Category: Sports Planning Guide Features

Successful Sports Tourism Facility Planning: Part 1

The current boom in youth and amateur sports facility developments has been fueled by the defunding of school sports in the 90s and the rise in travel sports that followed. Youth tournaments produce billions of dollars in overnight hotel stays annually and this has led communities to pursue large-scale sports facility developments that would not be possible without a hotel bed tax and other economic development incentives.

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10 Sports Industry Trends for 2017

Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “There is nothing permanent, except change.” That concept is more true today in the world of sports tourism and events than ever before. The marketplace has evolved to a very entrepreneurial state, a place many tenured professionals in our industry never saw coming. While these changes are unique and different, we view them largely as good for the health of our industry.

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Meet TEAM Maryland

With venues for virtually every sport, Maryland draws teams from across the country and internationally for high-profile competition. Whether you want to host your next tournament in a thriving city like Baltimore or your cross country meet in the Appalachian foothills, Maryland Sports—the Sports Commission of Maryland—has the connections and partners in TEAM Maryland that can cater to you and your athletes’ needs.

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SportsNC Promotes North Carolina as a Top-Tier Sports Destination

Sporting events are held all over the country—and the world. They bring in hundreds of athletes, their families and fans to cities, increasing tourism revenue, boosting destination awareness and generating a positive economic impact.

The North Carolina Sports Association (NCSA), which operates under the marketing brand SportsNC, has been working tirelessly to support sports events in the state and get a piece of the large sports tourism market. For over 10 years, the organization has grown its membership base, as well as the sports industry in North Carolina.

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North Carolina: An Open Invitation

Sports have long been a part of North Carolina’s culture, an important fiber in the being of the state. Home to three professional sports teams, North Carolina is also known for its strong collegiate basketball past, including the rivalry between Duke and the University of North Carolina. Today, North Carolina plays host to a variety of sports events, from professional competitions and collegiate tournaments to regional championships and international athletics. The state has even welcomed some offbeat events, truly diversifying its collection of elite athletic contests.

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