NASC

Pictured here (L to R): Karl Schmitt, Louisville Sports Commission, Mike Bramer, Run Louisville Run and Jennifer Hawkins, VisitPittsburgh.

At the 2013 Symposium of the National Association of Sports Commissions held here last week, Run Louisville Run, a program of the YMCA at Norton Commons, was presented with a $12,000 grant from the NASC Sports Legacy Fund, raised from the proceeds of the Symposium auction and raffle. More than 750 leaders in the sports events industry attended the annual Symposium and many provided sports-related raffle items and/or purchased raffle tickets.

Run Louisville Run provides an eight-week running program for deserving kids in the community and focuses on increasing self-esteem, promoting healthy living and offering a positive after-school experience.

“This grant is one of our largest to date,” said Mike Bramer, District Executive Director, YMCA at Norton Commons. “We serve about 120 youth with each program and now we will be able to quadruple the number of our participants in our Run Louisville Run program, where we teach young men and women the power of progressively realizing worthy goals while running.”

“On behalf of the entire membership of the National Association of Sports Commission, we are thrilled to recognize and award our annual grant to Run Louisville Run,” said Jennifer Hawkins, CSEE, Sports Marketing Director of VisitPittsburgh & Co-chair of the NASC Sports Legacy Fund. “Run Louisville Run is an inspirational program for other cities in our country to model.”

 2013-2014 committees and volunteer opportunities

Volunteers provide exceptional experience and essential tools to our vibrant community and are the foundation of the National Association of Sports Commissions. With the participation of more than 100 committee volunteers in the last year, the NASC created a number of new benefits to make your membership more valuable including: the development of the virtual event webinar series, new categories for the annual member awards, and the creation of content for the annual NASC Sports Event Symposium.

We are excited to invite you to respond to this year’s call for volunteers. We need your skills, passion, and perspectives to build a vibrant, inclusive, and multicultural group of volunteer leaders throughout our committees. Additionally, your participation allows you to gain experience and better understand the inner-workings of your association, further your knowledge about the sports event industry, and develop new contacts within the NASC membership.

We welcome your expertise and enthusiasm in becoming a part of this active and talented group of volunteers. We hope you will take the time to review the opportunities and discover a way to contribute. The deadline for responding to the call for volunteers varies depending on the committee.  Please see below for response and deadline information.

If you are one of our members who has already realized the value of the volunteer experience with NASC, please remember that there is no automatic carryover of committee participation and you must notify the staff liaison(s) for the committee(s) on which you currently serve of your desire to continue participating.

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee is responsible for developing award categories and criteria for the annual NASC Member Awards.  The committee also serves as judges for the various categories. Positions on the Awards committee will be assigned in May 2013. If you are interested in serving, contact Elizabeth Chaney at Elizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.
Membership Committee

The Membership Committee oversees membership retention and recruitment.  The committee contacts inactive and cancelled members on behalf of the association to encourage them to renew. The committee also evaluates membership benefits and resources on an annual basis. Positions on the Membership committee will be assigned in May 2013.  If you are interested in serving, contact Elizabeth Chaney at Elizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

Mentoring Committee

The Mentoring Committee cultivates relationships with new members to help guide them through their first year of membership.  The committee educates general members about benefits and resources that will help them make the most of their membership, primarily through their regular “Tips from the Mentoring Committee” blogs.  The committee is also responsible for planning and hosting first time attendee activities at the annual Symposium.  Pre-requisites: Committee members must have a minimum of five years of industry experience and be actively involved in the NASC. Positions on the Mentoring committee will be assigned in May 2013.  If you are interested in serving, contact Elizabeth Chaney at Elizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee works with the NASC staff to develop and implement the Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) Program. Committee members are required to join and fully participate in monthly committee calls, assist in the development of modules and continually evaluate the program to strengthen the CSEE brand.   Positions on the 2013-2014 Professional Development Committee will be assigned in June 2013 and members must be currently enrolled in the CSEE Program and have attended at least two modules to be considered.  If you are interested in serving, contact Beth Hecquet, CMP at Beth@SportsCommissions.org.

Sports Legacy Committee

The Sports Legacy Committee manages the Sports Legacy Fund.  The committee establishes the criteria and eligibility requirements for beneficiaries of the fund and selects the beneficiary each year.  The committee also coordinates all aspects of the annual fundraiser, including promotion, solicitation of donation items, and ticket sales, as well as equipment donations. Positions on the Sports Legacy committee will be assigned in May 2013. If you are interested in serving, contact Elizabeth Chaney at Elizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

Symposium Committee

The Symposium Committee assists in the planning and execution of the annual NASC Sports Event Symposium.  Committee members are required to join and fully participate in monthly committee calls, recruit event owners for the NASC Sports Marketplace, write at least one blog post for the NASC Game Changers blog with tips, advice and guidance on the Symposium, actively spread the word about the symposium via social media, emails to peers, tweeting, etc., develop education sessions including review of topics, examination of proposals and selection of speakers.  Positions on the 2014 Symposium Committee will be assigned in June 2013. If you are interested in being considered, contact Beth Hecquet, CMP at Beth@SportsCommissions.org.

We are thankful for the active participation of all of our committees over the past year and look forward to your participation as a committee volunteer in 2013-2014.  If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Chaney, Director of Membership and Marketing, at (513) 281-3888 or Elizabeth@SportsCommissions.org.

The National Association of Sports Commissions today announced its annual award winners during the closing ceremonies at the NASC Symposium in Louisville, honoring 10 members for their outstanding initiatives in the  sports events industry over the last 12 months. 

“Each year, the National Association of Sports Commissions recognizes its members for their outstanding service to the sports event industry and creativity in doing so,” said Mike Anderson, Director of Sports, Visit Charlotte, and NASC Awards Committee Chair. “On behalf of the NASC, I want to congratulate all of the 10 honored organizations for their industry leading efforts.”

Award winners include:

Outstanding Marketing Campaign 

Under $200,000: Lorain County Visitors Bureau

$200,000 and Above: Detroit Sports

Outstanding Locally Created Event

Under $200,000: Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission

$200,000 and Above: Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission

Outstanding Online Presence

Under $200,000: Butler County Visitors Bureau

$200,000 and Above: Greater Columbus Sports Commission

Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Member of the Year

Under $200,000: Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau

$200,000 and Above:  Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sports Commission Member of the Year

Under $200,000: Ames Area Sports Commission

$200,000 and Above: St. Louis Sports Commission

At the annual Symposium of the National Association of Sports Commissions, Terry Hasseltine, CSEE, of the Maryland Office of Sports, was elected board chair of the organization. Joining Hasseltine on the executive committee are: Gary Alexander, Nashville Sports Council, Immediate Past Chair, Kevin Smith, CSEE, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission, Vice Chair/Chair Elect, Greg Ayers, CSEE, Discover Kalamazoo, Treasurer, and Ralph Morton, CSEE Seattle Sports Commission, Secretary.                                   

New board members were also elected and they include: John Gibbons, CSEE, Rhode Island Sports Commission, Michael Price, CSEE, Greater Lansing Sports Authority, Janis Schmees Burke, CSEE, Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and Holly Shelton, CSEE, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Also, Rick Hatcher, CSEE joins the board representing Allied Representatives and Jeff Jarnecke, NCAA, representing Rights Holder Representatives.

At this year’s National Association of Sports Commissions Symposium held in Louisville, the latest class from the Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) program graduated. 

The Certified Sports Event Executive Program is a certification program open only to NASC members. Since its inception, the NASC has been dedicated to raising the standards of professionalism in the industry. The NASC Staff and Professional Development Committee assist presenters in preparing sessions and case studies to ensure that the needs and concerns of the sports event industry are addressed.

The most recent graduating class of 17 includes:

• Karin Aaron, Visit Loudoun
• Ariana Andis Klein, US Lacrosse
• Lindsay Arellano, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Anna Barlow Cumming, Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce
• Jim Dietz, Columbus Indiana Visitors Center
• Josh Dill, Visit Lubbock Inc.
• Roy Edmondson, Team San Jose
• Karen Hubbs, Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Carolyn Lee, GWN Dragon Boat
• Mona Murphy, Flint-Genesee Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Dave Patrone, Kentucky Exposition Center/International Convention Center
• Dave Plevich, Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Erik Sabato, Wyndham Hotel Group
• Darien Schaefer, Wausau/Central Wisconsin Sports Authority
• Justin Stine, Overland Park Sports Alliance
• Kim Strable, Greensboro Sports Commission
• Jason Williams, Butler County Visitors Bureau

Mark Lewis, who has been in the role of Executive Vice President of Championships and Alliances, NCAA, for exactly one year, is spending time at the 2013 Symposium meeting with the membership of the organization. 

In June, the NCAA will distribute the bids collectively for the 89 annual championships facilitated by the NCAA. NASC_News asked Mark Lewis a few questions about his role at the NCAA.

Q: You have been in your role for one year now. What are some of the accomplishments in which you are most proud?

A. Each year, we host 89 championships for our student athletes to compete at the highest level, and to create lasting memories for them. Our men’s tournament this year celebrated its 75th anniversary with a terrific tournament that included some of the best match ups in the history of the tournament, record TV ratings and terrific attendance. We also launched our Division II Championship Festivals for the first time. We received great feedback from our member organizations as well as our student athletes for the overall experience from our host cities and member organizations.

Q: What are three tips you can share with potential host cities?

A: First and foremost, all potential host cities need to develop close working relationships with our members, the colleges and universities in their market, to submit the bid. Secondly, it’s important to complete the bid per the specifications but also be creative. We want to see some community spirit and passion in the bid. Lastly but probably most important, we want to see how the host community and member organization are going to create a positive experience for our student athletes.

Q: What are you most excited about at the NCAA?

A: I get excited going to work every day. Interest in college athletics is at an all-time high as evidenced by the TV ratings of the men’s basketball tournament–the highest since the 90s. But every time we award a championship trophy, it’s a magical moment, and we get to do it 89 times a year. 

Q: How are you looking to grow strategic alliances for the NCAA?

A: With 94 percent of the annual revenue for the NCAA coming from men’s basketball, I think about growing revenue opportunities with the other championships every day. Only five of our 89 championships are self-funding (men’s basketball, men’s hockey, baseball, men’s lacrosse and wrestling). We are constantly looking for ways to grow revenue while providing additional exposure to our student athletes. For example, we will broadcast the men’s and women’s golf championships on the Golf Channel this year.

About Mark Lewis

Mark Lewis was named the NCAA’s executive vice president for championships and alliances in April 2012.

Lewis oversees the administration and operation of 89 championships in 23 different sports, including ticketing and marketing operations. Lewis also is responsible for managing the broadcast partnerships with CBS, Turner Sports and ESPN, as well as the Association’s corporate partners.

Before joining the NCAA, Lewis was president of Jet Set Sports, a leading hospitality and event company with highly successful partnerships with various local and national Olympic organizing committees. As president, Lewis focused on managing partnerships with Olympic entities in the areas of accommodations, event tickets, catering, ground transportation, management and many other services.

Prior to his position at Jet Set Sports, Lewis was vice president of sponsorship at the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) where he was responsible for the oversight of all aspects of global Olympic and NFL sponsorships for General Electric, including working with various business units of the company to increase sales.

Lewis also previously served as president and chief operating officer of Olympic Properties of the United States in Salt Lake City, a joint venture of the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee and the United States Olympic Committee. This joint venture raised more than $1.5 billion in sponsorships with more than 70 corporations.

Lewis is a former Division I student-athlete who played football at the University of Georgia, where he received his undergraduate (accounting) and law degrees. He is married to Dawn Allinger Lewis, a former Pac-10 basketball player at Washington State and a 1996 Olympian in team handball.  They have two children, Peyton and Dylan.

Karen Forgus, Sr. Vice President of Operations for the Cincinnati Reds, joined Linda Antus, president & CEO, and Heather Kessler, director of marketing, both from the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network at a panel discussion titled: “From Sponsorship to Partnership.”

The Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network (RTN) and the Cincinnati Reds are both in the “Experience Business.” The RTN, a destination marketing organization has been partnering with the Reds for the past six years in an ever-increasing relationship that has enabled the region to grow to a 22 million-visitor, $4.1 billion dollar travel and tourism destination.

Beginning in 2007, the Reds and the RTN had a purely media sponsorship which has grown into a 12-month partnership with the Cincinnati Reds, including paid and leveraged earned media, event marketing, community outreach and travel website package booking at the RTN website, CincinnatiUSA.com

The Common Ground is that the Reds and the RTN are both in the EXPERIENCE Business.

The Reds and RTN are partners during the 12-month destination marketing season and here’s how:

• RedsFest : The annual Fan Fest held over two days in December that attracts 20,000+ fans. The RTN is the Main Stage Sponsor and promotes its website portal and hotel packages around the theme: “Come for the Reds, Stay for More Fun”
• Reds Caravan: The annual caravan with players, broadcasters and front office leadership hits the road for four days to visit fans throughout Reds Country in four states with mall visits, radio promotions and community service efforts
• REDS on RADIO Network reaches Reds Country through its 92 radio affiliates. The RTN is a sponsor of the REDS on RADIO Network and this multi-tier partnership resulted in 2015 minutes of interviews with credible, personalities on the affiliate stations, as well as key interviews with Marty Brennaman, Jeff “The Cowboy” Brantley and Chris Welch during in-season home stand games.
• Fox Sports Ohio: FOX provides the regional TV coverage for the Reds throughout Reds Country. The RTN has leveraged its relationship with the FOX Sports Ohio Host Jim Day with “tour spots” and the live in-game interviews with Thom Brennaman and Chris Welsh.
• Ticket Packages: The Reds see the RTN as their outer market agents of tourism and Reds outer market fan base-building. The growth of the Reds ticket/hotel packages is over 56% of the bookings on the RTN website, resulting in a new co-branded Grand Slam Getaway, peak season package for 2013.

Common Objectives to Explore with a Marketing Partner

• Find shared objectives and common ground for attracting your target consumer
• Build programs that grow on the relationship year-over year
• Promote and advocate for the relationship in the community, and for the community
• Add additional stakeholder with common objectives, over time, i.e. other family attractions such as the Newport Aquarium

“You’ve Got the Bid, Now What?” with Tara Green and Allison Melangton

Tara Green and Allison Melangton served as back-to-back executive directors at Super Bowls held in Dallas (2011) and Indianapolis (2012). Both co-presented during today’s program for Certified Sports Event Executives at the 2013 Symposium hosted by the National Association of Sports Commissions.

They shared a 13-point checklist that event planners can use in preparing for any event from a bowling tournament to the Super Bowl.

1)      Vision: Get everyone on the same page with 13 check points

Indianapolis realized a $371 million economic impact from hosting the Super Bowl, which was impressive but it wasn’t the #1 goal of the Host City. Their overall goal was to leverage the influence of the international media that comes with the game to improve their community imaging and branding.

Indy also wanted to use the Super Bowl to drive talent recruitment and retention to brand the city as a cool place to work, live and play. Rounding out the community objectives were to drive community spirit and create a “community group hub” while creating legacy projects within the community.

2)      Goals: Do you have the same goals: The Host City and the Event?

Some of the major goals, an event and the host city will want to consider include:

• Attendance Goals
• Revenue Goals
• Local Community Goals
• Media Exposure
• Economic Impact

A few goals that were met in Dallas include: the fund-raising of $38 million in two years to fund their Super Bowl with earned media impressions valued at $60 million.

3)      Expectations

What does the rights holder expect from your organization and your community? What does your community expect from the rights holder?

4)      Obligations: Understand all including gray areas!

Ask questions on the front end of the process. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and no question is too small or silly.

5)      Responsibility for Event Success

It’s important to discuss responsibility early in the event planning process: Who is responsible for the success of the event? It is singular, shared or shared among groups.

This is important in sharing the success of the event or the challenges of the event. A shared approach is most commonly used among major events like the Super Bowl.

6)      Opportunities for Partnership:

Partnerships help increase the bandwidth and impact of programs, and engage community organizations based on their expertise.  

7)      Potential Partners

Identify needs of the event and seek qualified partners such as universities, downtown organizations, civic groups, etc.

8)      Key Constituents are Key

It’s important to determine and engage volunteers, CVBs, politicians, etc. early in the process. Provide a manageable project or task that they can complete and celebrate their accomplishment.

9)      Community Leaders

Think about how who they are (outside of sport), how to engage them, communicate with them and determine cross pollination among the groups?

10)   Community Engagement: Traditional or Non-Traditional.

How can you expand community engagement beyond football fans? How can you engage the community in advance of the event as well as your corporate sponsors with meaningful opportunities and benefits?

11)   Plan for Measuring Success

Clarity is very important in how you will measure success.

12)   Community Strengths

Celebrate your assets around the event. Also, address your weaknesses head-on with creativity.

It’s important to set community objectives that mirror those of existing objectives of interest in the community. In Dallas, the goal was to rally 4500 kids to do 4500 hours of community learning in the Dallas region around the Super Bowl activities. This effort engaged families but also created media opportunities to share the progress of the planning.

13)   Identification of Risks

Indianapolis used the Enterprise Risk Management approach in their planning which was led by a committee of local risk management experts to facilitate a plan to determine all of the potential risks and how to mitigate them. All in all, 274 major risks were identified by the Indy Super Bowl Committee and each was prioritized among the working leadership committees to determine mitigation plans for each.

In April, I will be attending my 6th NASC Symposium. I want to believe I have grown and learned a lot since attending my 1st show in Omaha.

Since that first show though, I have noticed the same thing happens. The “NOOBS”, the new fresh faces at this show come in with ambition

to land that AAU Basketball National Championship, that USYSA President CUP Championship, or that GREAT WHITE BUFFALO (The Super Bowl as I call it)

at the Symposium. (I mean I was the same way, I knew I could land AAU, or at least a  NCAA Golf Regional)

Nope. It didn’t happen, any of it.

You want to know the reason why? It wasn’t for a lack of effort, it was because I didn’t know what my community was willing to support. My Vision was something different than the people of my town. They wanted smaller state regional events, while I wanted the glamour of national regional events. Ultimately it was a failure in my part by NOT KNOWING what my community is capable of handling.

This is the KEY!!!     You hear that everyone?

The secret for any great successful event, is to have community support of that said event.

What you want may be different that what you can provide. NGB’s, Event Directors, and Rights Holders want to have their events in communities that want

to have them there.

You can’t compare LA to NY, or Branson to Reno, or Kings Mountain, NC to Bozeman, MT.

Each community is not the same, even if population wise it seems they are similar.

You have to know what your community can host!

Just because an event ran great in one area doesn’t mean it will be great for yours.

What worked for many people I have spoken to over the years in recruiting events is:

1. Know what your Community can host? Know your resources!!
2. Learn about the Event, Group.
3. Make sure your community is interested in support.
4. Research communities that have hosted the event in the past.
5. Call the city that hosted the event and ask questions

After you do follow the steps. Then you can move forward.

In MHO, It is better to spend time researching and developing relationships and knowing what to expect, than to shoot from the hip.

The great thing about our network of professionals is that if you call Justin Stine in Kansas, or Mike Anderson in North Carolina, or Tammy Dunn in Washington each of them will talk to you and help you out with any questions you may have. (Well maybe not Justin as he is on the Golf Course every other Day) but when he is in the office he will call you back.

I guess what I am trying to say to anyone who is reading this blog in preparation for the Symposium, is to ask questions. Don’t assume you know everything. Even people who have been doing this since many of us were in elementary school,  they still ask questions.

With that see you in LOUISVILLE!!!

Jesse Newsom

Jesse is the sports marketing director for the Fayetteville area CVB. He previously spent 4 1/2 years as the executive director of the Jacksonville Onslow sports commission. Jesse has over 9 years in the sports travel industry. He is probably the coolest guy you will ever meet.

Why should you get involved or donate:

We are in a unique spot due to our jobs where we can impact our own communities and youth sports where we live. We are a fraternity of sorts by being members of the NASC and if we can help out our brothers and sisters communities we should do so. Many times we have a little extra in our sports budgets where we can give even a little to help a community we get to see and enjoy every year. These communities open their arms and welcome us into their city and we afford to give or donate items to their city to say thank you for the hospitality.

Why I joined the Sports Legacy Committee:

This is the first year that I have been involved with the sports legacy fund but I have been involved with the youth for a few years in my city. Whether it is helping at the local YMCA or getting involved with the local sports clubs I have a passion for helping. The Sports Legacy Fund is my newest venture in getting involved in the regard that now I can help other the youth in other communities as well. I had some very influential adults help me when I was growing up and just because I’m not living in these communities doesn’t mean I can’t help or be involved. This is my outlet.

How the money that is raised will help the beneficiary/what will the money be used for:

Various organizations including the YMCA in Louisville will receive donations from the Sports Legacy Fund to help maintain a level of participation and even recruit new kids to begin and maintain healthy lifestyles through sports and staying active.

Idea as to how members can get involved:

The easiest way to get involved is to just donate while you are renewing your membership. If you are already submitting payment for your membership, what’s a little extra for a good cause? Also if there is an opportunity to donate used or slightly used good to the cause it would be very beneficial as well. Many people in this industry are still involved in sports in some capacity and have access equipment that they probably don’t use so it’s a nice gesture to give to a good cause while “cleaning house” so to speak.

Domico Rodriguez, Sports & Events Sales Director, Rapid City CVB

Domico is the Sports & Events Sales Director for the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. He celebrated his third year at the CVB on February 16th . He is originally from Aurora, Colorado and moved to South Dakota for college and fell in love with the area and the slower pace of life and now calls Rapid City home. He is a high school basketball and football official which helps in his job because having a connection to officials is a big deal to an event coordinator.

As Co-Chair of the Sports Legacy Fund Committee, I respectfully ask you to join me in leaving a lasting impression on Louisville this April.  Yes, we will eat in the restaurants, drink in the bars and dance in the clubs – all in the name of networking, of course – but along the way, we can make a few kids smile too.  The NASC Sports Legacy Fund was established to make our host communities a little bit better after having us.  The Sports Legacy Fund has donated $16,600 to three organizations over the past three years.  And we are just getting started!

When staff at the NASC asked for a board member to chair the Sports Legacy Fund Committee, I immediately volunteered.  What a great opportunity to give back to a community, when I spend most of my workday asking others for help.  But enough about me…

Hopefully, you’ve read at least one of the mailings, emails, Facebook posts or Tweets announcing the 2013 Sports Legacy Fund beneficiary.  To be safe, let me summarize.  Run.Louisville,Run!  is a program developed by the YMCA of Greater Louisville in conjunction with Jefferson City Public Schools.  The task “challenges youth to train for and compete in the Triple Crown of Running”.  Kids, 12-18, will participate in multiple running challenges to prepare for the spring finale – a 10-mile race.  The Sports Legacy Fund donation will allow Run.Louisville,Run! to increase the number of participants to over 200, while reducing, or eliminating, participation fees.

Back to the original request – Will you join me, my fellow Co-Chair – Ed Hruska, and our dedicated Sports Legacy Fund Committee members in making a lasting impression on Louisville?  Your part is easy – we’ve spent most of the last year doing the heavy lifting.

Your organization can donate to the Sports Legacy Fund by,

1. Checking the box on your membership renewal application,
2. Checking the box on your NASC Sports Event Symposium registration,
3. Clicking the link on the Sports Legacy Fund  page of http://www.sportscommissions.org,

Or

4. Providing an item for the silent auction and raffle.

Personally, you can help us exceed our goals by purchasing raffle tickets and bidding high on the auction items. Trust me, you want to have cash and a valid credit card with you at all times.  You will have the opportunity to purchase everything from luxury hotel packages, to pro-style BMX bikes, to industry-specific advertising and event registrations (hint, hint Mark Zimmerman)!

If this is your 1st, 2nd or 7th time reading about the Sports Legacy Fund, I appreciate your attention through my sales pitch.  I look forward to seeing all of you, in April, as we give back to a few kids in Louisville.

All the best,

Jennifer E. Hawkins
Co-Chair
Jennifer Hawkins has served as the Sports Marketing Director for VisitPittsburgh for the past seven years.  As their first sales director, dedicated to the sports market, she is charged with recruiting major sports events to the area.  Along with event sales, Jennifer serves as the local hospitality community’s liaison to athletic venues owners, sports franchise managers and municipal service providers. She has served on the Local Organizing Committee for various events, including the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, National Kidney Foundation US Transplant Games and the FLW Outdoors Forrest Wood Cup. Prior to working for VisitPittsburgh, Jennifer was the Assistant Director of the Tallahassee Sports Council.  She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Florida State University.

The 2013 NASC Sports Symposium is around the corner and I hope everybody is getting ready for this event and all the events of your own upcoming this spring. I would like to have everyone just take a quick minute and try to get involved in a worthy cause and take the opportunity to showcase your area and events! After 2012 Hartford, I was looking to get more involved in NASC and contacted the national office and showed my interest in the Sport Legacy Committee and am very excited in our committee’s goals for this year’s symposium.

“Run. Louisville, Run” is the 2013 Beneficiary for the Sports Legacy fund. This program challenges youth ages 12-18, to train and complete the Triple crown of racing , a 10- mile race held in the Spring. This is a great opportunity for every member to get involved in this cause but more important to “show-off” something special or unique about your city, event or region.

Our committee is looking for you to donate an item or items from your city or event that best represents your area and can show all the other members what you’re doing for today’s sporting events around the country. If unable to donate, please pass the world around to all your colleagues about bidding on items at this year’s symposium or purchasing raffle tickets to win other great prizes.

I really think NASC and all its doing for our membership and the entire sports world is moving in the right direction and I hope you will consider donating to NASC Sports Legacy Fund. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to reach out to the membership and I look forward to seeing you in Louisville.

JIM STEELE, South Sioux City NE CVB