Viva Las Vegas! TEAM Maryland at the TEAMS Conference

Terry, Ashley and our TEAM Maryland partners are in Las Vegas, NV for the TEAMS 2011 Conference and Expo. Here’s a little recap of what they’ve been up to while in Sin City!

Nine TEAM Maryland partners and the Office of Sports Marketing have taken to the TEAMS Conference and Expo!  On Tuesday, we hosted the General Session – State of the Industry- with Don Schumacher, Rich Bender and Bobby Dodd presenting the efforts put forth by the market. The figures are remarkable in the recession proof industry.

The Match Game

Here’s TEAM Maryland, with their captain/coach/cheerleader on the right. 

They are assembled on their court for a high stakes scrimmage known as The Match Game.

Think of it as speed dating for sports events and economic impact instead of love and marriage –although those elements are relevant in this romantic wooing.  For getting a major rights holder to fall madly in love with your destination, venue and amenities and committing to a long-term relationship means big, big bucks for the folks back home.

(Sorry for putting it in gold digger terms, but you get the picture.)

Terry and the TEAM found Maryland to be a hot ticket among the rights holders.  In fact, their dance card was filled with 22 scheduled appointments and even a few who were not originally on the list.

Part of the conference included networking opportunities and open sessions. TEAM Maryland was the sponsor of The State of the Sports Event Industry session.

 A panel of industry leaders talked about the promising growth of sports travel, participation, and attendance even as the rest of the economy struggles.   They identified new approaches by sponsors to get or remain in the game while resources are at a low.

The conference is still in progress, so Terry and TEAM Maryland are prospecting for more gold.  He plans to give a full recounting when he gets back.

Trolling TEAMS with Terry

It’s hunting season again, and Terry is stalking big game in Charlotte, NC.

Not the kind with antlers, but the type that attracts spectators and participants, fills loads of hotel rooms, and generates a bundle of tax dollars.

That’s right — sports events and activities.  This time, Terry has lots of company with representatives of the major jurisdictions who now comprise TEAM Maryland.  Delegates from Harford, Prince Georges, Howard, Anne Arundel, Wicomico, Montgomery and Frederick Counties are participating, along with Baltimore City.

They have appointments with major rights-holders for events that have enjoyed similar success in Maryland (such as triathlons) and some that could be splendidly adapted to entire regions of our geographically diverse state — like orienteering.

They will be meeting one on one with youth tournaments, arena invitationals, water sports and field competitions.

Terry has promised to send us a picture of Team Maryland in action.  Stay tuned.