Your Resource for the Sports Event Industry

Inside this issue:

2013 Year in Review CSEE/Market Segment Meeting Recap Nominating Committee/Member Awards Symposium Preview

December 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2013 Year in Review ..................................... 4-5

2014 Membership Renewals ..............................5

CSEE/Market Segment Meetings Recap ........... 6-7

Nominating Committee/Member Awards .............8

Sports Legacy Fund ...........................................9

Economic Impact Feature ............................. 10-13

2014 NASC Symposium Preview ................. 14-15

National Headquarters9916 Carver Road, Suite 100Cincinnati, OH 45242

Telephone/Fax(513) 281-3888/(513) 281-1765

Websiteswww.SportsCommissions.orgwww.NASCsymposium.com

StaffDon Schumacher, CSEE, Executive DirectorLori Gamble, Associate Executive DirectorBeth Hecquet, CMP, CMM, Director of Meetings & EventsElizabeth Chaney Young, Director of Membership & MarketingMeagan McCalla, Member Services Coordinator

Board of DirectorsOfficersTerry Hasseltine, CSEE, Executive Director, Maryland Office of Sports, Chair Kevin Smith, CSEE, Director, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports, Vice Chair/Chair ElectGreg Ayers, CSEE, President & CEO, Discover Kalamazoo, TreasurerRalph Morton, CSEE, Executive Director, Seattle Sports Commission, SecretaryGary Alexander, SR Vice President and COO, Nashville Sports Council, Immediate Past Chair

DirectorsMike Anderson, CSEE, Director of Sports, Visit CharlotteJohn David, Chief Operating Officers, USA BMXJim Dietz, CSEE, Director of Sports, Columbus Indiana Visitors CenterTammy Dunn, CSEE, Sports Marketing Manager, Snohomish County Sports CommissionGreg Fante, CSEE, Director of Sports Development, Louisville Sports CommissionKindra Fry, CSEE, SMP, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bryan-College Station CVBJohn Gibbons, CSEE, Executive Director, Rhode Island Sports CommissionMike Guswiler, President, West Michigan Sports CommissionRick Hatcher, CSEE, Director of Business Development, PSAEd Hruska, CSEE, Executive Director, Rochester Amateur Sports CommissionJeff Jarnecke, Associate Director of Championships and Alliances, NCAALou Mengsol, President, Innovations ConsultingMichael Price, CSEE, Executive Director, Greater Lansing Sports AuthorityJanis Schmees Burke, CSEE, Executive Director, Harris County - Houston Sports AuthorityHolly Shelton, CSEE, Manager of Sports Business Development, Oklahoma City CVBNancy Yawn, CSEE, CDME, Director, Round Rock CVB

Media & Public Relations AdvisersJackie Reau, Game Day Communications Betsy Ross, Game Day Communications

www.SportsCommissions.org

Annual Membership BenefitsThe NASC continues to develop benefits and services to make your organization more efficient and effective in the sports event industry each year including:

• OnlineDirectories• OnlineEventRFPDatabase• NASCEconomicImpactCalculator• IndustryResearchandReports

• JobandInternshipBoard• ModelsandSamples• CSEEProgram• BestPracticesWebinars

• EventWebinars• MarketSegmentMeetings• SportsEventSymposium• ConsultingServices

Whenyoucombinegrowingmembershipwithanunderstandingoftherecessionresistantnatureofourbusiness,webecomeattractivetothosewhowishtoreadthebookswehavewrittenandgetuptospeedonwhathasbeenhappening.

Aswecontinuetogrowourmembership,builduponourconsiderableresources,andprovideevermorevalue365dayseachyear,itisnotsurprisingoutsideinterestswouldwanttocapitalize.

Afterall,membershipinanassociationprovidesverydifferentandmuchmoreextensivebenefitsthanatwotothreedayindustryconferencecanprovide.Intermsofvalue,forlessthanhalfthecosttoattendanotherindustryconferencein2014,ourmembersreceiveanannualmembershipplusaSymposiumregistration.

Think about it: a full year of membership benefits plus a registration to the industry’s oldest and longest running conference for half of what you would pay for just three days somewhere else! Talk about value!

2013 YEAR IN REVIEWWhatayear!Asthetwobarsgraphssoclearlydemonstrate,NASCmembershipandsymposiumattendancecontinuetogrow.Revenueskeptpaceaswell,andthefinancialsecurityoftheassociationhasneverbeenbetter.And,ifourconversationswithmembersareanyindication,theexceptionalbenefitsofamemberdirectedassociationhavebecomeimportanttoeachofyou.

Thesteadygrowthinmembershipisparticularlyencouraging.Ourprogresshasremainedsteadyandsure,encouragingyourboardofdirectorstofeelouremphasisonmemberserviceshasbeenthepropercoursetofollow.After all, the NASC is the only not-for-profit member directed association serving the industry.

Itisquiteobviousthatthe2013NASCSportsEventSymposium“hititoutofthepark”intermsofyear-to-yeargrowth.It may be interesting for our newer members to know that the symposium is the oldest and longest running conference in the sports event travel industry!

Thispastyearwasalsoarecordyearforrevenues.Aresult?Yourboardofdirectorsiscurrentlyreviewinganumberofoptionsthatwillresultinevenmoreservicesthatwillproducegreatervalueforyourmembership.

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ORGANIZATIONS

Five Year Membership Growth

2009

491531

570621

661

2010 2011 2012 2013

ATTENDEES

Five Year Symposium Growth

2009

504

565

621642

772

2010 2011 2012 2013

Inarecentstaffmeeting,wecameupwithalistofNASC“firsts”thatwethinkyouwillfindinteresting:• Firstandonlyindustryassociation• Firstindustryconference(andwillalwaysbethe longestrunning)• Firsteventownermarketplace(and the only one that focuses on the needs of destinations and event owners)• Onlyprofessionalcertificationprogram(soontobe offeredon-line)• Firston-lineeconomicimpactcalculatorintheindustry andtheonlyoneofferedaspartofyourannual membership,saving many members at least $3000 a year.• Onlyorganizationdrivenbytheneedsofitsmembership; weare,afterall,yours• Onlyorganizationavailable24/7,365daysayearwith premiumon-linememberservices• Onlyorganizationthatstandsforindustrybestpractices: weestablishandreinforcebestpracticeswhileothers chataboutthings

Themorewethinkaboutit,themorewe believe the NASC can be thought of as the National Governing Body for the sports event travel industry.

Thisisaproperroleforamemberdirectednot-for-profitnationalassociation:educationandprofessionaldevelopmentforeveryoneinthebusiness.

Pleaseknowthatyourstaffandboardofdirectorsarededicatedtodeliveringwhatyouneedtobecontinuallysuccessful.

Kindestregardsfromusall.

DonSchumacher,CSEEExecutiveDirectorNationalAssociationofSportsCommissions

www.SportsCommissions.org5

2014 Membership Renewals

The2013membershipyearisdrawingtoaclose,andwhatayearithasbeen!TheNASCstaffandboardofdirectorsthankyouforyourinvolvementandhopeyourorganizationvaluesitsmembershipasmuchaswevalueyourcontinualsupport!WeencourageyoutotakefulladvantageofallthebenefitsandresourcesthatareavailabletoyourorganizationasaNASCmemberbyrenewingtoday.

Aswelookahead,wearedelightedtoshareexcitingnewinitiativesandprogramsthatwillbelaunching2014.• OnlinemoduleforCertifiedSportsEventExecutive Program• PrintedNASC Playbooktobemailedquarterlytoeach memberorganization• Morecustomizationforyouronlineaccount• Personalizedcommunicationpreferencestoensureyou receiveinformationaboutthebenefitsandservicesthat aremostimportanttoyou• Newforumsontheonlinemessageboardbasedon membershiptype

Forquestions,contactElizabethChaneyYoung,DirectorofMembershipandMarketing,at513.281.3888orElizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

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2013 Fall CSEE Module and Market Segment Meetings Recap

TheNASCMarketSegmentMeetingsinColoradoSpringsbroughtmembersfromaroundthecountrytogethertosharebestpracticesanddiscusstrendsintheircommunities.Here’sreactiontothesession:

“ItneverceasestoamazemehowmuchknowledgeispresentintheroomduringMarketSegmentMeetings.Onethingisaconstant-weallhavethesame,ornearlythesame,problems,questionsorconcerns.WiththevariedexperiencewehaveattheMarketSegmentMeetingsthereisalmostalwayssomeonewhohassolvedtheproblems,answeredthequestionsandsatisfiedtheconcernswehave.”

-Jim Dietz, CSEE, director of sports tourism, Columbus, Indiana Visitors Center

Forthefirsttimeinitshistory,thefallCSEEmodulewasheldinconjunctionwiththeMarketSegmentMeetings.

“Itisimperativethatintheeyesoftheeventorganizersthatthecitybringsforwardtheirmostcompellingoffertothetable.Icancitemanyinstanceswhereacityhaswonabidagainstacompetitorallduetothefactthattheeventorganizerfeltthatthecomfortlevelwasinplacethatthewholecommunitywasworkingtogetherforthesamecause.“ --Mike Hill,

Senior Director of Sports Sales, Hilton Worldwide

Attending the 2013 Fall CSEE module was one of the most enl ightening forums NASC has shared. Trying to have the Sports Commissions/CVB’s working in tandem with their hotel partners is instrumental in being successful bring-ing events into their markets. – Mike Hill, Senior Director of Sports Sales, Hilton Worldwide

www.SportsCommissions.org7

“IgotalotoutoftheCSEEsegmentinColoradoSprings.Firstofall,housingisanissuethatnevergoesawayorissolved.Thepanelsbroughtinterestingandusefulperspectivetothesubject.PaytoPlayisaconceptthatIhopegainsmoremomentumandcanbeputintoplaceformoresportseventsinthefuture.“

Brad Hillard, CSEE, Community Sports Development, Sacramento Sports Commission

“TheColoradoSpringsCSEEsessionwasoneofthebestyet.Lively,informativeandonpoint.Housingisacomplicatedsubject,butonewealldealwithonadailybasis.Thissessionhelpedidentifytherealissuesandshedsomelightonhowtoproperlydealwiththem.Thepanelistscertainlyemphasizedtheimportanceofcollaborationandeffectivepartnering;withoutthemweareinvitingproblems.BillGeistcertainlyhelpedkeepthesessionsontarget.”

-Jim Dietz, Columbus Indiana Visitors Center

“Overallthoughtsandtakeaway:Solidgroupofexpertstosharethoughtsandexperiences,greatattendance,amixofpeople,gooddiscussionsonstaytoplaymodel.Hotelcontractingandorganizingthedifferentpartiesinvolvedinahousingeventarechallenges.Mayhaveanopportunitytohelpcreatesomecontractingbestpracticesaswellassomemethodology,toolsandtemplatestohelpeducaterightsholders,CVBs,etc.onhowtomanagetheireventsmoreeffectivelyandefficiently.”

-Craig Brummel, Anthony Travel

ThenextCSEEmodulewillbeMonday,March31atthe22ndannualNASCSportsEventSymposium.Toregisterforthemodule,selectthe“CSEESpring2014”moduleadd-onwhenregisteringfortheSymposium.Forquestions,contactBethHecquetCMP,CMM,DirectorofMeetingsandEvents,at513.281.3888orBeth@SportsCommissions.org.

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NASC Board Nominations

TheNASCNominatingCommitteeisintheprocessofnominatingsix(6)newboardmembersfor2014-2015term(four(4)Activememberrepresentatives,one(1)Alliedmemberrepresentative,andone(1)RightsHoldermemberrepresentative).Thenominatingcommitteeisalsointheprocessofnominatingone(1)personwhohasservedontheBoardofDirectorstoserveasSecretary.

AllnominationsmustbereceivedbyFriday, January 31, 2014. Completenominationformatwww.sportscommis-sions.org/About/Board-of-Directors/Nominations.

Forquestions,contactTerryHasseltine,CSEEorKevinSmith,CSEE,NominatingCommitteeCo-Chairs,orElizabethChaneyYoung,DirectorofMembershipandMarketingat513.281.3888orElizabeth@SportsCommisisons.org.

TheannualNASCMemberAwardsrecognizetheachievementsofActivecategorymembersinthepreviouscalendaryear.Forthe2014MemberAwards,activities,events,marketingcampaigns,webstrategies,etc.musthaveoccurredin2013.

Activemembersmaysubmitentriesforallfiveawardcategories.RightsHolderandAlliedmembersmaysubmitentriesforthenewSportsEventProfessionaloftheYearaward.

“Wefirstestablishedtheawardsprogramin2002torecognizethegoodworkthatourmembersconductintheircommunities.Theyareallmakinglargecontributionstotheircommunitiesthroughtheeconomicimpactoftheireventsandtheleadershipandexpertisetheyprovide,”saidDonSchumacher,CSEE,ExecutiveDirector.

Award Categories•SportsCommissionoftheYear•SportsTourismOrganizationoftheYear•MarketingCampaignoftheYear•LocallyCreatedEventoftheYear•SportsEventProfessionaloftheYear-NEW!Budget Categories • Under$200,000• $200,000andabove

Eachawardcategoryisdividedintobudgetcategoriesbasedonyourorganization’stotalannualbudget.Totalannualbudgetforsportscommissionsisoperatingbudget.Totalannualbudgetforsportstourismorganizationsistotalsportsbudget.

AllawardssubmissionsaredueonFriday, January 31, 2014.Entriesmustbesubmittedonlineatwww.sportscommissions.org/About/Member-AwardsbyFriday,January31,2014.Forquestions,contactElizabethChaneyYoung,DirectorofMembershipandMarketing,at513.281.3888orElizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

NASC Sports Legacy Committee Selects Oklahoma City Charity as 2014 Sports Legacy Fund Beneficiary

TheNASCSportsLegacyCommitteeselectedOklahomaCleatsforKidsasthe2014SportsLegacyFundBeneficiary.

TheSportsLegacyFund,originallydevelopedbytheSt.Petersburg/ClearwaterSportsCommissionasanequipmentdonationprogram,isawayformembersofthesportstourismcommunitytomakeapersonalandlastingimpactonthelivesofunderprivilegedyouthsportsprogramsthroughoutthecountry.EachyeartheNASCpartnerswiththehostcityoftheNASCSportsEventSymposiumtodonatetheproceedsfromtheSportsLegacyFundtoaworthyorganizationinthecommunity.

OklahomaCleatsforKidscollects,recyclesanddistributesnewandgentlyusedathleticshoesandequipmenttokidsinneed.Initsfirstyearofoperationin2012,CleatsforKidsdeliveredmorethan5,000pairsofshoes,clothingandequipment.“WearelookingforwardtoourpartnershipwithOklahomaCleatsforKids,”saidEdHruska,CSEE,executivedirectoroftheRochester(MN)AmateurSportsCommissionandchairoftheNASCSportsLegacyCommittee.“NASCalwayslooksforanorganizationcommittedtoreachingthecommunity,andwefeelCleatsforKidsdoesthatfordeservingyouththroughoutthestate.”

“ItisourhonortobechosenbytheSportsLegacyCommitteeastheSportsLegacyFundbeneficiaryforthe2014NASCSymposium,”saidStacyMcDaniel,presidentofOklahomaCleatsforKids.“OurvisionforCleatsforKidsistosupporteverychild’srighttodevelopahealthierlifestyleandbuildcharacterbyhelpingthemgetwhattheyneedtoplayandstayinvolvedinsports.TheNASCpartnershipwillhelpsupportourmission.”

ViewmoreabouttheSportsLegacyFundatwww.sportscommissions.org/About/Sports-Legacy-Fund.Forquestions,contactElizabethChaneyYoung,DirectorofMembershipandMarketing,at513.281.3888orElizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

Courtesy of Oklahoma Cleats for Kids

www.SportsCommissions.org9

How you can help1)Donatesilentauction/raffleitemsorequipment2)Sponsorasilentauction/raffletableormakea cashdonation3)BidonauctionitemsattheSymposium4)Purchaseraffletickets-5for$205)T-ShirtDrive:Lookingtocleanoutboxesofold eventt-shirtsfromstorage?Shipthemto OklahomaCleatsforKidsorbringafewshirtswith youanddropthemoffatregistration.

Benefits for Donors• Organizationwhoseitemraisesthemostmoney willreceiveacomplimentaryregistrationto2015 NASCSportsEventSymposium• Yourorganization’slogowillbeincludedin promotionalmaterialsthroughoutthefundraiserand onsiteatthe2014NASCSportsEventSymposium• Donationistax-deductible

Re-Thinking Economic Impact Statements for Sports Commissionsby Betsy Ross, Game Day Communications

Asourindustrycontinuestomaintainitsmomentum,weneedtocontinuouslyre-thinkhowweareconsistentlyreportingoureconomicandcommunityimpactineachofourmarkets.Mostimportantly,weassportscommissionsneedtoconveyourroleasaneconomicdriverandhowwearebringingourshareoftheannual$8.3billionsportseventindustrytoourcommunities.

Lastmonth,wedevelopedawhitepaperonthistopicaswellasothers.Youcanreadthefullwhitepaperonourwebsitewww.sportscommisisons.org/Research,buthereisabriefexcerptoneconomicimpactstatements.

WehavecompiledtheideassharedherefromourresearchaswellasacalltoourNASCmembership.WehopetocontinuethediscussionwithnewideaswhichwewillhostonourNASCblog:sportscommissions.wordpress.com.

Asmanyofyouknow,NASChastakenaleadershiproletoestablishparametersindefiningeconomicimpactanddirectvisitorspendingasitrelatestoamateursportseventstoencourageconsistencyinreportingsuchfigures.

Lastyear,wereleasedanationalstudyinpartnershipwiththeUniversityofArizonaSportsManagementProgramwhichdeterminedthatamateurathleticeventsbringinanaverageof$208.80indirectspendingpervisitor,eachdayoftheevent.(Thesearedirectspendnumbersonly…theeconomicimpactproducedwillbehigherdependinguponeachmarket.)

Accordingtothestudy,“Awiderangeofspendingpatternswasreported,withmajoreventslikeanNCAAbasketballtournamentsessionproducingthehighestaverageperday($365)andyouth-orientedeventscominginaslowasabout$130perdayinindividualspending.

Thesearethemaximumandminimumnumbersreported.Sportsexecutives,cityofficials,andothersshould

10

We as sports commissions need to convey our role as an economic driver and how we are bringing our share of the annual $8.3 billion sports event industry to our communities.

rememberthataveragestendtounderandover-estimatetheseimpacts,andthebestsolutionistoconducteventsurveyswheneverpossible.”

Providinganeconomicimpactfigureforeachhostedsportingeventinyourcommunityisimportantbutwebelievethereareadditionalimpactstatementsthatyoushouldbemeasuringandsharingwithyourstakeholdersandyourgeneralcommunity.

It is time to rethink economic impact statements.

Economic and Community Impact Scorecard: Best Practices from the Nashville Sports Council

ManyofourNASCmembershavebeencapturingcommunityimpactbeyondtraditionaleconomicimpactforanumberofyears.OnemodelforconsiderationistheNashvilleSportsCouncil’sannualscorecard,createdin2001andendorsedbytheNASC.Thefivecomponentsofthescorecardwithdefinitionsare:

Economic Impact:Resultstothecity,resultstotheNSCandtotheevent• Hotelnightsarecalculatedbysurveysand/orCVBroompickupandincludetotalnightsstayedandtheaverageroomcostpernight

• Visitorspendingperpersonandperday• Operationalspendingiscalculatedintothetotal economicimpactfigurebyreportedspendingfromoneoralloftheappropriategroups:teams,eventrightsholdersand/orNSC

Involvement:Participants,spectators,mediaandvolunteerinvolvement• Participantsincludeathletes,coaches,officialsandadministrators

• Spectatorsarecalculatedbythenumberofticketssoldand/ortheestimatedinattendance

Courtesy of Nashville Sports Council

www.SportsCommissions.org11

REI Muddy Buddy Adventure Series in Nashville counts on their scorecard for involvement, media exposure and performance rating as well as economic impact.

• Volunteernumbersarerepresentedbythetotal volunteersrecruitedandassignedbytheNSC• Mediaiscalculatedbythetotalnumberofcredentialedmediaateachevent

Media Exposure:Exposureforthecity/eventfromlocal,regionalandnationalmediaincludingbroadcastandnewscoverageoftheevent• Televisioniscalculatedbythecompilationoftimeofnational,regionaland/orlocalbroadcast(amediamonitoringservicesuchasMediaLibrarycanprovidethenumberofimpressionsandpublicityvalue)

• Printiscalculatedbyaddingthecolumninchesofallprintcoverageaswellasthecirculationnumbersofthepublications

• Radioiscalculatedbythetotalnumberofhoursthateacheventisbroadcast

• WebsitevisitsarecalculatedfrompageviewsontheNSCwebsiteaswellastherightsholder’swebsite

Performance Rating:Overallexperienceasratedbyallofthoseinvolved• Tocalculatetheperformancerating,thefollowinggroupsweresurveyedduringand/oraftertheeventwiththefollowingratingscale(5=Excellent;4=Good;3=Average;2=Fair;1=Poor)

• Spectators• Teams• Media• Volunteers

Courtesy of Nashville Sports Council

Courtesy of Nashville Sports Council

12

TraverseCityofficialsalsoreportedatraditionaleconomicimpactfigureforthetwoyouthtournamentsat$3.4millionfromthevisiting3,400familiesbuttheseadditionalimpactstatementsprovideabiggerpictureformediaandstakeholderreporting.

Additionally,theAlbanyCountyConvention&VisitorsBureaukeepsascorecardforeachoftheirhostedeventswithadditionalmetricsonaone-pagebriefthatprovidesasnapshotofthefollowing:• BusinessSales(direct/total)• SalesbySource,i.e.attendees,organizerand/orexhibitors• SalesbySector,i.e.,businessservices,spacerental,recreation,retail,food/beverage,transportationand/orlodging

• JobSupported(direct/total)• LocalTaxes• NetDirectLocalTaxROI• RoomNightsGenerated

AccordingtoGinaMintzer,CMP,MHA,DirectorofSalesattheAlbanyCountyConvention&VisitorsBureau,“Wecan’ttalkabouttheeconomicimpactenoughsopeopleknowhowimportantthemeetings/conventions/sportseventsareasaneconomicdrivertoourcommunityandtheregion.Wefocusondirectandindirectspendingaswellashowmanyjobsoureventssupport.”

Financials:ImpactontheNSC,theNSCFoundation,charitiesorotherorganizations• Calculationsofevents(listedbyeacheventwithbudgetfiguresasprovided)

Tofacilitatethescorecardresearch,theNashvilleSportsCouncilpartnerswithBelmont’sSportsManagementprogramwithon-sitesamplingofeventattendees.Figuresarealsocalculatedaftereacheventandafinalreportisissuedattheendoftheyear.

Economic Impact: Refreshed Talking Points for Your Stakeholders

Ascorecardpresentationmayalsoprovideyourorganizationwithkeytalkingpointstosharewithmediaandcommunitystakeholders.Forexample,TraverseCityAreaChamberofCommercepublisheda2012reporttitled:“GameOn!:TheImpactofYouthSportsonaRegionalEconomy.”Afewoftheeconomicimpactstatementsfromthereportincludethefollowinganecdotes:• “MediaincomeofatypicalMichiganvisitoris$67,000whilethemediaincomeofTraverseCityyouthtournamentvisitorsis$124,000.”

• “ThenumberofpeoplebroughttotheTraverseCityAreaoverthecourseoftwoweekendsfortwoyouthsoccertournamentwas15,900,whichincluded91.2percentfromoutsideoftheTraverseCityarea.”

• “Thenumberofhotel,motelandB&Broomsoccupiedduringyouthtournamentswas2,000-2,500oraboutone-halfofallareassleepingrooms(justunder5,000totalrooms).”

Traverse City, Michigan works to attract youth tournament such as soccer to attract events as well as young parents who might be interested in re-locating to the area.

Courtesy of Albany County C&VB

www.SportsCommissions.org13

Economic Impact: Talent Attraction Efforts with Your Local Chamber of Commerce

AnotherobjectiveintheTraverseCityreportistoleveragetheyouthtournamentsaseffectivewaystoattract“talent”totheirregion,asparentsofyoungathletesontravelteamstendtobringamixofprofessionalexperiencesthatareattractivetogrowingeconomies.Thisconceptoftalentattractiontoavoid“braindrain”incommunitieswasfirstsharedbyRichardFloridainhisbook,“TheRiseoftheCreativeClass,”whichdiscusseshowyoungprofessionalsarechoosingcitiestorelocatebasedonthecity’sculturalandenvironmentalofferings.Theiremploymentisasecondarychoiceoncetheydecideuponthecitythatbestmeetstheirneeds.

Manycitiesarefocusingonthetalentattractionandretentionpieceoftheireconomywithstructuredprograms,usuallyledbythecity’sChamberofCommerce.ForinstanceinbothCincinnatiandHartford,eachmarkethasaprogramcalledHYPE.InCincinnati,the“HarnessingYoungProfessionalEnergy”programoffersayoungprofessionalleadershipprogramcalledC-Change,anannualnewideassummitcalledBoldFusionandavarietyofresourcesforemployerstouseinmarketingtheregiontoprospectivenewhires.

The“HartfordYoungProfessionals&Entrepreneurs”programofferssimilarnetworkingeventstoCincinnatibuthasafocusonsupportinglocalyoungentrepreneurs.

ThinkaboutwhatapartnershipwithyourChamberofCommercemightlooklikeandhowyoucanleveragefuturebidstohostsportingeventsthatattractthisdesirableYPaudience.Thistypeofpartnershipmayleadtoincreasedcommunityandeconomicimpact,neweventstohostinyourcityandnewfundingstreamsfromcompany’sinterestedinYPtalentattraction.

The Hartford Chamber’s HYPE Program offers an annual bowling outing for its young professionals.

Courtesy of HYPE Cincinnati

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Symposium Preview

TherearelotsofreasonstovisitOklahomaCity:ItsupandcomingNBAteam,theThunder;thehorseshows;itsworld-classmuseums.ButonereasontocometoOklahomaCityinMarchistheannualNASCSportsEventSymposium,wheretheleadersinthesportsindustrygathereachyeartoshareideasandmakedeals.

Anotherexciting,andproductive,weekisontapattheNASCSportsEventSymposium,March31-April3,2014inOklahomaCity.Whetheryou’reaneventorganizer,hostorganizationorvendor,it’sachancetogainindustryknowledgeandsolutions,alongwiththeopportunitytogeneratenewbusinessleadsduringtheSportsMarketplace.

Industryleaderssaynowhereelsewillattendeeshavetheopportunitytoconnect,orre-connectwiththismanysportsbusinessleadersfromaroundthecountryinoneplace,atoneeventwhereeducationisasimportantasthenetworking.

“Inadditiontooutstandingeducation,marketplaceappointments,andtheopportunitytovisitfirsthandsomeofthebestsportscitiesinthecountry,themostvaluabletakeawayIreceivefromtheNASCSymposiumisconnectingwithcolleaguesinthesportsindustry,”

accordingtoJanisRoss,executivedirectorofEugene,Cascades&CoastSports.“Havingface-to-faceconnectionsatSymposiumhasprovidedmewithkeycontacts.IknowIcanpickupthephoneandreceivevaluableadvicefromsomeoneImetthroughtheconference.”

“TheNASCSymposiumissimplythebestresourcetolearnfromexpertsinthesportsindustryandexchangebestpracticeswithyourpeers,”saidRalphMorton,executivedirectoroftheSeattleSportsCommission.“Itisanessentialdestinationforthoseseriousaboutgrowingtheirorganizationandbuildingrelationshipsnationally.”

“We’veattendedtheNASCSymposiumforthelast8yearsforthreereasons,”saidGinaMintzer,CMP,MHA,directorofsalesattheAlbanycountyConventionandVisitorsBureau.“One,Education–tostayontopofourgamebyknowing,understandingandexecutingthetrendsinoursportseventsindustrytothebestofourability;Two,Networking–withsportseventplannersandhostdestinations

whoknowhowtoplanandproducethebesteventsforgreatsuccessandtoemulatetheminAlbany,NY;Three,Business–toactuallymeetandultimatelyworkwithindividualstobringtheirsportseventstoourdestinationsuccessfullyforparticipants,fans,governingbodiesandourhospitalitycommunity.Forthesereasons,weareactivemembersandparticipantsofNASCandtheannualSymposium.”

The NASC Symposium is simply the best resource to learn from experts in the sports industry and exchange best practices with your peers. It is an essential destination for those serious about growing their organization and building relationships nationally. – Ralph Morton, Executive Director, Seattle Sports Commission

Anditdoesn’tmatterwhetheryou’rea20-yearveteranofthesportsindustry,orjustgettingstarted,there’ssomethingforeveryoneattheSymposium,whetherit’sthelargerpresentations,orthemoreintimatebreakoutsessions.

“TheNASCSportsEventSymposiumisbyfarthebesteventforourindustrytoattend.Whatmakesitsospecialisthatitisorganizedandputtogetherbyacommitteeofourpeers,NASCstaffandtherightsholdersthemselves,”accordingtoMarissaK.Werner,sports&entertainmentsalesmanagerofVisitMilwaukee.“Theyhavefoundawaytocreateabalancebetweengreateducationandnetworking,whilecontinuallylookingfornewwaystoimproveeachyear.ThisistrulyaneducationalconferencethathashelpedmegrowasaSalesManagerinthesportsindustryandinturnhasallowedmetoeducateourpartnersonwhattheSportsMarketmeanstotheCityofMilwaukee.”

“TheNASCAnnualSymposiumisveryuniqueinthatthecontentandschedulearelargelydesignedbythemembersandtheattendeeswhichiswhythenetworkingandeducationopportunitiesaresooutstanding,”accordingtoMattMeunier,nationalsportsaccountexecutiveattheMeetMinneapolisConvention&VisitorsAssociation.“Whetheryouareaseasonedattendeeorafirst-timer,theNASChasthetoolsyouneedtobuildyourcareerandyourpipeline.”

Andspeakingoffirsttimers,theysaytheyareabletotakeawayabroaderknowledgeofthesportsbusinessaftertheSymposium.“AfterattendingmyfirstNASCSymposiumlastyear,Iwasexcitedtovolunteermytimetobeapartofplanningthisyear’sevent.ThecommitteehasworkedhardtobringanothergreateventtoallitsmembersandI’mproudtosaythatIamapartofit,”saidAshleighBachertfromtheJacksonville-OnslowSportsCommission.“Asmanyhavesaidbefore,thisisagreateventtonotonlynetworkandfindoutaboutbusinessopportunities,butit’salsoawonderfuleducationopportunity.“I’mexcitedthatthereismoreeducationforsmallermarketstogetinvolvedwith,aswellas,somesessions

wehaven’tbeenseeingatotherconferencesorinwebinars,”Ashleighcontinued.“SincethiswillbemysecondyearwithaSportsCommission,theeducationportionisthepieceI’malwaysdrawnto.Listeningtoexpertsintheirfieldandwhatworksinourowncommunitiesisthehighlight.IlookforwardtoanotherSymposiumwhereIgettobringbackbestpracticesandnewideastomyowncommunity.”

Infact,amongthosewhohaveattendedtheSymposiuminthepast,97%ofattendeeswouldrecommendtheNASCSymposiumtoacolleagueand94%ofallattendeesstatedthattheNASCSymposiumisessentialfororganizationsthatareseriousabouttheindustry.Inaddition,97%ofattendeesratetheNASCSymposiumasexcellentorgoodand95%of2013attendeesplantoattendin2014.

Hereisalookatthe2014NASCSymposiumschedule:

Monday, March 319a.m.-noonOklahomaCityNationalMemorialandMuseumTour1p.m.-4p.m.TheOutletShoppesatOklahomaCity2p.m.-6p.m.CSEESpring2014Module6:30p.m.-7:15p.m.FirstTimerAttendeeReception6:30p.m.-10p.m.BricktownBrewhahah

Tuesday, April 18a.m.-9:45a.m.Openingceremonies&NASCMemberAwardsBreakfast10:15a.m.-11:15a.m.BreakoutSessions1-411:45a.m.-1p.m.BestPracticesRoundtablesWorkingLunch1:30p.m.-4p.m.NASCSportsMarketplace4:30p.m.-5:30p.m.BreakoutSessions5-86:45p.m.-11:45p.m.WelcomeReception9p.m.-midnightExtraInningsEveningLounge

Wednesday, April 28a.m.-9a.m.NASCAnnualGeneralMembershipMeetingBreakfast9:15a.m.-10:45a.m.RapidRFPReview&GameChangers11:15a.m.-12:15p.m.BreakoutSessions9-1212:30p.m.to2p.m.KeynoteLuncheon2:30p.m.-5:30p.m.NASCSportsMarketplace5:30p.m.-6:30p.m.SportsLegacyFundReception6:30p.m.-9p.m.OpenEvening9p.m.-midnightExtraInningsEveningLounge

Thursday, April 38:30a.m.-10:30a.m.NASCSportsMarketplace10:30a.m.-noonClosingCelebration1p.m.-4p.m.TheOutletShoppesatOklahomaCity

Visit www.nascsymposium.com for more information. For questions, contact Beth Hecquet, CMP, CMM, Director of Meetings and Events, at 513.281.3888 or Beth@SportsCommissions.org.

15www.SportsCommissions.org

Proudly hosting NASC Symposium in 2014