Last Minute Must Do’s Before Leaving for NASC The National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) Sports Event Symposium is just around the corner! And if you’re attending for the first time, you’re in for a real treat. On April 23rd, people from all over the country will come to Minneapolis to learn from and network with hundreds of sports tourism professionals. The NASC Symposium “will feature dozens of authentic educational sessions, countless networking opportunities, and business development appointments in the NASC Sports Marketplace.” As a newbie, attending your first NASC can be a little overwhelming. You might not be sure what to expect, what to bring, or how to prepare for the show. Whether you’re a vendor, an event owner, or a destination attending NASC for the first time, here are some tips to help you get ready for the show. Check Your Itinerary + Plan Your Arrival Traveling to a new city can be nerve-wracking, especiall...

Are you attending the NASC Sports Events Symposium for the first time? Get ready to make some new friends, have fun, and learn a new idea to take back to your community! Are you a first-time attendee or a new NASC member? We invite you to come to the First-Time Orientation and Networking Reception on Monday, April 23rd. The First-Time Orientation is at the Minneapolis Convention Center from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm. The Reception is at the Brit’s Pub from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm (a short walk from the convention center). Come attend the First- Time Orientation to learn tips and ask questions about the NASC Sports Events Symposium. Meet your mentor so you may put a face to the emails and phone calls. (I am looking forward to meeting my mentees.) The orientation will be a great opportunity to meet new colleagues who will become your friends. We in the sports tourism industry have a lot in common and have lots of fun! The First-Time Networking Reception will be an opportunity to conti...

A little over three years ago, I was hired as the National Sales Manager at the West Michigan Sports Commission. I was making the transition from college athletics into an unfamiliar territory of sports tourism and knew that I had to hit the ground running. Developing relationships in the community and eventually on a national level was very important in being successful, but where was I supposed to start? Fortunate enough, I had a great support system in my organization that guided me throughout the process. But still, the tradeshows were something I was not quite sure about because they were all so different. And what is this thing called ‘speed dating’? Do we really have six minutes to get as much information as possible from event planners? I had the opportunity to attend a few tradeshows prior to my first NASC Symposium in Milwaukee. As I continued to meet people in the industry, they would always talk about the NASC Symposium because it was much different than othe...

I often think about the phrase “learn something new every day”. I think about it because I realize I don’t commit enough time to learning or growing professionally. If you think about it, learning is really unavoidable. I mean, every encounter, interaction and experience has a takeaway, but how often do we take time to reflect and realize the lesson learned? I’d like to say I do so every time, but let’s be real! My life, like I imagine most, feels like one distraction after another. This is not a complaint. I love my life, personally and professionally. But I really wish I was better about taking the time to learn and advance my professional skill set. I imagine others feel this way as well. Every spring I attend the NASC Symposium and while I enjoy interacting with clients at appointments, that is actually near the bottom of my satisfaction list. I have just as meaningful interactions outside the appointments as I do during. I understand many people at...

A new event organizer is visiting your city/community to do a site-visit, review dates and discuss logistics and fees.  These are twelve (12) questions every CVB/Sports Commission should be prepared to answer: 1. What are facility rental fees and is financial support offered for a first time event? Does CVB/Sports Commission have a grant program? Or perhaps assist with securing discounts on facility rental fees? Is there a bonus paid for reaching pre-determined number of room pick-ups? For one year, or longer?  2. Has there been another event organizer/tournament on this particular weekend? If so, why are they no longer hosting an event this weekend?  3. What other large events or festivals are scheduled the same weekend (or week) that might have an effect on hotel availability and getting around the community easily? 4. Is there another established event or tournament, in the same sport, within 60 miles that may be competing against Event Organizer...

Cincinnati (For Immediate Release) – Elizabeth Chaney Young, formerly the director of membership and marketing for the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), takes over as Vice President of the organization, effective immediately. She has served the NASC in various capacities since joining the organization in 2007 and has been an integral part of the NASC’s growth over the last decade. As director of membership and marketing she developed the annual strategy for membership recruitment and retention and oversaw all integrated marketing and communications for the association.  In her new role, Elizabeth will oversee membership, marketing, communications, events, and education to support the continued growth of the organization and service of its members. “We are fortunate to have someone of Elizabeth’s skill and knowledge continue her career at the NASC,” said Al Kidd, president and CEO. “Her experience with our 800 members ...

With the 26th Symposium now officially three months away, I’m sure you’re beginning to ask yourself what to expect upon your arrival in Minneapolis.  Being a first-time attendee, I know you have lots of unanswered questions about how to best prepare for tackling the symposium. Luckily, you’ve found the right place, and your National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) Mentoring & Engagement Committee is here to help!  Over the next few months, our team will be publishing articles on how to properly plan for the Symposium, and what activities to experience during your time in the “Twin Cities.”  Each article will focus on an area of the conference, and detail how to approach that event or activity.  Our committees' years of experience can help guide the direction you set for yourself. “What are your goals, how to make the most from attending the Symposium, what to do during the appointments and what events shou...

Now that we are full speed ahead into 2018, it is easy to get wrapped up in event planning, preparing bids, site tours, and tradeshows. However, it is important to look back on everything you accomplished in 2017. There is no better way to recap your 2017 than submitting an entry for an NASC Member Award. On behalf of the NASC Awards Committee, I invite you to submit an entry or nomination by the Friday, February 23rd deadline. The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau was honored to be named the 2015 Sports Tourism Organization of the Year (Population Under 250,000). The positive outcomes of submitting and receiving the award were much greater than we imagined. Below are a few of these positive outcomes. Industry Recognition – Free publicity is excellent and free publicity in front of a target audience is even better. We were fortunate enough to be recognized in front of peers at NASC Sports Event Symposium, in the NASC Playbook, NASC website, national sports tourism...

Contact: Jackie Reau/Betsy Ross Game Day Communications (513) 929-4263 Ilana Edell joins National Association of Sports Commissions CINCINNATI (For Immediate Release) – The National Association of Sports Commissions announces the appointment of Ilana Edell as the director of business development. A veteran of the sports events and tourism industry, she has been involved in various aspects of the business from event management to media relations to conventions. Edell has worked in media relations with the Dallas Desperados from the Arena Football League, as well as the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Edell graduated with a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Most recently, Edell served as the business development director for SportsTravel magazine and the TEAMS Conference & Expo, where she worked for more than 10 years specializing in client services, partner relationships, and revenue generation. “We are thrilled to ...