Pennsylvania Istheplacetoplay
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2020 PENNSYLVANIA GUIDE Pennsylvania isthePlacetoPlay A can-do attitude, rich resources and outstanding venues separate Pennsylvania from the pack 13 Member Profiles Featuring Event-Ready Destinations SPG A Premier Travel Media publication www.SportsPlanningGuide.com Carrie Fischer Lepore Deputy Secretary, Marketing, Tourism, & Film Greetings! On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we’d like to welcome you to the Keystone State for your next sporting event. Tourism, and sport tourism in particular, plays an important role in our vibrant Pennsylvania economy. According to a recent study by Tourism Economics, Pennsylvania hosted 5.5 million visits related to sports, and generated nearly $438 million in direct spending in the analyzed year of 2015. Life in the Keystone State is invigorating, fulfilling, and downright happy, and is home to many modern, cutting-edge facilities equipped with the latest technology that are perfect for your next event. From sandy shores and rugged peaks to tranquil forests and roaring rivers, Pennsylvania provides endless opportunities to pursue your happiness throughout all four seasons. Our diverse market – which includes youth and adult amateur, college, and professional sporting events – attracts out-of-town and out-of-state visitors to an array of destinations and attractions across the state. PA Sports is an organization comprising 13 member destinations throughout Pennsylvania that are home to some of the top attractions for sports tourism in the country. These highly trained professionals understand that success in host- ing events is a team effort. From Erie and Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and the PA Lehigh Valley — and everywhere in between — Pennsylvania has just what you and your colleagues are looking for. To learn more about our sports facilities across the state or to book your next sporting event, visit SportsinPA.com. To start planning your next trip to one of Pennsylvania’s cultural, historic, and greater-than-great outdoor destinations, head over to visitPA.com. We hope to see you soon! Yours in Happiness, Carrie Fischer Lepore Deputy Secretary, Marketing, Tourism. & Film PA Department of Community & Economic Development rom Allentown to Erie, Wilkes-Barre to Zelienople, and every rugged woodlands and a lush countryside, there are endless options to destination in between, no event is too big or too small for PA explore. Extending tourism beyond the events is a significant part of the Sports members. PA Sports mission. Athletes, their families, coaches, and officials all Marking its 17th year as an organization in 2020, PA Sports hasn’t contribute to Pennsylvania’s local and state economies. Fwavered from its mission: showcase Pennsylvania as a viable sports PA Sports has 13 members and the experience to handle every event. event destination by attracting and hosting international, national, When that experience is coupled with nearby vacation possibilities, regional, and local sporting events. planners have a winning combination for their event. “PA Sports is a one-stop shop in a sports-centric state,” said R. Ron Philadelphia’s PHL Sports has a history of handling big time events. Sertz, chairman for PA Sports. Sertz describes the group as dedicated, The city has hosted the annual Army-Navy game 86 times. Philadelphia talented, and continuously growing in expertise. Rights holders and has the space, including a Sports Complex that houses three world-class event organizers have come to depend on the individual members’ venues that have attracted the NFL Draft, NHL Winter Classic, NCAA expertise and experience in hosting successful events. Championships and others. Any competitor traveling to Philadelphia The outline for partnership between the original six members actually should extend their stay with a visit to Independence Hall, the National began in 2003 on a napkin. Those in attendance wanted to open up Constitution Center and so many other attractions tied to America’s collaboration with one another to find the perfect fit for events. They Birthplace. wanted to make sure events would stay in Pennsylvania, helping to When a new eSports event became available, Hershey Harrisburg enhance the economic impact of events held in the state. The Pennsyl- Sports and Events Authority was the first choice. The Hershey-Har- vania Department of Tourism, as well as state and local legislators from risburg region hosted the U.S. Junior Nationals Hershey Showcase, with across the state, recognized the importance of sports tourism. teams from 15 states accounting for more than 4,500 room nights. For For Pennsylvania, that economic impact from sports tourism has the seventh year the event sold out with more than 132 teams competing. value that extends beyond the actual competition. The state is fortunate There’s family fun at Chocolate Town U.S.A. featuring Hershey Park® to be a 12-month vacation destination and has long been a popular and Hershey’s Chocolate World. travel destination. From sleek cityscapes and charming small towns to Just a few years ago, SportsPITTSBURGH won the rights to host 13 Member Destinations Make Pennsylvania PA Sports members have a “We can do that” A dedicated cycling scene powers Pennsylvania by luring a Premier Host in top-notch competitors with its world-class facilities. attitude. They provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities, a commitment to service at the highest level and a cornucopia of leisure activities in their communities 4 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG more NCAA events than any other destination in the United States. Outstanding venues ensure Valley Forge Sports has the right facility Pittsburg’s facilities are legendary. The David L. Lawrence Convention for numerous field and indoor events. The newly renovated Greater Center (DLCC) has hosted the USA Karate National Championship, Philadelphia Expo Center features 240,000 square feet of uninterrupted the annual East Coast Volleyball Championship, the annual Hoop space. Nine outdoors lighted and one indoors turf field are available for Group Pittsburg Jam Fest, and many others at both the PPG Paints soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Competitive Edge Sports is a premier Arena and Robert Morris University Island Center. The Pittsburgh Zoo volleyball and basketball facility with five hardwood floors. Nearby Valley & PPG Aquarium are visitor favorites. Forge is a history lesson all Americans should experience. With a central location to three major cities and state of the art Less than two hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Sport York facilities, Erie Sports has been the National Sports Commission of offers exceptional facilities. York Expo Center’s Utz Arena is perfect for the Year in 2014 and 2016. The downtown Erie Insurance Arena is gymnastics, wrestling, and cheerleading, while the 72-acre Memorial multipurpose and hosts NCAA Women’s Division II Basketball Elite Park Softball Complex accommodates softball on an eight-field complex Eight, as well as wrestling and ice hockey championships. Presque Isle with batting cages and Hoffman Stadium, plus beach volleyball and a State Park boasts seven miles of shore and 25 miles of recreational skate park. Check out one of the three Harley-Davidson factory tours in trails. The Bayfront Convention Center has hosted everything from the York Vehicle Operations Plant. cheerleading competitions to dog trials. Fishing and hiking in the Erie Visit Johnstown has a far-reaching history of hosting big-time sports National Wildlife Refuge, or a stop at any area vineyard are well worth events. 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial has been extending your stay. home to wrestling, basketball, cheer, and volleyball events. Stonycreek With Penn State University right down the street, The Happy Valley River with 15 rapids in four miles is ideal for kayaking and canoeing com- Adventure Bureau has access to top-of-the-line facilities. Bryce Jordan petitions. The 140 miles of trails in Rock Run Recreation Area is a prime Center has hosted multiple NCAA-Big 10 and PIAA Championships. destination for ATV, UTV, and OHV. Put the Johnstown Flood Museum Pegula Ice Arena has the best amenities college hockey offers. Penn on your to-do list. State’s wildly popular Berkey Creamery and a nearby tourist coal mine Located in the foothills of the Pocono mountains, Visit Luzerne are must sees when away from the competition. County is less than two hours from Philadelphia and New York City. The Only 20 miles north of Pittsburgh, the Butler County Sports Mohegan Sun Arena continues to host PA Junior Wrestlers tournaments. Commission provides more than 50 indoor and outdoor venues. The Hockey tournaments are regularly drawn to the Toyota Sports Arena. The UPMC Lemieux Sports Center is the primary practice and training Wyoming Sports Dome with its 67-foot ceilings is popular with numerous facility for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Slippery Rock University has venues soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball tournaments. There are fun attractions both for all imaginable sports. Cooper’s Lake features a variety of terrains. indoors and outdoors in the Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and Pittson area. More than a dozen area attractions have made Butler a visitor favorite. Let your games begin at sportsinpa.com. SPG Just 20 minutes east of Pittsburgh, VM Sports Monroeville Sports Tourism features multiple venues. Monroeville Convention center has hosted Tyrant Wrestling, Pittsburgh Fitness expo and others. Ten soccer fields at CNX Sports Complex at Turner Valley have all the amenities. Four newly turfed fields are found at Monroeville Baseball Park. With Pittsburgh so close, visitors will have no difficulty filling their day. Chester County’s Brandywine Valley is located near Philadelphia in Pennsylvania’s southeast. Ice Line Quad Rinks features four rinks and a restaurant on site. United Sports is a multi-sports complex, ideal for tournaments. Westtown School features space for tennis, cross- country, basketball and wrestling competitions. Take time to visit the Best Botanical Garden in the U.S. Longwood Gardens. The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is home to cycling events for Discover Lehigh Valley Sports.