Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBJ/June 4 - 10, 2001/No Topic Name
EVENTS UP FOR BID
Published June 4, 2001
Team: Sports Illustrated
Event: Advertising World Series
Dates: September/October 2002 and 2003
History: Tucson, Ariz., 2001; Sheraton Sandkey Resort and Radisson Sandkey Resort, Clearwater Beach, Fla., 2000; Riviera Resort & Racquet Club, Palm Springs, Calif., 1999
Contact: Michael Meiches, commissioner, (310) 574-2800
The Pitch: Annual slow-pitch round-robin softball tournament played every fall in a resort destination. More than 750 professionally employed players and 80 teams representing advertising, media, marketing firms and general business compete for division, regional and city championships. This year's 19th annual tournament will be played Sept. 29 through Oct. 3. The host hotel must be able to accommodate at least 400 rooms each night for four nights and cater two to three on-site banquets and one off-site banquet. Twenty regulation softball or baseball fields are required. If multiple venues are required, each complex must offer at least four diamonds. A 400-page tournament program and video available upon request.
Team: American Armwrestling Association
Event: North American Armwrestling Championship
Dates: August
History: Bakersfield, Calif., 2000
Contact: Frank Bean, director of international affairs, (570) 342-4984, fax (570) 342-1368, armsport@usit.net, armsport.com
The Pitch: More than 200 international competitors in six weight classes compete in a weekend-long tournament. The venue can be a hotel ballroom or a facility capable of seating 250 to 300 spectators. Airport transportation must be provided. The host hotel must be able to accommodate rooms for five AAA staff members plus all competitors.
Team: Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
Event: National AAU Youth and Adult Tae Kwon Do Championship
Dates: July 2002
History: Cobo Center, Detroit, 2001; Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, La., 2000; U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1999
Contact: Mike Friello, national sport chair, (518) 372-6849, fax (518) 372-6986, mfriello@aol.com
The Pitch: 1,000 competitors on 16 teams in four age groups compete in this four-day event each year from Wednesday through Saturday of July 4 weekend. The host hotel must be able to accommodate 1,900 room nights. The facility must be able to seat 2,500 spectators. The AAU tae kwon do program is among the top 10 youth sports in the AAU program in terms of participation.
Team: Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
Event: AAU Junior & Senior National Karate Championships (team and individual)
Dates: End of June 2002
History: Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, La., 2001
Contacts: Jennifer Lujbli, sports manager, (407) 828-3704, fax (407) 934-7242, jennifer@aausports.org; or J.B. Mirza, national karate chair, (847) 540-9567, fax (847) 797-0510, jbmirza@aol.com
The Pitch: 2,000 to 3,000 participants compete in this five-day tournament. The competition site must be large enough to accommodate a minimum of 12 rings, seat a minimum of 7,000 spectators and include men's and women's locker rooms with showers. The average number of people traveling with a karate competitor is 2.5.
Team: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Events: Men's and Women's Cross-Country National Championships
Dates: November 2002
History: University of Wisconsin-Parkside Cross-Country Course for the past 25 years
Contact: Terry Hasseltine, cross-country administrator, (918) 494-8828 ext. 118, thasseltine@naia.org
The Pitch: 28 men's and 28 women's teams (approximately 490 runners) compete each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. A well-kept cross-country course that has a 5K women's course and an 8K men's course with two to five finish-line chutes and automatic timing equipment is required. The course must be available Friday for the participants as well, and should be able to seat about 500 spectators. Also requested is a gymnasium or auditorium for the awards ceremony (minimum capacity 800). One headquarters hotel within 15 minutes of the course that has comfortable rooms and meeting room space for at least 150 is needed, and overflow/alternate housing (two to four hotels) for participants and fans also is requested. 350-400 rooms are needed for an average length of stay of two to three nights, with a recommended price range of $55-$75. Hotels will be pre-assigned and sent a list of occupants/participants. Participants will be responsible for making reservations and paying for rooms directly with the hotel. Bid deadline is immediately.
Team: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Event: Men's and Women's Tennis National Championship
Dates: Mid-May 2002
History: University of Kentucky Tennis Complex, Lexington, Ky., 2000 and 2001; Patch Reef Tennis Center, Boca Raton, Fla., 1999; Shadow Mountain, Tulsa, Okla., 1998; Indian Springs, Tulsa, Okla., 1997
Contact: Lori Heeter, tennis administrator, (918) 494-8828 ext. 115, lheeter@naia.org
The Pitch: 24 men's and 24 women's teams (approximately 400 participants) compete each year in this weeklong tournament, from Saturday to Saturday. The host hotels must be centralized and capable of accommodating several meetings and a banquet for 400-500 people. 300 rooms are needed for an average stay of four nights. The price range should be $60-$80, no matter room occupancy. Participants will be responsible for making reservations and paying for rooms directly with the hotel. Bid deadline is immediately.
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Event: Playboy Scramble Golf Tournaments
Dates: July through December
Contacts: Kurt Eide, executive producer, kse@playboyscramble.com; or Heather Settle, national tournament manager, (813) 265-2899, hds@playboyscramble.com
Event: National Skydiving League Championship
Dates: November 2002
Contact: Kurt Gaebel, CEO, (904) 740-9093, fax (904) 740-9094, kurt@skyleague.com
Event: InfoSport Inc. Pro Soccer Combine
Dates: January 2002
Contact: Julie D. Lanzillo, president, (610) 993-9582, mobile (610) 745-4403, infosportinc.com
Event: Amateur Athletic Union Baseball National Championships
Dates: Mid-July through mid-August 2004
Contact: Eddie Clinton, senior sports manager, (407) 828-3162, fax (407) 828-5336, eddie@aausports.org
Event: USA Curling U.S. Junior Men's and Women's National Championships
Dates: Jan. 30-Feb. 6, 2002
Contacts: Peggy Rotton, (315) 797-2975; or David Garber, (715) 344-1199, usacurl@charter.net
RECENTLY AWARDED
Teams: Tulsa Convention & Visitor Bureau, Tulsa Sports Commission
Event: 2005 Women's International Bowling Congress Championship and Annual Convention
Venues: Multiple
Teams: U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, Bridger Ski Foundation
Event: 2002 Chevy Truck U.S. Cross-Country Championships
Venue: Bohart Ranch in Bridger Canyon, outside Bozeman, Mont.
