SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
Issue link: https://sportsevents.epubxp.com/i/362723
August 2014 10 www.sportseventsmagazine.com ▼ Planner PROFILE Sharing Insight In Their Own Words Organization: US Rowing is the govern- ing body for the sport of rowing in the United States, currently encompassing 75,000 individual members and 1,200 member organizations. Events: The national championships include the Youth National Championships, a keystone event for junior rowers across the nation; the National Championships and Club National Championships, which wrap up the summer rowing season; the Masters National Championships, which covers athletes ages 21 and older; and the Masters National Head Race Championships, US Rowingʼs first championship of the fall season. Other events include five junior district champi- onships and four masters regional championships. US Rowing also hosts the Youth Coaches Symposium and an annual convention each year. What kinds of locations do you require for events? National championship events are held on "Class A" courses or as close to the top level courses as available. A location must have a body of water that exceeds 2,000 meters or 1,000 meters for masters events. Waterways must be wide enough to support at least six racing lanes and a travel lane. What challenges face the amateur sports industry? The demand for competitive opportunities is outpacing the current supply and capacity for the sport to provide these opportunities. We are seeing this manifest in a number of areas: venue supply, supply of referees, and adequate numbers of certified coaches. ■ AJ Dominique III Events Manager, United States Rowing Association What sets you apart? I am organizing events where the competitors get on the water, row over a mile away, race back, and have to come back to a venue that is both functional and enjoyable. You have to be able to trust your planning and the people you are working with, as a sig- nificant number of the event activi- ties take place where you cannot see them. The planners profiled below are recipients of SportsEvents' "éclat" award. This new industry award is our way of recognizing exceptional performance and sharing the insights from industry leaders who genuinely are making a positive difference for all of us in the sports events industry. Other award winners will be profiled in SportsEvents throughout the year. BY SELENA CHAVIS Organization: The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) produces national championship competitions, some which are run in conjunction with other competitions. Events: There are 12 events that require direct support and management from USEF staff, the largest being the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships, which is an international championship for up to 250 participants— young riders (under 21) and junior riders (under 18) in five different sports. Additionally 16 National Championships are activated within existing competitions run by independent competition organizers. What kinds of locations do you require for events? Equestrian sport requires a lot of space, and the logistics involving the horses can be fairly complicated. Our top concerns are safety and welfare of the horses and riders participating and ensuring a fair and level play- ing field for all of our participants. Dependable footing (the surface on which the horses compete) is imperative and removes a huge variable from competition management. What sets you apart? Everyone involved in equestrian sport is passionate about the sport. We face long hours in the elements, and we are all deeply invested. Successful organizers have to think several steps ahead and try to anticipate problems before they arise. ■ Joanie Morris Managing Director, Eventing, United States Equestrian Federation What drew you to equestrian sports? I started riding ponies when I was 5 and participated at the international level. I competed at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships as a junior rider and worked and managed an Olympic athleteʼs operation for eight years.