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versities, with many of them offering a number of fields, rinks and other sports facilities. Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, is home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Holyoke, the birthplace of volleyball, is home to the Volleyball Hall of Fame. "Springfield and the surrounding Pioneer Valley are an affordable option compared to first-tier cities like Boston and New York City," said Lee Chambers, market- ing/PR manager for the Greater
Springfield CVB. Hotel: 900 in the greater downtown Springfield area and approximately 6,400
in the Pioneer Valley Hotel tax: 12.45 percent MassMutual Center: Located in
downtown Springfield, the center is a multi-purpose 8,000-seat arena with
100,000 square feet of flexible space. Contact: Greater Springfield CVB,
www.valleyvisitor.com. Worcester
In central Massachusetts, about 45 min- utes west of Boston, Worcester is the state's second largest city and is home to
10 colleges and universities. Hotels: Approximately six DCU Center Arena & Convention
Center: Combined, the facilities boast 100,310 square feet of space and wel- come approximately 2 million visitors
every year. Contact: Destination Worcester, www.destinationworcester.org. ■ P.T.
Above & Beyond
For the 2006 Men's World Curling Championships, the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB worked with the city, hotels, restaurants and venues in the area to make sure the event was a success. "We involved the schools in a 'learn to curl' program, restaurants created 'curling-themed' menus, and the local artists created a public tribute to the curling event," said Deb Belanger of the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB. The CVB also assisted with fundraising, volunteer
recruitment, logistics, publicity and promotion for the event as well. "Keep in mind this event took place right after the 2006 Olympics and curling just hit its stride at the Olympics with a USA Men's Team win- ning a silver medal. The Curling Federation was more than happy with the results of bringing their curling championship to the Northeast. Not only was the event a success, but more curling clubs in the area increased local membership and introduced a new crop of curlers."
www.sportseventsmagazine.com
August 2012 51
Springfield
The area known as the Knowledge Corridor, composed of the Hartford- Springfield Metropolitan area, boasts the second-largest concentration of higher learning institutions in the U.S., with 32 universities and colleges and more than 160,000 university students in the area.
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