For more information contact: Lisa Marshall, 608/267-3773
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WISCONSIN: A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR SPORTING EVENTS
Proven Track Record, Facilities and Tourism Support Seal the Deal
MADISON, Wis. - World-class venues. A rich sports history. Invaluable hands-on assistance from the tourism industry. These are just a few of the reasons event organizers love holding sporting events in Wisconsin. And there's more.
Home to professional basketball, baseball and football teams, minor league teams and more than 30 colleges and universities, Wisconsin has indoor and outdoor venues to accommodate all types of sporting events. Destinations such as Miller Park, Lambeau Field, Bradley Center, Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl Center not only attract hometown fans but have a proven track record of hosting auxiliary events.
Wisconsin has hosted many memorable sporting events ranging from professional all-star games and outdoor competitions to collegiate championships and endurance races. Recent events include the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, ESPN's Great Outdoor Games, the National Babe Ruth Softball Tournament and the Malibu Open Water Ski Championships and Wakeboard Exhibition -- not to mention a regular diet of NFL, NBA and NCAA Division I contests.
Event coordination is not an easy task. Securing a venue, coordinating staff and volunteers and overseeing the logistics of an event only scratch the surface. Organizers targeting Wisconsin for their next event will learn first-hand about the extensive support staff available at convention and visitors bureaus throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) can play a major -- or limited - role, depending upon the interest of the event organizer. Here are some of the services that convention and visitors bureaus can offer:
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Assembly of a bid team
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Presentation of bids
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Creation of sporting event Finding events to bid on
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Assembly of local organizing committee
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Recruitment of volunteers
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Serve on board of local organizing committee (LOC)
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Supervising work of LOC
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Marketing/promotion for LOC
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Public, media relations
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Sports information resource center
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Guest speakers
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Supervising aspects of event preparation
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Writing bids and/or grants
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Hotel room blocks & online housing bureau
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Facility site inspections
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Site/facility inspections
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Welcome packets
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Special banquets, events and entertainment
The WACVB provides comprehensive planning and proposals to the sports organizer for event facilities; fan, official and participant lodging; volunteers; signage and banners; local support; promotions and public relations support, in addition to a breadth and depth of city and sporting event knowledge.
About the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is charged by the Governor and the Legislature with promoting travel in the state. The Department provides leadership and guidance to the state's travel and hospitality industry to ensure that tourism is a top contributor to the state's economy and quality of life. Tourism is one of Wisconsin's top three industries.
About the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) initiates and administers cooperative ventures among Wisconsin's top destination marketing organizations to enhance Wisconsin's tourism industry's promotional, educational and legislative efforts. WACVB currently has 26 full members and five associate members, representing more than $25 million in tourism promotional budgets to drive tourism growth in Wisconsin. For more information, contact Julia Hertel at 1-877-9674-9674 or info@thinkwisconsin.com.
About the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation
Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation is a nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop sports tourism in Wisconsin and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through amateur athletic events and health education programs.
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