Rochester, Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission Proposal to Host: 2011 National Collegiate Table Tennis Association National Championships: April 15-17, 2011 Prepared by: John Larsen Sports Sales Manager and Ben Boldt Event Operations Manager Rochester Amateur Sports Commission In Partnership with the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of Rochester, MN
Rochester, Minnesota The Rochester Amateur Sports Commission, the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau and the city of Rochester would like to again partner with the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association to host the 2011 National Championships at the University Center Field House in Rochester, Minnesota. Currently Minnesota s third largest and fastest growing city, Rochester has been recognized several times by Money Magazine as one of the country s most livable communities. Home of the world renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester provides a safe, clean and enjoyable city for its visitors. Rochester is also the home of the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission (RASC), a leader in hosting major state, regional and national sporting events in Rochester since 1991. The RASC focuses on assuring the athletes and their fans have a great experience in Rochester. The RASC believes strongly that its many years of working with all types of events and a dedicated commitment from the Rochester Table Tennis Club are the perfect team to work with the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association. Rochester Regional Sports Center Field House - Venue Information The Rochester Regional Sports Center Field House will again be a perfect venue for the 2011 NCTTA Championships. An arena with a seating capacity of 1600, all close to the action with great viewing, will create an exciting atmosphere for the players and fans. Located just five minutes from the headquarters hotels, the Kahler Grand and Kahler Inn & Suites, the facility has a multipurpose sports court that can easily accommodate 16 table tennis courts.
Rochester Hotel and Restaurant Information As in 2008 and 2009, the Kahler Grand and Kahler Inn & Suites will be the headquarters hotels. Room rates for the Kahler Grand will be $89 and $99 for the Kahler Inn & Suites. The Kahler Grand and Kahler Inn & Suites are a short five minute drive to the Rochester Regional Sports Center Field House and 10 minutes to the Rochester International Airport. The Kahler Grand and Kahler Inn & Suites are located downtown and are connected by a climate-controlled skyway system to area shops and restaurants making navigation in and around the city for teams and fans easy and hassle-free. The Kahler Grand will again provide shuttle service to and from the playing venue and Rochester International Airport. A complimentary banquet room for the awards banquet along with a meeting room at the hotel for NCTTA staff will also be provided by the Kahler Grand. Please see attached proposal from the Kahler Grand and Kahler Inn & Suites for more specific information on this proposal. With over 165 restaurants to choose from, NCTTA athletes will have many options ranging from local favorites such as Michael s Steak House, Victoria s Italian Restaurant and Roscoe s Ribs to most of the popular national chains, including T. G. I. Friday s, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse and many more.
Media Coverage The RASC plans to market the 2011 NCTTA Championships through the following media avenues: Press releases to Rochester radio, TV and newspaper outlets. Prominent display of tournament information on RASC website Championships Program The Rochester Amateur Sports Commission will compile and print a championship program. Volunteer Plan As in 2008 and 2009, the Rochester Table Tennis Club will provide volunteers to help run the championships. The Rochester Table Tennis Club (RTTC) is the first club in Rochester, Minnesota dedicated to the sport of table tennis. It was founded in June 2003 by a group of local players. The club is organized as a nonprofit organization in the state of Minnesota and is affiliated with USA Table Tennis. In addition, the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission will be an integral part of the volunteer plan as described in more detail later in this proposal. Site Visit A site visit may not be necessary due to the NCTTA having familiarity with the venue and sports commission staff in Rochester. However, the RASC is open to a site visit if deemed necessary. Photography The RASC will assist the NCTTA in obtaining a local photographer with experience in sports photography. Sponsorships The RASC typically does not utilize corporate sponsorships in hosting events but will discuss this topic further with the NCTTA should Rochester be awarded the 2011 championships. Budget See the attached budget sent on email with the proposal.
Rochester has a full-time Sports Commission staff. Rochester has one of the most well established Sports Commissions in the country. RASC was formed in 1991 to host the 1992 AAU Junior Olympics. Since then, the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission has served as host of numerous local, regional, state national and international events. Currently, Rochester has five full time employees. The RASC goes the extra mile to ensure teams and families have a positive experience and will work diligently with the NCTTA staff in 2011 as was been done in preparation for the 2008 and 2009 National Championships. Below is a sample of events the RASC has successfully hosted or partnered with in recent years: National Collegiate Table Tennis Association National Championships: 2008-2009 NJCAA National Wrestling Championships: 1999-2009 USA Wrestling Cadet Duals National Championships: 2009-2010 Minnesota USA Wrestling Folkstyle State Tournament: 2005-2010 Minnesota USA Wrestling Freestyle State Tournament: 2005-2010 The Clash National High School Wrestling Duals: 2003-2009 United States Figure Skating National Showcase: 2008 AAU National Girls Basketball Championship: 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 Star of the North State Games: 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005-2007, 2010 NCAA Women s Division II Basketball National Championship: 2001 & 2002 NJCAA Division III Women s Volleyball National Championships: 2001-2009 US Baton Twirling National Championships: 2007 USA Table Tennis North American Championships: 2006 Amateur Softball Association National Tournaments: 2006-2010 NJCAA Division III Women s Basketball National Championships: 2007-2009 AAU Age Group Girls Gymnastics National Championships: 2006 NCAA Women s Division III Volleyball Championship: 2004 USA Taekwondo National Qualifying Tournament: 2005-2006 RASC Staff: Ed Hruska Executive Director Kelly Favro Event Operations Assistant Ben Boldt Event Operations Director Shelley Boettcher Operations Manager John Larsen Sports Sales Manager
A Strong Community That Serves Amateur Sports Well! The RASC s 28-person working board is made up of local business leaders who are committed to the efforts of hosting top quality sporting events in Rochester. From venue managers, hotel owners, park department employees or simply experts in a particular sport, this group understands what it takes to run successful events. The RASC s success is a true team effort! The 2010 RASC Board of Directors: Member Affiliation Volunteer Experience Bob Groettum Schmidt Goodman Office Product Basketball, Hockey Bob Nowicki Rochester City Councilmember Hockey, Baseball Brad Jones Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau Hockey, Golf Carmen Kane Mayo Foundation Soccer, Baseball, Taekwondo Carole Shulman Professional Skaters Association Figure Skating Chad Eickhoff Mayo Sports Medicine Volleyball, Basketball, Wrestling Dan Litzinger Rochester Honker Baseball Volleyball, Baseball Dan Nelson Hampton Inn Soccer, Lacrosse Frank Spaeth Rochester Youth Soccer Association Soccer Jeff Jensen Express Personnel Services Volleyball, Weight Lifting John Eckerman Rochester Chamber of Commerce Soccer, Softball John McGuine Benike Construction Tug of War, Basketball Julie Haldeman Sunstone Hotel Properties Basketball, Volleyball, Softball Kathy Fitzgerald Mayo Foundation Volleyball, Hockey Kristine Ihrke Best Western Soldiers Field Basketball, Wrestling Mark Bilderback Mayo Foundation Security/Safety Tug of War, Baseball Matt Asleson Valley Design Volleyball, Golf Matt Esau Mayo Civic Center Facilities Basketball, Volleyball Mike Maggert A Magic Moment Photography Basketball, Football Mike Quinn Quinn Law Office Volleyball Mike Schaber Rochester Park & Recreation Basketball, Volleyball, Softball Maureen Sanderson Rochester Youth Lacrosse Association Volleyball, Lacrosse Myron Salz Soldiers Field Best Western Golf, Tennis, Hockey Ron Bastian Rochester Park & Recreation Hockey Scott Schneider Rochester Youth Hockey Association Hockey Steve Prigge Pro-Image Marketing Basketball, Soccer Sylvia Rogers Edina Realty Volleyball, Tennis Tracy Kidd Rochester Lourdes High School Basketball, Softball
Comments from Previous Events held in Rochester, Minnesota: I wanted to extend very sincere thanks for all the incredible work you did with the NJCAA National Wrestling Championships. I have been to tons of tourneys in the past 30 years and few would match what you did with this one. Tim Yount, Assistant Executive Director, NJCAA The city was very nice and the hospitality was great! It was very well organized. Nakaira Gibson, AAU Coach, U-14 Girls BB National Championship Once again thanks for the friendly way that the Championships were carried out and the great organization behind them. David Wilson, Northern Ireland Tug of War regarding the 2004 World Tug of War Championships A wonderful location to visit. The people and hospitality were tremendous. Don Flora, University of La Verne regarding the 2004 NCAA DIII Women s Volleyball Championships. Rochester is a nice, clean town. It has nice hotels and restaurants friendly people. - Walt Thurnau, NJCAA Coach A Great location! The whole organization of the tournament was outstanding. Tyra Rowe of the Central Kentucky Angles during a recent AAU Girls Basketball National Championship Tournament