PROPOSAL FOR A

DURHAM SPORTS COMMISSION

Sports commissions are organizations that support the creation and hosting of amateur sporting events in their community. They are charged with

both attracting and servicing professional, collegiate, amateur and youth sporting events and activities.

WHAT IS A SPORTS COMMISSION?

Participants Representing

Steve Schewel and Tom Bonfield City of Durham

Mike Schoenfeld Duke University

Wendy Jacobs and Wendell Davis Durham County

Bill LeFevre and Shelly Green Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tommy Hunt Durham Stadium Authority

George Habel and Casey Steinbacher Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce

Ingrid Wicker North Carolina Central University

Omar Beasley Recreation Advisory Board

Umar Muhammad Usports Consulting

SPORTS COMMISSION TASK FORCE

• Define an overall strategy for sports tourism including measurable goals and expected outcomes.

• Meet with local universities, teams, coaches and other sports interests to assess current needs, capacity and interest in hosting events in Durham. Identify potential sporting events based on the availability and capacity of facilities and services.

WHAT WOULD A SPORTS COMMISSION DO?

• Develop a comprehensive sports tourism service strategy to stimulate interest and desire in attending sports tourism events as well as providing a liaison between events, organizers and fans and the facilities and services that they utilize.

WHAT WOULD A SPORTS COMMISSION DO?

• Develop and implement tactics to attract sports events to Durham. This includes bidding on regional and/or national events as well as supporting and encouraging locally-produced events that will generate visitation from outside Durham.

WHAT WOULD A SPORTS COMMISSION DO?

• Develop guidelines for providing incentives, sponsorships or underwriting to sports tourism events.

• Complete an inventory of all facilities and venues available in Durham County with current utilization levels, an analysis of the potential of those facilities to host sports events.

WHAT WOULD A SPORTS COMMISSION DO?

• Develop a long-term strategy, following an assessment of unmet needs, for the expansion of existing sports facilities for increased use by residents as well as for use in sports tourism events.

WHAT WOULD A SPORTS COMMISSION DO?

• It is estimated that a Durham Sports Commission, under this model, would generate through its bookings, about $2.6 million in local sales and occupancy tax revenues in its first 3-years.

But the benefits are more than economic.

HOW WOULD THIS BENEFIT DURHAM?

• Sports tournaments and events often provide positive media exposure to host destinations. Utilizing existing DCVB public relations staff, Durham could reap additional positive awareness through sports tourism events.

HOW WOULD THIS BENEFIT DURHAM?

• The creation of new sports tourism events will help local leagues and teams raise funds by hosting tournaments and events. It also allows these teams and their families to save money that would have spent traveling to other communities and gives them a home team advantage.

HOW WOULD THIS BENEFIT DURHAM?

• With additional visitors coming, there will be a need for additional facilities, whether those are sports facilities, hotels, restaurants or other services. Residents get the benefit of using these new facilities. Also, as the demand grows, the tax base expands which also benefits local residents.

HOW WOULD THIS BENEFIT DURHAM?

• A sports commission will afford students opportunities for training in the field of sports tourism, particularly through internships.

HOW WOULD THIS BENEFIT DURHAM?

• A vibrant community with multiple sports tourism events provides a solid foundation for identifying and attracting talent, a key economic development strategy.

HOW WOULD THIS BENEFIT DURHAM?

• 501 (c) (3) tax exempt charitable organization• Independent stand-alone organization with its

own bylaws and 9-member board of directors appointed as follows:– 3 seats by the County– 3 seats by the City– 3 seats by the Greater Durham Chamber of

Commerce

PROPOSED STRUCTURE

• 3 year agreement for DCVB to operate the Sports Commission including:– Hiring (paying the salary) of an Executive Director– Hiring (paying) a sports services coordinator– Providing salaries, benefits, office space,

technology and equipment, as well as sales, marketing and promotion to attract and create sports events

PROPOSED STRUCTURE

– The City and County would be asked to provide funds that will be dedicated solely to sponsorships, bid fees and other types of underwriting.

– The private sector will be asked to provide funding through sponsorships for sports events.

– Foundation support will be sought for special projects.

PROPOSED STRUCTURE

• 3-year commitment by DCVB, the City of Durham and Durham County to fund the DSC.

• Funding is tied to a specific percentage of the increase (growth) in occupancy tax revenues.

• No net loss of existing occupancy tax funds will be realized by DCVB or local government. The money invested in the DSC will be used to attract more visitors, who will generate additional sales and occupancy taxes.

PROPOSED FUNDING

BUDGETS FOR BID FEES AND SPONSORSHIPS

Q & A