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2020 NORTHCAROLINAGUIDE The TarHeel State Offers Top-Tier Value

Site InSpections Hit the Road in of Event-Ready SPG A Premier Travel Media publication 10Destinations www.SportsPlanningGuide.com SPORT_328.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/19 9:13 PM Page 328

BB&T Sports Park aligns with our goal to develop world class players. We look forward to once again performing in such a premier environment.

–Jared Micklos, US. Soccer Development, Academy Director

Champio hip Facilities • 30 + soccer fields, including 2 full-size stadium fields

• BB&T Sports Park: 13 full-size fields, 4 turf

• RISE: 120,000 square foot indoor sports complex opening in 2020

• JDL Fast Track indoor facility with 200-meter Mondotrack, 1,700 seat bleachers

• Championship level baseball, basketball, tennis, cycling and track and field complexes

• 60,000 flexible square feet at the Winston-Salem Annex and Fairgrounds Complex

Champio hip Amenities • More than 5,000 hotel rooms

• Newly renovated 105,000 square foot Benton Convention Center

• 100+ pubs and restaurants downtown

Contact:

BONNY BERNAT, CSEE Senior Sports and Events Sales Manager [email protected] 866-728-4200 main • 336-728-4215 direct

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Bonny Bernat NCSA Chair

Dear SPG Reader,

As you flip through the following pages, you will be introduced to several members of the North Carolina Sports Association (NCSA) and SportsNC partners. From this abbreviated glance, you can see that North Carolina should be your first consideration when selecting a destination for your event. But, if you need more convincing, then let me tell you more about our state.

Our pristine coastline offers miles of beautiful beaches and historic fishing villages. Wild horses graze on seagrass-covered dunes and children chase kites on the constant sea breezes. The Coastal Plains spread west where you’ll find the patriot heart of North Carolina. Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg are home to thousands of military personnel and the USS North Carolina, a WWII era battleship, made its final resting place on the Cape Fear River for Wilmington visitors to explore.

The Triangle of North Carolina is anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. If those cities resonate with you, then you also know that this is an educational hotbed with Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University all within the Triangle’s borders. Did I forget to mention, the college basketball isn’t bad either!

Traveling further west on I-40 and deeper into the Triad (not to be confused with the Triangle), home décor fanatics will be thrilled when they visit High Point, host of the bi-annual High Point Furniture Market. Greensboro, affectionately known as “Tournament Town,” will now sport the largest aquatic center in the country and neighboring Winston-Salem offers you a hip and historic experience with a splash of southern charm.

Heading south on I-85, Cabarrus County rumbles to life as the state’s center for motorsports. Dirt, drag, roval…it’s all here! While motorsports might be king in this region, the stars shine bright in the Queen City of Charlotte as both the NBA Charlotte Hornets and NFL Carolina Panthers play before their dedicated fans.

As we journey to the western borders of our state, you’ll intersect with the Blue Ridge Parkway. While traveling the Parkway and experiencing our beautiful mountains, you’ll learn that it’s not just about winding roads and waterfalls. It’s honey farms and historic estates, bluegrass and breweries, lush meadows and lively downtowns.

Rest assured, our communities will offer you everything you need to put on a world-class event, but more importantly, they also offer your participants, their fans and families, a memorable experience!

For additional information on the wide variety of sports-friendly communities and award-wining venues in North Carolina, please contact [email protected] or visit sportsnc.com.

Yours in Sport,

Bonny Bernat NCSA Chair SportsNC.com

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NORTH CAROLINA 6 More Wheels Are Rolling In North Carolina Than Just NASCAR

©iStock.com/bgblue 8 North Carolina Visits Are a Value In Every Season SI 10 Crystal Coast, NC

12 Gaston County, NC

15 Asheville Buncombe, NC

16 Greensboro, NC

18 Greenville-Pitt County, NC

21 Mooresville, NC

22 Hickory Metro, NC

24 Nash County, NC

26 Winston Salem, NC

28 Wilmington & Beaches, NC

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Our fi eld of play goes well beyond the sidelines.

There’s more to North Carolina than just our world-class sporting venues and renowned sports events. From our diverse landscapes and exciting attractions to our famed welcoming hospitality, North Carolina makes it easy to plan unforgettable events that thrill players, families and hosts on and off the field.

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MORE WHEELS ARE ROLLING IN NORTH

CAROTHAN JUST NASCARLINA

You'll be hard-pressed to find a better backdrop on your next ride than the Blue Ridge Parkway.

orth Carolina’s commitment to cycling events began long events into Bailey Park in Winston-Salem in 2019, where the party didn’t before the 1999 inaugural Cycle North Carolina Mountains stop once the sun went down. The event brought a number of local and to Coast Tour. The annual fall event has attracted participants national music acts to the stage, headlined by Stone Temple Pilots, fromN 50 states and eight foreign countries. Participants have passed Drive-By Truckers and Trampled by Turtles. Top cyclists and prestigious through 700 communities and overnighted in more than 100 towns. A 7-day teams from around the globe are drawn to a challenging road race ride traveling along the scenic backroads showcases the state’s dining, course, which winds through downtown Winston-Salem as well as through shopping and entertainment options, from the mountains to the coast. its historical neighborhoods. The “Biggest Party on Two Wheels” will In 2004, Cycle North Carolina introduced Coastal Ride. This 3-day return to Camel City for its fifth-straight year over Memorial Day Weekend weekend spring event offers loop rides from one central spot. You can in 2020. count on 2,000 riders from almost 40 states participating. It’s a fun-filled North Carolina certainly has a place among the best for paved road family weekend, on and off the bike. Flat roads and minimal traffic allow rides, but the state’s reputation as a leading mountain bike destination riders to fully enjoy the sites and sounds of the coastal communities. A is also secure. Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational variety of routes ranging from five to 100 miles are offered, with each Forest, Tsali Recreation Area, the Kerr Scott Trails and others are ride returning to the base campsite. hosting events from early spring through late fall. The scenery is stunning, Cycle North Carolina launched the Mountain Ride in 2013, a 2-day while the rides are testing. weekend event. Like the Coastal Ride, cyclists will have loop rides, The Pisgah Stage Race is a five-day, fully supported endurance returning to home base at the end of the day. This is a great weekend for event. The 12th annual event headquartered in Brevard is scheduled for the outdoor enthusiast, with the beautiful landscapes of Western North April 13-18, 2020. Some of the best single track and most rugged trails Carolina on full display. The routes will vary from 15 to 70 miles before returning to the central campsite. Details are available on each of the fully Downtown Thomasville Chair supported Cycle North Carolina events at ncsports.org. Asheville was awarded the 2019 Gran Fondo National Championship and will host the event again in 2020. The 100-mile Gran Route during the championship event is the main draw, though riders can also compete in the 60-mile Medio Route or the 30-mile Piccolo Route. This timed segment racing event features four timed sections in the Gran Route. The event is not to see who finishes first, since the winner will have the best-combined time.

Gears and Guitars rolled its cavalcade of amateur and pro cycling VisitNC.com

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From the coast to the Piedmont to the mountains, SportsNC members are hosting a bicycle event nearly every weekend. North Carolina is a leader in cycling as sport and recreation.

VisitNC.com

Bike Fest in Hillsborough in the country are to be found on the five marked courses. Discover the beauty of Pisgah National Forest in all its spring glory. The Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell (ORAMM) is a 60-mile, mainly off-road bike race with more than 10,000 feet of climbing. You’ll ride mostly on Forest Service roads uphill and some of North Carolina’s best single track on the downhill ride. The course is demanding and difficult, and it’s not uncommon to see wildlife. The 21st Annual ORAMM will be held on a Saturday in late July of 2020. In the fall of 2018 at the 3rd Annual BikeFest, the Gaston County Parks and Recreation department cut the ribbon on a new addition to its

more than 10 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails. The new 10,000- VisitNC.com square-foot pump track is a great recreational addition for Gaston County residents. On the competition stage plans are for Gaston to become a extensive renovations and reopened in the spring of 2018. The project qualifying site for the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship. included re-grading and resurfacing the track surface, the installation Officially opened in May of 2014, the Daniel Dhers Sports Complex is of new lighting, new fencing, repair, the cleanup of the outer wall and one of the largest family-oriented, year-round skating and biking training guardrail and improved drainage. facilities in the country. Action sports athletes from the U.S.A., Latin America We’ve gone from paved highways to Forest Service roads to single and Europe have used the facility and shared their expertise with recre- tracks to pump tracks to BMX to a Mellowdrome surfaces in small towns ational riders. The Outdoor Park features a technical section with a pump and big cities. The only North Carolina surface that wasn’t covered is track, jump line and four-foot quarter roll. The Indoor Park riding terrain sand, and you’ll find plenty of that at Wrightsville Beach. has a resi box jump, foam pit, resi quarter, resi spine and a mini ramp. The North Carolina beach community will be the host for the 6th Raleigh’s Capital City BMX begins a full schedule of racing and Annual U.S. Open Beach Fat Bike Championships on March 28, practice times beginning in January/February and continuing until mid- 2020. More than 100 participants joined the event in 2019. When bikes December. Burlington BMX host volunteer-run BMX off-road single lap with more than four-inch tires came on the scene, it didn’t take much races, sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association. Hornet’s Nest time for athletes to develop a completion. The course has elements such BMX in Charlotte brings 37-years of industry experience to the dozens as tight turns and flat sections for speed at low tide and truck tire grooves of events they’ve hosted. Tanglewood BMX in Clemmons rounds out an in the sand. Registration for the 2020 event is available at fatcross.com. impressive list of BMX sites. If you’re a rights holder or event planner looking for a great cycling SPG Asheville’s Carrier Park Velodrome (Mellowdrome) completed site, begin your research at Sportsnc.com.

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1. FREE HISTORY MUSEUMS Located in Raleigh, the North Carolina History Museum is the state’s only Smithsonian-affiliated NORTH museum and provides free admission, as well as a bevy of programs and events. The NC Sports Hall of Fame is housed inside the history museum. Located in Elizabethtown and serving the northeast CAROLINA portion of the state is the Museum of the Albemarle. VISITS ARE A VALUE Here you’ll find an interesting tale profiling the surrounding area, which is half land, half water. IN EVERY SEASON In Fayetteville the Museum of the Cape Fear show- Great competition venues along with cases 400 years of history through wonderful exhibits. Also located in Fayetteville, the Airborne and Special nearby affordable, fun attractions make a Operations Museum offers free admission, where United States military history including airborne and special visit to the Tar Heel state a natural fit operations is emphasized.

Airborne and Special Operations Museum t’s no secret that the cost of traveling to individual and team competitions is increasing. Rights holders and event planners are well aware of that fact. In addition to venues and local expertise they’re also considering what’s affordable for athletes and families when the participants are off the field. Here’s a look at North Carolina attractions that will help I competitors and families keep dollars in their wallet. Meredith Travel Marketing Meredith Travel

The Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center in Old Fort presents the Southern Appalachian culture and history of western North Carolina. Housed in a 1936 WPA stone building, a wide variety of exhibits and programs are available. Check out the Farmers Market on Thursdays from May to early October. Three NC Maritime Museums, located in Hatteras, Beaufort and Southport are also free. With more than 300 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline, plus bays, wetlands and sounds it’s understandable three separate Maritime Museums are needed to tell the history. Located in Hatteras, the aptly named The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum has a daily family friendly scavenger hunt throughout the museum exhibit area, with prizes for the winner. The NC Maritime Museum in Hatteras opens a new exhibit annually. The NC Maritime Museum Beaufort displays more than 300 artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, which sunk off the North Carolina coast. Check out North Carolina’s surfing history, where you can track the evolution of surfboards from the plain wooden slabs to the colorful boards that populate the waves today. Focusing on the maritime history of the Cape Fear coast, the NC Maritime Museum Southport is close to Wilmington. Exhibits cover a wide scope from fisheries and hurricanes to shipwrecks and military conflicts, including pirates and WWII. Meredith Travel Marketing Meredith Travel

Basketball has a long and storied history in North Carolina, one filled with iconic teams and moments.

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2. FREE STATE PARKS detail the dunes’ ecology. The Southside entrance to Admission is free at most of North Carolina’s 41 state the park delivers a different experience with a one-mile parks and recreation areas. Three in particular are nature trail and great spots for sunbathing and paddling. family favorites. By giving 24-hour’s notice, mobility-impaired visitors can Located in Atlantic Beach on North Carolina’s schedule a ride to the top of the dunes in an ATV. Crystal Coast, Fort Macon State Park has three Just 60 miles from Winston-Salem you’ll find Roar- distinct personalities. Almost totally surrounded by water ing Gap, North Carolina and Stone Mountain State Kite flying at there’s plenty of shoreline for swimming, surf fishing or Park. The park draws its name from a colossal granite Jockey’s Ridge State Park. beach exploring. The perfectly restored Civil War era mountain that seems to overlook the park. There’s plenty fort was once a project of Robert E. Lee as a young to see and do in the park. There’s the restored 19th army officer. The museum quality coastal education century Hutchinson Homestead mountain farm, plus center tells the story of the barrier island ecology and almost every type of outdoor activity. Nine trails wind the interaction of nature and Fort Macon. Although the through the park ranging from moderate to strenuous exhibit rooms are being restored and renovated, guided difficulty. More than 20-miles of streams are desig- tours and demonstrations are regularly scheduled. nated trout waters. There is a cost for a North Carolina Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head is like fishing license at ncwildlife.org. Rock climbing is no place else on the Atlantic Coast. A perfect location permitted, with permits available at the climber’s area for sunsets and sightseeing, it’s here the tallest living at the base of the mountain. Beginner climbers must sand dunes on the east coast can be found, and you’ll have an experienced climber with them and have basic probably want to bring a kite. The visitor center has a rock climbing safety equipment. Near the visitor center museum and 360-foot boardwalk featuring exhibits that there are 75 picnic sites with tables and grills.

3. THERE’S STILL MORE! where its barn structure and exhibits within reflects Graham’s journey From art and gardens to racecars and quirky sideshows, there are from humble farmer to international ambassador of God. The building is still more stops to make in the Tar Heel State when traveling on a budget. a few miles from where Graham grew up. Both the Mint Museum on In Raleigh there’s the highly popular NC Museum of Art. Admittance Fridays and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art on Wednesdays to both the museum’s permanent collection and Museum Park are free. In offer free admission from 5-9 p.m. 1947, the museum’s collection began when the state’s general assembly In nearby Concord and Mooresville, admission is free to the authorized $1 million for purchasing art, making North Carolina the first NASCAR Race Shops. Just a 30-minute drive from Charlotte you’ll state to use public funds to procure art. The Museum Park connects art arrive in Midland, where the Reed Gold Mine was the first documented and nature with people through installations of public art along a trail system. gold find in the United States. There’s no fee for a tour of the mine, Fifty miles from Raleigh is downtown Wilson. It’s here that there’s a though you can buy a $3 bag of sand that just might hold enough gold one-of-a-kind intersection of art and science at the Vollis Simpson to pay for your entire North Carolina trip. Whirligig Park & Museum. For more information about these attractions and many others visit SPG Charlotte is abuzz with options, including the Billy Graham Library, online at visitnc.com.

VisitNC.com

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Crystal Coast, NC WHITE SAND BEACHES, CRYSTALLINE WAVES AND TOP ENDURANCE COMPETITIONS MAKE NORTH CAROLINA’S CRYSTAL COAST AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO PLAY AND STAY

Cape Lookout National Seashore Big Rock Stadium

Crystal Coast Civic Center

U.S. Highway 70 runs throughout FACILITY SPOTLIGHT has 700 hotel rooms, making this a quick the Crystal Coast on its way Crystal Coast Civic Center drive away for tournament participants. northwest to Raleigh. If you’re Multipurpose indoor flying in, the Coastal Carolina Located just three miles from Atlantic Rotary Park Regional Airport (EWN) in New Beach and with a waterfront patio Basketball, soccer Bern offers flights through US overlooking the gorgeous Bogue Sound, this Home to Seashore Soccer League play, Airways and Delta and is around well-designed and ideally-located center in Rotary Park in Moreheead City is equipped 33 miles northwest of Morehead Morehead City offers tournament planners with three large soccer fields. Two fields City. flexibility when hosting indoor events. The are divisible and house academy as well as center features more than 20,000 square 10U, 11U and 12U play for games of 9 vs. 9 or feet of versatile floorspace with four main full 11 on 11 at the youth levels. The park also quads, a large ballroom, kitchen, restrooms includes a .89-mile walking/running loop and lobby available. The surrounding area track, a playground, and multiple covered grill

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POPULAR ACTIVITIES areas and is in close vicinity with the Puck tournament, with six baseball and softball ▶ Take part in the horse watching, O’Neal Baseball Field. fields, five soccer fields, a tennis court, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, football field, bathrooms and a playground. lighthouse climbing or touring Big Rock Stadium The complex was one of the host sites for the historic villages as you prowl the Baseball Crystal Coast Wood Bat World Series in July 85 miles of coastline from the Erected in 2010, Puck O’Neal Field at Big 2019. Cape Lookout National Seashore Rock Stadium in Morehead City is home to to the New River. the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Freedom Park Plain League. The stadium’s grandstand seats Baseball, softball ▶ Examine an immaculately 1,800 spectators, while it has room for another Beaufort-based Freedom Park is a staple for restored Civil War-era fortification 400-500 walking around the complex. The baseball and softball tournaments. The park when you visit Fort Macon State state-of-the-art field itself has dimensions of was one of the host sites for the Crystal Coast Park. 320-foot fences down the left field line, 318- Wood Bat World Series in July 2019, which foot fences in right field and 394-foot fences — since 2012 — has hosted more than 700 ▶ Historic downtown Beaufort in dead center. The beautiful complex hosted baseball teams. is full of lush gardens, places the 61st Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in to worship, ancient graveyards 2019. and a history that preserves an CRYSTAL COAST TOURISM AUTHORITY antebellum legacy around every Eastern Park Jim Browder street corner. Baseball, football, soccer, softball, 252-726-8148 tennis [email protected] ▶ Come face-to-face with sharks Located in Smyrna, Eastern Park has www.crystalcoastnc.org and rare sea turtles at the NC everything you need for an outdoor Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

winning comes naturally.

Known as North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast is a new and exciting sports destination. From helping you plan events, to selecting outstanding accommodations, your needs are our top priority. We’ll make sure everything is perfect so you can focus on creating champions, enjoying our beautiful beaches, unique activities and natural beauty. Call us at     or email [email protected]

BookTheCoast.com

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Gaston County, NC WITH NATURAL FEATURES IN ABUNDANCE TO BOOST ITS OUTDOOR OFFERINGS, GASTON COUNTY INVITES YOU TO INDULGE YOUR INNER EXPLORER

Belmont Abbey College

By air, Charlotte-Douglas FACILITY SPOTLIGHT programs. The Reidy Tennis Center behind International Airport in nearby Belmont Abbey College Alumni Field boasts 11 tennis courts ready for Charlotte is the nearest option All tournament play. for those flying to Gaston As the home of the Crusaders, Belmont County. If you’re driving, Abbey College competes in NCAA Division Riverside Marina Interstate 85 runs straight II athletics and won a national title in men’s Fishing, boating, cornhole, disc golf, through Gastonia on an east- lacrosse in 2018. The university has many volleyball west basis, while U.S. Highway top-notch facilities and recently underwent Riverside Marina in Belmont combines all 321 connects the region with an overhaul of its Sports Performance Center your summertime activities into one convenient northeast Georgia to the south. to include new customized weight lifting central location, located on the banks of the equipment, new flooring, and a 1,350-square- Catawba River. Enjoy canoe, paddle board and foot artificial turf functional training area kayak racing on the river and stop by Muddy that serves all 39 men’s and women’s athletic River Distillery for a group tour in between

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POPULAR ACTIVITIES events. A disk golf course, corn hole boards, lighted youth softball field, a scorers’ tower, ▶ Hike around a nine acre lake on horseshoe pits and a private covered shelter concessions, batting cages and restrooms. any of the 11 trails with various with an outdoor kitchen, grills and seating Walking trails loop around the outer edge degrees of intensity when you make this a wonderful venue whether you’re in of the baseball fields, while two large picnic visit Crowders Mountain State the water or on the shore. In August of 2019 the shelters, a sand volleyball court, two horseshoe Park. Marina helped host the Southeast Paddle Sport courts and more make this a prime stop when Championship Series—Bon Temps Paddle the weather is nice. ▶ Tr ain with the best at the US Battle on Wylie event. National Whitewater Center, Poston Pump Track at George where whitewater rafting, George Poston Park Poston Park kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing Baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, BMX and hiking are all available along horseshoes, fishing, mountain biking In addition to all the other great things the Catawba River. With 10 miles of multiuse trails looping going on at George Poston Park you’ll find around offshoot creeks of the Catawba River’s a 10,000-square-foot pump track, great for ▶ Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden south fork, George Poston Park combines skateboarding, long boarding, blading and features luscious gardens, vibrant outdoor adventure paths with conventional BMX biking. The track is open from 7 a.m. until fountains, a nature walk and sport facilities. Four lighted softball/little sunset and hosted the Red Bull Pump Track more. league fields, four lighted soccer fields, a World Championship Qualifier in September volleyball court, horseshoe complex, fishing of 2019. ▶ Walk with dinosaurs through lake with a pier and batting cages round out an the Mesozoic Era at the Schiele exceptionally well-equipped property. Museum of Natural History and GO GASTON Planetarium. Martha Rivers Park Brandon Black, Sales & Marketing Soccer, baseball, softball Manager ▶ Explore the region’s history With more than 50 acres to work with, 704-829-2239 through a diverse collection of Martha Rivers Park features four lighted soccer [email protected] materials at the Gaston County fields, three lighted youth baseball fields, one www.gogaston.org Museum of Art & History.

George Poston Park PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “It has been a wonderful experience organizing the USA Qualifier for the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship along with Brandon Black and GO Gaston. I am more than confident that the event will exceed all of our expectations and will be a standout on our race calendar. We can’t wait to bring the global series to North Carolina in conjunction with Brandon and his excellent team. ”

— Maryke Zietsman, Red Bull Pump Track World Championship

Riverside Marina Martha Rivers Park

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Go Gaston. Get Outside. Shealen Reno wins at the 2019 Red Bull Pump Track World Championship

Qualifi er held in September at the new Velosoultions pump track located GASTON at Poston Park in Gaston County. Let us help you plan your next event COUNTY, NC and connect you with the many sports venues Gaston County has to offer.

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Asheville, NC EMBOLDENED BY ITS NATURAL BEAUTY, THE ASHEVILLE AREA UTILIZES ITS GREAT NATURAL RESOURCES TO PRODUCE SPLENDID SPORTS EVENTS SUCH AS SPARTAN RACE AND CYCLING EVENTS PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “Asheville, NC proved to be the ideal destination for our event, so Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville much that we decided to go back the next year as well. Their sports commission team is second to none and their southern hospitality also sets them apart from other destinations we consider.”

— Jeff Ryan, USTA Senior Director, Team Events

Bob Lewis Ballpark

If you’re driving, Asheville FACILITY SPOTLIGHT planners. This complex additionally features an is easily accessible from all Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville 18-hole disc golf course, a sand volleyball court, directions, with Interstate 26 Arena & Auditorium bocce ball courts, a walking trail, picnic tables, running north and south and As the largest event venue in Western restrooms, a playground and more. As part of I-40 running east and west. North Carolina, the Harrah’s Cherokee Center a new master plan, three of the fields will be If you’re flying in, Asheville Asheville is a multipurpose complex containing converted to artificial turf and will have lights in Regional Airport carries flights a 7,000-seat arena and 3,200 auditorium. 2020. through Allegiant, American The Exploreasheville.com Arena annually Airlines, Delta, Elite Airways, hosts the Basketball Bob Lewis Ballpark Spirit and United. Championships, the Great Smoky Mountain Baseball, softball Grapple, the Harlem Globetrotters and Gala Asheville’s newest sports facility, the Bob Gymnastics. The arena has hosted two Fed Cup Lewis Ballpark, has seven fully lit baseball/ POPULAR ACTIVITIES first round ties along with exhibition games for softball fields with artificial turf infields. This ▶ Visit America’s largest home at the the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets. The complex is designed to provide the best Biltmore Estate, which combines a Thomas Wolfe Auditorium hosts cheerleading experience for both the player and the fan. majestic house built in 1895 with a competitions and is a great auxiliary function winery, breathtaking gardens and area for sports events. fascinating history. ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE REGIONAL Buncombe County Sports Park SPORTS COMMISSION ▶ Follow the winding road of the Soccer, lacrosse, disc golf, volleyball, Demp Bradford, President Blue Ridge Parkway for 469 miles bocce 828-398-0295 through a pastoral landscape to the With eight soccer fields, the Buncombe [email protected] Appalachian Mountains. County Sports Park is a haven for tournament www.ashevillesports.org

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Greensboro, NC WITH ITS FAMOUS GREENSBORO COLISEUM COMPLEX AND OTHER FACILITIES, GREENSBORO IS WILLING AND ABLE TO HOST ANY SPORTS TOURNAMENT THAT COMES ITS WAY PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “A heartfelt thank you to Henri Fourrier and our primary contact Brian Ambuehl at the Greensboro Greensboro Coliseum Complex CVB office for seeing the incredible value in youth sports. From the very beginning, their insight and service have been a guiding force in NC AAU consistently growing our event base in the Gate City.”

— Sean Kilmartin, Governor, NC Amateur Athletic Union

Greensboro Aquatic Center

Irwin Belk Track

Three major thoroughfares FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Women’s basketball tournaments in the past. in the Piedmont region (I-85, Greensboro Coliseum Complex Other venues within the complex include the I-40 and I-73) all intersect Football, basketball, figure skating, Fieldhouse — a state-of-the-art structure that in Greensboro, making it roller derby, boxing, gymnastics, features a 30,000-square-foot, column-free easy to travel here by car. If wrestling and volleyball area and currently houses the Greensboro coming by air, Piedmont Triad The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is a Swarm NBA G League team—and the Special International Airport is 12 miles multibuilding facility with eight different Events Center, a 167,000-square-foot space west of central Greensboro. venues that offer unique opportunity to that include three exhibit halls. The complex host nearly any sporting event one could will host the ACC Men’s and Women’s think of. The main staple, the Greensboro Basketball Tournament in 2020. Additionally Coliseum, can seat anywhere from 4,500 it was one of the sites for the AAU Junior - 22,000 people depending on the need Olympic Games this summer and hosted the and has hosted NCAA and ACC Men’s and USA Gymnastics American Cup back in March.

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POPULAR ACTIVITIES Greensboro Aquatic Center previously played host to the 2009 Junior ▶Experience a zoo, aquarium and Swimming, synchronized swimming, Olympics and has hosted the National museum all in one day at the diving and water polo Scholastic Sports Foundation’s Track & Field Greensboro Science Center. The Greensboro Aquatic Center is a event numerous times. Home of the NC 78,323-square-foot facility with a long history A&T Aggies and capable of seating 23,000 ▶ SKYWILD offers 60 different of hosting national swimming meets. Located spectators, it is a Mondo Super X Performance challenges aimed at giving you an in the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and only track with eight lanes as well as javelin and inside look into animal movement one minute from the Greensboro Visitor Center, discus throwing areas. The space also offers and behavior among the trees. it offers plenty of lodging and eating options in 10,500-square-feet of coach offices, locker Waddle, leap, brachiate and crawl the surrounding area. The Aquatic Center has rooms and hospitality rooms. through a variety of zip Iines, five, seven and 10-meter diving boards and a bridges and climbs. 25-yard pool that can be transformed into 10 different configurations based on event needs. GREENSBORO AREA CONVENTION & ▶ Check out the 84-feet wide A new pool was constructed and opened in VISITORS BUREAU tsunami waves at Wet n’ Wild August of 2019. In the past, the facility has Brian Ambuehl, Sports Sales Manager Emerald Pointe, one of North hosted the U.S. Synchronized Swimming 2012 1-800-344-2282 Carolina’s largest water parks. Olympic Team trials, the 2012 U.S. Masters [email protected] Swimming Spring National Championships www.VisitGreensboroNC.com ▶ Get a glimpse of the world’s and the 2019 USA FINA Synchronized largest china shop at American Open. Dennis Edwards, Sports Sales Manager Replacements Ltd. 1-800-344-2282 Irwin Belk Track at NC A&T State [email protected] ▶ Step back in time to the forefront University www.VisitGreensboroNC.com of the civil rights movement with Track and field a visit to the International Civil An IAAF-certified track, Irwin Belk Track Rights Center and Museum.

COMPETE IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL. From world-class championships to youth tournaments, Greensboro makes sporting events successful. The recently expanded Greensboro Aquatic Center is the largest in the United States, with four indoor pools. Come and see for yourself. You will be surprised by all we have to offer. VisitGreensboroNC.com #VisitGSO

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Greenville, NC SOUTHERN CHARM, A PASSION FOR SPORTS, AND A GROWING METROPOLITAN REGION MAKE THE EAST COAST’S EMERALD CITY A SPORTS PLANNER’S DELIGHT

ECU’s North Recreational Complex

Greenville is mainly accessible FACILITY SPOTLIGHT follow any of the six trails or the 5k running from the east and west via ECU’s North Recreational Complex route. The 18-hole disc golf course offers a future Interstate 587. About an Cross-country, disc golf, lacrosse, rugby, unique layout, and the fields are a popular hour and a half to the west of soccer, Ultimate Frisbee spot for Ultimate Frisbee, with invitational downtown Greenville is Raleigh- Just 10 minutes from the East Carolina tournaments taking place throughout the year. Durham International Airport, University campus, you’ll find a selection which offers countless domestic of versatile playing fields, all surrounding ECU Sports Facilities and international flights to meet a quaint lake that makes for the perfect Baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, travelers’ needs. For connections backdrop to any event. The North Recreational softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, to and from Charlotte, local Pitt- Complex features eight multipurpose fields volleyball Greenville Airport offers flights including one championship field, along with East Carolina University’s state-of-the-art via American Eagle. walking and jogging trails. This is the perfect facilities house some exceptional collegiate setting for cross-country, where runners can talent. These same venues are also available

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for tournaments, meets, competitions and Sara Law Softball Complex POPULAR ACTIVITIES other events that sports planners are putting Softball ▶ Kn ee Deep Adventures is a together throughout the year. Be sure to check In the world of softball, Greenville is arguably watercraft outfitter that rents out the 50,000-seat Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, among the top contenders. The all-female out kayaks and stand-up home to the Pirates’ football program, the Pitt-Greenville Babe Ruth squads have won paddleboards so you and your 8,000-seat ECU Williams Arena at Minges several World Series titles in recent years, and group can navigate the Tar River Coliseum for both basketball and volleyball made it all the way to the World Series in 2018. and explore the forests at a games and the 1,000-seat Stewart Johnson So, it makes sense that Greenville would be leisurely pace. Soccer Stadium. home to some of the best softball facilities in the nation. The Sarah Law Softball Complex ▶ For another peaceful getaway, Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park has hosted its share of champions and is home check out River Park North, a 324 Baseball to the Pitt County Girls Softball League as well acre park with outdoors fun for Greenville has a strong connection to as many fastpitch tournaments throughout everyone. baseball, and in particular, Little League. the year. It offers a four-field lighted complex Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park is a with restrooms, parking, a concession stand ▶ For a bit of educational insight premier choice when planning an event in and meticulously maintained landscaping — into the natural surroundings and the region. The Southeast Tournament of all creating the perfect recipe for a successful waterways of Greenville, pay a State Champions has been hosted at Stallings softball event. visit Walter L. Stasavich Science Stadium at Elm Street Park since 2010. The & Learning Center. stadium is also the permanent home to the Greenville Little Leagues City Championship ▶ Taste real southern barbeque at Series, and could be the site of your next the Pitt County Brew & Cue Trail. big event! The stadium was completely GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY SPORTS renovated in 2012, making for a state-of-the-art COMMISSION ▶ Tre at your sweet tooth at Simply experience. There are 234 stadium seats, 400 Paul Sheehan, Director of Sports Dev. Natural Creamery in Hookerton right field bleacher seats, and additional space 252-329-4200, ext. 4232 where there are ice cream for lawn seating, in all, the stadium can seat [email protected] sundaes and cones galore. around 1,000 spectators. www.visitgreenvillenc.com/sports

ECU Softball Stadium PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “FIRST North Carolina was thrilled to work with the Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau both before and during our high school robotics competition at ECU last March. They were instrumental in helping us secure hotels for our teams, meals for our volunteers and so much more. They are one of the best CVBs we have ever had the privilege to work with in our planning.”

— Marie E. Hopper, President FIRST North Carolina

Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park Sara Law Softball Complex

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Mooresville, NC LOCATED 25 MILES NORTH OF CHARLOTTE ON THE SHORES OF LAKE NORMAN, MOORESVILLE IS A HOTSPOT FOR MOTORSPORTS ENTHUSIASTS, EARNING ITS NICKNAME AS RACE CITY, USA PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “We appreciate the relationship we have built with Leah and Mazeppa Park the Mooresville CVB over the past five years. Our lacrosse tournament has grown and it takes a partnership with folks all working in the same direction to make that happen.”

— Trent Brown Carpetbagger Lacrosse

Talbert Recreation Center

When driving, Mooresville is FACILITY SPOTLIGHT turf. Mazeppa Park also boasts a mountain bike located off Interstate 77. I-85 Talbert Recreation Center trail. With so many different features, this site has is located south of Mooresville, Basketball, wrestling, volleyball, been a favorite among baseball, softball, lacrosse while I-40 is located north of gymnastics, martial arts and soccer tournament planners, as well as with Mooresville. For those traveling This 26,000-square-foot facility offers two families looking to enjoy a picnic and joggers who by plane, the closest major regulation basketball courts and has hosted want to enjoy a nice run. airport is Charlotte Douglas basketball, gymnastics, martial arts and wrestling International Airport. events. Cornelius Road Park Softball, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, soccer Edgemoor Park Cornelius Road Park features four baseball and Tennis softball fields with dirt infields, portable pitching POPULAR ACTIVITIES This state-of-the-art tennis facility offers seven mounds and 250 foot fences. The park also ▶ Get in touch with your wild side lighted courts, including a championship court contains three multipurpose fields for lacrosse at the Zootastic Park and Lazy 5 with bleachers and a hitting wall. Edgemoor also and soccer. Six lighted tennis courts, a disc golf Ranch. has free Wi-Fi, a state-of-the-art playground and course and a walking trail round out this facility. two shelter areas. Edgemoor Park has hosted ▶ Fulfill your need for speed at Pit numerous USTA events. Indoor Kart Racing and GoPro MOORESVILLE CVB Motorplex. Mazeppa Park Leah Mitcham, CSEE, TMP Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse Executive Director ▶ Adventure through the outdoors at This do-it-all sports complex boasts a 704-799-2400 Lake Norman State Park. regulation-sized baseball field, three softball fields [email protected] and six soccer fields—two of which sport artificial visitmooresville.com

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Hickory, NC WITH A WORLD FAMOUS RACING SHORT TRACK, PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGIATE FACILITIES AND A GREAT HISTORY AND HERITAGE, HICKORY’S ROOTS RUN DEEP IN NORTH CAROLINA SPORTING LORE

Rock Barn Country Club & Spa PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “Everybody loves it here, it’s beautiful. It (Lake Hickory) is the perfect size for a competition such as this one. It offers a variety of fishing experiences depending on how the anglers prefer to fish.”

— Secret York, Co-founder of LBAA

Hickory Metro Convention Center

Henry Fork Regional Recreation Park

Hickory is conveniently located FACILITY SPOTLIGHT the United States Powerlifting Association’s off Interstate 40, which connects Hickory Metro Convention Center 2020 Drug Tested Collegiate National Knoxville to the west with Multipurpose indoor Championship from February 14-16. Raleigh to the east. If you’re As one of the premier trade show and flying in, Charlotte Douglas meeting locations in the Southeast, the Henry Fork Regional Recreation International Airport is around 42 Hickory Metro Convention Center features Park miles away in Charlotte. more than 76,000 square feet of meeting Canoeing, running, soccer space, making it ideal for tournament With eight soccer fields, an 8,000-square- planners looking to host fantastic indoor foot picnic shelter, picnic tables and grills, an events. The center hosted the XCEL Regional alpine tower ropes course, two playgrounds, a Gymnastics Competition in May 2019, which concession stand, walking trail, canoe launch drew in more than 1,500 gymnasts from eight and horseshoe pits, this multiuse park is ideal southeastern states. Additionally, it will host for soccer, lacrosse, rugby and other sports.

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POPULAR ACTIVITIES ▶ Immerse yourself in the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa Tour event in late March 2019 and an episode interactive opportunities Golf, tennis of “Fishing University” in 2018. presented at the Catawba With a foundation tracing back to the early Science Center, which combines 19th century, this gorgeous country club has a Catawba Meadows Park a science technology children’s storied history, one which grew to include golf Baseball, disc golf, multipurpose museum with a salt and in 1966 when it added The Rock Barn Club of indoor, softball freshwater aquarium and a state- Golf to its grounds. Today the club features two With the Catawba River Greenway serving of-the-art digital planetarium championship golf courses which have yielded as a border, this multipurpose park is an ideally theater. praise from Golf Digest. The club was chosen located hotspot for tournament planners. The as the host site for the American Junior Golf park features five lighted Little League baseball ▶ The best dinner, holiday and Association Championship in summer 2021. fields, four lighted youth and adult softball and private chartered boat cruises baseball fields, a field house with concessions, in Catawba Valley can be found Lake Hickory (Catawba River) a disc golf course with 18 holes, an umpires and onboard one of the vessels at Boating, fishing, swimming coaches meeting room and much more. Lake Hickory Adventures. Take in the magisterial beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains when you ▶ Downtown Hickory yields a plan an outdoor tournament on Lake Hickory. VISIT HICKORY METRO fantastic communal feel as you Fishing tournaments are popular here during Sarah Davis, CMP explore a bevy of local retail shops, the summer months, when the lake has an Director of Sales & Marketing locally owned restaurants and abundance of largemouth bass, striped bass, 1.800.509.2444 breweries, entertainment options, crappie and channel catfish. Lake Hickory [email protected] theatrical pursuits and more. hosted a Lady Bass Angles Association Pro www.visithickorymetro.com

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Nash-Rocky Mount, NC NASH ROCKY MOUNT IS YOUR PREMIER DESTINATION FOR FIRST CLASS SPORTS EVENTS AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN THE TAR HEEL STATE

Rocky Mount Event Center Rocky Mount Event Center

Rocky Mount Sports Complex

Nash-Rocky Mount is easily FACILITY SPOTLIGHT The complex includes six youth baseball accessible by both land and air. If Rocky Mount Sports Complex fields, four interchangeable baseball and you’re flying in, Raleigh-Durham Soccer, baseball, softball, disc golf, softball fields, one championship baseball International Airport is located 60 basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, field, eight soccer fields, a football field, a miles to the west and primarily football professional disc golf course, two outdoor serves the Raleigh, Durham and Nash-Rocky Mount’s leading sports facility, basketball courts, outdoor volleyball courts, the Research Triangle region of Rocky Mount Sports Complex is dedicated picnic shelters and a walking trail. North Carolina. If you’re driving, to providing the highest level of customer Interstate-95 runs through the service by offering first-class facilities, Rocky Mount Event Center heart of the county to the west of outstanding staff and a professional level Cheerleading, dance, basketball, Rocky Mount, while U.S. Route 64 of maintenance. This 143-acre facility is volleyball, gymnastics, pickleball runs east and west on the way to home to an assortment of recreational Rocky Mount Event Center is the ultimate or from Raleigh. programming. sports tourism, events and entertainment

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destination in North Carolina. The facility program, the Bishops provide a family- POPULAR ACTIVITIES has hosted several thousand players and friendly weekend option, where ticket prices ▶ The Imperial Center for Arts and visitors since opening in the fall of 2018. This are low for adults and kids six years old and Sciences gives you a close-up 165,000-square-foot, multimillion-dollar younger get in free! Further amenities at look at alligator and crocodile facility is dedicated to providing spectacular the stadium include an upgraded athletic skulls, while its galleries feature event, tournament and competition training facility, a private locker room, weight more than 400 works or art from experiences. training area and the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. around North Carolina. The Rocky Mount Event Center consistently Practice Field. draws players, coaches and parents from ▶ Explore the region’s only beer all over the country, making it a premier incubator and tour seven on- destination for tournament exposure. The campus breweries at Rocky facility hosts everything from National ROCKY MOUNT SPORTS COMPLEX Mount Mills. Championship Cheer and Dance, or Lynn Driver gymnastics competitions to top-flight Sports Complex Supervisor ▶ Catch a live show at The Rocky basketball and volleyball tournaments. 252-467-6483 Mount Event Center. [email protected] Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium rockymountsportscomplex.com ▶ Hike the walking trails at City Football Lake on your quest to find an Part of Rocky Mount Sports Complex, Rocky ROCKY MOUNT EVENT CENTER exotic waterfowl. Mount Athletic Stadium seats more than Art Thomason 5,000 spectators and features a natural grass General Manager ▶ All of your boating and fishing playing field, team field house, large press 252-231-3490 needs can be met with a trip to box and elevated coaching areas. Home to [email protected] Tar River Reservoir. the North Carolina Wesleyan rockymountevents.com

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Winston-Salem, NC WITH AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF SPORTS FACILITIES, WINSTON SALEM IS A MUST SEE DESTINATION OF THE SOUTH

BB&T Ballpark

Known as one of North Carolina’s FACILITY SPOTLIGHT JDL Fast Track (Indoor) major cities, Winston-Salem is BB&T Sports Park Crossfit, indoor track & field a popular destination for many Lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, JDL Fast Track just completed a busy season travelers during any time of the ultimate as the host of the USATF Masters Indoor Track year. The city is highly accessible, Located along the Yadkin River, BB&T Sports & Field Championships in March. This premium with numerous interstate Park boasts 13 full-sized, Bermuda soccer fields 105,000-square-foot indoor facility is no highways and the Piedmont and 11 lighted fields totaling 90 acres. Off the stranger to prestige. Sporting a 200-meter oval Triad International Airport (GSO) field, players may retreat to the field house, track made of Mondotrack FTX surfaces, this located about a half-hour away. train in the athletic room or review practice complex has held four national championships With 65 non-stop flights from performance from the park’s film tower video in the past four years. Teams also have access various destinations, this airport tapes. Everyone will have room to watch the to a 100-meter training track and fitness room. will get you where you need to game from a 1,400-seat stadium featuring Hospitality suites await game day officials and be without any hesitation. plenty of elevated seating arrangements. coaches.

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POPULAR ACTIVITIES ▶ Enjoy a stroll through the Old Salem Museums & Gardens to tour dozens of 18th and 19th- Benton Convention Center same court that is used at the U.S. Open. The century restored buildings. Gymnastics, cheer/dance, fencing, six courts used for varsity matches are divided martial arts into two banks of three that are arranged in a ▶ Families with young children Since undergoing a major $20 million V-shape, allowing for ideal spectator viewing. enjoy Kaleideum Downtown as renovation in 2017, the Benton Convention storytelling comes to life through Center has enhanced its reputation as one of BB&T Ballpark an enchanted forest and kid-sized Winston-Salem’s prime sports venues. Most Baseball Krispy Kreme doughnut factory. recently, the convention center hosted the 2019 Opened in 2010, BB&T Ballpark is host to Kaleideum North appeals to USA Gymnastics Elite Challenge for Trampoline the Winston-Salem Dash, a Class-A advanced all ages with hands-on science & Tumbling in May 2019. The Benton covers minor league affiliate of the Chicago White exhibits, planetarium and outdoor 105,000 square-feet of space and includes Sox. This downtown ballpark features 5,500 animal habitats. expansive reception areas, as well as exhibit stadium-style seats, 16 luxury suites on the Club halls and ballrooms for martial arts, fencing Level, three concession stands, state-of-the- ▶ Breathtaking Tanglewood Park, and cheer/dance competitions. In addition, the art LED scoreboard with video and animation which houses natural beauty facility is conveniently joined with the 319-room capabilities and a 200-foot LED outfield and signature golf courses, is Marriott Hotel Winston-Salem and 146-room wall scoreboard with video and animation especially known for hosting the Embassy Suites Hotel Winston-Salem. capabilities. It also has one of the best skyline Festival of Lights, the largest views in the city. winter holiday lighting display in Wake Forest Tennis Complex the Southeast. Tennis This complex opened in the summer of 2011 VISIT WINSTON-SALEM ▶ Explore the North Carolina and is one of the finest facilities in college Bonny Bernat, CSEE Zoo, the world’s largest-walking tennis. The home of the Wake Forest men’s Senior Sports & Events Sales Manager zoo and observe chimpanzees, and women’s tennis teams along with the 336-728-4215 elephants, flamingos, black bears ATP’s Winston-Salem Open, this state-of-the- [email protected] and lions. Visitors can view nature art venue features 13 Deco-Turf II courts, the www.visitwinstonsalem.com inspired art throughout the zoo.

JDL Fast Track PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “BB&T Sports Park has provided U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy with a facility that aligns with our goal to improve world-class player development. We look forward to once again providing our players, coaches and referees with the opportunity to perform in a premier environment.”

— Jared Micklos, U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director

Wake Forest Tennis Complex BB&T Sports Park

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WILMINGTON, NC WILMINGTON AND ITS ISLAND BEACHES HAVE BECOME A SOUGHT AFTER DESTINATION FOR SPORTS PLANNERS THANKS TO A VARIETY OF VENUES AND PLENTY TO SEE AND DO BEFORE AND AFTER THE EVENT

Althea Gibson Tennis Complex

The major east/west interstate FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Cape Fear Regional Soccer Complex artery, I-40, leads to Wilmington Althea Gibson Tennis Complex at Soccer, lacrosse, running and Beaches, which is located Empie Park This soccer complex offers seven full-sized halfway between New York and Tennis soccer fields for challenge and classic soccer Florida. The destination is also The Althea Gibson Tennis Complex has leagues, adult leagues and other soccer served by Highways 17, 74/76, 24 lighted hard courts, a clubhouse and tournaments. Home to the Cape Fear Soccer 117 and 421. Interstate I-95 is 73 restrooms. Courts are open for public Club, this complex also offers the opportunity miles away. play, while the City of Wilmington offers for other events such as lacrosse and running recreational programs throughout the races. year, and the Greater Wilmington Tennis Association uses the courts for tournaments Legion Sports Complex and league play. Football, soccer, baseball, tennis With more than four acres of paved parking,

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this great complex includes Legion Stadium/ court, three soccer/football fields and a youth POPULAR ACTIVITIES Jurgenson-Gabriel Field (which hosts football football stadium, which are all equipped ▶ Step back in time when you get and soccer matches on artificial turf), the with lights. Ogden Park additionally has onboard the Battleship NORTH Legion Back Field, Buck Hardee Field (baseball), a 10,000-square-foot concrete skate park CAROLINA, a WWII-era vessel that four lit tennis court and the Robert Shipp Pool. equipped with a skate bowl, rails and steps. faced fierce combat in the Pacific Located next to Greenfield Lake and minutes Theater. from the historic downtown area, the complex Hugh MacRae Park is fantastic for hosting athletic events. Baseball, tennis, sand volleyball, ▶ Climb along the Adventure basketball, equestrian Reef, witness an albino alligator, Olsen Park Located in central New Hanover County, wonder at baby sea turtles or Baseball, softball Hugh MacRae Park includes four Little League feel the smooth skin of a gliding This city park has five lighted baseball/softball baseball fields with lights, four lighted tennis stingray at the North Carolina fields along with concession stands and a picnic courts, a sand volleyball court and a full-sized Aquarium at Fort Fisher. shelter. It is used to host regional and state basketball court with lights. Picnic shelters athletic tournaments. and a gorgeous garden area with a pond and ▶ The Jungle Rapids Family Fun gazebo can be reserved for outdoor activities Park features water slides, a wave Ogden Park as well. pool, lazy river, rock climbing, Tennis, baseball, softball, basketball, go-karts and more awesome soccer, football, skating family fun. Enjoy the outdoor experience provided at Ogden Park, which features three picnic WILMINGTON AND BEACHES CVB ▶ Get outdoors at Greenfield Lake shelters, restrooms, a playground, an off-leash Robert Cox, CDME, CSEE Park, where biking and walking dog park and more. Tournament planners Director of Sports Development trails, tennis courts, an outdoor will enjoy nine tennis courts, three baseball 800-650-9064, ext. 124 amphitheater and boat and fields, one softball field, a full-size basketball [email protected] kayak rentals all await your SportsWilmington.com next workout.

Carolina Cup at Wrightsville Beach

Ogden Skate Park

The Miracle Field at Olsen Park

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JON SCHMIEDER Sports Industry Trends for 2020

t is that time of year to chime in on the teams/athletes participating. There are several true with golf courses and aquatics facilities I top trends we are seeing out in the sports new sports that will be contested next year in that are owned by municipalities. If a venue tourism trenches. The arms race in our indus- Tokyo that bear watching. We think freestyle has a negative cash flow, cities and counties try is at an all-time high and the competition BMX and skateboarding are naturals to gain are looking to get those assets off their has never been greater. From larger markets momentum. balance sheets one way or another. battling to host high-profile mega events to the smaller markets investing significantly in Tourism-Driving Facilities – More Non-Traditional CEOs – More and tourism-driving facilities, there doesn’t seem to 2 tourism related dollars are being 4more tourism organizations today are be an end in sight. The top sports tourism des- invested into venue development than ever being led by people with entrepreneurial busi- tinations are laser focused and allocate their before. Communities are allocating bed-tax ness backgrounds than those with experience resources efficiently to compete. If there ever money, restaurant taxes and tourism-improve- in the hospitality sector. This not only applies was a time to recalibrate what your organiza- ment-district funds directly into facilities that to convention & visitor bureaus (CVBs) but tion has always done, now is that time. will drive economic development back to their also sports organizations. New leaders at Since this is a look ahead to 2020, it only destinations. Unlike years past, if you are not USA Swimming, USA Cycling and USA Gym- goes to reason that we would offer up a vision leading the discussion on planning and fund- nastics all come from the private sector. Max for the future, a crystal ball if you will. We hope ing tourism-driving sports facilities in your Siegel at USA Track and Field came from you enjoy this year’s list. destination, you are in the minority today. Nike and NASCAR. The USOC’s new CEO came from a golf and media background. New Olympic Sports – Nearly every Retrofit Projects – Golf courses turned One of the founding father sports commis- 1time a new sport debuts on the Olympic 3into soccer complexes. Big-box retail sions in our country is led by a person with a program, that sport sees a significant bump in stores becoming hardwood sports venues. background in politics. In addition, several exposure. That interest usually manifests itself Tennis courts converted to pickleball. Pools CVBs have tapped into the sports profession in more kids wanting to try that sport, which retrofitted into skate parks. If there is a facility to lead their organizations – Monroe, Tulsa, leads to more membership with the National that isn’t pulling its financial weight, it is ripe Quad Cities, Butler County and Cleveland, to Governing Body (NGB), and often times more for a change. We are finding this especially name only a few. Freebird7977/Bigstock.com

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Measurement – We are often asked, he last few trends for 2020 are holdovers Oversight – Non-profit organiza- 5 “How do you keep score beyond room Tfrom last year that are worth monitoring. 10 tions are being looked upon more nights and economic impact?” It is a good and more scrupulously on how they operate, question and one that we are addressing Expanding Roles – One trend from last and specifically, how they spend the funds with a tool we created called the Sports 8year that we are keeping our eye on is that are given to them. This includes conven- Tourism Index™. We surveyed the top event the expanding of mission and purpose of tion and visitor bureaus, sports commissions, professionals in our industry to ask them many sports tourism organizations across the NGBs and others in our industry. Whoever what was important to them in a host desti- country. The skill it takes to successfully exe- manages the various funding pipelines to your nation. These leaders helped us shape a cute a sporting event is quite similar to the skill organization are becoming more interested in measurement tool that numerically evaluates it would take to produce a music festival, how those funds are allocated. With C-level a host destination across four areas including Harley rally or chicken festival (yes, you read professionals having lost their jobs over 1,900 different metrics. Add to this the in- that right, we have a client that runs a chicken spending practices, today’s leaders need to creased focus on primary research by our festival). Many of our clients are adding spe- be overly transparent in this area. national association, and it’s evident that an cial events to their sports staff’s plate. If it uses added emphasis on identifying and measur- the same event production skills and drives Safety – A closely related issue to ing success is critical for our industry going overnight stays, why not expand from just 11 oversight, athlete safety continues forward. sports to sports and events? to serve as a high-profile issue on multiple fronts. The discussion on football concus- Participation (or lack thereof) – Re- sions has escalated to the highest levels, 6 search by the Aspen Institute, the driv- and additional sports are joining the fray. ers of Project Play, indicates that a majority “If you are not Athlete safety in several Olympic sports has of youth stop playing sports at age 11. Three intentionally spawned the creation of Safe Sport, an years ago the average age was 14. This trend independent investigative organization cre- is not only bad for sports tourism, it is bad leading the charge ated to protect athletes and those involved for our nation. Sedentary kids playing video in building relationship in the Olympic movement. Safe Sport, and games all day is not a pathway to success in some cases full background checks, are on several fronts. Sports teaches kids so bridges with your now mandated by numerous sports organi- many valuable life lessons that a video game stakeholders, zations across the country, and it doesn’t console cannot. We are losing this battle and stop with coaches. Officials, board mem- if the tide doesn’t turn, the sports tourism sustainable success bers, event volunteers and others are now industry will take the brunt of the hit in the will be a challenge.” very likely to be required to complete a back- future. ground check and the Safe Sport training program. Where the merry-go-round stops, Relationships – More and more, our Creating Owned Events – Another nobody knows. 7team at the Huddle Up Group is asked 9 repeat from years past, our destination Leaders in our industry have a lot of hard to not only consult on strategic planning for clients are more and more opting to invest work ahead of them. While these challenges destinations, but to also referee relationship their resources in created events. This is now may seem daunting, that is what we love about issues between CVBs/sports commissions especially true in small and mid-tier markets our industry. Every day we get the chance to and their local stakeholders. Specifically, the that don’t have the resources to compete with lace ‘em up and go out into the sports tourism issue nearly always includes a rift between the big boys. If you can create an event with and events market and compete. No matter our client and the local parks and recreation your local partners (or enhance/replicate how challenging the tasks that lie in front of us, department and/or elected officials. As in most ones that already exist), those are assets that we are all blessed to go to work every day and industries, relationships are key in opening up you don’t have to bid for against your well- call sports our profession. SPG doors for success. No matter your position, if funded competitors. This doesn’t just apply to you are not intentionally leading the charge in the traditional sports either. CVBs and sports ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

building relationship bridges with your stake- commissions across the country are devel- Jon Schmieder is the Founder + CEO of the Huddle Up Group LLC, an award-winning sports tourism industry consulting firm based in holders, sustainable success will be a chal- oping new events in many of the emerging Phoenix, AZ. Jon can be reached at [email protected]. For weekly best practice articles, sign up for the Monday Morning Huddle lenge. sports noted above. Up at www.tinyletter.com/JonSchmieder.

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RECORD RACES & EPIC PLACES

From the Carolina Cup paddle races on the World SUP Tour to IRONMAN North Carolina, Wilmington’s hosted many diverse events lled with record-breaking participation and good times. Our welcoming year-round weather, breathtaking beaches and bustling riverfront are fan favorites.

From our venues to our walkable River District and three island beaches, consider a fresh possibility in North Carolina and at the coast.

SportsWilmington.com • 800.650.9064 ext.124