SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
Issue link: https://sportsevents.epubxp.com/i/634578
January 2016 16 www.sportseventsmagazine.com That series is comprised of nine events in Canada and the U.S. and attracts more than 40,000 participants and spectators. Lee attributes that success to team- work. "Being involved with a small company, I not only lead the sales team to move the business forward, but I'm right there with them pounding the pavement, building and cultivating rela- tionships with our partners and spon- sors, fnding opportunities for continu- ous improvement, and getting my hands dirty with on-site set-up, execution and tear-down at our events," she says. "I get to participate in the whole process from beginning to end, and no matter how exhausted both physically and emotionally I get, pulling off an event is an adrenaline rush and a tremendous accomplishment." Like most event planners, Lee says she is regularly challenged to keep on-site experiences fresh for attendees. Last year, she had success with interactive activities, such as archery, dodgeball and BMX bike demos. Since dragon boat races are family-friendly events, offering areas just for kids, including performances and infatable games, are a must. GWN's host cities for series events are so desirable that many paddlers turn their trip into a paddling vacation, says Lee, and that's what makes her event unique. "Participants and spectators have come to know what to expect when they come to one of our events: a world- class experience both on and off the water," she says. CHRISTOPHER OLDCORN, CEO Oldcorn Sports & Entertainment Tuf Stuf Events, Fire Dash, Quadathlon Miami, FL 6 Years Planning Events Chris Oldcorn, CEO of Oldcorn Sports & Entertainment, is driven to plan sporting events that have an impact well after the competition is over. His sports events and entertainment holding company hosts functional ftness competitions and obstacle course races throughout the world. In keeping with the company goal, "Making the World a Healthier Place, 1 Event at a Time," Oldcorn works to make a positive impact on his compet- itors and in the community in which an event is hosted. "We partner with a local charity in each community we do events in," he says. "We look for charities that pro- mote healthier living. We try to make a positive difference in each community where we do events." Beyond putting on engaging sports events for athletes and fans, Oldcorn likes to branch out, scheduling enter- taining non-sports events for athletes and supporters in the community. "Our events are different because we R E C O G N I T I O N I S S U E t Congratulations! 2016 Readers' Choice Award Winners FLORIDA Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau www.ocalamarion.com See Ad On Page 47 Panama City Beach CVB www.visitpanamacitybeach.com Sarasota County Sports Commission www.sarasotasports.org See Ad On Page 51 Columbia County Tourist Development Council www.springsrus.com GEORGIA Columbus Sports Council www.columbusgasports.com See Ad On Page 17 Cobb Sports Alliance www.travelcobb.org Dalton CVB www.visitdaltonga.com Greater Savannah Sports Council www.savannahsportscouncil.com C C S E i s t i