• Sports events take special planning. • Addressing security and transportation needs.
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rganizing sporting events entail many of the same types of skills as other events, however there are a variety of differences as well. From the special needs in the ini-
tial planning, collaborating with a board of directors, establish- ing and working with volunteers, coordinating with local and/ or state governments and security and transportation for the attendees as well as national or international dignitaries and visitors, the sports market requires a different model than traditional meetings and events. Initial Planning Beth Hecquet, CMP, Director of Meetings and Events of the National Association of Sports Commis- sions, and a former event executive is well versed in the special factors that are involved in planning sports events. When comparing this industry versus other segments, Hecquet sees the big-
gest difference as the intense, ongoing planning prior and during the event, “Generally when a hotel or convention and visitors bureau (CVB) brings a meeting into town their job is done when they’re contracted and typically the meeting planner does their thing. They may need menus, etc. but with a sporting event, the contract is just the beginning. Most groups have a large need for a local organizing committee that will bring in everyone from po- lice (for events like road races and high-profi le events like the US Olympic Swim trial) to local experts needed for a badminton convention, since most hotels will have no idea what the ceiling height needs to be, or that the air-conditioning can’t be on.” As a growing industry, many groups and organizations are cre-
ating new events as well as bringing back events that haven’t been held recently. The Meijer State Games of Michigan is such an event. The games were last held in the 1990s, but were brought back in 2010. “We brought it back, but with a different business
MIDWEST MEETINGS UMMER 2011 MIDWEST MEETINGS S SUMMER 2011
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