We are often asked why the Pensacola Sports Association uses the tag line “Sports…more than just a game” and what that means.
The business of sports is a multi-billion dollar industry accross the country and the world. Think about the impact London will feel in the coming weeks as 16,000+ athletes and hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world arrive for the 2012 Summer Olympics. This is exactly what the business of sports is all about. Obviously, our area will never host the Olympics, but we have been the host of Olympic teams for training leading up to the Games and our community has been and is the host to many events throughout the year that attract visitors as both competitors and spectators. These guests in our community are providing important economic support to our local businesses as well as to our entire tax base as they provide funding through their various purchases in our community yet they do not ultimatley receive the services their tax dollars go to support for our permanent citizens ultimatley relieving the tax burden for the locals.
That is the business of sports that our local leaders understand and why they invest in the opportunity for the staff to pursue hosting various sports events through a variety of resources including attending national trade shows, recruiting and negotiating with National Governing Bodies and Events Rights Holders to bring their events, participants and spectators to our area. We search for events that fit our assets (venues), our budgets and our needs (increase the shoulder season market) as well as follow the trends of the sports industry. It is a full time, year around effort.
But the success of our efforts and all local tourism marketing is reliant on many others in our community. The positive experience of our guests falls on all our shoulders. If they feel welcome in our community and have a positive experience, they will go home and tell others what a great place we are to visit, likewise, tf they have a negative experience, they will return to their home towns and discourage others from visiting our great city.
While I am sure we all agree, there are issues in our community we feel need to be addressed, changed, or whatever, all communities have them as well. It is to the benefit of us all to be the best ambassadors for our community as possible as the benefits of having these guests come, return and bring others with them helps us all.
The business of sports…definitely more than just a game.
Ray Palmer
