Columbia, SC April 16-17, 2016 ★ WELCOME TO THE US QUIDDITCH CUP Brooms Up! This command begins every game at the US Quidditch Cup, a 60-team tournament featuring over 1,200 of the best quidditch athletes from around the US, and drawing thousands of spectators and fans. Adapted in Vermont in 2005, quidditch has grown to include teams and leagues around the world. The ninth annual US Quidditch Cup event is coming to Columbia this April, bringing top talent and exciting matches to South Carolina. US Quidditch Cup is a thrilling event for all ages, drawing older sports fans, young adult pop culture enthusiasts, and families with ecstatic, costumed children. It combines the edge-of-your-seat sports tournament drama with the creativity and fantasy of the Harry Potter universe. Besides hard-hitting matches, the event features live music and entertainment, a wide variety of food and beverages, VIP experiences, open youth games for young attendees to try their hands at the sport, and of course thousands of vibrant fans and players. ★ US QUIDDITCH CUP BY THE NUMBERS 60 competing teams from collegiate or club backgrounds 170 teams attempting to qualify 1,200 athletes in attendance 5,000 spectators 2015 Media Impact Website Hits: 1,187,284 Average website visit duration: 6m 48s Social Media Impressions: 747.2 million Unique Social Users Reached: 26.5 million New Followers Generated: 3,487 Traditional Media Impressions: 19.9 million Livestream Webcast Views: 33,544 Our Audience The US Quidditch Cup audience is comprised of active, outgoing individuals that reflect the diversity of college campuses across the United States. Championing a new sport, our players and spectators are not just invested in the game itself, but are also passionate about creating gender equality and inclusivity within their communities. ★ MEDIA COVERAGE “The Masters wasn’t the only sports tournament that had fans excited this weekend; hundreds of people of all ages took part in the quidditch world cup!” “[Our city] hosts a lot of events but we were looking to expand into non-traditional sports, especially those we see as having real growth potential, like Quidditch.” “[Quidditch] players move with the grace and ferocity of top athletes; the best of them look like lacrosse players and hit like linebackers…. teams from the U.S. and Canada vie for the Cup, and hundreds more franchises are just getting started.” “A cross between the superbowl and [a] medieval festival, the Quidditch Cup has been known to attract all sorts of family- oriented activities, including live bands, fans in costumes, im- prov comedian commentators, and a ‘kidditch pitch’ to teach kids of all ages how to play the sport.” ★ ABOUT COLUMBIA US Quidditch Cup 9 is supported by the Columbia Regional Sports Council and the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission. As the Palmetto State’s capital and a college town, Columbia’s fiery vibe supports a colorful arts scene that envelops its entertainment districts overflowing with locally owned boutiques, eateries and night spots. The variety is abundant and all within easy reach. Saluda Shoals Park Historic. Gracious. Playful. Columbia, South Carolina encompasses each of these and much more! Columbia tantalizes all the senses with a relaxing, comfortable pace and an abundance of playgrounds. For those with an adventurous spirit, the rivers and parks like Saluda Shoals will provide endless fun. Saluda Shoals Park has more than 400 acres to explore, with sports facilities, trails and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities like tubing, paddling and biking. To learn more about the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and Saluda Shoals Park, visit www.icrc.net/saluda- shoals-park. Columbia Regional Sports Council The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling Columbia, South Carolina as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales and associated tax revenues. For more information, visit www.columbiasportscouncil.com. ★ GET INVOLVED VENDORS The US Quidditch Cup vendor village adds to the festival atmosphere of the event and features over a dozen merchandisers and nonprofit who sell everything from sporting equipment to jewellery and magic wands. As a vendor, your products or services will be in front of thousands of quidditch players, ranging in age from 18-25, as well as thousands of spectators. VENDOR PRICING $250 Early Bird registration (valid through February 28, 2016) $350 Regular registration (valid through March 15, 2016) $500 Late registration (valid through April 1, 2016) To apply as a vendor, please email [email protected]. CROSS-PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS We have many opportunities for cross-promotional partners, whether you or your company is interested in providing in-kind support or donating funds. Each player receives a welcome bag, and we also have many opportunities for signage, social media shoutouts, ads in our program, or even free tickets, VIP passes, or other perks for support. If your company is interested in being a cross- promotional partner for US Quidditch Cup please email [email protected]. CONTACT For inquiries about US Quidditch Cup 9, please contact: Mary Kimball and Sarah Woolsey [email protected]. US Quidditch Cup 9 is hosted by US Quidditch, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the national governing body for the sport of quidditch. USQ advances the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower all genders to compete together. To learn more about US Quidditch, visit www.usquidditch.org. Contact US Quidditch by emailing [email protected]..