2024 WMSC Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2024

Mission We foster economic development by attracting sporting events which improve our citizens' quality of life and elevates the brand of Grand Rapids.

Vision Enhancing greater Grand Rapids through sports.

About The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was established in 2007 to foster economic development by attracting sporting events that improve our citizens' quality of life and elevate the Grand Rapids brand. The WMSC secures and hosts youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the region's economy and quality of life. In addition to bringing youth and amateur sporting events to West Michigan, the WMSC has two additional operating branches that contribute to its mission: the Meijer Sports Complex and the Meijer State Games of Michigan.

Mitten Kitten Mash-Up

2024 - Board of Directors and Advisory Council Board of Directors

Jim Horman, Progressive AE, Board Chair Nick Davidson, NAIA, Vice Chair Deb Kay, Immediate Past Chair Tim Gortsema, Grand Rapids Griffins, Treasurer Emily Brieve, Kent County Commissioner, Secretary Johnny Brann Jr., Interphase Dave Hoogendoorn, Ernst & Young Jim Jarecki, West Michigan Whitecaps K V Lacks, Lacks Enterprises Chad LeRoux, AHC Hospitality Tom McCall, Meijer Bob Partridge, GRCC (retired) Doug Small, Experience Grand Rapids Lindsey Thiel, Kent County Commissioner Ed Wilson, Country Inn & Suites

Advisory Council Partner Level

Advisory Council Supporter Level

Jason Brower Andrew DeVries Steve Doorn Christopher Duba Brandon Erhart Jim Heglund Ed Kornoelje Geoffrey McDaniel Chuck Osterink Leanne Schaeffer Aaron Steele West MI Fencing Academy Matt Wikander

Randy Cleves Scott Huckaby Brian Zdanowski

Dear friends of the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC), Thank you for another year of supporting youth and amateur sports in West Michigan. We hosted 112 events in 2024 that filled 49,975 hotel room nights and generated $90.8 million in estimated economic impact – the highest visitor spending year in our history! We also experienced our strongest year yet for the Meijer Sports Complex that generated $9.3 million in estimated economic impact, up 7.4 percent from 2019.

As this report outlines, our year was full of many wins in youth and amateur sports tourism. One of our most significant achievements was raising $13 million to expand the Meijer Sports Complex, which we broke ground on in October. We are just $500,000 shy of our $13.5 million fundraising goal, which is well within reach.

Other 2024 highlights include: Adding Barbara Benda as director of development for the WMSC and Courtney Miner as event coordinator of the Meijer State Games of Michigan to our team.

Hosting prestigious national events like the Major league Pickleball Midseason tournament at the Beer City Open, Professional Disc Golf Association 2024 Amateur World Championships and PGA Annual Meeting.

Winning the title “Sports Commission of the Year” by the Sports Events & Tourism Association for 2023 (under 500,000 population) as one of only 10 awardees among 800 member organizations.

Began work toward a partnership with the Convention and Arena Authority (CAA) on a booking policy to fill the future Amway Stadium with national field sport tournaments when not used by the MLS NEXT Pro soccer team debuting in 2027.

Winning a “Champion of Economic Impact Award” by Sports Destination Management magazine for hosting the 2024 Beer City Open/Major League Pickleball Midseason tournament with Grand Rapids Pickleball.

We wouldn’t be able to name these accomplishments and others in this annual report without your support, along with our board, advisory council and volunteers – not to mention our dedicated staff. Thank you for joining us in championing the growth of youth and amateur sports in West Michigan. We look forward to building on our successes in 2025.

Mike Guswiler President, WMSC

Jim Horman Board Chair, WMSC Principal, Progressive AE

Team WMSC Staff Alyssa Bey, Event Coordinator Melissa Brink, Marketing Manager Julie Shields/Cullen, Director - State Games of Michigan Mike Guswiler, President Conner Hicks, National Sales Manager Courtney Miner, Event Coordinator - State Games of Michigan Natalie Rose, Administrative Manager Katy Tigchelaar, Vice President of Operations

Meijer Sports Complex Bryan Baar, Complex Manager Jill Kuzma, Concessions Manager Austen Reichhart, Grounds Supervisor 40+ temporary / seasonal staff

2024 Interns Daija Burke, Michigan State University Ryan Blackburn, Davenport University Josh Bruinsma, University of Michigan Alyssa Corrion, Grand Valley State University Macey Emeott, Saginaw State University Grace Estep, Grand Valley State University Karissa Diianni, Grand Valley State University Noah Hansen, Grand Valley State University Elexia Fuentes, Northwood University Grace Sayers, Clemson University Kara Sparrow, Grand Valley State University

New team members in 2024 In 2024, we were excited to expand our team with two new staff members: Barbara Benda and Courtney Miner. Barbara joins our team as the Director of Development and Courtney as our new event coordinator for the Meijer State Games of Michigan.

In a newly created position, we welcomed Barbara Benda as our Director of Development.

Bringing 25-plus years of fundraising experience, Benda comes to the WMSC after seven years at Ferris State University, where she was executive director of leadership giving and relationships and then added the role of associate director of the Ferris Foundation. As a professional fundraiser, her work also includes the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. Benda is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and received her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University.

Courtney joined the team in January as the new Event Coordinator for the Meijer State Games of Michigan. A Detroit native, Miner moved to West Michigan to attend Grand Valley State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2019 and master’s degree in communication in 2021, working as a GVSU Athletics sports marketing intern during her college career. Miner joined the WMSC from NCSA College Recruiting, where she was a recruiting coordinator connecting middle and high school student-athletes with college coaches. She also was a member service representative and sports coach at YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, where she started in 2022 and still works part time today.

Nuway Nationals

Sports Commission of the Year Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Symposium awarded the West Michigan Sports Commission as ‘Sports Commission of the Year’ for 2023 in the under 500,000 population category.

WMSC President Mike Guswiler accepted the award at the annual symposium held by Sports ETA, the only non-profit 501(c)3 association for the sports events and tourism industry in the United States. This was the WMSC’s first time to receive this recognition.

In 2023, the West Michigan Sports Commission exceeded its goals by hosting 121 sporting events (up 7.1%), generating nearly $88 million in economic impact and increasing the number of participants at events by 9%.

PDGA World Amateurs

West Michigan Sports Commission 2024 Events

112

events

49,975

hotel room nights

90.8 million

estimated economic impact

276,855

athletes

Significant Events Among the 112 events held in 2024, the following are noteworthy due to size, prestige, national caliber and/or impact.

PGA Annual Meeting Major League Pickleball and Beer City Open Star Spirit Nationals Mitten Kitten Mash-Up Nuway Nationals PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships

Beer City Open

Photo by Anthony Netti

Beer City Open Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2024 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. Among the winners was the Beer City Open hosted by Grand Rapids Pickleball at Belknap Park. In 2024, the event resulted in $2.4 million in economic impact.

The Beer City Open started as a local tournament in 2018 with 400 participants and $12,500 in prize money and has grown exponentially since. The Tournament now sells out with over 1,000 participants and $100,000 in prize money. The 2024 event was the first year Major League Pickleball hosted their MidSeason Championship at the Beer City Open, attracting 7,000+ spectators. The semi-final match became the most-watched match in league history, streaming on ESPN2.

PDGA World Amateur Championships The Professional Disc Golf Association hosted their World Amateur Championship in Grand Rapids August 3-10. The event started with a mixed doubles competition and an Opening Ceremony at Frederick Meijer Gardens to welcome players.

Individual competition started Tuesday with 400-plus players competing at four West Michigan courses: Brewer Park, Johnson Park, Fallasburg, and Rotary North. The finals for both divisions were held at Brewer Park with Virginia Polkinghorne of Missouri and Ryan Monn of South Carolina winning their respective divisions. The 2024 event had the largest single-division field in women's disc golf history with 114 players in the FA1 division.

Looking to 2025 World Ice Fishing Championship, February 11-16 Lake Tamarack

NXTPro Hoops

April 4-6 Multiple venues

Nuway Nationals April 11-13 DeVos Place

NCAA DII Women’s Golf Regional May 5-7 The Meadows at GVSU

The Hartford Nationals - Move United July 11-17 Multiple venues

NJCAA Regional Volleyball

November 6-8 Grand Rapids Community College View more 2025 events at westmisports.com/events

The Hartford Nationals

Move United selected Grand Rapids to host The Hartford Nationals in 2025 and 2026. The Hartford Nationals is the largest and longestrunning national sports championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, or intellectual disability.

The 2025 event, the 68th year of the competition, will be held July 11-17 and co-hosted by the West Michigan Sports Commission and Mary Free Bed. The event will use multiple venues including the Mary Free Bed YMCA, Millennium Park, MSA Woodland, Venema Aquatic Center (Calvin University), and MVP Athletic Club.

Approximately 400 athletes with disabilities and over 150 coaches, from 34 states and the District of Columbia, participated in the 2024 event, with those numbers expected to increase next year. The weeklong event includes competitions, clinics, education, and social opportunities. The sports that will be contested include archery, para powerlifting, para-triathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair tennis.

Individuals and companies can get involved by volunteering or sponsoring the event. View opportunities at https://www.westmisports.com/moveunited

Financials The following reflects expenses and revenue of the WMSC across the organization’s three operating branches: WMSC, Meijer Sports Complex and Meijer State Games of Michigan.

Operating Revenue $2.4 million Convention & Arena Authority 2% Special Events Business & Charitable (Annual Luncheon, Donations Annual Golf Outing) 1% 5.3%

Meijer State Games of Michigan (registration, sponsors) 18.1%

Meijer Sports Complex (rental, concessions, parking) 28.7%

EXGR (Hotel Assessement/ Lodging tax) 44.8%

Operating Expenses $2.1 million

Administration 9.4% Marketing 8.4%

Meijer Sports Complex Operations 28.7%

Event Services 12%

Meijer State Games of Michigan Operations 22.2%

Sales 10.7% Fundraising 8.6%

Annual Golf Outing The fifth annual WMSC Golf Outing, presented by the Hotel District and AHC Hospitality, occurred on September 18, 2024. 27 foursomes joined us at Thornapple Point Golf Club for a beautiful fall day of golfing.

A new addition to our annual golf outing was featuring local restaurants and food trucks. Golfers were able to enjoy food and beverages from: El Caribe Food Truck, Aperitivo Grand Rapids, Mammoth Distilling, Last Mile Cafe, Mercadito Mexican Eats & Treats, The Candied Yam, Pide and Stick, Mosby's Popcorn, Third Nature Brewing Company, and Open Door Bakery.

Sponsors

Victory Lap Community Fund The Victory Lap Community Fund was established by the West Michigan Sports Commission to enhance our community through support of local sports programming. This fund focuses on community projects or programs that feature equality, equity, and diversity and ensures access to sport for all.

Organizations supported in 2024 Around the Clock Exposure Forming to provide more exposure for high school athletes in West Michigan Michigan, Around the Clock Exposure uses football to increase opportunities for scholarships, networking, and professional mentorship for student-athletes. The Victory Lap Community Fund supported their June 7v7 football showcase, which featured 500 Michigan high school athletes.

First Tee - West Michigan First Tee provides high-quality outdoor youth programs to over 2,200 students in Kent, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, and Oceana Counties. The Victory Lap Community Fund’s contributions will allow them to continue hiring their junior coaches and provide free 9-hole rounds to scholarship students.

Village 99 The Victory Lap Community Fund was able to partner with Village99 to provide 100 pairs of basketball shoes to kids in need at their Juneteenth Basketball Showdown.

Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Mary Free Bed Sports helps connect over 2,800 people with disabilities to recreational programs and offers 40+ classes, clinics, events, and teams to participate in.

Southern Little League Serving the southeast side of Grand Rapids, the Southern Little League provides baseball and softball programming for over 600 players annually. The Victory Lap’s support

Michigan Golden Gloves The Michigan Golden Gloves sponsors and promotes amateur boxing for young people from all walks of life. Their objective is to build champions in the ring and good citizens outside the ring. The Victory Lap’s support allowed youth from one of their juvenile boxing programs to attend events at no cost.

Skirts in the Dirt Skirts in the Dirt is a mountain biking event open to all women and provides a safe place for women of all skill levels to get involved with mountain biking. The event celebrates all women who ride no matter the color of their skin, body shape or size, skill level, where they ride, how often, or the bike they ride.

Grand Rapids Pride Festival The Grand Rapids Pride Center held the 36th annual Grand Rapids Pride Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on June 22. The event works to create a safe, open, and inclusive environment for the Grand Rapids community members to celebrate who they are.

West Michigan Basketball League The Victory Lap Community Fund was able to sponsor a team to be able to play in the league.

Spartan Race and Guiding Light Free entries to the Spartan Race were provided to Guiding Light. The organization is a free addiction rehab that helps individuals with sober living and job placement.

Fans of Valley Field Fans of Valley Field is a grassroots effort to restore and revitalize Sullivan Field (originally named Valley Field).

Game Day Baseball at the Meijer Sports Complex

Meijer Sports Complex 2024 Stats

20

tournaments

4,822

hotel room nights

22,782

spectators

8,412

athletes

701

teams

$9,382,941

estimated economic impact

“This was my No. 1 ask in the budget this year,” Huizenga says. “It’s a big deal for Grand Rapids and West Michigan, and the WMSC has done a terrific job advocating for it. Once I understood the impact, it was an easy sell for me. This is a foundational project that teaches kids about sports, teamwork, and community. It’s an investment that will benefit generations.”

Sen. Mark Huizenga

"Every year, I receive dozens of requests, and we can’t fulfill them all. But when I heard about this project and the partnership between the private sector, the state, and the federal government, I knew our federal dollars could go far here. This project meets an economic need, a social need, a health and fitness need, and a critical mental health need."

U.S. Rep. Hilary Scholten

"It's a huge opportunity, not only for this community but all the kids that live in this community and elsewhere, they get to pass through and play on these amazing fields and at this amazing complex.”

Lance Parrish

Winning Streak Campaign Groundbreaking Event $13 million raised to date

Almost two years to the day that the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) introduced the “Winning Streak” capital campaign to improve and expand the Meijer Sports Complex, executives representing the campaign, project and donor community threw the first shovels of dirt to kick off the start of the expansion portion of the project at an invitation-only groundbreaking event on October 11, 2024 at the complex. The project is expected to be completed in January 2026.

“Today is possible because everyone here came together – public organizations, private corporations, government agencies and even individuals – united in a singular cause of creating more spaces for youth and amateur athletes to recreate in West Michigan,” said WMSC President Mike Guswiler at today’s event.

“We are so grateful to all of you for sharing in our vision of building up our region from an economic, health and wellness standpoint through sport.”

Guswiler, along with Campaign Co-Chairs Deb Kay and Nick Davidson (also National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Vice President), Campaign Ambassador of Baseball and former Detroit Tiger Lance Parrish, Progressive Companies Principal and WMSC Board Chair Jim Horman, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, Senator Mark Huizenga, and Meijer Vice President of Communications & Community Engagement Ray Hancart spoke to the invited guests and ceremonially broke ground at the event at the Meijer Sports Complex.

The expanded complex will use acreage south of the complex and is estimated to accommodate 200 more teams annually and generate an additional $1 million in annual visitor spending. The project scope includes: Alro Steel Championship Field for youth, amateur and collegiate softball – featuring synthetic turf, grandstands, lighting, covered dugouts and a press box Two flexible-use diamond fields for youth and amateur baseball and softball as well as collegiate softball, with covered dugouts and bleachers 20 pickleball courts, including a championship court New concession building, new restroom facility, and expanded storage facility New playground area Canopies over all bleacher seating 300 additional parking spaces

‘Winning Streak’ campaign groundbreaking

USA Softball Men’s Majors Fast Pitch National Championship

Meijer State Games of Michigan The Meijer State Games of Michigan celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024. The event hit a record high with 81 Michigan counties having an athlete compete in the Winter or Summer Games.

Olympian and Michigan native Nick Baumgartner joined us at the Summer Games Opening Ceremony and signified the start of the Games by lighting the cauldron. Lake Michigan Credit also joined the festivities and presented Shari Hoke with the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Winter Games continue to be held in the Upper and Lower Peninsula with Marquette hosting Opening Ceremony. Olympic wrestler and Northern Michigan University alumni Andy Bisek lit the cauldron to officially kick off the Winter Games.

2024 Stats

63

Sporting Events

81

of Michigan’s 83 counties represented

8,085 Athletes

$2,515,677

estimated economic impact

Olympian Nick Baumgartner at the 2024 Summer Games Opening Ceremony

Events 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Hotel Room Nights 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Estimated Economic Impact $100,000,000.00 $80,000,000.00 $60,000,000.00 $40,000,000.00 $20,000,000.00 $0.00

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Sports Tourism Impact

1,328 total events (2007-2024)

580,964 total hotel room nights (2007-2024)

$737 million total estimated economic impact 2007-2024 Youth/amateur sports tourism generated $90.8 million in estimated economic impact for the region in 2024 through 112 events – the highest year yet in our organization’s history (surpassing the WMSC’s previously best year in 2022 at $90.5 million) and a 65 percent gain from pre-COVID levels in 2019 at $54.9 million. The year was marked by other economic successes, including a 14.2 percent increase in hotel room nights booked at 49,975 versus 43,775 in 2023, and a 1.5 percent increase in athletes/visitors at 282,170 from 277,980 in 2023.

The Meijer Sports Complex also had a record year, generating $9.3 million in estimated economic impact – up 7.4 percent year-overyear and 53 percent from 2019. Athletes/visitors also increased 6.5 percent year-over-year at 31,194 from 29,302 in 2023, and hotel room nights increased 8.4 percent year-over-year at 4,822 from 2023 (4,450).

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