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NORTH CAROLINA GUIDE • 2 017 SPORTSNC SPG Promoting North Carolina AN OPEN As a Top-Tier Sports Destination EVENT-READY INVITATION DESTINATIONS AND Welcoming athletes from all walks of life 6THEIR TOP VENUES

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Travis Dancy SportsNC Chair

Dear Sports Event Rights Holders,

Great events start with a great place and there is a reason why North Carolina is the state to play! North Carolina’s arsenal of sports venues is as impressive as the state’ s wide-ranging and geo- graphically diverse footprint. From the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to some of the highest mountains on the East Coast, it’s a footprint of unrivaled sports terrain whether you are a participant or spectator. Sports events rights holders choose North Carolina year after year due to our unbeatable venues, hospitality, temperate climate and central location on the East Coast.

Whether you are looking to bring a new event to North Carolina or already have an event in the state, SportsNC’ s partners are ready and willing to partner in the success of your event. North Carolina has always embraced an array of diverse sporting events dating to the 1987 Olympic Festival to this year’s US Paralympic Trials and will continue to welcome any and all sporting events.

SportsNC and its 34 partners are your ultimate planning re- source. We are also very excited to announce the hiring of Chrystal Rowe. This is the Association’s first ever hire and we think it will be the best investment yet. Chrystal will serve as Program Coordinator and is poised to take us to the next level in working with rights holders and our members. Please visit SportsNC.com to review our wide-ranging resources and peruse our partners’ directory.

We look forward to seeing many of you at an upcoming sports tourism trade show and please visit us at the SportsNC booth. North Carolina would love to host your next event and remember…there is only one state to play!

Yours in Sport,

Travis Dancy SportsNC Chair NC State TOC_Layout 1 10/17/16 7:38 AM Page 163 NORTH CAROLINA 164 An Open Invitation 166 North Carolina: Top-Tier Sports Destination ©iStock.com/bgblue SI

16 8 Fayetteville 17 0 Gaston County 17 2 Greater Raleigh 17 4 Greensboro 17 6 Greenville 17 8 Wilmington and Island Beaches SCORE BIG BEFORE YOU EVEN GET ON THE FIELD.

Great events start with a great place. One with unbeatable hospitality, unique venues and year-round temperatures perfect for a multitude of sporting events. Search our database to fi nd your next ideal venue. Amanda Baker | Visit North Carolina [email protected] | 919-447-7765

THE STATE TO PLAY

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AN OPEN INVITATION North Carolina has opened its doors to a dynamic collection of sports events for years, welcoming athletes from all walks of life

ports have long been a part of North Carolina’ s culture, an men’s mile—the event has evolved and expanded to include many more important fiber in the being of the state. Home to three profes- races and some elite athletes. During the 2016 invitational, the city wel- sional sports teams, North Carolina is also known for its strong comed some of the top track & field athletes to compete, including Lolo collegiate basketball past, including the rivalry between Duke Jones, Ashton Eaton, Shannon Rowbury, Nick Symmonds and Leo Man- Sand the University of North Carolina. Today, North Carolina plays host to zano. a variety of sports events, from professional competitions and collegiate “It is a real special environment to be able to bring these athletes to tournaments to regional championships and international athletics. The Winston-Salem,” says Craig Longhurst, of JDL Fast Track, which runs the state has even welcomed some offbeat events, truly diversifying its col- event. “To take them to schools for community outreach programs and lection of elite athletic contests. see the excitement that these athletes can generate for the sport and the “Like its diverse footprint that scales from the mountains to the coast, community.” The 2017 event will be held in February and marks the fifth North Carolina has a storied history of hosting a variety of sporting events,” year of the race. Through the years, it has grown into a top track & field says Travis Dancy, board chairman of SportsNC, the marketing brand of competition, and organizers hope to bring in more Olympic athletes and the North Carolina Sports Association. “Our ‘state to play’ mantra encom- bring the event to a national media audience. passes the entire participation gamut, no matter what the origin or back- Greenville recently played host to the East Coast Kukkiwon Cup for ground.” This mentality has been seen in the variety of sports events that the second year in a row. This national taekwondo competition, founded are being held in the state, and the kind of experiences sports planners by Kukkiwon, the official taekwondo governing organization, has been have come across in North Carolina. held all over the country. The East Coast tournament had over 4,000 at- The Camel City Elite Races, started in 2013, has become a signature tendees, including the athletes, their families and spectators. Fans de- event in Winston-Salem. From humble beginnings of just one race—the scended on the Greenville Convention Center to see rising high school

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North Carolina’s diverse geography allows it to host a wide variety of outdoor sporting events, such as surfing championships on the Atlantic Coast.

juniors and seniors compete in the Kyeroogi (sparring) division and the ginia. The Fall Classic has grown to over 200 teams, with players ranging elite Poomsae (form) division. In addition, attendees experienced Korean from age nine to 18. culture, with free Korean tea ceremony and cooking classes. A notable event that took place just this past summer was the 2016 U.S. Another display of North Carolina’s diverse sports events is the ESA Paralympic Team Trials. Staged in Charlotte, the event marked the first time Easterns® Surfing Championships, being hosted in Nags Head, North in U.S. Paralympic history that two sports were contested simultaneously . Carolina. The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) is the largest amateur The trials featured competitions in swimming and track & field at venues surfing association in the world and hosts activities up and down the East around Charlotte, showcasing top athletes hoping to secure a spot in the Coast. The Easterns® is the grand finale of the surfing season, where the Games in Rio. In addition, Charlotte also hosted the 2016 U.S. Paralympic best of the best surfers go head to head. cycling time trial right after the swimming and track & field trials. The US Tennis Association’s North Carolina division has hosted many It is clear from this collection of sports events that North Carolina has large events throughout the state, from adult leagues to junior tournaments. been and will continue to be a place where all sports events are welcome. “USTA North Carolina thoroughly enjoys hosting large events in the Wilm- This is a message SportsNC wants to share with sports planners, rights ington and Beaches area,” says Caroline Downs, junior & college league holders and people all over the country. “No matter the size of the event or coordinator. “The CVB is always willing to assist in everything needed to makeup, SportsNC eagerly awaits the opportunity to partner to the put on a top-notch event.” Not only does the CVB assist the organization success of any event and establish a long-term partnership,” says Dancy. with booking hundreds of discounted rooms, but they also take that extra North Carolina has always had a passion for sports, and that shows in step by donating gifts for players. “The local restaurants and tourist at- the reception cities give to incoming athletes, coaches and their fans. The tractions are a huge added bonus,” Downs says. state has increased awareness among sports planners that it is a top The Lake Norman Soccer Club Fall Classic has been a staple of the sports destination, and it continues to reach out to new and exciting events community for 25 years. Held the weekend before Thanksgiving, the tour- in the hopes of drawing them to its borders. North Carolina’s sports or- nament attracts teams from all across North Carolina, as well as teams ganizations are eager to welcome more events to the state and will con- from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and West Vir- tinue to invite athletes from all over the world and all walks of life. SPG

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SPORTSNC PROMOTES NORTH CAROLINA AS A TOP-TIER SPORTS DESTINATION

SportsNC has been building North Carolina’s sports tourism for over 10 years. Now the organization is experiencing its own growth spurt with its first official employee hire.

porting events are held all over the country—and the world. They nation as a whole. If there’s a planner looking for specific venues or ameni- bring in hundreds of athletes, their families and fans to cities, in- ties, SportsNC can connect them with the member that fits their needs. creasing tourism revenue, boosting destination awareness and “[SportsNC] streamlines the process,” says Dancy. “It’s more efficient and Sgenerating a positive economic impact. economizes the time for rights holders.” The North Carolina Sports Association (NCSA), which operates under Members of SportsNC also get some great benefits from the organi- the marketing brand SportsNC, has been working tirelessly to support zation. After trade shows, SportsNC shares all the leads, appointment sports events in the state and get a piece of the large sports tourism mar- notes and request for proposals (RFPs) with the entire membership, giv- ket. For over 10 years, the organization has grown its membership base, ing them insight into what was discussed at the event and allowing them as well as the sports industry in North Carolina. to bid for potential sports events. In addition, members can receive a dis- Started in 2005, SportsNC consists of some 37 members, mostly con- count to the two SportsNC-hosted trade shows, which is helpful for those vention and visitors bureaus, sports commissions, parks and recreation who may not have been able to afford to attend a trade show otherwise. departments, venue facilities and convention centers, according to Board At these trade shows, SportsNC has held client events that have been Chairman Travis Dancy. The overall mission is to “bring more sports invitation only for existing North Carolina clients as well as potentially new tourism events to the state of North Carolina,” says Dancy. ones. For sports planners and rights holders, SportsNC acts as a one-stop “It’s a great medium to have one-on-one networking face time with shop. The organization attends large trade shows and hosts a couple dur- SportsNC members and partners,” Dancy says. “It’s been very success- ing the year, and is a representative for all its members. This allows for ful and well received.” them to set up one meeting with sports planners and promote the desti- At their quarterly meetings, the organization invites one rights holder to

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Top venues include the eight sand volleyball courts at Dig & Dive sports bar in Wilmington, Charlotte Motor Speedway and JDL Fast Track, Winston-Salem.

give a presentation about their event and bid process, and the members Rowe has come on as the NCSA program coordinator. Her role will have greatly appreciated this, says Dancy. be to lead all SportsNC ef forts, including the sponsored trade shows, Through these efforts and a boost in brand marketing, SportsNC has appointment planning with rights holders, and exhibit booth registration helped attract more sports events to North Carolina. and setup. She will also manage tasks for membership, such as member “Without a doubt the number of events has grown since the associa- surveys and helping to coordinate the quarterly meetings. In addition, tion formed,” says Dancy. “It’s safe to say the impact has increased aware- she will take over management of the quarterly newsletter and oversee ness of North Carolina as a major player in the sports tourism market.” all social media, an area the association didn’t previously have the per- Now SportsNC is ready to take the next step to continue the momen- sonnel to handle. tum: hiring its first employee, Chrystal Rowe. For years volunteers have “We’re excited about some of the proposed plans from Chrystal,” says run the organization, but with the continued growth, the natural next step Dancy. Not only will she help SportsNC grow, she will also alleviate many was to hire someone on full time. It’ s an investment to help “further the responsibilities that were being handled by the board. This will free them brand and continue to show the sports tourism market that North Carolina up to act like a traditional board and look more at the strategic side of is very serious about hosting events,” says Dancy. things, according to Dancy. The combination of a dedicated board and a Rowe has been in the sports industry for 20 years. She began as full-time staff member will hopefully lead to even more hires down the an intern with North Carolina Amateur Sports, State Games of North road, and a larger increase of sports events in the state. Carolina before working with the Carolina Panthers. She held many The ultimate goal of SportsNC is to bolster North Carolina’s reputation different positions with the team, from ticketing operations assistant and as a top-tier destination for sporting events. In recent years the organiza- sales coordinator to marketing manager and director of ticketing. Her tion has been responsible for incredible growth in the market, and with extensive experience with marketing and branding, as well as her devel- Rowe coming on, the state’s success in landing tournaments will surely opment of new programs and revenue streams made her a great fit for the reach new heights. For sports planners and rights holders thinking about SportsNC’s role. their next event, North Carolina will be front in mind. SPG

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Located in the heart of North Carolina, the communities of Cumberland County have a historic charm packed FAYETTEVILLE, NC with culture, excitement and top-notch sports facilities.

Elite Facilities Draw Major Tournaments to Fayetteville

1. Crown Complex swimming pool, a 4,000-seat basketball arena, indoor track, Sports: Indoor sports racquetball courts, outdoor tennis courts and the FSU athletic The $55-million Crown Complex has hosted NBA games, pro department's training facility. boxing matches and NHL exhibition games. Located directly on business I-95, this multi-use complex offers two buildings suited for 3. Milton E. Mazarick Park a variety of sporting events. The state-of-the-art Crown Coliseum Sports: Disc golf, tennis, baseball, softball, fishing opened in October 1997 and has continued to set success records. Milton E. Mazarick Park contains 80 acres and a variety of With seating for 13,500 this versatile facility can host ice hockey, activities for patrons. Featuring an 18-hole disc golf course, eight arena football, high school, college and professional basketball tennis courts, a baseball field, scenic running trails, fishing at games and tournaments, boxing and rodeos. The popular, multi- Glenville Lake and more, this park meets many recreational purpose Crown Arena seats up to 5,000 and can host a wide vari- needs. Other amenities: pavilions, concession stand, boat rentals ety of athletic competitions, including wrestling, basketball, and playground. cheerleading and soccer tournaments. 4. Jordan Soccer Complex 2. Fayetteville State University Sports: Soccer Sports: Football, basketball A $1.5-million, eight-field complex, said to be one of the Serving as the home site for the Fayetteville State University finest eight facilities in the South. The complex, which is Broncos' men's and women's basketball teams, Felton J. Capel adjacent to Methodist University, features eight high-quality Arena was completed in 1995 and is known as one of the best Bermuda grass fields. A full-service snack bar, restrooms and in the NCAA's Division II. Featuring more than 12,000 square ample paved parking are part of this stellar complex. feet of competition space, the arena houses an Olympic-sized

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5. Fort Bragg Clay Target Center FACILITY Sports: Archery, clay shooting SPOTLIGHT As the area's premier archery and clay shooting range, the Clay Target Center has hosted a number of specialty tournaments, including the Armed Forces Skeet Championship and the U.S. Open Skeet Shooting Championship.

6. Arnette Park Sports: Baseball, volleyball, disc golf A popular place for walking and jogging, this 100-acre park offers a combination of developed facilities and natural woodland, including several scenic spots that overlook the Cape Fear River. Picnic pavilions, ball fields and more make this a popular gathering spot for families and large groups. The one-mile-long perimeter road is ideal for biking and walking. Amenities: 4 baseball fields, sand volleyball courts, concession stand, horseshoe pits, disc golf, picnic pavilions, playground, tennis courts and nature trails.

What Can Your Visitors Do in Fayetteville? Whether exploring the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens on the All-American Adventure Trail, taking in a live theater production at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre on the Patri-Arts & Gardens Trail or witnessing a parachute jump at Fort Bragg on the Patriots: Past & Present trail, Fayetteville/Cumberland County has the perfect route planned for whatever your interest might be. For history and military sights, Cumberland County has many memorials and locations with connections to the Civil War and American Revolution. Check out the Fort Bragg military community, the first one of its kind in 2 the country. Visitors can also visit the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum and Airborne and Special Operations Museum.

How Do You Get to Fayetteville? Interstate 95, a major north-south artery, goes right through Fayetteville. Florida and Georgia drivers can take it up from the south, and it connects with New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C. to the north. I-95 connects with I-20, which goes west through much of the South. U.S. Route 401 stretches north to Raleigh. On the south end of town is the Fayetteville Regional Airport, servicing flights through American, Delta and United airlines. Other regional airports are in Raleigh, Charlotte and Myrtle Beach.

Planner Perspective 5 “The staff at FACVB has been instrumental with getting the right people in the room to assist Elite Tournaments with planning a new tournament in Fayetteville. Their understanding of the youth sports market and the key decision makers have accelerated the planning and development process to get us on the way to creating a top-level event in a new location while work- ing with excellent local partners.” — Matthew Libber, Vice President of Operations and Business Development, Elite Tournaments,

FAYETTEVILLE AREA CVB Stephanie Decatur, Sports Sales Manager 910-483-5311 • [email protected] FayettevilleNCSports.com 6

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With a suburban feel and easy access to the big-city amenities of Charlotte, Gaston County is an ideal GASTON COUNTY, NC location for outdoor sporting events in North Carolina.

Tournament Planners Find Everything They Need 3. Martha Rivers Youth Complex 1. Belmont Abbey College Sports: Football, softball, baseball, soccer, cross country Sports: Baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, volleyball, This 48-acre, collegiate-level park in Gastonia houses basketball four-fenced baseball and softball fields and four regulation As part of the NCAA’s Division II Conference Carolinas, Belmont multi-purpose fields, all equipped with hybrid Tifway Bermuda Abbey College provides venues for all indoor and outdoor grass, automatic irrigation systems and metal halide lighting sporting events. Abbey Yard, home to Belmont Abbey baseball, for night games. Also featured are two-story climate-controlled has undergone several renovations and upgrades including a new towers with telephones, enclosed dugouts, electronic scorekeeping outfield wall and a field turf ring. Alumni Field hosts amenities for equipment and water fountains. soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. The college offers a softball field with a new brick backstop and netting system, a seven-court 4. Robinwood Lake tennis center, a strength and conditioning room, and the Wheeler Sports: Basketball, track, floor hockey, swimming, boating, fishing, Center, fully equipped with volleyball and basketball courts, cross country wrestling mats, an athletic training room and locker rooms. Robinwood Lake, now part of the Gaston County Family YMCA in Gastonia, has recently undergone several renovations 2. George Poston Park and upgrades to provide more amenities for indoor and outdoor Sports: Football, softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, biking, sporting events. The newly renovated YMCA features an indoor cross country, fishing running track and a gymnasium equipped for basketball and floor The park features four softball and baseball fields with metal hockey, while Robinwood Lake offers fishing and boating. halide lighting for night games, a beach volleyball court and four The aquatic center includes two pools, one set to 82 degrees for lighted multi-purpose soccer and football fields, all with groomed lap swimmers and the other set to 86 degrees for recreational hybrid Bermuda grass. Near the picnic shelters is a 10-mile, swimmers. Two miles of hiking trails have been added and can single-track mountain biking trail. be used by cross country runners.

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5. Crowders Mountain State Park maze. To dip into some local history, visit the Gaston County Sports: Basketball, volleyball, biking, cross country, boating, fishing Museum, where exhibits include an original 1884 Edison Located in Kings Mountain, Crowders Mountain’s seven- dynamo, the first hydroelectric power generator and a ravishing acre manmade lake is an ideal destination for outdoor sporting Congressional Ball gown worn by the Maid of Cotton in 1946. events, providing opportunities for fishing and canoeing with picnic areas and nearby parking. Trails for cross country and In the Heart of North Carolina biking range from one to six miles with various difficulty levels. Situated just 15 miles west of Charlotte, Gaston County is centrally located and easily accessible. Cities in the Northeast, 6. Catawba River Midwest and Southwest can reach Gaston by I-40, I-77 and I-85. Sports: Water sports, boating, fishing, bowling, tennis, cycling I-44 offers an important east-west link to Charlotte, just a 20-minute A boater’s paradise, the Catawba River spans two states drive to Gaston. With more daily flights per capita than any other and more than 200 miles with endless opportunities for sports airport in the nation, Charlotte Douglas International Airport events. Guided canoe and kayak tours are provided, while (CLT) flies non-stop to over 130 destinations with over 650 private boating route suggestions are also available ranging from flights per day. three to 20 miles with various difficulty levels. With breathtaking views of Catawba River, Tailrace Marina offers pontoon, Planner Perspective stand-up paddle board, canoe and kayak rentals. The marina “Working with Gaston County Travel & Tourism has been a also has showers, restrooms, a pet walking area and picnic areas great experience for the Schiele Museum. Our recent event, with seating and BBQ grills. The newly opened Kevin Loftin Clash of the Bots, was a huge success thanks to the investment Riverfront Park in Belmont provides a pier and kayak launch for of time, resources, and effort offered from Gaston County Travel accessing the Catawba. & Tourism. We would highly recommend working with this group of reliable and dedicated professionals.” Exploring Gaston County —Philip McGinnis, 2016 Clash of the Bots Head eight miles south just along the banks of Lake Wylie to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden for a relaxing day at an 380- GO GASTON acre property filled with flourishing gardens, iridescent fountains Michael Applegate, CDME, Director of Travel & Tourism and tropical plants. Bring the kids along to Lineberger Maple 704-825-7517 • [email protected] Spring Farms in Dallas for strawberry, blackberry and pumpkin gogaston.org picking or navigate your way through a perplexing cornstalk

Go Gaston. Get Outside.

Go experience the CaroMont Criterium. This annual professional cycling series runs through the streets of downtown Belmont, just west of Charlotte. Let us help you plan your next sports event and connect you with the numerous athletics venues Gaston County has to offer. 800-849-9994 | 704-825-4044 | #gogaston | gogaston.org | SPORT_172-173_Layout 1 10/15/16 11:11 PM Page 172

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5 Jason Philbeck/GRSA There’s no doubt about it— GREATER RALEIGH, NC Greater Raleigh is any sports event planner’s dream. Fabulous Facilities 1. PNC Arena 3. Cary Tennis Park Sports: Hockey, basketball Sports: Tennis It isn’t hard to figure out why PNC Arena welcomes over 1.5 The award-winning Cary Park offers 29 championship courts, million guests every year. Home to NC State Men’s Basketball four permanent QuickStart courts, a snack bar, a pro shop and and the Carolina Hurricanes NHL team, this arena annually several ball machines. The ACC Tennis Championships, USTA hosts more than 150 events. Amenities include over 68 Tennis on Campus National Championships and Boys NCH- concession stands, 37 restrooms and parking for 8,000 vehicles. SAA State Championships were all hosted at the park in 2015. The arena can seat 18,680 for basketball and accommodate 19,722 fans for hockey. 4. WRAL Soccer Park Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, Ultimate 2. WakeMed Soccer Park Located in northern Raleigh, this 21-field complex includes Sports: Soccer, cross country, lacrosse, rugby, Ultimate five brand new synthetic turf fields with lighting. Recent At 150 acres, this multipurpose complex is one of the hottest renovations include paved parking, new restrooms and shelters, sports destinations in North Carolina. The park features one new nets and improved landscaping. WRAL Soccer Park has lighted stadium field, two lighted match-only fields and five hosted state, regional and national events that bring in thousands additional fields, with permanent stadium seating for 10,000. of teams every year, including the annual CASL visitRaleigh.com WakedMed hosts events that range from youth to professional National Soccer Series. Some of these events have been level and offers concession areas, locker rooms, restrooms and the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regionals, U.S. Lacrosse 2,600 parking spaces. Additionally, the park has an outstanding Southeast Championships, U.S. Open Ultimate Championships cross country course with 5K, 6K and 8K runs. and Powerade State Games of North Carolina.

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5. Triangle Aquatic Center Planner Perspective Sports: Swimming, water polo “Our entire program can't stop saying positive things about their The largest public aquatic complex in North Carolina, experience [at the NCAA DII Baseball Championship] this year. Triangle Aquatic Center offers three pools: a 50-meter Every time I visit the Raleigh and Cary area, I realize more and Competition Pool, a 25-yard Program Pool and an more that the attitude and demeanor of everyone there rises above Instructional Pool. The facility has seating for up to 1,000 fans, and beyond any expectations that an outsider could possibly have.” a full service café, scoreboards and a “dry land” fitness area. — Tyler Madsen The Competition Pool can easily be configured to hold eight Former Member, NCAA DII Baseball Committee long-course lanes or 18 short-course lanes, while the Program Pool is set up with 10 lanes. Triangle Aquatic Center has hosted a remarkable number of swim meets this year alone, GREATER RALEIGH SPORTS ALLIANCE including the NCHSAA Swimming State Championships and Scott Dupree, Executive Director the National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet. 919-834-5900 • [email protected] raleighsports.org 6. Walnut Creek Softball Complex Sports: Softball, baseball With nine top-tier, lighted fields, Walnut Creek is one of the premier softball venues in the Carolinas. The complex comes with closed dugouts, bleacher seating for 1,000 spectators, scoreboards for each field and ample parking space. Five of the nine fields can also be arranged to accommodate base- ball games. Leisure Activities for Every Taste From rock concerts to movies in the park, the opportunities for entertainment in Greater Raleigh are as varied as they are abundant. No matter what your athlete’s inter- ests are, they’re sure to find their own perfect adventure during their stay. Outdoor enthusi- asts can find a wide variety of hiking trails, kayak tours and one-of-a-kind parks, while athletes who want to stay inside can enjoy some of America’s best shopping malls and museums. Regardless of your inclinations, Raleigh locals suggest all young visitors try looking for excitement at Triangle Rock Club and the Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex.

Great North Carolina Location Raleigh is nestled between I-40 and I-440, with connections to highways 70 and 401. I-85 and I-95 also pass within 25 miles of the city. Major cities under six hours from Raleigh include Richmond, Virginia; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida. Only an 18-minute drive from the city center, RDU International Airport is readily available for teams interested in flying. Southwest, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue and United Airlines all service the airport.

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The city offers the perfect combination of sports and leisure, with GREENSBORO, NC premier athletic venues, top-notch museums and a big-time water park. Flexible Indoor and Outdoor Facilities Olympic-style surface. The 23,000-seat complex features eight 48” running lanes, dual-direction runways for long jump, 1. Bryan Park Soccer Complex triple jump and pole vault, multi-directional high jump and brushed Sports: Soccer concrete shot and discus circles. Originally built in 1990, Bryan Park Soccer Complex has 17 Bermuda grass fields. The facility has hosted countless 3. Greensboro Aquatic Center successful events. After current renovations are completed, the Sports: Swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming soccer complex will have 21 fields—19 Bermuda grass and two This 79,423-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility features artificial turf—which allows for non-stop sports action regardless leading-edge concepts in aquatic design. The GAC brings of weather. It will also boast nine lighted fields in addition to the together all major aquatic sports—competitive swimming, diving, Macpherson Stadium complex, which features a fieldhouse, water polo, synchronized—in one venue. It features three bodies press box, concessions and seating for 3,000. In addition, the of water—a competition pool, warm-up pool and diving well. The complex will offer a covered roof, high-speed, fiber-optic data GAC hosts high school and collegiate events, USA Swimming communications, a Subway restaurant and two additional events, US Masters Swimming, USA Synchro and USA Water concession stands. Polo events as well as a myriad of local, regional, national and international competitions. The GAC also serves local citizens 2. Irwin Belk Track at NC A&T State University through its diverse programs, including therapeutic rehabilitation Sports: Track and field and “Learn to Swim” classes. The venue has quickly emerged This IAAF-certified track is composed of a Mondo Super X as one of the top aquatic facilities in the nation.

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4. Greensboro Coliseum the existing 13 clay courts. Phase II will increase the number Sports: Basketball, motorsports of courts (from 13 to 18), renovate the existing tennis building, Greensboro Coliseum is the largest indoor public assembly add a shade structure to the north end of the tennis building and facility in the Piedmont Triad and surrounding region. The arena convert the tournament court to quick-start courts. A possible can seat up to 22,000 but maintains a round-house curtaining Phase III is also under consideration. system that can automatically reduce the arena seating capacity to as low as 4,500 for a general session. The Coliseum has seven dressing rooms, backstage function space and a 298-seat theater How to Find Greensboro for intimate gatherings or press conferences. It regularly hosts I-85, I-40 and I-73/74 are three major interstates that converge concerts, college basketball contests, conventions, motorsports in Greensboro, making travel by car simple. The city is also and touring family shows. The arena floor and concourse are also just a five-hour drive from both Atlanta and Washington, D.C. compatible for exhibit space. Piedmont Triad International Airport services all major airlines without the long lines of larger airports. 5. The Fieldhouse Sports: Basketball Formerly The Pavilion, this venue is the new home to the Planner Perspective Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets’ NBA D-League “A heartfelt thank-you to Henri Fourrier and our primary affiliate. The Fieldhouse is currently undergoing a $5-million total contact Brian Ambuehl at the Greensboro CVB office for seeing makeover to create an entirely new facility. New scoreboards, the incredible value in youth sports. From the very beginning, sound system and basketball floor are being installed as part of their insight and service have been a guiding force in NC AAU the renovations. The 40,000-square-foot complex will include consistently growing our event base in the Gate City.” a 2,300-seat capacity, backstage locker rooms, referee rooms, — Sean Kilmartin, Governor, NC Amateur Athletic Union a fitness room, media rooms and other amenities.

6. Spencer Love Tennis Center GREENSBORO NC Sports: Tennis Brian Ambuehl, Dennis Edwards, Sports Sales Managers One of the busiest tennis venues in North Carolina, Spencer 336-335-1581, 336-335-1586 [email protected], [email protected] Love Tennis Center is getting a major upgrade in several phases. VisitGreensboroNC.com Phase I, which is currently underway, is focusing on refurbishing

5 HRS. FROM Washington D.C.

Greensboro

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‡7RXUQDPHQWVW\OHEDVHEDOO DWKOHWLFÀHOGV ‡7RQVRIIDPLO\IULHQGO\DFWLYLWLHV UHVWDXUDQWV • Easy access from 3 major Interstates VisitGreensboroNC.com • PGA championship golf courses 800-344-2282 | #VisitGSO ‡:RUOGFODVVWUDFN ÀHOGIDFLOLW\ • State-of-the-art aquatic center ‡2YHUDUHDKRWHOURRPV • International airport SPORT_176-177_Layout 1 10/15/16 11:41 PM Page 176

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Discover the natural beauty, history and top-notch facilities of Pitt County and Greenville, GREENVILLE, NC North Carolina, a prime tournament destination. These Facilities Can’t Be Beat 1. Aquaventure Aquatics Campus 3. Elm Street Park’s Stallings Stadium Sports: Swimming Sports: Baseball, softball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocce, tennis Just south of Greenville is Winterville, home of the brand new At the eight-acre Elm Street Park, visitors will find Stallings 28,000-square-foot Aquaventure Aquatics Campus, which opened Stadium, home of the local Little League program. The stadium is its doors in August 2016. The fitness center features an ADA-acces- no stranger to big events, with a modern grandstand behind home sible, eight-lane, 25-yard heated lap pool with depths ranging plate and concessions, locker rooms and lights for play after dark. from three-and-a-half to five feet. Separate men’s and women’s Also at Elm Street Park’s Stallings Stadium are six lighted locker rooms with showers are on site along with classroom space to tennis courts with bleacher seating and courts for horseshoes, set up a tournament headquarters and exercise rooms. The facility bocce and shuffleboard. Ample parking is available inside the park also hosts a wellness campus and the Rum Runners Dive Shop. along with access to the Greenville Greenway.

2. East Carolina University Sports Facilities 4. Greenville Convention Center Campus Sports: All Sports: Indoor sports NCAA Division I Eastern Carolina University boasts five The Greenville Convention Center Campus is a 91,000- facilities capable of hosting events at a top level. Natural-grass square-foot facility offering space for most indoor sports, including Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, home of the Pirates football program, cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, boxing, taekwondo and seats 50,000, is fully lighted and includes an 84-foot-wide, 28-foot-tall weightlifting. You’ll find inside the 57,000-square-foot convention high-definition videoboard. The 5,000-seat Clark-LeClair Stadium center and its 28,800-square-foot carpeted exhibit hall with offers both indoor and outdoor batting cages for baseball events. 28-foot-high ceilings. The venue has full concession, ticket For softball tournaments, the new ECU Softball Stadium seats 1,000 booths and complimentary parking. The ultra-modern 32-acre and includes three covered batting cages. ECU Williams Arena at campus includes three acres of greenspace and three Minges Coliseum hosts both volleyball and basketball, seating AAA 3-Diamond hotels. 8,000. Johnson Soccer Stadium seats 1,000. All facilities have parking on site along with concession, restrooms and locker rooms.

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5. River Birch Tennis Complex Sports: Tennis Travel by Car or Plane Home to local tennis programs, the River Birch Tennis Most major Southeastern metropolitan areas are within a few Complex features eight lighted courts ready for competition and hours’ drive of Greenville, which is accessible from Interstate 95 striped for both adults and children. The spacious clubhouse via Route 264. These cities include Raleigh, Atlanta, Nashville, provides plenty of room for a tournament headquarters, offering Jacksonville, Louisville, Richmond, Baltimore, Charlotte vending machines and restrooms. Located in Greenville’s and Washington, D.C. Located in the city of Greenville is the Evans Park, the River Birch Complex has ample parking and Pitt-Greenville Airport, which is served by American Airlines. bleacher seating available for visitors. An hour-and-a-half drive away is Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which is served by most major airlines. 6. Sara Law Softball Complex Sports: Softball Resting on 20 acres of greenspace, the Sara Law Softball Planner Perspective Complex offers four natural-grass competition fields and two “It is always great working with the people at the Greenville-Pitt additional practice fields. The complex is home to the Pitt County County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. They have helped me Softball League, so it’s no stranger to big games. Dugouts and with hotel discounts, reservations and literature for our participants bleacher seating are available, and the complex also features a and their families (like maps, etc.) If they do not know the answer concession stand, storage and restroom facilities. to a question, they will research and find the answer for you.” What To Do In Greenville After the Buzzer — Darlene Rose, Rose’s Gymnastics, USAG North Carolina Xcel Bronze and For the whole family, check out fun attractions like Captain Xcel Silver Gymnastics State Championships Jack’s Mini Golf or learn more about local wildlife at River Park North and the Walter L. Stasavich Science & Nature Museum, which boasts a 10,000-gallon freshwater aquarium. If your group hasn’t had enough competition, take in an ECU Pirates game. Greenville has plenty of shopping to offer with more than GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY CVB two dozen shopping centers in the area, including a number of Gray W. Williams, Sports Sales Manager 252-329-4200 • [email protected] antique shops. For those with green thumbs who prefer to pick VisitGreenvilleNC.com off the branch instead of the supermarket shelf, there are nine agritourism locations.

PLAY. COMPETE. CONNECT.

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Can’t decide between charming city life WILMINGTON, N.C., and relaxing ocean breezes? Book your next tournament in Wilmington to get AND ISLAND BEACHES the best of both worlds.

A Wealth of Facilities to Choose From and visitor field houses, and spectators can enjoy the PA system that originates in the press box. Since the stadium is home to the 1. Wilmington Convention Center Hammerheads, Wilmington’s United States Soccer League Sports: Gymnastics, cheerleading, badminton, volleyball team, you know it’s a great place for a soccer game, too. Beyond The maritime-themed, Silver LEED-certified building Legion Stadium, the complex comprises another baseball diamond, offers meeting capabilities from 20 to 2,000 people and a variety four lighted tennis courts and a swimming pool. of spaces, including a 30,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, 12,000- square-foot ballroom, 15,000 square feet of pre-function space 4. Olsen Park and 6,000 square feet of additional meeting space, along with a Sports: Baseball, softball 12,000-square-foot waterfront event lawn. The park's Miracle Field has a playing surface made of special rubberized turf that enables people with mobility issues to play 2. Althea Gibson Tennis Complex on it. Athletes who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices Sports: Tennis have the freedom to navigate the field and even circle the With 19 outdoor hard courts, all complete with lighting, you bases, which are inlaid. The field can accommodate both children have enough space for tennis tournaments of all sizes. The and adults. Beyond Miracle Field, Olsen Park boasts five baseball/ site has played host to both adults and juniors tournaments and softball fields with lights, as well as two restrooms, a concession championships, and it boasts convenient athlete amenities like building, a vending building and a picnic shelter. ball machine rentals and a practice wall. The 1,500-square-foot clubhouse has a lounge, a meeting room and a snack counter for 5. University of North Carolina at Wilmington participants and spectators to enjoy. Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, cross country, swimming and diving, tennis 3. Legion Sports Complex Trask Coliseum can seat 5,200 fans for basketball events. Sports: Baseball, softball, soccer, tennis Brooks Field can hold 3,000 spectators to watch a baseball game Anchored by Legion Stadium, a 6,000-seat ballpark with an on its natural playing surface, with a 380-foot distance from home artificial-turf baseball diamond, Legion Sports Complex is a to dead center. Seahawk Natatorium has an eight-lane pool that fantastic place to hold a sports event. Athletes can enjoy the home measures 25 yards by 20 yards and a separate diving well that

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descends 17 feet with two 3-meter boards and two 1-meter boards. Finding Wilmington on the Map UNCW Soccer Stadium can hold 3,000 fans to watch a game on The Wilmington area is easy to get to by just pointing your car its regulation-size field. Boseman Field is a regulation-size softball toward the middle of the East Coast. I-40 runs right into Wilmington diamond with in-ground dugouts and permanent seating. and other major roads such as I-74 and I-95 will get you close. 6. Veterans Park Wilmington International Airport is conveniently located just a Sports: Baseball, soccer, football, tennis, beach volleyball few miles from downtown Wilmington, and you can use major airlines like American and Delta to fly in. There are six total baseball fields—four Little League fields, a middle school field and a high school field. There are two regulation- size soccer fields, plus three more regulation-size soccer/football Planner Perspective combination fields (four of the fields are lighted). With nine lighted “USTA North Carolina thoroughly enjoys hosting large events in tennis courts and two full-size sand volleyball courts, Veterans the Wilmington and Beaches area. The CVB is always willing to Park is ready and able to play host to a wide array of fun events assist in everything needed to put on a top-notch event. The list of and tournaments. amenities not only includes booking hundreds of discounted rooms but also going above and beyond by donating gifts for players. The Water Park Thrills, Fresh Seafood local restaurants and tourist attractions are a huge added bonus.” and a Bounty of Beaches — Caroline Downs, USTA North Carolina Wilmington offers outdoor cafes aplenty, as well as acre upon acre of magnificent parks. If you want to head inside, Wilmington’s restaurants, museums, theaters and nightlife offer a variety of choices and live entertainment. If the beach is more your speed, you’re in luck. From Carolina Beach’s famous boardwalk to Kure Beach’s historic fishing pier to Wrightsville Beach’s surfing competitions, WILMINGTON AND BEACHES CVB these sandy shores offer plenty of fun and sun for everyone. Check Bree Nidds, Sales Manager out the nearby Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, a World War II-era 800-650-9064, ext 124 [email protected] vessel that offers tours and experiences. Want to go down a giant SportsWilmington.com waterslide? Head over to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park.

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