SPORTS IN THE HUB
by SCOTT
HARRISON
F
rom the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between, Lubbock Sports is making its mark on the country with annual trips to help promote Lubbock and bring in sporting events. Lubbock Sports is committed to bringing the best sporting events to Lubbock, while increasing local businesses’ bottom line. Jumping on a plane to boast about Lubbock is a privilege for longtime Lubbockites Scott Harrison, director of Lubbock Sports, and Josh Dill, sports sales manager for Lubbock Sports. Without these essential relationships, some of Lubbock’s biggest sporting events might not take place in the Hub City. “These trips provide us a chance to meet with the ‘big boys’ in sporting events,” Dill said. “We are able to create and maintain relationships with planners and make sure they have Lubbock on their radar.” Two of the most important marketing trips for Lubbock Sports are the U.S. Olympic SportsLink, held this year in Colorado Springs, and the TEAMS Conference and Expo, held this year in Detroit, MI. The relationships built at the U.S. Olympic SportsLink conference were pivotal to Lubbock hosting USA Diving, USA Gymnastics and USA Track and Field. The USA Track and Field event brought 971 athletes to the Hub City in July 2012. Lubbock Sports has formed a strong relationship with USA Gymnastics President and CEO, Steve Penny, which helped bring the 2012 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions to Lubbock this fall. The TEAMS Conference and Expo is the largest sports trade show in the country. While attending TEAMS, Lubbock Sports has the opportunity to schedule meetings and network with 60 separate event planners. The relationships built at TEAMS spawned the Premier Baseball Sophomore National Championships, which was held in Lubbock in July 2012. Premiere Baseball’s events in Lubbock will add about 7,000 room nights this year alone. Aside from bringing big-league sporting events to Lubbock, annual marketing trips provide the Lubbock Sports team with continuing education opportunities. This year, Josh Dill was able to receive a Certified Sports Event Executive honor given by the National Association of Sports Commissions. He is one of only 123 in the nation to carry this accolade. “Even if we don’t come back to Lubbock with events, we come back with knowledge, ideas and stronger connections,” Dill said. At Lubbock Sports, you’re more than a client; you’re a teammate. If you would like to learn more about what Lubbock Sports can do for you, please call 806.747.5232. And to find up-to-date information about events, attractions and dining and shopping options, visit www.visitlubbock.org.
Lubbock Sports is committed to bringing the best sporting events to Lubbock, while increasing local businesses’ bottom line.
Scott Harrison currently serves as Director of Lubbock Sports. He may be reached at scott@visitlubbock.org.
Don’t put your next sports event in anyone else’s hands. From professional event planning assistance to complimentary services, the Lubbock Sports team is known for going above and beyond to make each event a success. To receive a free Sports Facility Guide, call 800.692.4035 or log onto LubbockSports.org.
www.sportslubbock.com www.sportslubbock.com ||
DECEMBER OCTOBER
2012 |
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