SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
CO NVENT I O N CENT ERS SUPPLEMENT
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Loves Sports Action!
From the big leagues, like the New Orleans Saints right next door, to the lit- tle leagues, we're big fans of every game. We want you to bring your sporting events to the Mississippi Gulf Coast! We have all of the facilities to support a wide variety of sports, all of the ameni- ties to make your event or tournament the best, and are centrally located on the Gulf of Mexico between New Orleans and Mobile. Other places to play on the Mississippi Gulf Coast include beautiful championship golf courses, Olympic- sized swimming pools, and two fair- grounds with championship equestrian centers.
Our state-of-the-art sports complexes are equipped with well-maintained base- ball, softball and soccer fields and tennis courts. All are conveniently located near Interstate 10 and are in close proximity to hotels, restaurants, shopping, beach and attractions. Home of the Surge professional ice
hockey team, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center is the largest beachfront arena in the South. The facility has played host to everything from college basketball tournaments to PCA bronco riding. The property's con- vention center recently underwent a mas- sive expansion, resulting in a first-class venue for large conferences, your trade shows and special events. Our gulf waters are a natural play-
ground for boating, fishing and other water sports. The popularity of sport fishing has contributed to the numerous tournaments and fishing rodeos held annually, and the mild climate allows for year-round fishing fun. With harbors and marinas naturally positioned across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it's easy to catch a boat and reel in the winner! The beauti- ful waters around the barrier islands in the Mississippi Sound and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico are bountiful with a wide variety of fish. Favorite catches include Speckled Trout, Red Snapper, Grouper, Mahi-Mahi, Redfish and Cobia. Known by golfers as the Mississippi
"Golf" Coast, we have the largest con- centration of courses south of Myrtle Beach. Our temperate climate allows for year-round play. And, with 19 courses to choose from, there is an option for every budget and skill level. We offer scenic championship courses created by the top course designers in the world—Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, Mark McCumber, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Golfweek and Golf Digest consis- tently rank our courses among the finest. And, they have hosted premier golf events, including the Ben Hogan and Nike tours and the 2010 and 2011 PGA Champions Tour. When you're not in the game, there's plenty to do for kids and adults. The 62 miles of white sand beach provides a great getaway for big and little leaguers. Hotels, seafood restaurants and unique shopping are all in close proximity to all of our fantastic facilities. And special activities such as water parks, island excursions, miniature golf, parks, muse- ums and first-class casino resorts are never far. ■
Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau (228) 896-6699 or (888) 467-4853 www.gulfcoast.org
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