ANNUAL REPORT 2024
Mission
Wefostereconomicdevelopmentbyattracting sportingeventswhichimproveourcitizens'quality oflifeandelevatesthebrandofGrandRapids.
EnhancinggreaterGrandRapids throughsports.
About
TheWestMichiganSportsCommission(WMSC),a501(c)(3)nonprofit, wasestablishedin2007tofostereconomicdevelopmentby attractingsportingeventsthatimproveourcitizens'qualityoflifeand elevatetheGrandRapidsbrand.TheWMSCsecuresandhostsyouth andamateursportingeventstopositivelyimpacttheregion's economyandqualityoflife.Inadditiontobringingyouthand amateursportingeventstoWestMichigan,theWMSChastwo additionaloperatingbranchesthatcontributetoitsmission:the MeijerSportsComplexandtheMeijerStateGamesofMichigan.
2024-BoardofDirectorsandAdvisoryCouncil
BoardofDirectors
JimHorman,ProgressiveAE,BoardChair
NickDavidson,NAIA,ViceChair
DebKay,ImmediatePastChair
TimGortsema,GrandRapidsGriffins,Treasurer
EmilyBrieve,KentCountyCommissioner,Secretary
JohnnyBrannJr.,Interphase
DaveHoogendoorn,Ernst&Young
JimJarecki,WestMichiganWhitecaps
KVLacks,LacksEnterprises
ChadLeRoux,AHCHospitality
TomMcCall,Meijer
BobPartridge,GRCC(retired)
DougSmall,ExperienceGrandRapids
LindseyThiel,KentCountyCommissioner
EdWilson,CountryInn&Suites
AdvisoryCouncilPartnerLevel
JasonBrower
AndrewDeVries
SteveDoorn
ChristopherDuba
BrandonErhart
JimHeglund
EdKornoelje
GeoffreyMcDaniel
ChuckOsterink
LeanneSchaeffer
AaronSteele
WestMIFencingAcademy
MattWikander
AdvisoryCouncilSupporterLevel
RandyCleves
ScottHuckaby
BrianZdanowski
DearfriendsoftheWestMichiganSportsCommission(WMSC),
ThankyouforanotheryearofsupportingyouthandamateursportsinWest Michigan.Wehosted112eventsin2024thatfilled49,975hotelroomnightsand generated$90.8millioninestimatedeconomicimpact–thehighestvisitor spendingyearinourhistory!Wealsoexperiencedourstrongestyearyetforthe MeijerSportsComplexthatgenerated$93millioninestimatedeconomicimpact, up7.4percentfrom2019.
Asthisreportoutlines,ouryearwasfullofmanywinsinyouthandamateursports tourism.Oneofourmostsignificantachievementswasraising$13millionto expandtheMeijerSportsComplex,whichwebrokegroundoninOctober.Weare just$500,000shyofour$135millionfundraisinggoal,whichiswellwithinreach
Other2024highlightsinclude:
AddingBarbaraBendaasdirectorofdevelopmentfortheWMSCandCourtney MineraseventcoordinatoroftheMeijerStateGamesofMichigantoourteam. HostingprestigiousnationaleventsliketheMajorleaguePickleballMidseason tournamentattheBeerCityOpen,ProfessionalDiscGolfAssociation2024 AmateurWorldChampionshipsandPGAAnnualMeeting.
Winningthetitle“SportsCommissionoftheYear”bytheSportsEvents& TourismAssociationfor2023(under500,000population)asoneofonly10 awardeesamong800memberorganizations.
BeganworktowardapartnershipwiththeConventionandArenaAuthority (CAA)onabookingpolicytofillthefutureAmwayStadiumwithnationalfield sporttournamentswhennotusedbytheMLSNEXTProsoccerteamdebutingin 2027.
Winninga“ChampionofEconomicImpactAward”bySportsDestination Managementmagazineforhostingthe2024BeerCityOpen/MajorLeague PickleballMidseasontournamentwithGrandRapidsPickleball.
Wewouldn’tbeabletonametheseaccomplishmentsandothersinthisannual reportwithoutyoursupport,alongwithourboard,advisorycouncilandvolunteers –nottomentionourdedicatedstaff.Thankyouforjoiningusinchampioningthe growthofyouthandamateursportsinWestMichigan.Welookforwardtobuilding onoursuccessesin2025.
MikeGuswiler JimHorman President,WMSC BoardChair,WMSC Principal,ProgressiveAE
Team
WMSCStaff
AlyssaBey,EventCoordinator
MelissaBrink,MarketingManager
JulieShields/Cullen,Director-StateGamesofMichigan
MikeGuswiler,President
ConnerHicks,NationalSalesManager
CourtneyMiner,EventCoordinator-StateGamesofMichigan
NatalieRose,AdministrativeManager
KatyTigchelaar,VicePresidentofOperations
MeijerSportsComplex
BryanBaar,ComplexManager
JillKuzma,ConcessionsManager
AustenReichhart,GroundsSupervisor
40+temporary/seasonalstaff
2024Interns
DaijaBurke,MichiganStateUniversity
RyanBlackburn,DavenportUniversity
JoshBruinsma,UniversityofMichigan
AlyssaCorrion,GrandValleyStateUniversity
MaceyEmeott,SaginawStateUniversity
GraceEstep,GrandValleyStateUniversity
KarissaDiianni,GrandValleyStateUniversity
NoahHansen,GrandValleyStateUniversity
ElexiaFuentes,NorthwoodUniversity
GraceSayers,ClemsonUniversity
KaraSparrow,GrandValleyStateUniversity
Newteammembersin2024
In2024,wewereexcitedtoexpandourteamwithtwonewstaffmembers: BarbaraBendaandCourtneyMiner.BarbarajoinsourteamastheDirectorof DevelopmentandCourtneyasourneweventcoordinatorfortheMeijerState GamesofMichigan.
Inanewlycreatedposition,wewelcomed BarbaraBendaasourDirectorofDevelopment. Bringing25-plusyearsoffundraisingexperience, BendacomestotheWMSCaftersevenyearsat FerrisStateUniversity,whereshewasexecutive directorofleadershipgivingandrelationships andthenaddedtheroleofassociatedirectorof theFerrisFoundation.Asaprofessionalfundraiser, herworkalsoincludestheHelenDeVosChildren’s HospitalFoundationandHabitatforHumanityof KentCounty.BendaisaCertifiedFundRaising Executive(CFRE)andreceivedherbachelor’s degreefromNorthernMichiganUniversity.
CourtneyjoinedtheteaminJanuaryasthenew EventCoordinatorfortheMeijerStateGamesof Michigan.ADetroitnative,MinermovedtoWest MichigantoattendGrandValleyStateUniversity, whereshereceivedabachelor’sdegreeinsport managementin2019andmaster’sdegreein communicationin2021,workingasaGVSU Athleticssportsmarketinginternduringher collegecareer.MinerjoinedtheWMSCfromNCSA CollegeRecruiting,whereshewasarecruiting coordinatorconnectingmiddleandhighschool student-athleteswithcollegecoaches.Shealso wasamemberservicerepresentativeandsports coachatYMCAofGreaterGrandRapids,where shestartedin2022andstillworksparttimetoday.
SportsCommissionoftheYear
SportsEvents&TourismAssociation(SportsETA)Symposium awardedtheWestMichiganSportsCommissionas‘Sports CommissionoftheYear’for2023intheunder500,000population category.
WMSCPresidentMikeGuswileracceptedtheawardattheannual symposiumheldbySportsETA,theonlynon-profit501(c)3 associationforthesportseventsandtourismindustryintheUnited States.ThiswastheWMSC’sfirsttimetoreceivethisrecognition.
In2023,theWestMichiganSportsCommissionexceededitsgoalsby hosting121sportingevents(up7.1%),generatingnearly$88millionin economicimpactandincreasingthenumberofparticipantsat eventsby9%.
112 events
49,975 hotelroomnights
90.8million estimatedeconomicimpact
276,855 athletes
SignificantEvents
Amongthe112eventsheldin2024,thefollowingarenoteworthydue tosize,prestige,nationalcaliberand/orimpact.
PGAAnnualMeeting
MajorLeaguePickleballandBeerCityOpen
StarSpiritNationals
MittenKittenMash-Up
NuwayNationals
PDGAAmateurDiscGolfWorldChampionships
PhotobyAnthonyNetti
BeerCityOpen
SportsDestinationManagement,theleadingpublicationwiththe largestcirculationofsportseventplannersandtournamentdirectors inthesportstourismmarket,hasannouncedthe2024Championsof EconomicImpactinSportsTourism.AmongthewinnerswastheBeer CityOpenhostedbyGrandRapidsPickleballatBelknapPark.In2024, theeventresultedin$2.4millionineconomicimpact.
TheBeerCityOpenstartedasalocal tournamentin2018with400participantsand $12,500inprizemoneyandhasgrown exponentiallysince.TheTournamentnowsells outwithover1,000participantsand$100,000in prizemoney.The2024eventwasthefirstyear MajorLeaguePickleballhostedtheirMidSeasonChampionshipattheBeerCityOpen, attracting7,000+spectators.Thesemi-final matchbecamethemost-watchedmatchin leaguehistory,streamingonESPN2.
PDGAWorldAmateurChampionships
TheProfessionalDiscGolfAssociationhostedtheirWorldAmateur ChampionshipinGrandRapidsAugust3-10.Theeventstartedwitha mixeddoublescompetitionandanOpeningCeremonyatFrederick MeijerGardenstowelcomeplayers.
IndividualcompetitionstartedTuesdaywith400-plusplayers competingatfourWestMichigancourses:BrewerPark,JohnsonPark, Fallasburg,andRotaryNorth.Thefinalsforbothdivisionswereheldat BrewerParkwithVirginiaPolkinghorneofMissouriandRyanMonnof SouthCarolinawinningtheirrespectivedivisions.The2024eventhad thelargestsingle-divisionfieldinwomen'sdiscgolfhistorywith114 playersintheFA1division.
TheHartfordNationals
MoveUnitedselectedGrandRapidstohostTheHartfordNationalsin 2025and2026.TheHartfordNationalsisthelargestandlongestrunningnationalsportschampionshipeventforathleteswitha physicaldisability,visualimpairment,orintellectualdisability.
The2025event,the68thyearofthecompetition,willbeheldJuly11-17 andco-hostedbytheWestMichiganSportsCommissionandMary FreeBed.TheeventwillusemultiplevenuesincludingtheMaryFree BedYMCA,MillenniumPark,MSAWoodland,VenemaAquaticCenter (CalvinUniversity),andMVPAthleticClub.
Approximately400athleteswithdisabilitiesandover150coaches, from34statesandtheDistrictofColumbia,participatedinthe2024 event,withthosenumbersexpectedtoincreasenextyear.The weeklongeventincludescompetitions,clinics,education,andsocial opportunities.Thesportsthatwillbecontestedincludearchery,para powerlifting,para-triathlon,shooting,swimming,trackandfield,and wheelchairtennis.
Individualsandcompaniescangetinvolvedbyvolunteeringor sponsoringtheevent.Viewopportunitiesat https://www.westmisports.com/moveunited
Financials
ThefollowingreflectsexpensesandrevenueoftheWMSCacrossthe organization’sthreeoperatingbranches:WMSC,MeijerSports ComplexandMeijerStateGamesofMichigan.
$2.4million
MeijerStateGames ofMichigan (registration, sponsors)
(Hotel Assessement/ Lodgingtax)
MeijerSportsComplex (rental,concessions, parking)
$2.1million
AnnualGolfOuting
ThefifthannualWMSCGolfOuting, presentedbytheHotelDistrictandAHC Hospitality,occurredonSeptember18, 2024.27foursomesjoinedusat ThornapplePointGolfClubforabeautiful falldayofgolfing.
Anewadditiontoourannualgolfoutingwasfeaturinglocal restaurantsandfoodtrucks.Golferswereabletoenjoyfoodand beveragesfrom:ElCaribeFoodTruck,AperitivoGrandRapids, MammothDistilling,LastMileCafe,MercaditoMexicanEats&Treats, TheCandiedYam,PideandStick,Mosby'sPopcorn,ThirdNature BrewingCompany,andOpenDoorBakery.
VictoryLapCommunityFund
TheVictoryLapCommunityFundwas establishedbytheWestMichiganSports Commissiontoenhanceourcommunity throughsupportoflocalsports programming.Thisfundfocuseson communityprojectsorprogramsthat featureequality,equity,anddiversityand ensuresaccesstosportforall.
Organizationssupportedin2024
AroundtheClockExposure
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 featured500Michiganhighschoolathletes.
FirstTee-WestMichigan
FirstTeeprovideshigh-qualityoutdooryouthprogramstoover2,200studentsin Kent, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, and Oceana Counties. The Victory LapCommunityFund’scontributionswillallowthemtocontinuehiringtheirjunior coachesandprovidefree9-holeroundstoscholarshipstudents
Village99
TheVictoryLapCommunityFundwasabletopartnerwithVillage99toprovide 100pairsofbasketballshoestokidsinneedattheirJuneteenthBasketball Showdown.
MaryFreeBedWheelchairandAdaptiveSports
MaryFreeBedSportshelpsconnectover2,800peoplewithdisabilitiesto recreationalprogramsandoffers40+classes,clinics,events,andteamsto participatein.
SouthernLittleLeague
ServingthesoutheastsideofGrandRapids,theSouthernLittleLeagueprovides baseballandsoftballprogrammingforover600playersannually.TheVictory Lap’ssupport
MichiganGoldenGloves
TheMichiganGoldenGlovessponsorsandpromotesamateurboxingforyoung peoplefromallwalksoflife.Theirobjectiveistobuildchampionsintheringand goodcitizensoutsidethering.TheVictoryLap’ssupportallowedyouthfromone oftheirjuvenileboxingprogramstoattendeventsatnocost.
SkirtsintheDirt
SkirtsintheDirtisamountainbikingeventopentoallwomenandprovidesa safeplaceforwomenofallskilllevelstogetinvolvedwithmountainbiking.The eventcelebratesallwomenwhoridenomatterthecoloroftheirskin,body shapeorsize,skilllevel,wheretheyride,howoften,orthebiketheyride.
GrandRapidsPrideFestival
TheGrandRapidsPrideCenterheldthe36thannualGrandRapidsPrideFestival indowntownGrandRapidsonJune22 Theeventworkstocreateasafe,open, andinclusiveenvironmentfortheGrandRapidscommunitymembersto celebratewhotheyare.
WestMichiganBasketballLeague
TheVictoryLapCommunityFundwasabletosponsorateamtobeabletoplay intheleague.
SpartanRace andGuidingLight
FreeentriestotheSpartanRacewereprovidedtoGuidingLight.Theorganization isafreeaddictionrehabthathelpsindividualswithsoberlivingandjob placement.
FansofValleyField
FansofValleyFieldisagrassrootsefforttorestoreandrevitalizeSullivanField (originallynamedValleyField).
20 tournaments
4,822 hotelroomnights
$9,382,941 estimatedeconomicimpact 701 teams 22,782 spectators
8,412 athletes
“ThiswasmyNo.1askinthebudgetthisyear,” Huizengasays.“It’sabigdealforGrandRapids andWestMichigan,andtheWMSChasdonea terrificjobadvocatingforit.OnceIunderstood theimpact,itwasaneasysellforme.Thisisa foundationalprojectthatteacheskidsabout sports,teamwork,andcommunity.It’san investmentthatwillbenefitgenerations.”
Sen.MarkHuizenga
"Everyyear,Ireceivedozensofrequests,andwe can’tfulfillthemall.ButwhenIheardaboutthis projectandthepartnershipbetweentheprivate sector,thestate,andthefederalgovernment,I knewourfederaldollarscouldgofarhere.This projectmeetsaneconomicneed,asocialneed,a healthandfitnessneed,andacriticalmental healthneed."
U.S.Rep.HilaryScholten
"It'sahugeopportunity,notonlyforthis communitybutallthekidsthatliveinthis communityandelsewhere,theygettopass throughandplayontheseamazingfieldsand atthisamazingcomplex.”
LanceParrish
WinningStreakCampaign
GroundbreakingEvent
$13million raisedtodate
AlmosttwoyearstothedaythattheWestMichiganSportsCommission(WMSC) introducedthe“WinningStreak”capitalcampaigntoimproveandexpandthe MeijerSportsComplex,executivesrepresentingthecampaign,projectanddonor communitythrewthefirstshovelsofdirttokickoffthestartoftheexpansion portionoftheprojectataninvitation-onlygroundbreakingeventonOctober11, 2024atthecomplex.TheprojectisexpectedtobecompletedinJanuary2026.
“Todayispossiblebecauseeveryoneherecametogether–publicorganizations, privatecorporations,governmentagenciesandevenindividuals–unitedina singularcauseofcreatingmorespacesforyouthandamateurathletesto recreateinWestMichigan,”saidWMSCPresidentMikeGuswilerattoday’sevent. “Wearesogratefultoallofyouforsharinginourvisionofbuildingupourregion fromaneconomic,healthandwellnessstandpointthroughsport.”
Guswiler,alongwithCampaignCo-ChairsDebKayandNickDavidson(also NationalAssociationofIntercollegiateAthleticsVicePresident),Campaign AmbassadorofBaseballandformerDetroitTigerLanceParrish,Progressive CompaniesPrincipalandWMSCBoardChairJimHorman,Congresswoman HillaryScholten,SenatorMarkHuizenga,andMeijerVicePresidentof Communications&CommunityEngagementRayHancartspoketotheinvited guestsandceremoniallybrokegroundattheeventattheMeijerSportsComplex.
Theexpandedcomplexwilluseacreagesouthofthecomplexandisestimatedto accommodate200moreteamsannuallyandgenerateanadditional$1millionin annualvisitorspending.Theprojectscopeincludes:
AlroSteelChampionshipFieldforyouth,amateurandcollegiatesoftball–featuringsyntheticturf,grandstands,lighting,covereddugoutsandapress box
Twoflexible-usediamondfieldsforyouthandamateurbaseballandsoftball aswellascollegiatesoftball,withcovereddugoutsandbleachers 20pickleballcourts,includingachampionshipcourt Newconcessionbuilding,newrestroomfacility,andexpandedstoragefacility Newplaygroundarea
Canopiesoverallbleacherseating
300additionalparkingspaces
‘WinningStreak’campaigngroundbreaking
MeijerStateGamesofMichigan
TheMeijerStateGamesofMichigancelebratedits15thanniversary in2024.Theeventhitarecordhighwith81Michigancountieshaving anathletecompeteintheWinterorSummerGames.
OlympianandMichigannativeNickBaumgartnerjoinedusatthe SummerGamesOpeningCeremonyandsignifiedthestartofthe Gamesbylightingthecauldron.LakeMichiganCreditalsojoinedthe festivitiesandpresentedShariHokewiththe2023Volunteerofthe YearAward.
TheWinterGamescontinuetobeheldintheUpperandLower PeninsulawithMarquettehostingOpeningCeremony.Olympic wrestlerandNorthernMichiganUniversityalumniAndyBiseklitthe cauldrontoofficiallykickofftheWinterGames.
2024Stats
63 SportingEvents
81 ofMichigan’s83counties represented
8,085 Athletes
$2,515,677 estimatedeconomicimpact
SportsTourismImpact
1,328 totalevents(2007-2024) 580,964 totalhotelroomnights(2007-2024)
$737million totalestimatedeconomicimpact 2007-2024
Youth/amateursportstourismgenerated$90.8millioninestimated economicimpactfortheregionin2024through112events–the highestyearyetinourorganization’shistory(surpassingtheWMSC’s previouslybestyearin2022at$90.5million)anda65percentgain frompre-COVIDlevelsin2019at$54.9million.Theyearwasmarked byothereconomicsuccesses,includinga14.2percentincreasein hotelroomnightsbookedat49,975versus43,775in2023,anda1.5 percentincreaseinathletes/visitorsat282,170from277,980in2023.
TheMeijerSportsComplexalsohadarecordyear,generating$9.3 millioninestimatedeconomicimpact–up7.4percentyear-overyearand53percentfrom2019.Athletes/visitorsalsoincreased6.5 percentyear-over-yearat31,194from29,302in2023,andhotelroom nightsincreased8.4percentyear-over-yearat4,822from2023 (4,450).
