Pa Sports Attracts the Biggest Events
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PAREPRINT_1_Layout 1 9/17/18 10:44 AM Page 1 PENNSYLVANIA GUIDE • 2019 SPG SPORTS ARE BIG BUSINESS IN THE KEYSTONE STATE PA SPORTS Commonwealth’s rich sports history ATTRACTS THE attracts legions BIGGEST EVENTS of fans Organization brings major competitions to Pennsylvania EVENT-READY DESTINATIONS AND THEIR 13 TOP VENUES A Premier Travel Media publication • www.SportsPlanningGuide.com PAREPRINT_2_Layout 1 9/17/18 10:53 AM Page 2 PA PAREPRINT_3_Layout 1 9/17/18 10:56 AM Page 3 3 Pittsburgh, PA As the site for the first professional football game and the first World Series, Pittsburgh is booming with an authentic, iconic sports history and world-class We all know Pittsburgh is home to the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, but what many don’t know is Pittsburgh FACILITY SPOTLIGHT is home to an array of unique activities. From art 1. David L. Lawrence Convention Center museums with collections from one of the world’s most Sports: All famous artists to the one-and-only independent indoor The David L. Lawrence Convention Center features four floors nonprofit aviary in the nation, Pittsburgh has something with 53 meeting rooms, Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom and an for everyone to enjoy. The Steel City is also known for its additional meeting space. The convention center has previously flourishing multicultural heritage, resulting in a slew of hosted the USA Karate National Championships and Team delectable eateries found throughout the city. Trials, o¤ering amenities such as 700 indoor parking spaces, catering and concessions, wheelchair accessibility, free and Things to do in Pittsburgh public Wi-Fi and special equipment rental Kennywood Park is Pittsburgh’s cherished amusement park, an ideal family-friendly getaway that’s fun for all ages. Teams can take an exhilarating ride on The 2. PPG Paints Arena Sports: Basketball, hockey, figure skating, wrestling, Phantom’s Revenge or indulge in a skydiving adventure volleyball at the Skycoaster. To get a true feel for the essence of Pittsburgh, a day spent at the Gateway Clipper Fleet is Home to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and host of the a must. Teams and families can choose from a variety first and second rounds of the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s of cruises that take you on sightseeing tours along the Basketball Tournament, PPG Paints Arena boasts the most Monongahela River. comfortable seating arrangement in the NHL, with seats up to 24 inches wide and an accompanying increase in leg room. How to Get to Pittsburgh West Coast sports teams can take I-80 to reach the 3. Heinz Field Steel City. Teams traveling from southern states can take Sports: Football, hockey, soccer, rugby, lacrosse I-77, I-85 or I-79. East Coast teams and families can hop on I-84, I-76 or I-90. Major cities nearest to Pittsburgh Home to the NFL’s Steelers and the NCAA’s University of are Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York, Baltimore and Pittsburgh Panthers, Heinz Field was also home to the 2017 Washington D.C. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) NHL Stadium Series. In 2016, the stadium set a new attendance is located about 20 miles west of downtown Pittsburgh record at 69,983 spectators during the Keystone Classic. This and is a major hub for US Airways and low-cost carriers facility has an incomparable playing field, featuring a heated, such as Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. four-variety blend of Kentucky Bluegrass with 12-inch, sand- based rootzone soil that meets USGA specifications. Planner Perspective “With an amazing local BMX program in South Park BMX SportsPITTSBURGH and outstanding support from VisitPITTSBURGH, our decision was easy.” Derek Dawson Sports Development Director – John David, USA BMX Phone: 412-325-0292 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sportspittsburgh.com PAREPRINT_4-7_Layout 1 9/17/18 10:59 AM Page 4 Bringing the Biggest and Best Events to Pennsylvania Started in 2003 on a cocktail napkin, PA Sports has helped turn Pennsylvania into a sports tourism powerhouse PAREPRINT_4-7_Layout 1 9/17/18 11:01 AM Page 5 SPG PAREPRINT_4-7_Layout 1 9/17/18 11:06 AM Page 6 Making a Financial Impact on Pennsylvania’s Communities Success of cities big and small show the Keystone State is a sports tourism destination PAREPRINT_4-7_Layout 1 9/17/18 11:07 AM Page 7 SPG PAREPRINT_8-28_Layout 1 9/17/18 2:14 PM Page 8 1 Things to do in Valley Forge will find all their gifts at the King of Prussia Mall, An amazing blend of natural landmarks and modern just under 20 minutes away from LEGOLAND. This attractions, Valleyalle Forge oers an eclectic selection 2.9 million-square-foot mall is America’s largest of things to do. Montgomery County’s nearly 100 shopping center, housing overer 400 sstores, seven miles of trails promise a dierent adventurenture in department stores, luxury boutiques and various every direction. Walk, hike or run through quiet dining options. neighborhoods or lively towns for a completeomplet picture of the city’s many f aces. As you continue How to Get to Valley FForge your outdoor exe cursion, tour the grounds where Planners and teams can reach Valley Forge by George Washington and the Continental endured a driving 30 minutes from northwest Philadelphia. harsh winter between 1777-78 a t the VValleaalley Forge The PA-252, PA-23 and Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania National Historicalorical Park. In addition, groups can host Turnpikurnpike) are all located conveniently close to events and partake in various recreational activities the town. Fly into the town from the Philadelphia at the park. Go from land to the sky at iFLLYY Indoor Internaernational Airport, a 40-minute drive away. This Skydiving in King of Prussia. Here, both children and airport is serviced by American Airlines, Delta adults can developv skydiving skills while floating in Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest a wind tunnel. Instructors will treatt their teams and Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and US families to an indoor flight show at the end of the Airways. session. YYoungeroungounger visitors will enjoy building their own inventions at the LEGOLAND Discoveryo Center. Children will be inspired by monuments crafted from over one million LEGO bricks and have loads of fun at the indoor playground’s popular rides. Shoppers PAREPRINT_8-28_Layout 1 9/17/18 2:05 PM Page 9 FACILITY SPOTLIGHT 1. The Proving Grounds Sports: Field hockey, lacrosse, soccer The Proving Grounds houses Villanova University’s premier hockey stadium. This multi-purpose facility accommodates a variety of sports tournaments, including the upcoming Pro Football Hall of Fame World Youth Championship Regional Championship Series—Mid-Atlantic Region from November to December. State-of-the-art amenities, including striped tournament-approved artificial fields with surrounding lights make competing even easier. 2. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Sports: Basketball, billiards, futsal, martial arts, weightlifting, wrestling The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center has seen many national sports tournaments, such as USA Weightlifting’s Junior National Championships. Known as one of the East’s largest indoor sports complexes, the center boasts about 240,000 square-feet of single-floor exhibition space, perfect for martial arts and wrestling competitions. 3. Valley Forge Casino Resort Event Center Sports: Billiards, fencing, martial arts, weightlifting, wresting 4 The Valley Forge Resort’s Event Center has had a busy season as the most recent host of the USA Weightlifting Nike American Open Series in July 2018. With about 50,000 square-feet of multi- purpose facility space, the event center is the Planner Perspective perfect venue for indoor sports competitions and “The Valley Forge Invitational was a tremendous success, but national tournaments. wouldn’t have been possible without the strong support and guidance from the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board 4. Competitive Edge (VFTCB). Their involvement and leadership e¦orts helped Sports: Basketball, futsal, volleyball to create a solid sponsorship foundation, as well as media Valley Forge’s Competitive Edge is another presence, in all of the neighboring communities. We are sports facility that remains consistently busy, looking forward to many years of partnership as we prepare hosting more than 10 basketball tournaments at the next generation of LPGA stars for success.” the junior high and high school levels annually. – Mike Nichols, Chief Business Ocer, LPGA Symetra Tour This large complex’s 6,000 square-feet of open space, five maple hardwood courts, energy ecient lighting and electronic scoreboards make it one of the most popular basketball facilities in the mid-Atlantic. Valley Forge Sports/Valley Forge 5.