S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009
September 16-18, 2009
Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, Florida
produced by SportsEvents magazine
co-sponsored by National Council of Youth Sports 

Here is just one more reason to attend S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009...the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) will be holding its Annual Meeting on September 18, 2009 immediately following Friday's luncheon during S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009!  And how about even one more...Alli Owens will take 'pole position' as a special guest!  NCYS is a partner in S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009 and members receive special discounts for attending & participating in the sessions. This is an invitation to youth sports leaders and for planners of all type of sports events, of all sizes to attend a really, really different industry event. 

If you work in the sports industry, you are almost certainly experiencing great challenges with issues like:

• finances,
• sponsorship revenues,
• athlete participation,
• availability of fields and facilities,
• etc., etc., etc.

S.P.O.R.T.S. is a "town hall" meeting where rights holders and event organizers from all sports gather to:

• discuss issues,
• share ideas,
• brainstorm for answers,
• talk about best practices,
• provide solutions,
• create new strategies.

S.P.O.R.T.S. is an open forum for all sports events planners and youth sports industry leaders. Its unique frank-discussion format allows industry leaders, grass roots organizers, destination marketing executives and everyone in between to come together to talk, question and share. There is simply nothing like this in the industry. Attendees will leave the symposium optimistic, motivated and armed with ideas and insight. 

We are all experiencing common challenges and difficulties. And regardless of the scale, the problems facing sport event organizers today are universal. Together we can develop strategies to meet today's challenges and be prepared to excel in the coming recovery.

We will have session topics and a moderator to keep us on track. Yet no rules, no limitations, nothing is off-limits as long as we stay somewhere close to being “on-topic.”

Ideas and answers are shared from top dogs to grassroots, and all in between. As a participant, you will be listening, sharing, questioning, and taking home ideas from highly successful industry leaders.

SESSION TOPICS will include but not limited to…

• MONEY (the financial model is changing, creating new revenue streams, saving money, innovative ideas)
• SPONSORSHIPS (new ways of thinking, measuring ROI and selling)
• WAYS TO GROW PARTICIPATION (out-of-the-box ideas, difficulties, experiences and strategies)
• AVAILABILITY OF FIELDS AND FACILITIES (or lack thereof)
• CONTROLLING THE ROOM BLOCK AND REGISTRATIONS (how groups are fighting losing rooms to the Internet)
• DEVELOPING LONG-TERM ATHLETES (a new culture for youth sports)
• RISK MANAGEMENT (old rules may no longer apply)
• MARKETING AND SELLING TODAY (using social media, mobile media strategies, etc.)

RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW! (Pay later if desired)
Base registration fee is $399. $100 discount for registrations received by July 15, 2009!  NCYS members receive additional $50 discount for registrations. For NCYS members, enter discount code "NCYS" during registration process.  If you are not already a NCYS member, click here to join online: www.ncys.org/joinonline.html  

Space is very limited and you can reserve your space right now. We will bill you later, even after July 1, if that works better for your budget year. We hope you will take advantage of this offer because once we are full, we're full. Click here to register today!

THE SPORTS PROFESSOR TO MODERATE S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009
Rick Horrow, aka "The Sports Professor," will be the guest moderator of S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009, Sept. 16-18 at Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. Horrow, president of Horrow Sports Ventures, has brokered 103 sports deals valued at more than $13 billion. He is the sports business analyst for CNN, FOX Sports and FOX Business Channel, and provides expert commentary in weekly radio broadcasts. In addition, his signature program, "FOX Moneyball: The Cost of Winning," airs nationally on more than 395 FOX Sports Radio affiliates.

Horrow will lend his wealth of industry experience and knowledge to S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009 as he moderates town hall discussions on such vital industry topics as growing participants and spectators, securing sponsorships in a tough economy, availability of fields and facilities, new approaches in marketing and selling events, risk management and much more. 

 CELEBRITY SPORTS PARTICIPANTS

You will also spend some time with well-known sports celebrities like: Heisman Trophy Winner and NFL great Tim Brown and former Sports Illustrated Associate Editor Don Yaeger, both featured keynote speakers of S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009.

Tim Brown will inspire attendees as well with his unique perspective as an athlete. Brown will share how he progressed from a “mediocre” entry into youth sports to one of college football’s most storied and legendary programs and, later, to the pinnacle of the NFL. Brown also will explain how his experience on the field has helped him off the field, in life and in new ventures focused on youth sports for today’s young athletes and tomorrow’s next stars.

Don Yaeger will share his “16 Consistent Characteristics of Greatness” developed from more than 20 years of interviews with some of college and professional sports’ most accomplished athletes and their experiences in overcoming obstacles to ultimately become star athletes. With each story, Yaeger will provide tangible tips that attendees can apply for achieving success in their own lives—both professionally and personally.

SPECIAL GUEST

Alli Owens is the first female race car driver spokeswoman for the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS). She is also one of the first female stock car drivers ready to compete in NASCAR's Nationwide Series in 2010.  And hold on to your seat, at just 20 years old she is sending an optimistic wholesome message to young people about the importance of following your dreams while maintaining good character, healthy lifestyles, strong work ethic, and living the clean life.

The co-host of the weekly Prime Sports Network radio talk show 'Plugged in the Racing Circuit' and the host of her own Power Up Network weekly radio show “Gas n’ Go with Alli O” she is a respected role model that embodies that youth spirit, as well as the ‘dream, believe, achieve’ potential that exists in America’s youth.  Before you start your engines, you need to get to know Alli-O!

HOTEL INFORMATION
You will enjoy an incredibly low room rate of only $99 per night at Orlando's fabulous Rosen Plaza Hotel, located in the entertainment district on famed International Drive. And once the session ends mid-day Friday, we'll provide you with super-savings on tickets to Central Florida's best attractions offered only to S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009 participants. So stay for the weekend, bring the family, enjoy and save money, too! Click here to reserve your hotel today! 

S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009 Pre-Fam Tour of Kissimmee, Sept. 13-16, 2009
Kissimmee’s scorecard features state-of-the-art facilities, hotels that excel with sports groups, and a broad spectrum of attractions and leisure opportunities, entertainment and eateries. Sports organizers give this destination high marks for its ability to host a wide range of events and competitions year round.

Prior to S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009, the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering sports organizers an exclusive tour of this "Heart of Florida" destination, with a closer look at Kissimmee's facilities and some breathtaking rides. Register early as space is limited and see firsthand the many reasons why choosing Kissimmee should rank high on your scorecard.

To register or score more information on the tour, please e-mail Chris Aguilar, Senior Sales Representative with the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, at caguilar@FloridaKiss.com. For questions, call 407-742-8257.

Click here for more information on S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009 which includes event registration and hotel reservation links.

Remember to please forward this email on for the benefit of your staff and constituents on all levels in your organization! If you are unable to attend, please consider sending someone else from your organization -- particularly those in Florida and the southern region.  Looking forward to seeing you in September at S.P.O.R.T.S. 2009! 

Yours truly for the kids,