Ben VanCamp Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission Lorrie Love Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Caleb Miles Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ben VanCamp Executive Director Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission
BROADEN YOUR DEFINITION OF SPORTS
CYCLO-CROSS @ BILTMORE
BE TARGETED FOR YOUR COMMUNITY 1) Look for events that will fit your community Grow existing events Incubate new events Recruit national / regional 2) Determine when you have demand to fill 3) Think outside the field / court 4) Be careful with the pay to play scenarios
GALA GYMNASTICS
BENEFITS OUTSIDE OF ROOM NIGHTS Sporting events draw attention to tourism efforts in a positive manner
BENEFITS OUTSIDE OF ROOM NIGHTS Encourages community leaders to work together
BENEFITS OUTSIDE OF ROOM NIGHTS Promotes health and wellness locally
Lorrie Love Tourism Sales & Events Manager Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
THE HAVES AND NEEDS OF PLANNING FOR AND HOSTING A SPORTING EVENT Site/venue selection Money/event support Promotion Event developer & your community
SITE / VENUE SELECTION / NEEDS What makes your venues/sites different than others? Take inventory of your sporting event space look beyond the fields and gyms Determine the timing of your events - what season?
MONEY & EVENT SUPPORT (IT TAKES $ TO PUT ON EVENTS) Here are some expenses to think about: Bid fees Venue rental Event Awards Comp rooms or housing Food for athletes & attendees Promotion above & beyond what the event is doing Tenting Security Port-o-Johns Staging/Sound system Parking attendants
MONEY & EVENT SUPPORT (IT TAKES $ TO PUT ON EVENTS) Where does the money come from? Sponsorships - can get sticky for a DMO Ticket sales for the event not always an option Grant programs OBVB provides reimbursable options for Dare County non-profits and can help off-set start-up event costs. Event Grant Program: new events, 3 years eligibility, accept 2x a year Established Event Developer Program: assist in long-term funding of events, develop at least one significant event (min. of 500 attendees) during this 3 year grant designed to increase participation at existing events
PROMOTING THE EVENT - GETTING THE WORD OUT Advertising - on-line, specialty print; OBVB grants can off-set these costs especially for out-of-market advertising Social Media - easy & inexpensive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) Eblast to your consumer base and industry partner lists Distribute collateral materials Event developer, database and advertising Interest Groups, social clubs, word of mouth
WHAT S EVERYBODY BRINGING TO THE TABLE? Every event has to have an owner Cultivate relationships with event planners find out their needs, how you can help, pair them up with local non profits who need fundraising $ such as local sporting groups, schools and clubs Figure out your limitations Have a clear understanding of what everyone is getting out of the event (DMO, club, community, event planner)
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR COMMUNITY It s okay for different parties to have different missions... as long they align for the event!
Caleb Miles President & CEO Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
2014 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS Background First Back-2-Back Men s & Women s 2 weeks: June 6 21, 2014 400,000 + spectators 2,000 credentialed media members 7,000 volunteers 44 hours of live TV (150 countries) Economic Impact: $ 169M
HOSTING THE U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS No formal bid made USGA runs the show Two Championships, One Event A North Carolina Event Corporate Hospitality Housing Transportation ROI is significant
HOUSING Core Block 30K Room Nights Spectator, Media, Volunteers Block Estimated: 65K+ Room Nights All at a premium rate Moore County plus 8 surrounding counties Private Home Rentals
LOGISTICS Transportation Parking/Shuttles Airports Small Town = Big Space USGA Culture Everyone s Backyard Third Time is the Charm Community Events
TOURISM CONNECTION A U.S. Open Championship is, in baseball terms, a homerun for tourism In today s economy, with two Opens, the bases are truly loaded In Moore County, the box score reads: Over $ 1.1 million a day in visitor spending Supporting 5,000 jobs Spending during the two weeks of the Opens is: 750% higher Brand Exposure +++
THE LITTLE DESTINATION THAT COULD In 1999, they called it a mistake. Too small, not enough $$, spectators or volunteers Again in 2014: Two Opens - won t work. You decide your future, not the naysayers. Together We Succeed