NASC Playbook June 2015

June 2015

Inside this issue:

2015 Member Award Winners Announced Record Turnout at 2015 NASC Symposium with 945 Serious-Minded Sports Tourism Professionals In Attendance Membership Elects 2015-2016 NASC Board of Directors You Spoke, and We Listened: Our Certification and Continuing Education Curriculum Is Changing An Insider’s Guide to Grand Rapids How to Prepare for Major Football Events

Your Resource for the Sports Tourism Industry

#SportsTourism

WHEN YOU PLAY HEREYOU WIN.

Host your tournament in Louisiana and you stand to leave with much more than a title. Memories made in our state-of-the-art sporting facilities—and in our

restaurants, museums, music venues and more—are something our competition can’t touch. So come play in Louisiana. It’s a win-win.

©2015 Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

www.SportsCommissions.org

Looking to share your expertise?

Information-sharing is a founding principle of the NASC, and the industry knowledge among the NASC membership lends itself to unprecedented expertise.

The NASC encourages members to share information with your peers. Contact Elizabeth Young, Director of Membershipand Marketing, at [email protected] to learn more about how you can contribute to a future edition of the NASC Playbook.

And don’t forget to share your news to be included in NASC Get in the Game eNews each week. Just have your media relations department add [email protected] to its distribution list.

National Headquarters9916 Carver Road, Suite 100Cincinnati, OH 45242

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

Websitewww.SportsCommissions.org

StaffDon Schumacher, CSEE, Executive DirectorLori Gamble, Associate Executive DirectorElizabeth Young, Director of Membership & MarketingMeagan McCalla, Member Services Coordinator

Board of DirectorsOfficersGreg Ayers, CSEE, President & CEO, Discover Kalamazoo,Chairman Ralph Morton, CSEE, Executive Director, Seattle Sports Commission, Vice Chairman/Chair-ElectMike Anderson, CSEE, Executive Director – Sports Tourism, Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance, Treasurer Kindra Fry, CSEE, SMP, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Bryan-College Station CVB, SecretaryKevin Smith, CSEE, Director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission, Immediate Past Chairman

DirectorsJanna Clark, CSEE, Sports and Sales Director, Elizabethtown Sports ParkJohn David, CSEE, Chief Operating Officer, USA BMXMatt Dunn, CSEE, Vice President, Tourism Development, Palm Coast and the Flagler BeachesRoy Edmondson, CSEE, Director of Sports Business Development, Anaheim Orange CVBJohn Gibbons, CSEE, Executive Director, RI Sports CommissionPete Harvey, CSEE, Director of Sports Development, Buffalo Niagara Sports CommissionBrian Hickey, CSEE, CDME, Director of Sports, Tallahassee Sports CouncilMike Hill, CSEE, Senior Director, Sports Sales, Hilton Worldwide- Sports SalesMichael Price, CSEE, Executive Director, Greater Lansing Sports AuthorityJanis Ross, Executive Director, Eugene, Cascades & Coast SportsSteve Schell, Sports Strategic Sales Executive, Experient SportsJanis Schmees Burke, CSEE, Executive Director, Harris County - Houston Sports AuthorityGlen Schorr, Executive Director, Orienteering USAKris Smith, CSEE, Sales Manager, Event Development, Detroit SportsBenjamin Wilder, CSEE, Director, Savannah Sports CouncilMarc Zimmerman, CSEE, Sales & Events Manager, Central Florida’s Polk County Sports Marketing

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

TABLE OF CONTENTSLetter from the Executive Director ....................4

Opportunity to Tell Your Story in NASC Special Section of .....................5

Record Turnout at 2015 NASC Symposium with 945 Serious-Minded Sports Tourism Professionals In Attendance ..............................6

Membership Elects 2015-2016 NASC Board of Directors ..................................7

2015 Member Award Winners Announced ......8-9

You Spoke, and We Listened: Our Certification and Continuing Education Curriculum Is Changing ..................................10

NASC Membership Donates $20,000 to 2015 Sports Legacy Fund Beneficiary .........12-13

An Insider’s Guide to Grand Rapids ............14-15

How to Prepare for Major Football Events ........................................16-17

Registration Now Open for 2015 Market Segment Meetings .............................18

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

• OnlineDirectories• OnlineEventRFPDatabase• NASCEconomicImpactCalculator• IndustryResearchandReports• NASCCareerCenter• ModelsandSamples• CSEEProgram

• CarRentalandAirportShuttle Discounts • PremiumItemDiscounts• SportsBusiness Journal subscription discount

• BestPracticesWebinars• EventWebinars• MarketSegmentMeetings• SportsEventSymposium• ConsultingServices• ShippingDiscounts,courtesy of PartnerShip®

Letter from the Executive Director

As CSEE Program participants are aware, the NASC is conducting a complete review and restructuring of the course of study. The board of directors approved an interim report detailing progress to date. A number of changes

can be anticipated, including:

• Ourfirstonlinemodule,readybyNovember2016• Acommitmenttoatleastonenewonlinemodule every year• Anevaluationofamovetoacreditsystemfrommodules;

this will allow different numbers of credits for a variety of learning events rather than depending upon two live

modules a year• Establishmentofahigherlevelofcertificationbytheend of2016• Establishmentofapartnershipwithauniversitytoprovide

expertise in on-line learning and a review of each live learning session• ProductionofthefirstnewlearningsessionunderthenewprogramforColoradoSpringsonSeptember29,2015;willinclude pre and post session assignments and will be on a subject from the newly created list of core subjects

• TheProfessionalDevelopmentcommitteewillselectthetopic for this session

Fundsforthesechangesarecomingfromretainedearningsofthe Association. No changes are anticipated in the fee structure.

Weareexcitedaboutthisrestructuringandtheresultingmorefocusedprogramleadingtocertification.

Donald G. Schumacher, CSEEExecutive Director

4#SportsTourism

5

This is a perfect platform for NASC members to showcase their role in the sport tourism industry. As an advertiser, you will be guaranteed an opportunity for a company spokesperson to be interviewed for the story.

WithSportsBusiness Journal as our partner, we know that your messagewillbereachinganaudienceofthemostinfluentialexecutivesinsports.SBJ’sreadersaretheleadersineveryaspectof the sports industry from teams and leagues, to media, marketing and advertising, to facilities and professional services.

WehopeyoujoinNASCandtakeadvantageofthisuniqueopportunity to put the spotlight on our very special segment of the sports industry.

July11thisthedeadlineforparticipationinthisspecialsection.Ifinterestedinparticipating,contactJudiBoweat(312)873-2216 or [email protected] to reserve advertising space.

Thanks for your continued support of your Association,

Elizabeth YoungDirector of Membership and Marketing

Opportunity to Tell Your Story in NASC Special Section of

Intheearly1990s,agroupofsportsdestinationsrecognizeda need for a national governing body for the sport tourism industry.ThisledtotheestablishmentoftheNASCin1992.Since then, the NASC has been committed to support amateur sportsandtheOlympicMovementintheUnitedStates.

TheNASCalsoadvocatesformorethan700memberorganizationsand2,000industryprofessionals.Astheinterestin the sport tourism market continues to grow, we are making a special effort to tell the NASC’s story and increase exposure for our members at the national level.

Forthesecondyear,theNASC,inassociationwithSportsBusiness Journal, will publish a special advertiser-supported section on the impact our members make in their communities and in sports.

ThesectionappearingintheAugust3issuewillfocusontheevolution of the sport tourism industry and how it impacts communities.Otherareasofcoveragewillincludeindustrytrends and best practices, case studies and examples of successful events, and the monetization and economic impact of events.

6

Record Turnout at 2015 NASC Symposium with 945 Serious-Minded Sports Tourism Professionals In Attendance

TheNASCcelebratedrecordattendanceatthe23rdannual NASC Sports Event Symposium in April, hosted by VISIT Milwaukee.

945attendees,including276first-timers,wereonhandtoelect new NASC leadership, honor members with industry awards, participate in dozens of continuing education sessions led by industry leadership, and generate new business for their organizations.

“Astheonlynon-profitindustryassociationofferinganannual meeting for serious-minded sports event professionals, we are thrilled with our record attendance this year in Milwaukee,” said Don Schumacher, CSEE, executive director of the NASC. “In future years, our members will have the opportunity to visit four great AmericancitiesinGrandRapids,Sacramento,Minneapolis and San Diego as we host our annual Symposium in each city.”

Future Host Cities For 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 NASC Symposium

The24thannualNASCSymposiumwillbeheldApril4-7,2016inGrandRapids,andthe25thannualNASCSymposiumwillbeMarch26-30,2017inSacramento.

Additionally,the26thannualNASCSymposiumwillbeheldApril22-26,2018inMinneapolisandthe27thannualNASCSymposiumwillbeApril14-18,2019in San Diego. Congratulations to our future hosts!

Host cities are selected through a bid process. The site selection committee, comprised of NASC members, reviews all bids, conducts site visits, and makes recommendationstotheNASCBoardofDirectorsforapproval. Any city wishing to bid on the annual meeting of the NASC must be an Active member in good standing for at least three years prior to bidding and continue its membership for at least two years after hosting the event.

Ifyouareinterestedinbiddingtohostin2020orbeyond,contact Lori Gamble, Associate Executive Director, at [email protected].

www.SportsCommissions.org7

New NASC Leadership Elected

Duringthe2015GeneralMembershipMeeting,themembershipelected2015-2016officialsanddirectorstoserveoftheNASCBoardofDirectors.Asanot-for-profitassociation,electionofleadershipisarequirementoftheNASC’s bylaws.

OFFICERSChair GregAyers,CSEE,President&CEO,DiscoverKalamazooVice Chair/Chair-Elect RalphMorton,CSEE,ExecutiveDirector,SeattleSportsCommissionTreasurer Mike Anderson, CSEE, Executive Director – Sports Tour-ism,MyrtleBeachRegionalSportsAllianceSecretary KindraFry,CSEE,SMP,VicePresidentofSales&Marketing,Bryan-CollegeStationCVBImmediate Past Chair KevinSmith,CSEE,Director,St.Petersburg/ClearwaterSports Commission

DIRECTORSBoard Term Expiring 2016JohnGibbons,CSEE,ExecutiveDirector,RhodeIslandSports CommissionMichael Price, CSEE, Executive Director, Greater Lan-sing Sports AuthorityJanisSchmeesBurke,CSEE,ExecutiveDirector,HarrisCounty - Houston Sports AuthorityMattDunn,CSEE,PalmCoastandtheFlaglerBeaches,Vice President, Tourism Development

Board Term Expiring 2017BrianHickey,CSEE,DirectorofSports,VisitTallahassee/Tallahassee Sports CouncilJanisRoss,ExecutiveDirector,Eugene,Cascades&Coast SportsBenjaminWilder,CSEE,Director,SavannahSportsCouncil Marc Zimmerman, CSEE, Sales & Events Manager, CentralFlorida’sPolkCountySportsMarketing

Board Term Expiring 2018Janna Clark, CSEE, Sports and Sales Director, Elizabethtown Sports ParkKrisSmith,CSEE,SalesManager,EventDevelopment,Detroit SportsRoyEdmondson,CSEE,AnaheimOrangeCountyVisitor&ConventionBureauPete Harvey, CSEE, Director of Sports Development, BuffaloNiagaraSportsCommission

ALLIED REPRESENTATIVESBoard Term Expiring 2016Mike Hill, CSEE, Senior Director, Sports Sales, Hilton Worldwide-SportsSales

Board Term Expiring 2017Steve Schell, Sports Strategic Sales Executive, Experient Sports

RIGHTS HOLDER REPRESENTATIVESBoard Term Expiring 2016JohnDavid,CSEE,ChiefOperatingOfficer,USABMX

Board Term Expiring 2017GlenSchorr,ExecutiveDirector,OrienteeringUSA

ToserveasarepresentativeoftheNASC’s700memberorganizations and help guide the future of your Association, you must submit a nomination. The online nomination portalwillopenNovember.Forquestionsaboutthenominationprocess,contacttheNASCOfficeatnominations@sportscommissions.orgor513.842.8509.YoumayalsocontactKevinSmith,CSEE,NominatingCommitteeChair,[email protected].

Whatever your recordNo matter your goals

Play among the greats

Plan Big at RapidCitySports.com or call 800-487-3223.

8#SportsTourism

NASC Members Honored

The NASC Awards Committee recognized Member Award Winnersatthe2015Symposium,signifyingoutstandingworkinthefieldofsporttourism.MemberAwardsarethehighest honor an organization or individual in the sports tourism industry can receive as they are created and awarded by industry peers. Members must follow detailedsubmissionguidelinesandarejudgedona100point scale with weight being placed various criteria for each award category. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of NASC members.

It’s never too early to start thinking about your submissionsforthe2015MemberAwards.Submissionguidelines and the online Awards Submission Portal will openinAugust2015,theearliestawardssubmissionshave been accepted, to allow for plenty of time for members to thoughtful compile entries for one or more categories.SubmissionswillbeduenolaterthanFebruary1,2016.Forthe2015MemberAwards,activities,events,marketing campaigns, web strategies, etc. must have occurredbetweenJanuary1andDecember31,2015.

ForquestionsabouttheMemberAwards,contactElizabeth Young, Director of Membership and Marketing, [email protected] may also contact committee co-chairs Mike Anderson, CSEE, at [email protected],CSEE,[email protected].

Individual Award Winners Sports Tourism Executive of the YearDon Staley

Game Changer AwardTammy Dunn, CSEE

SportsEventOrganizeroftheYearRB Thomas, Jr.

Organizational Award Winners • Locally Created Event of the Year, population under

250,000:SPORTyler–TylerAreaChamberofCommerce• Locally Created Event of the Year, population

250,000 and above: Greater Cleveland Sports Commission• Marketing Campaign of the Year, population under

250,000:RoundRockConventionandVisitorsBureau• Marketing Campaign of the Year, population

250,000 and above: Greensboro Area Convention and VisitorsBureau

• Sports Tourism Organization of the Year, population under 250,000:WarrenCountyConvention&

VisitorsBureau• Sports Tourism Organization of the Year, population

250,000 and above:GreaterRaleighSportsAlliance• Sports Commission of the Year, population under

250,000:RochesterAmateurSportsCommission• Sports Commission of the Year, population 250,000

and above: Atlanta Sports Council

Sports Tourism Executive of the Year: Don Staley, Executive Director, Foley Sports Tourism Complex

Sports Event Organizer of the Year: RB Thomas, Jr., Executive Director, International Senior Softball Association

Game Changer Award: Tammy Dunn, CSEE, Sports Marketing Manager, Snohomish County Sports Commission

TRAVELING TEAMS is a leading provider of tournament housing for youth sporting events

of any size. Our exceptional customer-first approach matches you with a representative

who ensures that your booking process is seamless & enjoyable. Our wealth of industry

knowledge gives us the ability to negotiate exceptional rates, rebates, & comp rooms with

hotels throughout the country.

Our real-time technology gives you instant access to info & reports about team rooms,

nights & hotels. We deliver value to your event with our completely FREE service.

www.travelingteams.com

TRAVELING TEAMS

Certified Sports Event Executives Graduates Honored

The NASC recently recognized its latest class of graduates in its CertifiedSportsEventExecutive(CSEE)continuingeducationprogram.TheFall2014andSpring2015CSEEgraduatesinclude:

Richard Barrett,Wausau/CentralWisconsinSportsAuthorityStephonie Broughton,TwinCitiesGateway/NationalSportsCenterAmy Cardwell,BowlingGreenAreaConvention&VisitorsBureauJanna Clark, Elizabethtown Sports ParkSean Doherty,CharlotteHarborVisitorandConventionBureauJohn Giantonio, Casper Sports AllianceTara Hamburger,DaytonaBeachAreaConvention&VisitorsBureauPete Harvey,BuffaloNiagaraSportsCommissionGen Howard,LouisvilleConvention&VisitorsBureauLisa Pacheco,SportsWilliamsburgMatt Robinette,RichmondRegionTourismDomico Rodriguez,RapidCityConvention&VisitorsBureauJennifer Rothman,LongIslandCVB&SportsCommissionBilly Russo,SmithRiverSportsComplexDebi Schultz,AbileneConvention&VisitorsBureauWendy Scott,GreatLakesBayRegionalConvention&VisitorsBureauDon Staley,FoleySportsTourismComplexDani Timm,VirginiaBeachCVBJosh Todd, Visit MesaMarva Wells,HighPointConventionandVisitorsBureau

Greensboro Area CVB Atlanta Sports Council

Round Rock CVB

Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance

Warren County CVB

Rochester Amateur Sports Commission

9www.SportsCommissions.org

#SportsTourism1410

You Spoke, and We Listened: Our Certification and Continuing Education Curriculum Is Changing

The NASC prides itself on its educational programs. In fact, that’swhatsetsusapartfromotherorganizations.Ourcommitment to professional development keeps our members ahead of the game when it comes to what works best in the sports event industry.

TheNASCStaffandBoardofDirectorshavemadeasignificantfinancialcommitmenttoacompleteupgradeofoureducational programs and have made education the focus of everything the Association does.

Overthelastfewyearsyou’vementionededucationalissuesthat you feel are important, including: building on the respectedCSEEcredentialprogram;enhancingcustomizedcommunicationsofeducationalofferings;preparingandimplementing an agreed-to integrated education strategy and plan;deploymentofonlineeducation/professionaldevelopment alternatives;understandingthevalueofafulleducationandlearningcommitment;engagingmoresportseventsleaders/DMOchiefexecutives,andbuildingtowardretainingourownDirector of Professional Education.

Through an internal analysis, we came up with three objectives:

1. To continue a strong NASC commitment to sports event education and learning through delivery of a focused value proposition;totargetNASCcommunicationsofeducation-alofferingsthroughinfluentialvaluemessagingtoincreaserepeatandreferralpatronage,and;toallocateappropriateNASC resources, including talent, money and systems, as the sole supplier of industry education.

2. The NASC educational vision is: “Supporting sports event travel professionals with relevant knowledge, practices and peer networking based on timely intelligence and effective delivery encouraging a strong management and

leadership culture.”

3. To that end, the NASC has come up with six key education initiatives that will be introduced to the

NASC educational curriculum over the next three and a half years. Those include:

• TheimplementationoftheCSEEprogramredesignreport and program curriculum redevelopment, test-ing,deliveryandevaluation,tobefinishedby2017

• ThereviewandevaluationoftheNASCmultiyear researchprogramandalignmenttoaneducation/learningstrategy,tobefinishedby2016

• Theinvestigation,developmentandexecutionofan advancedlevelcertificationprogramalignedtoCSEE,tobecompletedby2018

• Anenhancededucation/learningprogramincludinga CSEE public relations effort to raise awareness and value ofparticipationandcertification,tobecom-pletedby2016

• Thedevelopmentofasportseventspeaker’sbureauwith key messaging and career pathways schematic provided,tobefinishedby2016

• Andtheinvestigationandformationofan educational partnership to form a Sports Event TravelInstitute,tobefinishedby2016.

You have told us you enjoy our educational programs and wish to get even more out of them, to stay on the cuttingedgeofthesportseventbusiness.Welookforwardto working closely with the Professional Development committee to insure that our curriculum meets and exceeds your needs and expectations.

In Kentucky, we go above and beyond to help you plan your sports event to perfection.

From helping you choose the right venue in the right community to arranging lodging

and entertainment, and answering any questions you have. It’s the perfect combination

of tournament class facilities and world-class hospitality. All within a day’s drive of nearly

2/3 of the U.S. population. Learn more at TeamKy.com or call 502-564-4270.

It’s a touchdown, hole-in-one, three-pointer, home-run, winning goal,

game-set-match, kind of state.

The NASC educational vision is: Supporting sports event travel professionals with relevant knowledge, practices and peer networking based on timely intelligence and effective delivery encouraging a strong management and leadership culture.



In Kentucky, we go above and beyond to help you plan your sports event to perfection.

From helping you choose the right venue in the right community to arranging lodging

and entertainment, and answering any questions you have. It’s the perfect combination

of tournament class facilities and world-class hospitality. All within a day’s drive of nearly

2/3 of the U.S. population. Learn more at TeamKy.com or call 502-564-4270.

It’s a touchdown, hole-in-one, three-pointer, home-run, winning goal,

game-set-match, kind of state.

NASC Members Raise $20,000 for the Running Rebels Community Organization

TheNASCSportsLegacyFundraised$20,000tobenefittheRunningRebelsCommunityOrganization,anon-profit that offers youth programs that focus on education and recreational activities in Milwaukee, and their

basketball fundamental program, which will expand the number of youth served and aide in the development of year-round programming.

More than one hundred NASC members volunteered to helpcleanupWashingtonPark,aMilwaukeeCountypark,atthe23rdNASCSymposiuminMilwaukeeinApril.

The work the volunteers did in a few hours would have taken staffers weeks to do.

Volunteers built picnic tables, picked up trash, and spread mulch.

“There’s hundreds of volunteer hours with this group, and it really helps us be able to get kind of a jump start because now the grass is starting to grow, and we’re going to need to be out here mowing, prepping the ball

diamonds, soccer games, all that sort of thing so it really kind of gives us a head start,” said Guy Smith with Milwaukee County Parks.

TheNASCSportsLegacyCommitteechoseWashingtonParkasthelocationforitsfirstevercommunityserviceproject based on its size, location, and the community it serves.

“This whole group that we are here together with is all about giving back throughout our communities in our own parks and our own destinations, so when we come to a citylikethiswefindawaytogiveback,andthisisoneofour ways to do that,” said volunteer Mike Anderson.

Due to its tremendous success, the Sports Legacy Committee will continue to coordinate a community service project in conjunction with the Symposium each year.

#SportsTourism12

13

Play LIKE the pros.

Email or call Janna Clark at:[email protected]

270-765-2175ElizabethtownSportsPark.com

Sports Park Ad 7.5x5.indd 1 6/10/15 10:16 AM

#SportsTourism14

An Insider’s Guide to Grand Rapids

Wemayhavejustwrappedupthe2015NASCSportsEvent Symposium, but we’re already looking ahead to 2016,tobeheldApril4-7inGrandRapids,Michigan. Neverbeenthere?Don’tworry,KatyTigchelaar, Events ManagerfortheWestMichiganSportsCommission,hastheinformationtohelpyouexperienceGrandRapidslike a native!

What’s the best downtown restaurant that tourists won’t necessarily know but the locals will?

There are so many to choose from and all are great as they feature fresh food from our local farmers! If you have a group, a great option is the Downtown Market featuring Slow’sBBQ,TacosElCunado,Apperativo,Penelope’sCrepes, and more! If you’re into sharing plates then SanChezBistro,aSpanishstylerestaurant,hasamazingeats and great sangria, too! If you have any allergies, Stella’s Lounge or HopCat, are great for all diet types, just aslongassomeoneinyourpartyorderstheCrackFriesortheStuffedBurger!Forafulllistvisit:http://www.experiencegr.com/restaurants/farm-to-fork/

What’s the best way to get around? Can I walk to most places or take public transportation?

Just about everything is walkable downtown, but you can also take the Silverline, which is a state of the art bus system with kiosks for payment and timing that can change the stop lights to get you where you need to be faster. Check out the sweet ride here: https://www.ridetherapid.org/silver-line

I’mreallyintocraftbeers.WhatisGrandRapidscraftbeer scene like?

WithacitynicknamedBeerCityUSA,wehaveallsorts of craft breweries one can visit. There’s a variety of breweries with diverse environments where you can enjoyabeersuchasFoundersBrewing,B.O.B’sBrewery,GrandRapidsBrewingCompany,HopCatandmore.Youdon’t even have to visit a brewery to taste the local craft aslocalrestaurantswillhaveaniceselectionofGRbeerson draught too. See all the breweries here: http://www.experiencegr.com/beer/

Photographs Courtesy of Experience Grand Rapids


Anything else you’d like us to know about Grand Rapids?

GrandRapidsiscenteredaroundtheGrandRiver,andwhatwasonceknownastheFurnitureCapitaloftheWorldisnowknowforart,foodandofcourse,craftbeer.Art, because we host the world’s largest art competition with the world’s largest art prize. It’s typically held in the fall, but a lot of art becomes permanent installments that canbeseenthroughoutdowntown.Food,becausewehave rich soils, which help us grow a wide array of fruits, vegetablesandgrains;perfectforourmanylocalfarmtotablerestaurants.Craftbeer,becauseofour30plusbreweries in the area and their award winning recipes, which you can try at just about any restaurant in Grand Rapids.

In addition to these top sells, we are home to the Gerald R.FordPresidentialMuseumandburialsiteaswellastheFrederikMeijerGardens&SculpturePark,JohnBallZoo,andmoreattractions.BasicallywhenyoucometoGrandRapids,comethirstyandhungrywithalotoftimebecause there is plenty to do!

What kinds of activities do you recommend if I want to spend an extra day or two in Grand Rapids?

FrederikMeijerGardens&SculptureParkistheplacetogoasoneoftheTop30Must-SeeMuseumsontheplanetandoneoftheworld’s100mostvisitedartmuseums.WithaCarnivorousPlantHouse,TropicalConservatory,and a brand new Japanese Garden, the sights are beautiful to all ages, not to mention the interesting sculptures and the24ft.bronzehorse.

If art isn’t your thing you can always catch a baseball gamewiththeWestMichiganWhitecapsorwatchhockeyplayoffswiththeGrandRapidsGriffins,andbothmaybeplaying in early April.

AnotherchanceofalifetimeistoseetheGeraldR.FordPresidential Museum and burial site, however you’ll just havetoscheduleanothervisittoGRasthatwillbeunderconstructionfromNovember2015-July2016. What’s the weather like in Grand Rapids in early April?

Asthesayinggoes,‘AprilshowersbringsMayflowers’.Averagesareinthe50’s,butwe’vehad80degreesbeforetoo.Bepreparedforanythingasweliketokeepyouonyour toes.

What’s the one “can’t miss” place to be when I am in Grand Rapids?

Youdefinitelydon’twanttomissvisitingoneofourcraftbreweries,specificallyFounders,butanyofthemwilldo.They all have awesome food, delicious beer, and a cool vibe – just don’t ask for a ‘lite beer’.

Photographs Courtesy of Experience Grand Rapidswww.SportsCommissions.org

#SportsTourism16

How to Prepare for Major Football Events

In the world of professional and collegiate sports, stadiums are constantly under the microscope from millions of TV viewers annually.

AccordingtoNBC,SuperBowlXLIXinFebruarygarneredthehighestaudienceever–114.4millionviewers.Combinethatwithhigh-definitionTV’sandyoucanalmosttouchthefieldfromyourcouch.

This juggernaut of a number only makes Andy Levy’s job thatmuchmoredifficultasTurfManagerfortheArizona Cardinals.

WhentheCardinalshostedtheSuperBowlearlierthisyear, there were various challenges. Levy and his crew providedlocalexpertisetotheSuperBowlgroundscrew,highlighted by legendary sports turf managers George Toma and Ed Mangan.

In2006,UniversityofPhoenixStadiumwasconstructed,bringingwithitthefirstretractablefieldinNorthAmerica.

“TheUniversityofPhoenixStadium’sretractablefieldisone of the most innovative ideas that we’ve seen in sports turf management,” says Levy, a member of the Sports

TurfManagersAssociation(STMA).“Itmeansweareableto have a world-class, natural grass surface for indoor events butalsoallowsforadequatesunshineandoptimalcarebykeepingthefieldoutsidemostoftheyear–ithasbeenagame changer for us.”

WhenpreparingforhomeCardinalsgames,AndyandhiscrewshuttletheTifway-419Bermudahybridgrassfieldfrom outside of the arena indoors in a span of only one hour.Thefieldactuallylivesoutsideforthemajorityoftheweek,soakinginadequatesunshinetorefineitsimmaculate surface.

Courtesy of Arizona Cardinals

Why Planners Stay Here & Players Play Here

First Class FacilitiesTop-Notch Attractions Atlantic Ocean, Beach & BoardwalkExperienced & Dedicated Staff On-the-Ground Logistical Support

Hotel Booking Service Excellent Accommodation Options

Welcoming Community

www.PlayMAASA.org


In the midst of all of these changes, sports turf managers must have the patience, organizational skills and determination to stay on course and deliver results in a timely manner.

Whenpreparingformajorevents,asportsturfman-ager has a love-hate relationship with “Mother Nature.” Weatherofteninfluencesthedirectionoffieldpreparation.In sports turf management, it’s fair to use the old adage: “failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

Courtesy of Arizona Cardinals

Andy Levy’s crew Super Bowl pregame: left to right Tim Johnston, Adam Jones, Andy Levy, Bob Schindler and George Toma

Asportsturfmanager’sroleis365daysayear.Footballseason will be here before you know it. Next time you go toagameorwatchfootballonTV,checkoutthequalityofthefieldandallofthehardworkthatispouredintoit.

Hostingmajoreventsrequiressubstantialplanning.Eachdepartment head must delegate responsibility and execute pre-determined plans accordingly. Even with that, improvising and staying calm under pressure are critical skills, because it’s important to expect the unexpected.

2015 Schedule(subject to change)

The2015NASCMarketSegmentMeetingsPreliminary Schedule is as follows:

Monday, Sept. 283:30p.m.NASCBoardofDirectorsMeeting

Tuesday, Sept. 297:00a.m.Registration7:15a.m.CSEEFall2015Module*11:45a.m.BuffetLunch12:45p.m.KeynoteSpeaker1:30p.m.SmallGroupDiscussionsBySegment-Small&Mid-MarketCVBs-LargeMarketCVBs - Small & Mid-Market Sports Commissions-NGBs/RightsHolders3:30p.m.RefreshmentBreak4:00p.m.RapidRFPReview5:00p.m.CocktailReception

Wednesday, Sept. 307:30a.m.BuffetBreakfast8:30a.m.-NoonSmallGroupDiscussionsBySegment-Small&Mid-MarketCVBs-LargeMarketCVBs - Small & Mid-Market Sports Commissions

* Additional Fees Apply

RegistrationMarket Segment MeetingsActiveMembers:$395perpersonRightsHolderMembers:FREEwhenyouparticipateinRapidRFPReview

CSEE Fall 2015 Module$350perperson

HotelHotelRoomRate:$189/night.Cut-offdateis9/4/15.Registerandbookyourroomatwww.SportsCommissions.org/MarketSegmentMeetings

Formoreinformation,contacttheMemberServicesDepartment at [email protected] or 513.281.3888

NASC Market Segment Meetings

September 28 - 30, 2015Antlers Hilton | Colorado Springs, CO The NASC Market Segment Meetings create an opportunity for destinations of similar market size and organization structure to conduct open and honest dialogue about matters of importance to attendees. These are advanced level discussions among serious-minded professionals in the sport tourism industry. Participants will take away best practices from the most credible source in the industry … your association! Topics to be discussed:•Emergingtrends •Keysolutions•Winningstrategies •Overcomingobstacles

New in 2015! LocalNGBsandrightsholderwhoparticipateinRapidRFPReviewwithcitiesinterestedinlearningmoreaboutyour organization will receive a complimentary registration to attend NASC Market Segment Meetings onTuesday,September28. NGBswhoparticipatewillalsoautomaticallyqualifyforatravelstipend(limitoneperorganization)toattendthe24thannualNASCSportsEventSymposium,April4-7,2016inGrandRapids,MI.

Keynote speaker: Phil Keoghan Host/Co-Executive Producer, The Amazing Race & Author, No Opportunity Wasted

#SportsTourism18


THE RIGHT FITWest Michigan: the right venues,

the right entertainment, the right details, exactly

westmisports.com/rightfit

Documents

NASC Playbook June 2015