• Making alternative sports events a big hit. • Handling the challenges of a fi rst-time event.
Marketing Manager for Grinnell Chamber of Commerce and the Grinnell Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), to learn about this inaugural event. Midwest Meetings: Where did the idea to host these games come from? Bryan Schultz: There were several inspirations. Grinnell
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has world-class recreational facilities, from the 100-acre Ahrens Memorial Park complex to the state-of-the-art natatorium of Grinnell College, so we really wanted to showcase how special recreation and fi tness is to Grinnell. A citywide sports festival seemed the best way to do this. Grinnell has a youthful energy and free spirit that we believe makes us one of the most unique small cities in America, so alternative sports seemed a natural fi t! MM: A lot of work must go into putting on such an event, especially being a fi rst-time event, what did it take to put the Grinnell Games together? BS: This was a tremendous challenge due to the logistics
of holding many events simultaneously in an Olympic vil- lage type format. Most notably all the hard work by lo- cal volunteers made this happen; from board meetings hashing out details to manning information booths, our citizens made this happen! It also took a com- mitment from the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce and City of Grinnell to do something far beyond what the average small town would do. And
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ast year, the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce held Iowa’s fi rst festival, which focused on action/alternative sports. We had the pleasure of speaking with Bryan Schultz,
generous donations by our sponsors, from the smallest shops in town to the most successful corporations provided the funding we needed to get off the ground. MM: What were some of the attractions at the Grinnell Games? BS: There was stunt kite fl ying, indoor kite fl ying, a BMX show,
the grand opening of the Grinnell Mutual Aquatic Center, disc golf lessons and tournament, PLUS live music during a downtown kickoff celebration and much more! MM: How does the event benefi t the city of Grinnell? BS: The city benefi ts by establishing Grinnell as a sports and recreation destination throughout the state, plus the increase in business for local hotels, restaurants and merchants. MM: What were some of the goals you established when host- ing the event? BS: Our ultimate goal was to put Grinnell on the map in a big way here in Iowa and get people talking. MM: Do you feel that you met your goal? BS: Yes, we received very positive press in radio, television and newspapers. Grinnell was recently named an Iowa Sports Author- ity District to help us continue to promote sports and recreation in Grinnell. MM: How was the feedback following the fi rst Grinnell Games? BS: Mostly very positive. You know you have a good start when
people say there was “too much” to choose. There was some loom- ing nasty weather, but the people who traveled to Grinnell had a wonderful time. MM: What were some of the most challenging parts of hosting the games?
MIDWEST MEETINGS UMMER 2011 MIDWEST MEETINGS S SUMMER 2011
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