“The tournament requires a great deal of work for both United Sports and the visi- tors bureau,” said Blair Mahoney, execu- tive director of the Chester County CVB. “However, the economic impact to the region is strong and benefits our hospital- ity community greatly.”
Marc Kaminetsky said the Lehigh Valley is a popular sports destination,
too.
"Discover Lehigh Valley Sports does a great job in attracting the sports market here. Whether it’s an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) sports tournament or a lacrosse festival, our location is very accessible and we have a lot to offer by way of hotels and attractions. We can real- ly give them what they need. A number of hotels throughout the Lehigh Valley offer a suburban setting with a good deal of green space and grounds where teams can even practice before a tournament. As an added benefit, many of our hotels are within walking distances to restau- rants, shops and attractions."
Kaminetsky added of sports groups, “The booking window may be very short
for
these groups compared to other func- tions. Since many teams won't know if they’ve qualified until just days before their tournament is scheduled, this busi- ness may need to be booked as little as three or four days out."
The Cumberland Valley hosts smaller sized sporting events and regional tourna- ments, noted Oakley. “We find these groups are attracted to our area due to the location and quality of affordable accom- modations. The needs of this market include a mix of lodging choices with price sensitivity in mind. Proximity to ath- letic fields and sports venues is also important."
In the Pocono Mountains, Baldassari said there are many fine facilities that can pro- vide a great experience for sports-related groups. “I would encourage any sports- related group considering coming to the Pocono Mountains to contact the Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau. They’ll do a great job in helping to plan the event and to secure lodging for the group."
According to Matthew Sparks, executive director, Delaware Sports Commission, "Delaware hosts a large number of com-
petitive sporting events representing all levels of competition, from NASCAR week- ends at Dover International Speedway to the Collegiate Club Hockey National Championships to countless annual youth sporting events.”
Sparks said that each sporting event that comes to the state has different needs, and the Delaware Sports Commission was established to provide personalized serv- ice to each of them. “Most importantly, sports groups need modern facilities con- ducive to their respective sport, and Delaware has a host of venues to accom- modate all types of sports and group sizes,” noted Sparks.
Delaware offers a central location, afford- ability, easy access and varied attractions - all of which are very appealing to sports groups.
“The dollar's ability to go further in Delaware as a result of no sales tax is extremely beneficial, especially for large, traveling groups. Sparks added, however, the biggest advantage is the level of cus- tomer service visiting groups receive from the Delaware Sports Commission, Delaware Tourism Office, and each of the respective CVBs in the state.
According to Sparks, "Delaware Sports Commission, established by the Delaware Tourism Office, is a one-stop-shop for venue selection, lodging reservations, mar- keting and public relations support, and government affairs assistance. Delaware is big enough to accommodate large sporting events and nimble enough to provide personalized, expedient service. The strong relationships the Delaware Sports Commission has built with our mid-Atlantic partners allows us to work together to cater to the unique needs of each event and to establish Delaware as a preferred destination for sporting events."
In addition, sports enthusiasts have many options from which to choose when it comes to sporting activities in the state of Delaware. A Class 1-A baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, the Wilmington Blue Rocks, offers an affordable and enter- taining night out at the ballpark. For thrill seekers who want a real adrenaline rush, the Monster Mile Racing Experience at the Dover International Speedway gives NASCAR fans a chance to get behind the
wheel of a genuine stock car and see, first- hand, what it is like to drive the Monster Mile within a stadium of 135,000 seats.
Also, visitors can go skim boarding at the Delaware Seashore State Park in Sussex County, or enjoy a wealth of outdoor adventures and water-related activities on the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
“Anyone who has visited the Wildwoods knows that we have one of the widest beaches anywhere,” said Lynch of his southern New Jersey destination resort. “This opens us up as one beautiful recre- ational park, with all kinds of sporting opportunities available on our beach. For example, we host Beach Blast, a five-on- five youth soccer tournament that attracts 10,000 participants and families. This group sells out the entire resort while they are here. We have also played host to Frisbee tournaments, lacrosse on the beach and much more."
New to the Wildwoods, Lynch said the resort will host an event called “The Wild Half,” which is a half-marathon (13.1 miles) that will attract running enthusiasts to the resort on August 28, 2011 and take them from the boardwalk to various points throughout the Wildwoods. “We hope this event will grow in popularity and become an annual end-of-summer tradition for our resort."
SMERF groups, associations and sports tournaments benefit from such a wide range of destinations that are well suit- ed to fit their needs. From the ocean to the mountains to the valley and every- where in between, these specialized markets can take advantage of easy accessibility, affordable lodging and event space, along with numerous regional attractions, recreational oppor- tunities and activities for attendees and their families.
Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 39
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