Kent’s Sports Tourism Team
Back in May I floated the idea around of trying to go after amateur sporting events as part of our economic development efforts (see blog post dated May 19, 2006). That idea is actually taking root and in conjunction with Kent City Schools, Kent Parks and Recreation and Kent State University we’re putting together a program to put Kent on the sports tourism map. We’ve already got first class facilities right here in town, we just need to work together to get them filled with kids and families. That’s our goal and to help that along I prepared a Sports Tourism Research Report that shows what other communities have been able to achieve.
[Report Excerpts]
Report Introduction
“Sports tourism presents an opportunity for the City of Kent, Kent State University and City of Kent schools to leverage existing sports and recreation facilities to create new economic and community value by hosting amateur sporting events at Kent venues. These events bring new dollars into the Kent economy, showcase Kent’s assets, and provide opportunities for Kent’s kids to compete against some of the best student athletes in the nation in their own home town. “
Report Table of Contents
I. Sports Commission Missions
Example: “Our mission is to be a leading voice of the sports and tourism industries in Alachua County; to foster economic development and add to our quality of life through sports utilizing public and private sector resources; to recruit and create sports, recreation and entertainment opportunities for the community that produce a positive economic impact; to build an understanding in the community of the importance of sports and tourism; and to do so with skill, while meeting all industry professional standards.”
II. Sports Commission Membership
Example: Lehigh Valley Sports Commission
•Allentown Patriots Athletic Association
•Athletic Director, William Allen High School
•Professor Sports Management Program, Desales University
•Recreation Development Specialist, County of Lehigh
•General Manager, Service Electric Cable Television
•A.P. Kirby Sports Center, Lafayette College
•Retired Head Football Coach, Northern Lehigh High School
•Publisher, Lehigh Valley Sports Extra
•Director of Development , Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center
•Assistant Athletic Director, Lehigh University Athletics
•Director of Marketing, Express-Times
III. Sports Commission Practicing Models
Big Cities
1. Cleveland , Ohio Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
2. Columbus , Ohio Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Small Cities with Universities
1. Cortland New York Cortland Regional Sports Council
2. Gainesville , Florida Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee
3. Huntsville , Alabama Huntsville Sports Commission
4. Lehigh , Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley Sports Commissio
5. Southbend , Indiana Southbend Regional Sports Commission
6. Yakima , Washington Yakima Valley Sports Council
Small City without a University
1. Kingsport, Tennessee Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau
IV. National Association of Sports Commissions
V. Economic Impact of Sports Events
1. A Review of Economic Impact Study on Sport Events
2. Greater Chattanooga Sports Committee’s Estimated Economic Impact Surpasses $15 Million
3. Kingsport Sports Tourism Dollars in 2005
4. Cortland Sports Tourism Dollars
5. Economic Impact of Amateur Softball Events
6. Cities Compete to Host Sporting Events
7. Economic Impact Calculation Examples
8. Comparative Economic Impact Analyses
To Download the Full Report Click Here