As we all know, the only way to succeed in the sports industry is to stay abreast of all of the trends and events available in the market.  Where can you go to be educated on those trends, take advantage of top-notch professional development, meet and network with event owners and have a great experience all at the same time?  I can tell you!  It is the 2013 NASC Sports Event Symposium in Louisville, Kentucky, April 22-25.

Here are some simple facts provided by the National Association of Sports Commissions website:

•      The average attendee meets 47 prospects and generates $400,000 in new business at the NASC Symposium;
•      95% of attendees recommend the NASC Symposium to a colleague;
•      88% of attendees state they will likely do business with someone they meet at the NASC Symposium;
•      92% of attendees rate the NASC Symposium as excellent or good; and
•      95% of the 2012 attendees are planning to attend the 2013 NASC Symposium.

The facts show that the place to be is in Louisville, Kentucky in April.  Where else can you be on the cutting edge of the sports industry and meet with others who are also on the cutting edge.

The NASC Sports Event Symposium is packed with great information and great networking.  You will be engulfed in the sports industry and learn from leaders in the industry as well as take away some best practices from your colleagues in other areas across the country.  The NASC Sports Event Symposium includes features like a Sports Marketplace where you pre-schedule appointments with event owners and vendors, exceptional educational sessions and make connections with approximately 700 sports event industry professionals from all walks of the industry.

The National Association of Sports Commissions is your resource for the sports event industry and the Sports Event Symposium is where you can go to take advantage of every one of those resources.  I have been participating for several years in my 13 years of working within the sports industry.  While I have made wonderful friendships with my colleagues, I have also established great relationships with event owners as well.  I typically walk away from the Symposium with an RFP or a strong lead on an event.  I have several events in my community that I received by attending the Symposium.  Every year I attend the Sports Event Symposium I am blown away with the educational sessions and the amount of information I bring back to my daily work life.  It is an incredible experience.  I have even achieved my Certified Sports Event Executive designation, which allowed me to be recognized by my community and my board of directors as a sports industry professional.  Obviously, I would recommend you attend the 2013 NASC Sports Event Symposium so you can have the same experience I have had in my career to this point.

Lastly, just some exciting new programs that will be offered this year at the 2013 Sports Event Symposium provided by the latest mailing from the NASC:

•      Game Changers – Consists of 15-minute fast-paced presentations, facilitated by emcee extraordinaire Jon Petz, will touch on eight of the industry’s hottest topics;
•      Rapid RFP Review – Offering a structured opportunity to learn which future events are a potential for your city;
•      Engaging Education – Allows you to drive your own learning experience by extracting the collective knowledge from industry experts and the audience; and
•      Bring a Colleague – Discounts are being offered for you bringing additional attendees from you organization, like board members, facility representatives, park and recreation partners, etc. , to assist you in building a shared vision for your community.

As you can see there are a number of reasons you should attend the 2013 NASC

Sports Event Symposium.  Louisville, Kentucky, is rolling out the red carpet for you to experience the leading sports industry conference.  I will look forward to seeing you in Louisville, April 22-25, 2013!

Kindra Fry is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau where she has been since 2004. The sports market in Bryan-College Station is thriving and in her time in Aggieland, Kindra has increased hotel room nights by 300%. Prior to the convention and visitors bureau world, she served as the Marketing Assistant and as an Event Coordinator with the NAIA and has experience in the collegiate athletics field as well. Kindra has been a member of NASC since 2002 and earned her CSEE in April 2008.