SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
Issue link: https://sportsevents.epubxp.com/i/261418
February 2014 8 www.sportseventsmagazine.com ▼ SPORTS Talk Industry Memorial Services Held For Industry Veteran GAINESVILLE, Fla.— A memorial service for the longtime head of the Gainesville Sports Commission was held Jan. 25 at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church. Sixty-seven-year-old Jack Hughes passed away in his sleep in January at the Haven Hospice of Gainesville after a short battle with cancer. Hughes was executive director of the sports commis- sion for 15 years and retired just a year ago. Hughes also served as a board member of the National Association of Sports Commissions, and was a con- tributing columnist to SportsEvents. Sports Drive Visitor Spending In Coastal Cities GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, Ala.—The annual results are in and the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission (GSOB- SC) scored big in 2013, hitting an all-time high for sports tourism for the Alabama coast. Continuing an upward trend, the sports organization, along with both cities, hosted a record 94 athletic events that produced 71,931 room nights and a 24 percent increase in direct visitor spending from 2012, at nearly $28 million. Dayton Sees Bump In Sports Spending DAYTON, Ohio—The eco- nomic impact from sports in Warren County is expected to grow to a record $39.1 mil- lion, according to the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tourism is the leading industry in the county. This year, the CVB expects to host 100 sports events, which are expected to pro- duce 68,000 room nights in local hotels. Last year the CVB hosted 82 sports events, accounting for more than 62,000 room nights and an estimated $36 million in economic impact. Venues Miss. Gulf Coast City Plans Sports Complex KILN, Miss—Hancock County leaders have announced plans to build a sports complex. The first phase of the sport- splex would include eight baseball fields, 10 soccer fields and two football fields. A concession stand, restroom facilities and several other amenities are also part of the plans. Phase two of the complex calls for adding basketball, tennis and more to the site. The complex will be locat- ed on 82 acres off Miss. Hwy. 603. County supervisors are in the process of purchasing the land. Youth Mississippi House, Senate Pass Bill On Youth Concussions JACKSON, Miss.—A pro- posed Mississippi law has passed the state house and senate that would require public and private schools to ROUND ROCK, Texas—The new $14.5 mil- lion Round Rock Sports Center opened its doors on Jan. 28. Built primarily with City of Round Rock Hotel Occupancy Tax, and intended to draw new tourism to the city, the new venue is already contracted for use every weekend through the end of July 2014. The 82,800-square-foot indoor sports center features six basketball courts and 12 volleyball courts with 47,775 square feet of flexible, open, playable space. It includes seating capacity for up to 1,300 spectators and 502 parking spots. Other amenities include a full concessions operation, refer- ee lounge, locker rooms, training room, LED scoreboard screens, and three large multi-purpose rooms that can be subdivided into nine smaller rooms. Additionally, the facility can easily convert into a space for hosting expos, meetings, speakers and concerts. Nancy Yawn, director of the Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, oversees tournament and event sales. ■ VENUE Round Rock CVB Hughes Round Rock Sports Center Opens Jan. 28 "We're the Sports Capital of Texas, and the new Round Rock Sports Center is a terrific addition to our first-class facili- ties that consistently attract sports tournaments from all over the state." —Alan McGraw, Round Rock Mayor *02-20 SE FEB 2014_SportsEvents TEMPLATE 2/11/14 10:34 AM Page 8