2016-2017 FLORIDA SPORTS DIRECTORY AND FACILITIES GUIDE A Publication of the Florida Sports Foundation LOOKING FOR A WORLD-CLASS SPORTS EXPERIENCE? PLAY HERE! Whether you row, swim, ride, run, serve, jump, kick or swing, you’ll find the perfect place to hold your event in Sarasota County, Florida. Because with world-class venues, gorgeous weather, award-winning beaches and attractions galore, it’s the perfect sports vacation destination. So consider planning your next event or vacation where every season is a great time to train, compete or just enjoy your favorite outdoor activity. PlaySarasota.org or call 855-258-3958 Find us on: VSC Florida Sports Directory 8.875x11 - Sports.indd 1 2/9/16 14:12 Welcome to Florida “Florida has hosted many of the world’s top amateur and professional athletic events and championships, and we are proud of our outstanding network of knowledgeable sports organizations statewide. Florida is the perfect place to host your event.” — Governor Rick Scott “Florida continues to be a national leader in hosting world class sporting events. The Florida Sports Directory and Facilities Guide showcases the world-class sports venues offered by the state’s 28 sports commissions. Each area of the state offers something unique. Besides the wide variety of sports facilities offered statewide, be sure to sample some of the local culture and amenities found only in Florida. It will be the experience of a lifetime.” — John Webb, President, Florida Sports Foundation 2016-2017 FLORIDA SPORTS DIRECTORY and FACILITIES GUIDE |1 contents FLORIDA SPORTS FOUNDATION Florida Sports Foundation ...........................................................................................3 Sunshine State Games .................................................................................................4 Florida Senior Games ..................................................................................................5 Florida Sports Foundation FLORIDA SPORTS COMMISSIONS 101 North Monroe Street, Suite 1000 Sports Commission Locator Map ...............................................................................7 Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 488-8347 Bradenton Area Sports Commission .........................................................................9 Clearwater Satellite Office Broward County Sports Development .....................................................................12 1501 N. Belcher Road, #238 Central Florida Sports Commission .........................................................................17 Clearwater, FL 33761 Central Florida’s Polk County Sports Marketing ....................................................21 (727) 724-3082 or Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau .................................................... 25 1-866-FL-GAMES (354-2637) Columbia County Sports Commission ................................................................... 29 www.flasports.com Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau ............................................ 33 Emerald Coast Sports Commission ........................................................................ 36 Gainesville Sports Commission .............................................................................. 39 JOHN WEBB Jacksonville Sports Council....................................................................................... 43 President/CEO Kissimmee Sports Commission .................................................................................47 Lee County Sports Development ............................................................................51 STEPHEN V. RODRIGUEZ Miami-Dade Sports Commission .............................................................................. 55 Senior Vice President Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau ...................... 59 CHARLOTTE COWEN Ocala/Marion Sports Commission .......................................................................... 63 Director of Finance & Human Resources Palm Beach County Sports Commission .................................................................67 Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches .......................................................................71 NICK GANDY Director of Communications Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau ...............................................75 Pasco County Office of Tourism Development .................................................... 79 LISA KIRKLAND OSTEEN Pensacola Sports Association ................................................................................... 83 Director of Marketing Santa Rosa County Sports Development ...............................................................87 SARAH KIrcHBERG Sarasota County Sports Commission .......................................................................91 Event Manager Space Coast Sports Promotions ............................................................................. 95 St. Pete/Clearwater Sports Commission ................................................................ 99 MICHAEL WASHINGTON Tallahassee Sports Council/Visit Tallahassee ........................................................ 103 Event Manager Tampa Bay Sports Commission .............................................................................. 107 KELSEY SMITH Treasure Coast Sports Commission ........................................................................111 Project Manager/Executive Assistant FLORIDA SPORTS DIRECTORY Florida Sports Commissions ....................................................................................115 Florida Convention and Visitors Bureaus & Tourist Development Councils ...118 Florida Professional Sports ......................................................................................121 Florida Colleges & Universities ............................................................................. 126 AMATEUR SPORTS DIRECTORY United States Olympic Committee ........................................................................ 129 International Olympic Committee ......................................................................... 129 Affiliate Sport Organizations ................................................................................... 138 The 2016-17 Florida Sports Directory and Facilities Guide Community-Based Multisport Councils ................................................................. 139 was compiled and edited by Nick Gandy. Production and Design by Laura Pichard-Murphy, Paisley Design, Education-Based Multisport Councils .................................................................... 140 Tallahassee. Special thanks to the staffs of the Sports Armed Forces Sports ................................................................................................ 140 Commissions and Convention and Visitors Bureaus for their contributions to the individual area pages. 2016-2017 2| FLORIDA SPORTS DIRECTORY and FACILITIES GUIDE Florida Sports — a $44 Billion Industry The Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), Inc. is a 501(C) 3 non- profit corporation, serving as the State of Florida’s Sports Industry Development Organization. The mission of the Florida Sports Foundation is to: Assist Florida’s communities with securing, hosting and retaining Sporting events and sports related business that generate significant economic impact and Sports Tourism for the state of Florida through the Foundation’s grant programs, legislative initiatives and Industry Partner service, recognition and development. • Provide the citizens of Florida with participation opportunities in Florida’s Sunshine State Games and Florida Senior Games events. • Serve as Florida’s leading resource for Sport Tourism research and facts. • Assist in the promotion of targeted leisure sports industries in Florida. • Assist National and Florida State Governing Bodies to promote amateur sport development through Florida’s Sunshine State Games and hosting events in Florida The FSF’s 2014 Economic Impact Survey of Sports indicates Florida Sports and Recreation spending is responsible for $44.4 billion in total economic impact, or roughly 3.5% of Florida’s Gross State Product. With ideal year-round weather and state-of-the-art facilities, Sports and Recreation activities attracted more than 13.3 million out-of-state visitors to the State of Florida and those activities support more than 430,000 jobs. The FSF Grant Programs assist communities and host organizations in attracting sporting events, which bring out-of-state visitors and generate significant economic impact for the State. In fiscal year 2014-15, the Foundation’s grant program awarded 127 grants that generated $606 million in economic impact and brought more than 650,000 visitors to Florida. The FSF Grant Program was recognized by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) for a return on investment (ROI) of $5.61 for every dollar spent in the Grant program. WWW.FLASPORTS.COM (850) 488-8347 2016-2017 FLORIDA SPORTS DIRECTORY and FACILITIES GUIDE |3 About the Sunshine State Games The Sunshine State Games is an Olympic-style festival program created throughout the state for amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels. Florida’s citizens have the opportunity and incentive to develop their physical talents and competitive abilities. Each year, more than 25 sports are presented year-round in a variety of Florida communities to showcase the first-class facilities the state has to offer. The Games