nasc playbook - summer 2013
DESCRIPTION
Inside this Issue: - Beth’s Top Ten Tips for Responding to the NASC Symposium RFP - National Association of Sports Commissions annual symposium celebrates record growth in 2013 - Sports Tourism: A State of the Industry Report - NASC helps members prepare for the NCAA Championship Bid Process - NASC Unveils Enhancements to Economic Impact CalculatorTRANSCRIPT
July 2013
Your Resource for the Sports Event Industry
Inside this issue:
Beth’s Top Ten Tips for Responding to the NASC Symposium RFP National Association of Sports Commissions annual symposium celebrates record growth in 2013 Sports Tourism: A State of the Industry Report NASC helps members prepare for the NCAA Championship Bid Process
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Industry Trends ..................................................4
Beth’s Top Ten Tips for Responding to the NASC Symposium RFP .................................................5
NASC annual Symposium celebrates record growth in 2013 ............................................. 6-8
Sports Tourism: A State of the Industry Report ...............................................................9
How the Flying Pig Marathon Kept Participants Safe without Instilling Fear ..... 10-12
NASC helps members prepare for the NCAA Championship Bid Process .................................13
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, 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• OnlineEventDatabase• NASCEconomicImpactTemplate• IndustryResearchandReports
• JobandInternshipBoard• ModelsandSamples• CSEEProgram• BestPracticesWebinars
• EventMarketplaceWebinars• MarketSegmentMeetings• SportsEventSymposium• ConsultingServices
Visit www.SportsCommissions.org for a complete list of benefits and services.
INDUSTRY TRENDSIwasfortunatetohavetheopportunitytoaddressthemembersofACES(AssociationofChiefExecutivesinSport)attheirrecentmeetinginMinneapolis.ItwasrequestedthatIcommentonRequestsforProposal(orRequestsforQualifications)asthey
applytothebiddingprocess.
ThefirstportionofmyremarkscoveredafewbasicsontheNASC:• Wearefocusedonwhathappensonbothsidesofthetable,andemphasizebestpracticesatourmeetings,webinars,etc.
• Itisgettingmoredifficulttoconvincesomecitiestoplacesomeemphasisontheathletesandcompetitionandnotjustroomnights
• ItcouldbeusefultohostawebinarforACESeventmanag-erstosharetheseissues
Thequestionwasthenasked:WhyfocusonRFPs?• Alltheusualreasons(accuratedescriptionofexactlywhatisrequiredofthehost)
• More“newbies”onthecitysideofthetable• Agrowingamountofresistancetotrainingoralackofdirection(salespersonstold“gosellsomething”withouttrainingintheindustryandareafacilitiesandcapabilities)
• Somenewbiesassumemeetingsomeonesomehowcountsasa“win”
• ThesefactorscanleadtotimewastedbyACESmembersateventmarketplaces
WhatdoestheNASCdoaboutthis?• Membermentoring,webinars,marketsegmentmeetingsandeducationalsessions…somemembersaretoldtheycannotattendeducationalconferences,makingthesituationworse
• MaximizationofthemarketplaceexperiencethroughtrainingbeforetheSymposium(ournewmembersurveysindicatesomedonotacceptanyassistancebeforethe
marketplace)• RecommendedtoACESthatRFPsbeusedasawaytoeliminatecities,muchlikearesumeforemploymentisused;thereisaneedtoeliminatethosewhodonot“getit”andfocusonpotentialpartners;withthegrowingnumberofmarketplacesmuchtimeisbeinglost…incomparison
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toothers,theNASCcontinuestoeducateratherthanallowingthesituationtobecomemoreacute
CrucialissuestoaddressintheRFP• Venueneeds• Guarantees/bidfees• Incentives• Housing–allrequirementsplus,doyouhaveasupplierhandlingreservationsandwhoarethey?
• Rebates/staytoplay• Staffingtheevent…whichpartydoeswhat?• IsthereaneedforastandardizedRFPamongACESmembers?
• Trytoeliminatecandidatesonpageoneorinthefirsttwominutesofthemeeting
Thegoal?Greatevents!
Thesecommentswerefollowedbyanopendiscussion.Itisunderstoodmostoftheseissuesarehandledbytheeventmanager,andthisaudiencewasmadeupofCEOs.Mysuggestionwastoholdadialoguewiththeeventman-agerandgetafeelingfortheneedforchange.
Iwasaskedatonepointifitwaswisetoallowpeoplenewtotheindustrytohaveappointmenttimebeforetheyunderstandtheindustry.Ididindicatewearesurprisedbythenumberofnewmemberswhodonotacceptmentor-ing,donotattendwebinars,misstheorientationmeeting,andskipthenewmemberreception.
Ialsoindicatedthattheotherconferencesintheindustryarefor-profit,andthisisnotamatterforconcernatthosegatherings.
Theseareissuesthat,forsome,aredefyingresolution.Iblametoomuchemphasisonroomnights,notenoughhomework,andagenerallackofappreciationfortrain-ingonthepartofsomeinleadershiprolesindestinationmanagement.
Staytunedformore.Thismaybeanon-goingdialogue.
Haveawonderfulsummereventseason,Don
www.SportsCommissions.org5
Withtherecentreleaseofthe2016&2017NASC Sports Event SymposiumRequestforProposal(RFP),Ithoughtitwouldbetimelytoshareafewtipsforresponding
toanRFP.TheinsightandadvicegivenherecanapplytoalmostanyRFP.Althoughsomemayseemlikecommonsense,Iamoftensurprisedhoweasilysomeofthiscanbeoverlooked.
•Read the RFP In Its Entirety, First–Moreoftenthannot,weonlyreadthefirstpartoftheinstructionsofataskbeforewebegin(IamguiltyofthismoreoftenthanI’dliketoadmit).TakethetimetofullyreadtheRFPandanyattachments,formsorworksheetsincludedbeforeyoubegintotackleputtingthebidtogether.Andmakesureanyonethatisassistingyouinthesubmissionofthebiddoesthesamething.
•Decide if Responding is Best for Your Organiza-tion–OurRFPmaynotbeagoodfitforyourcity,andthatisokay.Thebestconferences,meetings,sportingevents,specialevents,etc.arethosethataren’tforced;theyareanaturalfit.Don’ttrytofittheroundpegintothesquarehole.
• Follow the Directions–Please,please,pleasefollow thedirections.Theyarethereforareason.IfitsaystopreparethebidintheexactorderthatitislaidoutintheRFP,doit.Ifitsays,tocompletetheforminitsentirety,doit.Justdoit!
•Have at Least Two People Review the Bid–Afterawhile,yourbrainwillseewhatyouwantittosee,andnotwhatisactuallyonthepage.Makesureyouhavetwopeoplereviewthebid–andIrecommendoneofthembeoutsideyourorganization.
•Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute–Trustme,wecantell.Plus,youneverknowwhatcoulddelaythe
successfulgatheringofinformationrequiredforthebid.TheSymposiumRFPrequiresinformationfrom
multipleindividuals.Youdon’twanttohear“Ijustcan’tgetyouthatinformationinthetimeyou
requested”andhavethatputtheendtoyourbid.
•Ask Questions–IfyouarenotsureaboutsomethingintheRFP,justask.Mostplannersaremorethanhappytoansweryourquestions(asleasttheyshouldbe).This
notonlymakesyourbidbetter,butitwillhopefullykeepusfromcomingbacktoyouwithquestionsorclarifications–whichneitherofuswants.
•Be Relevant–Don’taddfillertoyourbidjusttomakeitthicker,lookfancier,impressyourboss,etc.Itonlyfrustratesusaswetrytoweedthroughthepagestofindwhatweactuallyaskedtobeincludedinthebid.
• If Possible, Submit Early–ItalwaysimpressesmewhenIreceiveabidaweek,ormore,inadvanceoftheduedate.Itimmediatelygivesmetheimpressionthatyouwantmybusiness,youplannedaheadandyouwillmostlikelygivethesamecareandattentiontomyneedswhenassistingmeincoordinatingtheSymposium.
•Make it Personal–Gotheextramiletopersonalize thebid.Iamnottalkingaboutgifts,incentives,orjustputtingtherecipient’snameonthecoverpage.Addapersonalizedletter(s)ofsupportfromanotablepersonality(ies)fromyourcity,recordavideoonaflashdrivewithacustommessage,havedigitalsignagethroughoutyourcitydisplayingmessagesofsupport/
invitation,thentakepicturesofthisandplacethemthroughoutyourbid,etc.
• Follow the Directions–Thisoneisworthstatingtwice.
BethHecquet,CMP,CMMistheDirectorofMeetingsandEventsfortheNationalAssociationofSportsCommissions.BethhasbeenwiththeNationalAssociationofSportsCommissions(NASC)sinceJanuary2002.AstheDirectorofMeetingsandEvents,BethisresponsiblemanagingtheNASCSportsEventSymposium,CertifiedSportsEventExecutive(CSEE)program,MarketSegmentMeetings,RegionalWorkshopsandanyotherface-to-facemeetingsandeventshostedbytheNASC.PriortohertimewiththeNASC,BethwasaSportManagerwiththeAmateurAthleticUnion(AAU)responsibleforthemanagementofsevensportsaswellaseventmanagementattheannualAAUJuniorOlympicGames.BethalsospentsometimewiththeIndianaSportsCorporation(ISC)in2000andwasinvolvedwithplanningandoperationsforthe2000BigTenWomen’sBasketballChampionship,2000NCAAMen’sFinalFourandthe2000USOlympicTrials–Swimming.
Beth’s Top Ten Tips for Responding to the NASC Symposium RFP
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HasseltinehasservedtheNASCinseveralcapacities:firsteverNGB/RightsHoldertoserveontheNASCBoardofDirectors(2003-04);electedtotheNASCBoardofDirectorsin2007intheactivemembercategoryandnowservesastheChairoftheNASCExecutiveCommittee.
JoiningHasseltineontheexecutivecommitteeis:GaryAlexander,NashvilleSportsCouncil,ImmediatePastChair,KevinSmith,CSEE,St.Petersburg/ClearwaterSportsCommission,ViceChair/ChairElect,GregAyers,CSEE,DiscoverKalamazoo,Treasurer,andRalphMorton,CSEESeattleSportsCommission,Secretary.
Newboardmemberswerealsoelectedandtheyinclude:JohnGibbons,CSEE,RhodeIslandSportsCommission,MichaelPrice,CSEE,GreaterLansingSportsAuthority,JanisSchmeesBurke,CSEE,HarrisCounty-HoustonSportsAuthorityandHollyShelton,CSEE,OklahomaCityConventionandVisitorsBureau.
Also,RickHatcher,CSEEjoinstheboardrepresentingAlliedRepresentativesandJeffJarnecke,NCAA,representingRightsHolderRepresentatives.
NASC recognizes Annual Award Winners for Outstanding AchievementNASCrecognized10membersfortheiroutstandinginitiativesinthesportseventsindustryoverthelast12months.
“Eachyear,theNationalAssociationofSportsCommissionsrecognizesitsmembersfortheiroutstandingservicetothesportseventindustryandcreativityindoingso,”saidMikeAnderson,DirectorofSports,VisitCharlotte,andNASCAwardsCommitteeChair.“OnbehalfoftheNASC,Iwanttocongratulateallofthe10honoredorganizationsfortheirindustryleadingefforts.”
TheNationalAssociationofSportsCommissions(NASC)sawarecordturnoutforitsannualSymposiumheldherefromApril22-252013,with772sportseventindustryprofessionalsattending,a20percentincreaseoverlastyear.Additionally,first-timeattendeesgrewby11percentto210individuals.
Highlightsfromtheannualmeetingincludedtheelectionofanewboardchair,TerryHasseltinefromtheMarylandOfficeofSports,industryawardsthatrecognized10membersforoutstandingachievementandthegraduationof17membersfromtheCertifiedSportsEventExecutive(CSEE)program.TheNASCmembershipalsocontributed$12,000toRunLouisvilleRunaspartoftheNASCSportsLegacyFundprogram.
“The2013NASCSportsEventSymposiumtookplaceinLouisvillewherenumerousrecordswereset,includingforhighestattendanceever,themosteventownersintheNASCSportsMarketplace,introductionoftheRapidRFPReviewsessions,whereeventownersmetwithseveralcitiesatthesametime,andmosteducationalsessionsoffered,”saidDonSchumacher,executivedirectoroftheNASC.“TheNASCreportedrecordmembershipandrevenues,withestimatedtotaldirectvisitorspendingfor2012ofabout$8.3billion.”
The2014NASCSymposiumwillbehostedinOklahomaCityfromMarch31-April3,2014.
Hasseltine named new board chair of NASC, six new board members elected
TerryHasseltine,CSEE,oftheMarylandOfficeofSports,waselectedboardchairoftheorganization.
HasseltineiscurrentlytheExecutiveDirectoroftheMarylandOfficeofSportsandwasappointedtothisrolein2008byGovernor
MartinO’Malley.Sincehisappointment,Hasseltinehasbeeninstrumentalinspearheadingvariousbid-developmentandevent-supportopportunitiesforthestaterelatedtotheseevents:2014ICFCanoeSlalomWorldChampionships–DeepCreek2014;2018/2022FIFAWorldCup™Bid;2010,2011and2014NCAAMen’sLacrosseNationalChampionships;WorldFootballChallengeandotherInternationalSoccerFriendlies;DewTour;2014-16CAAMen’sBasketballTournament,2013CONCACAFGoldCupandthe2011,GrandPrixofBaltimore;NeutralSiteCollegiateFootballGames;2014and2016Army-NavyGames.
National Association of Sports Commissions annual symposium celebrates record growth in 2013Terry Hasseltine elected new board chair of NASC
www.SportsCommissions.org7
Awardwinnersinclude:•Outstanding Marketing Campaign Under$200,000:LorainCountyVisitorsBureau $200,000andAbove:DetroitSports•Outstanding Locally Created Event Under$200,000:Bloomington-NormalAreaSports Commission $200,000andAbove:TuscaloosaTourismandSportsCommission
•Outstanding Online Presence Under$200,000:ButlerCountyVisitorsBureau $200,000andAbove:GreaterColumbusSportsCom-mission
•Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Member of the Year Under$200,000:Wausau/CentralWisconsin Convention&VisitorsBureau $200,000andAbove:OklahomaCityConvention&VisitorsBureau
• Sports Commission Member of the Year Under$200,000:AmesAreaSportsCommission $200,000andAbove:St.LouisSportsCommission
Seventeen graduate from the NASC’s Certified Sports Event Executive programDuringtheNASCSymposium,thelatestclassfromtheCertifiedSportsEventExecutive(CSEE)programgraduated.
TheCertifiedSportsEventExecutiveProgramisacer-tificationprogramopenonlytoNASCmembers.Sinceitsinception,theNASChasbeendedicatedtoraisingthestandardsofprofessionalismintheindustry.TheNASCStaffandProfessionalDevelopmentCommitteeassistpresentersinpreparingsessionsandcasestudiestoensurethattheneedsandconcernsofthesportseventindustryareaddressed.
Themostrecentgraduatingclassof17includes:• KarinAaron,VisitLoudoun• ArianaAndisKlein,USLacrosse• LindsayArellano,RockfordAreaConvention& VisitorsBureau• AnnaBarlowCumming,ForsythCountyChamber ofCommerce• JimDietz,ColumbusIndianaVisitorsCenter• JoshDill,VisitLubbockInc.• RoyEdmondson,TeamSanJose• KarenHubbs,JohnsonCityConvention& VisitorsBureau• CarolynLee,GWNDragonBoat• MonaMurphy,Flint-GeneseeRegionalConvention& VisitorsBureau• DavePatrone,KentuckyExpositionCenter/ InternationalConventionCenter• DavePlevich,GreaterMorgantownConvention& VisitorsBureau
SPOTLIGHT ON NASC AWARD WINNERSAtthisyear’sNASCSymposium,10memberswererecognizedfortheiroutstandinginitiativesinthesportseventsindustryoverthelast12months.Fromlargemarketstosmallmarkets,weaskedafewaward-winningmemberstoshareadviceonwhytheysubmittedentriesfortheirvariouscategories.
Detroit Sports Commission won the Outstanding Marketing Campaign ($200,000 and Above)“Ourprimaryreasonforsubmittinganentrywastoraiseawareness(bypublicizingtheaward)inthelocalcommunityoftheworkoftheDetroitSportsCommission,aswellassharingouruniquemarketingcampaignwithNASCmembers.Wealsoearnedasignificantnumberofmediaimpressionsgeneratedbyournewlycreatedmascot.”
-Dave Beachnau, CSEE, Executive Director, Detroit Sports Commission
St. Louis Sports Commission honored as the Sports Commission Member of the Year ($200,000 and Above)“Ourbiggestaccomplishmentforthisawardcategoryisthebreadthanddepthofourwork,andourorganizationalversatility.Eventsarecriticaltous–andwewereabletohostsomegreatonesinthelastyear.Butwealsoprideourselvesonbeinginnovators,nurturersandmostimportantly,leaders.Wetakeonthoserolesthroughourlocalsportsmanshipinitiative,MusialAwardsprogram,effortstofurtherSt.Louis’Olympiclegacy,andoursuccessfuldrivetopassstatelegislationcreatingapublicsupportcomponentforworkdonebysportscommissionsinMissouri.”
“Ofcourse,itisgratifyingtoberecognizedbyyourpeersandthereistremendousvaluetobeabletogobacktoyourcommunity,boardandmembers,media,andmanyotherswiththevalidationthatyoureffortsareheldinhighregardbyyourindustry.”
-Marc Schreiber, St. Louis Sports Commission
Greater Columbus Sports Commission nets Outstand-ing Online Presence ($200,000 and Above) “ParticipatinginNASCawardsisagreatwaytoberec-ognizedfromindustrypeers,toraiseyourorganization’sstandardsandsharebestpracticeswithotherswithintheNASCfamily.WehavesubmittedentriesforNASCawardseveryyearsince2006,withsomeyearshavingmultipleentries.IwoulddefinitelyencourageallNASCmemberstoapplyforawardsnextyear.”
-Ashlee Hayes, Greater Columbus Sports Commission
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• ErikSabato,WyndhamHotelGroup•DarienSchaefer,Wausau/CentralWisconsinSports Authority• JustinStine,OverlandParkSportsAlliance• KimStrable,GreensboroSportsCommission• JasonWilliams,ButlerCountyVisitorsBureau
NASC raises $12,000 for Run Louisville Run through its Sports Legacy FundThemembershipoftheNASCraised$12,000forRun.Louisville,Run!aprogramoftheYMCAatNortonCommons,throughagrantfromtheNASCSportsLegacyFund,raisedfromtheproceedsoftheannualauctionandraffle.Morethan750leadersinthesportseventsindustryattendedtheannualSymposiumandmanyprovidedsports-relatedraffleitemsand/orpurchasedraffletickets.
Run.Louisville,Run!providesaneight-weekrunningprogramfordeservingkidsinthecommunityandfocusesonincreasingself-esteem,promotinghealthylivingandofferingapositiveafter-schoolexperience.
“Thisgrantisoneofourlargesttodate,”saidMikeBramer,DistrictExecutiveDirector,YMCAatNortonCommons.“Weserveabout120youthwitheachprogramandnowwewillbeabletoquadruplethenumberofourparticipantsinourRunLouisvilleRunprogram,whereweteachyoungmenandwomenthepowerofprogres-sivelyrealizingworthygoalswhilerunning.”
“OnbehalfoftheentiremembershipoftheNationalAssociationofSportsCommissions,wearethrilledtorecognizeandawardourannualgranttoRunLouisvilleRun,”saidJenniferHawkins,CSEE,SportsMarketingDirectorofVisitPittsburgh&Co-chairoftheNASCSportsLegacyFund.“Run.Louisville,Run!isaninspirationalprogramforothercitiesinourcountrytomodel.”
Ames Area Sports Commission named Member of the Year (Under $200,000)“OurorganizationrepresentsAmesandIowaStateUniversityandbyapplyingforthisawardthecommu-nityreceivesrecognitionontheaccomplishmentsofthegroupsthathostedeventsin2012suchasthe2012BeepBaseballWorldSeriesandshowcasesourcommunityasasportsdestination.”
-Seann DeMaris, CSEE, Ames Sports Commission
Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission rolls with Outstanding Locally Created Event ($200,000 and Above)“TheTuscaloosaTourismandSportsCommission(TTSC)lookedforwardtosubmittingthe2012TuscaloosaRe-gionalAirShowfor“OutstandingLocallyCreatedEvent”formanyreasons.Primarily,becauseofthesuccessfulexecutionoftheevent,theexceptionalsupportgivenbythecommunityofTuscaloosaandsurroundingareasaswellasthecollaborativeeffortandpartnershipbetweentheTTSC,CityofTuscaloosaandCounty.Ifitwasn’tforthecommunitysupportandthepositiveworkingrelation-shipsbetweentheorganizingdepartments,theairshowwouldn’thavehadthesuccessofbringingapproximately125,000peopletoTuscaloosaforafamily-friendly,history-filled,memorableweekend.”
-Kelsey Colglazier, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission
Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission honoredwith Outstanding Locally Created Event (Under $200,000)“Ourreasonforsubmittinganentryforthiscategoryforour12thannualCOUNTRYYouthClassicwastomeasureourselvesagainstothercommunitiesandtheirevents.ItwasthefirsttimewesubmittedanawardinthiscategoryandIwouldencourageothermemberstosubmitentries.Itwillgiveyourorganizationrecognitionandyoucanuseitasamarketingtool.”-Matt Hawkins, CSEE, Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission and Sport Illinois
Butler County Visitors Bureau tapped for Outstanding Online Presence (Under $200,000) “TheButlerCountyVisitorsBureau(BCVB)submittedfortheOutstandingOnlinePresenceawardtohelpbringawarenesstoButlerCountyasapremiersportsdestina-tion.Whenweredesignedthewebsite,wewantedtomakesureitwasuserfriendlyandprovidedtheinforma-tionpeoplewerelookingfor.Weusedoursubmissioninthiscategorytohelpasawaytohelpshowoffthenewwebsiteandexposetheindustrytoallwehavetooffer.”
“Wewereverypleasedwiththeamountofexposuretheseonlineopportunitieshaveprovidedus.Theabilitytoberecognizedonanationallevelandwithintheindustryinthiswayisagreataccomplishment.”
-Stephanie Gigliotti, CSEE, Butler County Visitors Bureau
www.SportsCommissions.org9
Thereportalsofindsthatthelargestmetropolitanareaswillbringinmorevisitorstoanevent,makingitmoreofa“destination.”Eventsbeingheldinareaswithapopulationofmorethan1,000,000willhave58percentoftheattendeescomefromoutoftown,whilepopulationsof100,000orfewerwillhaveabout48percentofattendeesbenon-locals.Still,that’sagoodpercentageofvisitorswhowillspendmoneyinthosemarketsandaffecttheeconomicimpactoftheregion.
Onthetopicofsponsorship,theSportsTourismreportshowsthatmorethan71percentofthoserespondingsaytheysecuretheirsponsorsthroughpersonalrelationships.Afterthat,sponsorscomethroughboardmembers,(47.5percent),internal,dedicatedsalesstaffs(33.7percent)andoutsidesalesconsultants(14percent).
Outofthatrevenue,nearly27percentofthoserespondingreportedanincreaseinsponsorship,while14percentreportedadecrease.Thewidemajority,nearly59percent,saidrevenuestayedaboutthesame.Andwhilevisitorspendinginthesportstourismindustryin2012isestimatedtobe$8.3billion,directvisitorspendingincreasedmorethan$600millionin2012,over2011numbers.
Atthesametime,thenumberoforganizationsthatreportedthattheypaybidfeesforeventsincreasedfrom66percentin2011upto83percentin2012,addingtotheup-frontcostsofbeinganeventhost.
Evenwiththeaddedcosts,theSportsTourismreportshowsthatnomatterwhatthemarketsize,sportingeventscontinuetobeamajordriverofvisitorspendinginthesecities,withdirectvisitorspendingtakingasignificantjumpoverthepastyear.Withsponsorshipdollarsholdingsteadyorincreasinginthemajorityofmarkets,thesportstourismindustryshowsnosignsofweakeningfortheseorganizationsandcommunities.
Sports Tourism: A State of the Industry ReportAnalysis by Don Schumacher, Executive Director, NASC
Sportstourismcontinuestobeagrowthindustryformarketsacrossthecountry,andanewreportbyDr.LisaDelpyNeirottifromGeorgeWashingtonUniversitygivesadetailedbreakdownonhowtheindustryisgrowingandwhatmarketsaretakingadvantageofthisgrowth.
Thereportfindsthatnearly31percentofthemarketssurveyedfortheirsportstourismindustryaremediumsized,froma100,000to250,000population.Onlyabout15percentofthemarketsaremorethan1,000,000,andaheftypercentage,nearly21percent,haveapopulationof100,000orless,showingthattheareadoesnothavetobeamajormetropolitancentertodipintothesportstourismarena.
As for community priorities, the top priority as surveyed for the report is visitor spending, while marketing the region to visitors came in second. Third in priority was representing the sports industry in the community, and fourth was supporting local sports franchises and venues. At the bottom of the list is sports philanthropy.
Dr. Lisa Delpy NeirottiGeorge Washington University
FireandFirstRespondersinthecityofCincinnati,alongwithothermunicipalitiesinNorthernKentuckyandalongtheroutetodiscusshowtobestreacttothisneedforheightenedsecurity.
“WehavebeenfortunatetohavegoodworkingrelationshipswithallthecommunitiesalongtheFlyingPigroutes,”Simpson-Bushsaid.“Weregularlymeetwithfire,policeandfirstrespondersintheweeksleadinguptotheMarathon.Thisyear,though,themeetingstookonspecialurgency.”
Infact,justtwodaysaftertheBostonbomb-ings,onWednesday,April17,FlyingPigMarathonstaffersmetwithmorethantwodozenemergencyof-ficials,includingrepresentativesfrom
theCityofCincinnati,HamiltonCounty,Ohio,thecitiesofNewportandCovington,Kentucky,countyofficialsfromNorthernKentucky,alongwithrepresentativesfromtheFBIandHomelandSecurity.Allmetwithoneobjectiveinmind:TomaketheFlyingPigMarathonsafe,whilenotoverlyalarmingparticipants,volunteersandspectators.
“Whenitcomestosecurity,weworkfortheevents—weworkfortheorganizationsplanningthem,andtheirparticipants,”saidSgt.GregLewtonfromthespecialeventssectionoftheCincinnatiPoliceDepartment.“Itisourmissiontomakesurewemakethemassafeaspossible,withoutdisruptingtheenthusiasmandthejoythatcomefromeventsliketheFlyingPigMarathon.InworkingwithIrisandthemarathonstaff,wewereabletofindthefinelineofincreasedsecurity,withoutputtingadamperontheevent.”
Fromthosemeetings,camethePlanningelementoftheincreasedsecurity.WhilesafetymeasuresalreadywereinplacefortheMarathon,theFlyingPigstaff,aswellasthefirstresponders,hadtolookatwaystobeefupsecurity.First,eachdepartmentalongtheroutepledgedincreasedstaffing,includingmoreuniformedaswellasundercoverpersonnel.Second,theFlyingPigworkedwithitsgearbagproviderto,atthelastminute,switchfromawhiteplasticgearbagtoaclearone.TheclearbagwouldbetheonlybagallowedatgearcheckonMarathonmorning.
How the Flying Pig Marathon Kept Participants Safe without Instilling FearBy Jackie Reau, Game Day Communications
We’veallgonethroughit:Everythingisinplaceforyoureventwhen,atthelastminute,someissuecausesmajorchanges.Itcouldbeashortageoft-shirts,notenoughmedals,eventhethreatofbadweather.
Butwhenit’saninternationalbombingincident,itforceschangesnotjusttoyourevent,buteveryeventthatcomesafter.
That’swhathappenedtodozensofroadracesintheaftermathoftheApril15bombingattheBostonMarathonfinishline,includingtheCincinnatiFlyingPigMarathon,whichwasallsettocelebrateits15thanniversaryweekendMay3-5.Insteadofacelebration,though,theweekendwouldbecomeoneofremembrancefortheBostonvictimsandoneofconcernforthePig’sownsecurityplan.
TheFlyingPigstaffreactedquickly,huddlingwithitspublicrelationsteaminminutesaftertheBostonincidenttocraftageneralstatementtothemediaregardingthebombing.Afterthat,camethedutyofdevelopingacomprehensivecommunicationsplanandchecklisttorespondtotheincidentbeforeMarathonweekendincluding:Preparation,Partnerships,Planning,andaPro-activeCommunicationplan.
ThePreparationpartwasalreadyinplace:FormorethanadecadetheFlyingPigMarathonhashadageneralcrisisplanonthebooks,onethathadbeenputtothetestfiveyearsbefore,whenafireonthecourseMarathonmorn-ingforcedadetouraroundthefireanda10-minutedelayinthe6:30a.m.start.Thatincidentprovedthatconstantcommunicationandtransparency,whichkeptthemediaandparticipantsinformed,keptcomplaintstoaminimumwithlittleornobacklashoverthelast-minutechange.
Sowiththegeneralcrisisplanalreadyinplace,theFlyingPiguseditsexistingPartnershipstoexplorehowtodealwiththeaddedsecuritythatwouldnowbeexpectedatanylargeevent,butespeciallyaroadraceevent.Tothatend,FlyingPigMarathonExecutiveDirectorIrisSimpson-Bushusedher10yearsofworkingwithPolice,
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But when it’s an international bombing incident, it forces changes not just to your event, but every event that comes after.
SAFETY AND SECURITY CONCERNS ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF SPORTING EVENTS
Third,policeagenciesthroughouttheregion,includingthesecuritystaffattheGreaterCincinnati-NorthernKen-tuckyAirport,pooledtheirresourcestobringinasmanyastwodozenexplosive-sniffingpolicedogstoconstantlycheckgearbags,vehiclesandtrashcansalongtheroute.Andfourth,theCincinnatiPoliceincreasedthenumberofsurveillancecamerastocoverthestart,finishandheavyspectator-populatedareasalongtheroutetokeepaneyeonanythingsuspicious.
Withtheplanninginplacetoincreasesecurity,itwasnowuptotheMarathontobeProactiveinitscommunicationswiththemedia,participants,volunteersandstaffers.Thefirstopportunityforexternalcommunicationswasthe5p.m.newsonthenightoftheBostonincident,whentheNBCaffiliateinCincinnati,whichbroadcastsfivehoursoftheFlyingPigMarathonlive,requestedaninterviewwithIrisSimpson-BushtogetherreactionandhowtheFlyingPigwouldadjustsecurityaftertheincident.Shedidthatinterview,alongwithaneveningpressconferenceandtwomoreliveinterviewsthenextmorningwithothermediaoutlets.
Alsothatnextmorning,attheregularMarathonstaffmeeting,itwasIris’firstopportunitytoaddressthegroupontheincidentandthePig’splansforsecurity.Withmorethan20contractedemployeesandinternspreparingfortheeventattendingthemeeting,Irisupdatedthestaffonpreparationsastheystoodatthemoment,andofferedthatifanyofthestaffersand,especiallyinterns,didnotfeelsafeincontinuingtoworkontheevent,theycouldwalkaway.Noonedid.
Throughouttheweek,Iriswasmadeavailableonaregularbasistothemediatogiveupdatesonsecurity(asmuchascouldbemadepublic)andwhatchangesthePigwasmakinginresponsetotheconcerns.Inaddition,regularpostsweremadeontheFlyingPigwebsite,aswellastheFlyingPigFacebookpagetokeepparticipants,spectatorsandvolunteersinformedofthechanges,includingtheeliminationofgearcheckforSaturdayevents(5K,10K,etc.),theuseofonlytheclearbagsforgearcheckSundayandthebanningofbackpacksinthestartandfinishlineareas.
www.SportsCommissions.org11
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Infact,theFlyingPigFacebookpagebecameamajorconduitofinformation,commentsandsuggestionsfromparticipantsinthosefirstfewdaysafterBoston,anditwasbecauseofrunners’requestsforsomekindofBostontributethattheFlyingPigprintedspecialtechni-calshirtsandwristbandsrememberingtheBostonvictims.Becauseoftheparticipants’desiretohon-orthevictims,thesaleoftheshirtsandwristbandsraisedmorethan$53,000throughtheFlyingPigfortheOneFundBoston.
AstheFlyingPigremainedastransparentaspossibleonthesafetyissue,theMarathonrevertedbacktoitsoriginalcrisisplaninthatIriswastheonlystafferauthorizedtospeakonbehalfoftheMarathonastoitssecurityprocess.Asinanycrisis,theorganizingbodyshoulddesignateonepersontocarrythemessagetothemedia;morethanonepersoncanmuddlethecommunicationandcanmaketheorganizationlookdisorganizedandunprepared.
BecauseofthePreparationalreadyinplacewiththecrisisplan;thePartnershipsforgedovertheyearswithfirst
respondersandpolice;thePlanningthatwaskickedinim-mediatelytoincreasesecurityandtheProactiveCommunicationstrategyusedtogetthemessagetothe
public,theFlyingPigMarathonhaditsmostsuccessfulweekendever,withmorethan33,000participantsoverthetwo-dayevent.Infact,thereweresomanywhoregisteredinthetwoweeksaftertheBostonbombing,thatalltheevents(exceptforkids’funruns)reachedcapacitybyFridayofMarathonweekend.
TherewereseveralreasonsfortheoverwhelmingsuccessoftheFlyingPigMarathon,nottheleastofwhichwerethelast-minutesignupsbypeoplewhoweredeterminednottolettheBostonbombersruinagreatevent.However,thetransparencyinthecommunicationregardingtheFlyingPigsecurity,alongwiththequickresponsestoparticipants’safetyquestions,helpedbuildasenseofcom-munityamongthePigrunners,volunteersandspectatorsthateveryone,together,wouldmakethisasafe,secureandfunevent.
It is our mission to make sure we make them as safe as possible, without disrupting the enthusiasm and the joy that come from events like the Flying Pig Marathon.– Sgt. Greg Lewton, Cincinnati Police Department
www.SportsCommissions.org13
Q: What are three tips you can share with potential host cities?
A. Firstandforemost,allpotentialhostcitiesneedtodevelopcloseworkingrelationshipswithourmembers,thecollegesanduniversitiesintheirmarket,tosubmitthebid.Secondly,it’simportanttocompletethebidperthespecificationsbutalsobecreative.Wewanttoseesomecommunityspiritandpassioninthebid.Lastlybutprobablymostimportant,wewanttoseehowthehostcommunityandmemberorganizationaregoingtocreateapositiveexperienceforourstudentathletes.
Q: What are you most excited about at the NCAA?
A. Igetexcitedgoingtoworkeveryday.Interestincollegeathleticsisatanall-timehighasevidencedbytheTVratingsofthemen’sbasketballtourna-ment,thehighestsincethe90s.Buteverytimeweawardachampionshiptrophy,it’samagicalmomentandwegettodoit89timesayear.
Q: How are you looking to grow strategic alliances for the NCAA?
A. With94percentoftheannualrevenuefortheNCAAcomingfrommen’sbasketball,Ithinkaboutgrowingrevenueopportunitieswiththeotherchampionshipseveryday.Onlyfiveofour89championshipsareself-funding(men’s
basketball,men’shockey,baseball,men’slacrosseandwrestling.Weareconstantlylookingforwaystogrowrevenuewhileprovidingadditional
exposuretoourstudentathletes.Forexample,wewillbroadcastthemen’sandwomen’sgolf
championshipsontheGolfChannel.
Upcoming Best Practices WebinarsDate Event/Program
July 24, 2013 NASC Member Orientation WebinarAug. 20, 2013 NASC Best Practices Webinar: Creating a Fair and Effective Stay-to-Play Policy Sept. 16, 2013 NASC Best Practices Webinar: Safety & Security Planning for Sporting EventsOct. 7, 2013 CSEE Fall 2013 Module Oct. 7-8, 2013 2013 NASC Market Segment MeetingsMar. 31-Apr. 3, 2014 22nd annual NASC Sports Event Symposium
NASC helps members prepare for the NCAA Championship Bid ProcessThissummer,theNCAAwilldistributethebidscollectivelyforthe89annualchampionshipsfacilitatedbytheNCAAoverthenextfouryears.TheNCAAisworkingcloselytoshareinformationwiththeNASCmembershiponcraftingabidforvarioussports.InJune,theNCAAofferedeightwebinars,whicharearchivedontheNASCwebsite,ontopicsincluding:NCAABiddingProcessandOverview,Men’sLacrosse,DIIFestival,DIWrestling,DIWomen’sVolleyball,DIMen’sIceHockey,DIWomen’sBasketballandDIMen’sBasketball.
TofurtherthepartnershipwiththeNASC,MarkLewis,whohasbeenintheroleofExecutiveVicePresidentofChampionshipsandAlliancesfortheNCAA,forjustmorethanoneyear,spokeatthe2013NASCSymposium
Q: You have been in your role for one year now. What are some of the accomplishments in which you are most proud?
A. Eachyear,wehost89championshipsforourstudentathletestocompeteatthehighestlevelandtocreatelastingmemoriesforthem.Ourmen’stournamentthisyearcelebratedits75thanniversary
withaterrifictournamentthatincludedsomeofthebestmatchupsinthehistoryofthetournament,
recordTVratingsandterrificattendance.WealsolaunchedourDivisionIIChampionshipFestivalsforthefirsttime.Wereceivedgreatfeedbackfromourmemberorganizationsaswellasourstudentathletesfortheoverallexperience.
Thank you for a record turnout in Louisville! See you in OKC!