lacrosse, camps, clinics

in the country and offers an

This complex is located in the beautiful city of Virginia Beach with easy access to restaurants, attractions, hotels and the oceanf ront. The facility has two turf fields wit lights and 22 Bermuda grass fields a d hosts more than 7,00 games, practices and clinics every year. It also includes two state-of-the-art turf fields, both with Mus o lighting (one fiel has stadium seating for 260 spectators).

unimpeded coastal view and can be enjoyed from the 360-degree lantern room.

▶ Groups can savor Cape Henry’s beautiful 2,888-acre First

Landing State Park, where more than a million visitors hike, bike, swim and camp every year.

▶ The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest

VIRGINIA BEACH CVB

private collections of World War

Dani Timm

I and World War II era military

Interim Director of Sports Marketing

aircraft in the world.

757-385-6648 DTimm@visitvirginiabeach.com www.visitvirginiabeach.com/sports

Virginia Beach Convention Center

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The accessibility of Virginia Beach really does allow us to attract the national audience.”

— Bob Ferraro, Executive Director, NHSC

Virginia Beach Oceanfront

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Princess Anne Athletic Complex

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Virginia’s Blue Ridge Sports

Scan to discover more of what Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Sports offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

WITH OUR COMBINATION OF AWARD-WINNING SPORTS FACILITIES, CONVENIENT LOCATION IN THE MID-ATLANTIC, AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, YOUR PLAYERS, COACHES, AND FANS WILL HAVE AN OUTSTANDING TIME IN THE HEART OF VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

James I. Moyer Sports Complex

We have an abundance of wellmaintained, centrally-located fields and facilities that can accommodate all types of sports. With over 1,000 miles of trails, Virginia’s Blue Ridge has established itself as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and adventure. The challenging elevations of our landscape allow for many sports such as mountain biking, triathlons, marathons, and disc golf.

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Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

James I. Moyer Sports Complex Softball, baseball

James I. Moyer Sports Complex hosts events ranging from youth, adult, and high school events to collegiate and national level events.

The Moyer Complex boasts four fields. M yer also has a 50/30 lighting system and electronic scoreboards. Renovations planned for 2022.

Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex

Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics,

wrestling, boxing, pickleball, equine, cheerleading, football, baseball The Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex offers a diverse group of facilities, including the Salem Civic Center, the Salem Football Stadium and the Salem Memorial Ballpark, all located approximately one mile southeast of downtown Salem.

The Salem Civic Center consists of an indoor arena with a 22,000-square-foot floo , seating for 7,000, an annex of 10,000 square feet and various meeting spaces.

The Salem Football Stadium is a 7,157-seat @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

municipal stadium. The stadium proudly hosted the NCAA Division Ill Football Championship for 25 years and the championship plans to return to Salem Stadium in 2023 for its 50th Anniversary Championship. The stadium features dual team coaches’ boxes, suites and broadcast quality lighting.

Salem Memorial Ballpark is home to the Single-A Salem Red Sox and can seat 6,300.

Berglund Center

Basketball, hockey, volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, boxing, cornhole, cheerleading The Berglund Center is one of Western Virginia’s premier full-service facilities. The multi-purpose facility can accommodate sports events of all sizes, and hosts more than 350 events every year. It features a 10,500 seat Coliseum, 2,148 seat Performing Arts Theatre, 10,000 sq. /ft. Exhibit Hall, and a 46,000 square foot Special Events Center.

Roanoke College Cregger Center/ Donald J. Kerr Stadium

Basketball, track & field, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, indoor track & field Constructed in 2016, The Cregger Center is a 155,000 sq. /ft. athletic center that includes

a 2,000-seat arena, a field ouse that has an eight-lane, 200-meter track, event seating space for 1,000, a training room, and enhanced locker rooms. Donald J. Kerr Stadium at Roanoke College adjoins the beautiful Cregger Center. Kerr Stadium has seating for 1,400 fans.

Botetourt Sports Complex

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Welcome yourself to Virginia’s Blue Ridge by visiting the must-see Roanoke Star that sits atop Mill Mountain and offers scenic views of Roanoke Valley.

▶ Put on your hiking boots and experience the many incredible

Softball, baseball, soccer, cross country, disc golf

footpaths in the Appalachian Trail.

The Botetourt Sports Complex is located within the 125-acre Greenfield Rec eation Park which features a cross-country course, soccer fields a d a hiking trail. The complex features four championship level softball and youth baseball fields, all with b autiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

▶ Explore your wild side at Treetop Quest at Explore Park. Zip-lines

and aerial obstacles will give you the thrill you crave.

▶ Check out the nation’s second

largest municipal park, Carvins Cove Nature Reserve, and go hiking, biking or fishing.

VISIT VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE SPORTS

▶ You don’t even have to leave your car to enjoy the majestic natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

John Oney Director of Sales 540-342-6025 joney@visitvbr.com www.VBRsports.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Having hosted almost 100 NCAA Championships, the City of Salem and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference have become synonymous with successful NCAA Championships. Salem knows how to provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans with an experience that makes them feel that they are truly special. They welcome everyone with open arms and provide them with a once in a lifetime experience.”

— Joni Comstock, NCAA Senior Vice President of Championships Salem Civic Center Arena

Berglund Center

2021 Carilion Clinic IRONMAN 70.3

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Photo credit: Brian Wells

Virginia’s Blue Ridge

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Lynchburg, VA

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

HOME OF THE VIRGINIA 10 MILER AND THE VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH GAMES, LYNCHBURG IS A SMALL CITY WITH A BIG HEART, READY TO WELCOME SPORTS FANS OF ALL AGES

Liberty University

Liberty Natatorium

While in Lynchburg, pop in to locally-owned eateries, take a stroll on the Blackwater Creek Trail and Bluffwalk, or bring the whole family to the Lynchburg Museum.

Team friendly lodging, dining and entertainment, coupled with City owned facilities and state-of-the-art athletic venues, make Lynchburg an ideal location for team sporting events and family recreation.

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Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Liberty Natatorium

Swimming and diving Opened in 2018, the 75,000-square-foot natatorium has become a prime venue for collegiate and competitive swimming and diving, standing out in the crowd as one of the few facilities in the nation with an Olympic-distance competition pool and separate 17-feet diving well. Connected to the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, the natatorium features a nine-lane, 50-meter pool with a moveable bulkhead. The

complex shares a 6,554-square-foot weight room and a 2,400-square foot training room that includes a 1,000-square-foot hydro room with an underwater treadmill and two plunge pools.

Liberty Indoor Track & Field Complex

Track, field, judo, jujutsu, Ninja Challenge, tae kwon do, wrestling, aquathon Liberty University added a state-of-theart indoor track facility to its impressive list @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ With James River Adventures, guests can canoe or kayak the

of athletic complexes in January 2017. The 169,000-square-foot facility features a dynamic track, which is one of only a handful of tracks in the country to offer a six-lane, 20-meter hydraulically banked oval. The complex is 425 feet long by 300 feet wide and includes room for all six field vents, with the weight throw, shot put and high jump pits located outside the track oval.

Peaks View Park, City of Lynchburg Baseball, softball, disc golf, soccer, tennis, football, lacrosse, field hockey, mountain biking, rugby

The second largest park in Lynchburg, Peaks View Park offers both passive and active recreation for the entire family. The park has three lighted tennis courts, seven multipurpose fields (so cer, football, softball and baseball), volleyball courts, a basketball court, mountain bike trails and a disc golf course.

The park also has a popular sprayground and is ADA compliant.

Lynchburg City Stadium and Bank of the James Stadium Football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, rugby, soccer

Originally constructed in 1939 as a complex for professional baseball teams, Bank of the James Stadium is home to minor league baseball team the Lynchburg Hillcats, a low-A affilia e of the Cleveland Indians. This classic stadium seats 4,300 fans and has undergone a slew of renovations, most recently in 2005, with six new luxury boxes and a video board in right field. Ci y Stadium, primarily hosting football events but also more recently home to Lynchburg FC professional soccer club, can seat audiences up to 10,000. Renovations completed in 2016 include a new ticket booth, concessions, restrooms and locker rooms and a new scoreboard.

city’s downtown riverfront and within minutes be in a natural river setting teeming with fish, birds and other wildlife.

▶ The award-winning, hands-on

Amazement Square Children’s Museum offers four floors of interactive exhibits designed to make learning fun.

Guests can paint on walls, explore life on a farm and create a rainstorm over downtown Lynchburg.

▶ Liberty Mountain Snowfl

x Centre

specializes in year-round mountain activities. Blast down tubing runs or ski/snowboard in all four seasons on Snowflex slopes. It also offers one of the prettiest sunset views around.

▶ Explore Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar

Forest and learn more about Thomas

VISIT LYH

Jefferson and the free and enslaved

Lisa Meriwether

people who formed the community at

434-485-7295

Poplar Forest both inside and outside,

Lisa.Meriwether@lynchburgva.gov

through meticulous historic restoration

lynchburgvirginia.org

and archaeological discoveries.

Liberty Indoor Track & Field Complex

Peaks View Park

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Liberty University

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The experienced staff at the Virginia Amateur Sports organization held a hugely successful 2019 State Games of America. The City of Lynchburg welcomed us with open arms and we still receive compliments from our athletes on Lynchburg’s first-class facilities. I would highly recommend event planners take a serious look at hosting their event in the Lynchburg, VA area.”

— Eric Engelbarts, National Congress of State Games President

Lynchburg City Stadium

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Williamsburg, VA

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

VOTED BY SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE'S READERS AS "THE SOUTH'S BEST SMALL TOWN" IN 2020, WILLIAMSBURG HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. ESPECIALLY TOURNAMENT ORGANIZERS.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Great organization to work with. Very involved in the whole planning process and execution.

Made our National Softball Association World Series a success.”

Warhill Sports Complex

— Frank Rachubka, National Softball Association Hall of Fame

Kiwanis Park

McReynolds Athletic Complex

Williamsburg is located adjacent to Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 60, which connects the city with Richmond to the northwest and Norfolk to the southeast. Three airports are situated within a 45 mile or less drive from the Williamsburg area: Newport News/ Williamsburg International, Norfolk International, and Richmond International airports.

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Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Kiwanis Park

Warhill Sports Complex

Whether your team dons a glove, bat, or tennis shoes, Kiwanis Park is the place for you to host your next sports tournament, championship, or competition. This 27-acre park in Williamsburg has four softball fields with electronic scoreboards, dugouts, and bleachers. It also features a basketball court, six lighted tennis courts, a playground area with a pavilion, a concession building, and restroom facilities.

The Warhill Sports Complex is an excellent facility for outdoor sports. The venue features three lighted youth baseball fields, o e lighted majors baseball field, our T-ball fields, ou door batting cages, and a concession building with restrooms and a playground. Warhill also houses a soccer/multiuse complex that contains four intermediate grass soccer fields, four premier full-size soccer fields, six ynthetic turf multi-use fields, a d a concession building.

Baseball, softball, basketball, tennis

Baseball, softball, soccer

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES McReynolds Athletic Complex

Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse The McReynolds Athletic Complex in Yorktown is a 70-acre park with 13 lighted athletic fields that a e available to rent for games, tournaments, and camps. The complex features four regulation soccer fields two instructional soccer fields, wo youth baseball fields with g ass infields, th ee youth baseball/softball fields with s inned infields, o e adult softball field, a d one adult baseball field

Quarterpath Park and Rec. Center Softball, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, dance, aerobics

park also houses the Quarterpath Recreation Center, a 35,000-square-foot indoor facility that offers a wide array of amenities.

College of William and Mary Multipurpose

William and Mary fields N AA Division I teams for men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, diving, and tennis.

Each of these teams, along with the school’s non-Division I programs, compete in topnotch facilities. Among them is Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field, which houses football and track and field p ograms.

Quarterpath can simultaneously hold outdoor or indoor league play, championship tournaments, or showcase events. This 23-acre facility in Williamsburg features three lighted softball fields, th ee tennis courts, two sand volleyball courts, a picnic shelter with tables and grills, and a children’s play area. The

▶ Experience life in early America

in Colonial Williamsburg, where visitors can travel back in time and immerse themselves in an 18th-century city, explore historic buildings, and wander through gardens.

▶ The Jamestown Settlement features extensive gallery exhibits and films that explore Jamestown's beginnings as a business venture, the impact of European colonization on the Powhatan Indian culture, and the origins of the first known African people in Virginia.

VISIT WILLIAMSBURG

▶ Busch Gardens offers fun for all ages whether it’s feeling a rush

Julia Smyth-Young

aboard thrill coasters, fulfilling

757-253-2313

an appetite for world-class

julia.smyth-young@visitwilliamsburg.com

dining and shopping, or making

www.visitwilliamsburg.com

memories that will last a lifetime.

play. at your pace.

Williamsburg offers fantastic sports facilities for your next event, with the added benefit of having so much to do after the games are through.

So win or lose, competitors and their families are in for a great time.

We call that a “win-win.”

visitwilliamsburg.com

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Sports Planning Guide

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Loudoun County, VA

Scan to discover more of what Loudoun Sports Tourism offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

JUST 25 MILES FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., LOUDOUN COUNTY IS THE IDEAL SPORTS DESTINATION, ATTRACTING OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS, FOODIES AND TOURNAMENT PLANNERS ALIKE

ION International Training Center

Located just west of Washington, D.C., Loudoun County is bordered

by Interstate 81 to the west, I-70 to the north, I-66 to the south and I-495 to the east, where state route 267 runs out of the city and through the county’s countryside. If you’re flying in, Washington Dulles International Airport is located in southeastern Loudoun County.

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Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

ION International Training Center

has room to expand to four ice sheets on the 16.5-acre site.

The 90,000-square-foot facility features two NHL ice sheets, including a 3,500-seat area in addition to a full-service gym, café, pro shop, medical room and hockey training room, among other amenities. Ion annually hosts several MYHockey Tournaments and will be the site of the 2022 US Figure Skating Championship Series presented by Toyota.

The center, with nearly 1,000 parking spaces,

Brambleton Sportsplex

Figure skating, hockey, speed skating

Baseball, softball

Renovations to this facility completed in 2016 include upgrades to both the fields a d parking on property. The facility now includes four 400’ fields a d two 200’ fields with a ompletely resurfaced parking area. The Sportsplex annually hosts the PONY Nationals, USSSA “C” @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

National Championships, USA Softball Eastern Nationals and Senior Softball-USA Eastern Nationals.

Potomack Lakes Sportsplex Soccer, softball

The 47-acre athletic complex has won numerous national awards including the 2019 Senior Softball USA Softball Complex of the Year Award. The Sportsplex includes four lighted softball fields with 30 -foot permanent fences and 200-foot temporary fences as well as six large, irrigated, adjacent soccer fields

Segra Field Soccer

Located within Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park is Segra Field, which is the home of Loudoun United FC, a Division II affilia e of DC United playing in the United Soccer League; Old Glory DC, a member of Major League Rugby and the Washington Spirit, a member of the National Women’s Soccer League. Segra Field has a seating capacity of 5,000 and includes eight, 24-person suites, which are available for groups.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

Hanson Park

▶ Have a ball and compete with

Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Cricket Coming Spring 2022! Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park will include 17 athletic fields 10 multipurpose soccer fields, our baseball/ softball fields, a c icket field a d two artificial turf fields as ell as 75 acres of passive recreational space and infrastructure.

friends or family at Topgolf.

▶ Experience the thrills of flying without having to jump out of an airplane when you visit iFly, Loudoun County’s premier indoor skydiving venue.

Evergreen Sportsplex

▶ The largest indoor ropes course in

Multipurpose outdoor, soccer Located on 44 acres of land just outside Leesburg, Evergreen Sportsplex houses four turf fields, C oppMetcalfe Park, a full-service pavilion and an adventure course with zip lines and a ropes course. Each Astroturf field has been FI Acertified or soccer competition. CroppMetcalfe Park includes additional seating to accompany the complex’s 1,500 bleacher seats.

the U.S., Summit Ropes is a oneof-a-kind indoor adventure park

consisting of 16,550 square feet of ropes course with integrated VIA Ferrata climbing. Fun for all ages, Summit Ropes is divided into a children’s course and an adult course.

▶ Speed demons will thrive at the Autobahn Indoor Speedway,

LOUDOUN SPORTS TOURISM

where the Italian pro-style electric

Torye Hurst

go-karts zip you around the track

Director of Sales, Sports & Services

at speeds up to 50 MPH.

703-669-2005 Hurst@VisitLoudoun.org www.loudounsportstourism.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Loudoun County, VA has hosted the USSSA Class “C” Eastern National Championships for the past five years. Proximity to the nation’s capital and reasonable hotel rates are an attraction, but the support that we receive from Visit Loudoun and Parks and Recreation really make our partnership a home run! Any event organizer would be wise to take a close look at what Loudoun County can offer!”

— Andy Wisk, Program Operations, USSSA East Hanson Park

Brambleton Sportsplex

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Potomack Lakes Sportsplex

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LYH Welcomes You. Home of the Virginia 10 Miler, the Virginia Commonwealth Games and other nationallyrecognized sporting events, Lynchburg is a small city with a big heart, ready to welcome sports fans of all ages.

lynchburgvirginia.org

Lynchburg

SportsVirginia.org

ROCK SOLID DISCIPLINE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMWORK TOTAL DETERMINATION At Sports Virginia, we are ready to match your game and take your event to glory.

Danish Saadat

National Sales & Marketing Manager 804-545-5543 | dsaadat@virginia.org

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 ealized 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.

For our seventh edition of the SPG trends article, we did a little something different this year. We reached out to our entire Huddle Up Group team as well as a couple of key industry gatekeepers to compile this year’s list.

Without further ado, we offer you 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. Most reduced their working teams by 40-60% during the peak of the pandemic. Some have slowly started hiring people back, however many have not. A good number of folks figu ed out they could run with a leaner ship and are going to see if that is sustainable as things ramp back up.

2

Alignment – In times of crisis, communication becomes more important. This was certainly true of the sports tourism industry over the past 20 months. The pandemic forced tourism driven organizations to figh for declining resources, which means they had to be able to effectively message their mission and impact and how that aligns with the community

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Sports Planning Guide

SPG2022_Schmieder.indd 14

“The New World”

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. Most of the resources spent in our industry are discretionary. If nobody travels and bed taxes are not collected, tourism agencies suffer fina cially. If parents get furloughed, there is no money to spend on travel sports, including annual membership dues to NGBs. If events are cancelled, there are no registration fees collected and event owners lose a primary revenue source. It’s a vicious circle that leaves organizations at fina cial risk. The goal is to diversify revenue streams as much as possible so your organization is not vulnerable if one fina cial channel shuts down.

“The key is choosing the right tools to engage with and work through that will drive the highest and most efficient retur on investment.”

4

Accountability – Resources are more limited today than in prior years. Given that we have to try to do more with less, the microscope is now on every transaction that is made. Every dollar has to have a good result and those that are tasked with governing our organizations 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. There are more conferences, events owners, digital tools, certifications, a d (of course) consultants that sports organizations can use in an effort to grow their impact. The key is choosing the right tools to engage with and work through that will drive the highest and most efficient eturn on investment.

Going back to the previous item on accountability, industry leaders have to be sure and measure the results of every investment to preserve the integrity of their organizations.

6

Focus – We can all agree the pandemic has changed the way we all do business. This would include adjusting 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, when it takes place on the calendar, and even if we limit capacity to create scarcity in the marketplace.

7

Development Mentality– Destinations have been forced to become more of a creator than a responder. We work with many CVBs and sports commissions to help build a culture of “development.” These

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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organizations are now leading efforts to develop physical products (new venues), develop new events, develop human capital (staff and board), and to develop relationships (with local sporting clubs and regional/national event owners). Today, tourism leaders are proving to be more proactive than reactive. They are seeking to create vehicles to push their sports tourism agenda forward. Develop your pathway or leave it to others to potentially choose your fate for you.

8

Remote Control – This one is a carryover from last year’s list.

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 fl xibility, remote work teams were likely going to take over the business world anyway. COVID-19 just sped up the process. Some organizations we work with have decided to keep the remote work team in place, and a few in the extreme have decided to not renew their offi e leases.

9

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

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

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SPG2022_Schmieder.indd 15

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 bigger vision for their destinations.

Numerous tourism bureaus are moving towards a destination marketing organization (or DMO) mission. The difference between the two is subtle but its important. DMOs are responsible for branding and marketing their destination beyond working to attract visitors as a primary mission. 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. We believe this trend is a good one in that DMOs typically have a broader stakeholder audience than CVBs might have, as the DMO works on promotional elements that would appeal to markets beyond tourism. These additional audiences could include the area’s business climate, economic development, politics, arts and culture, and the like.

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

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com/Virrage Images

“Today, tourism leaders are proving to be more proactive than reactive. They are seeking to create vehicles to push their sports tourism agenda forward.”

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.

Yours in Sport, Jon.

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. The Huddle Up Group has worked with more than 250 sports organizations and destinations on over 150 strategic projects. In 2017 the Huddle Up Group was given the Superior Service Award, the highest honor a consulting fi m can earn from the National Association of Sports Commissions. We can be reached at Jon@HuddleUpGroup.com or 602.369.6955.

To receive the weekly “Monday Huddle Up” visit www.HuddleUpGroup.com or sign up at www.tinyletter.com/JonSchmieder. © Huddle Up Group, 2021

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30/09/2021 10:10:31 PM

unlimited

water breaks The brand new Sports Center boasts 285,000 square feet, 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, 200 meter hydraulically banked track and seating for 5,000 screaming fans. Awaken to a sunrise over the ocean, and walk or bike to a tournament at the Sports Center. Take in any number of outdoor adventure and unique dining experiences just blocks away — now this is what we call a sportscation.

DANI TIMM, CSEE

BILL KELLY, CSEE

SPORTS MARKETING NATIONAL SALES MANAGER DTIMM@VISITVIRGINIABEACH.COM 757-373-6804

SPORTS MARKETING SALES MANAGER WJKELLY@VISITVIRGINIABEACH.COM 757-385-6651

VBsports.com