Last year, the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce held Iowa’s first festival, which focused on action/alternative sports. We had the pleasure of speaking with Bryan Schultz, Marketing Manager for Grinnell Chamber of Commerce and the Grinnell Convention and Visitors Bureau(CVB), to learn about this inaugural event.
Midwest Meetings: Where did the idea to host these games come from?
Bryan Schultz: There were several inspirations. Grinnell has world-class recreational facilities, from the 100-acre Ahrens Memorial Park complex to the state-of-the-art natatorium of Grinnell College, so we really wanted to showcase how special recreation and fitness is to Grinnell. A citywide sports festival seemed the best way to do this. Grinnell has a youthful energy and free spirit that we believe makes us one of the most unique small cities in America, so alternative sports seemed a natural fit!
Midwest Meetings: Where did the idea to host these games come from?
Bryan Schultz: There were several inspirations. Grinnell has world-class recreational facilities, from the 100-acre Ahrens Memorial Park complex to the state-of-the-art natatorium of Grinnell College, so we really wanted to showcase how special recreation and fitness is to Grinnell. A citywide sports festival seemed the best way to do this. Grinnell has a youthful energy and free spirit that we believe makes us one of the most unique small cities in America, so alternative sports seemed a natural fit!
MM: A lot of work must go into putting on such an event, especially being a first-time event, what did it take to put the Grinnell Games together?
BS: This was a tremendous challenge due to the logistics of holding many events simultaneously in an Olympic village type format. Most notably all the hard work by local volunteers made this happen; from board meetings hashing out details to manning information booths, our citizens made this happen! It also took a commitment from the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce and City of Grinnell to do something far beyond what the average small town would do. And generous donations by our sponsors, from the smallest shops in town to the most successful corporations provided the funding we needed to get off the ground.
MM: What were some of the attractions at the Grinnell Games?
BS: There was stunt kite flying, indoor kite flying, a BMX show, the grand opening of the Grinnell Mutual Aquatic Center, disc golf lessons and tournament, PLUS live music during a downtown kickoff celebration and much more!
MM: How does the event benefit the city of Grinnell?
BS: The city benefits by establishing Grinnell as a sports and recreation destination throughout the state, plus the increase in business for local hotels, restaurants and merchants.
MM: What were some of the goals you established when hosting the event?
BS: Our ultimate goal was to put Grinnell on the map in a big way here in Iowa and get people talking.
MM: Do you feel that you met your goal?
BS: Yes, we received very positive press in radio, television and newspapers. Grinnell was recently named an Iowa Sports Authority District to help us continue to promote sports and recreation in Grinnell.
MM: How was the feedback following the first Grinnell Games?
BS: Mostly very positive. You know you have a good start when people say there was “too much” to choose. There was some looming nasty weather, but the people who traveled to Grinnell had a wonderful time.
MM: What were some of the most challenging parts of hosting the games?
BS: Balancing the logistics of separate events occurring simultaneously was challenging. It’s always difficult to do something for the first time and anticipate numbers of attendees, traffic flow and last-minute issues.
MM: Along with the challenges, I’m sure there were many rewards with putting the games on. What did you find was most rewarding about hosting the Grinnell Games?
BS: Most rewarding was how the community came together to do something challenging and outside the box. Another was seeing how happy the children who are involved in BMX and skateboarding were. They don’t have much of an opportunity to showcase their talents, so that was great.
MM: What goals do you have for future Grinnell Games?
BS: We have re-tooled a little already to make the Games more participatory. We would like everyone in the family to participate in events throughout the weekend, not just a single event.
MM: Are there any activities that you will be adding to the event that you didn’t have last year?
BS: Yes! A twilight criterium bike race, a family triathlon, half marathon, 5K, and 1 mile races, plus trap shooting for marksmen!
MM: Based on your experience, do you suggest other cities look into hosting a similar event in their town?
BS: Yes, but I think it takes a realistic look at your volunteer base and corporate sponsorships. The reason why is because it takes the idea of a community festival to the next level. When EVERY community has a summertime festival, and there are limited weekends, competition for visitors is fierce. You need to find your niche – this one is ours.
BS: This was a tremendous challenge due to the logistics of holding many events simultaneously in an Olympic village type format. Most notably all the hard work by local volunteers made this happen; from board meetings hashing out details to manning information booths, our citizens made this happen! It also took a commitment from the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce and City of Grinnell to do something far beyond what the average small town would do. And generous donations by our sponsors, from the smallest shops in town to the most successful corporations provided the funding we needed to get off the ground.
MM: What were some of the attractions at the Grinnell Games?
BS: There was stunt kite flying, indoor kite flying, a BMX show, the grand opening of the Grinnell Mutual Aquatic Center, disc golf lessons and tournament, PLUS live music during a downtown kickoff celebration and much more!
MM: How does the event benefit the city of Grinnell?
BS: The city benefits by establishing Grinnell as a sports and recreation destination throughout the state, plus the increase in business for local hotels, restaurants and merchants.
MM: What were some of the goals you established when hosting the event?
BS: Our ultimate goal was to put Grinnell on the map in a big way here in Iowa and get people talking.
MM: Do you feel that you met your goal?
BS: Yes, we received very positive press in radio, television and newspapers. Grinnell was recently named an Iowa Sports Authority District to help us continue to promote sports and recreation in Grinnell.
MM: How was the feedback following the first Grinnell Games?
BS: Mostly very positive. You know you have a good start when people say there was “too much” to choose. There was some looming nasty weather, but the people who traveled to Grinnell had a wonderful time.
MM: What were some of the most challenging parts of hosting the games?
BS: Balancing the logistics of separate events occurring simultaneously was challenging. It’s always difficult to do something for the first time and anticipate numbers of attendees, traffic flow and last-minute issues.
MM: Along with the challenges, I’m sure there were many rewards with putting the games on. What did you find was most rewarding about hosting the Grinnell Games?
BS: Most rewarding was how the community came together to do something challenging and outside the box. Another was seeing how happy the children who are involved in BMX and skateboarding were. They don’t have much of an opportunity to showcase their talents, so that was great.
MM: What goals do you have for future Grinnell Games?
BS: We have re-tooled a little already to make the Games more participatory. We would like everyone in the family to participate in events throughout the weekend, not just a single event.
MM: Are there any activities that you will be adding to the event that you didn’t have last year?
BS: Yes! A twilight criterium bike race, a family triathlon, half marathon, 5K, and 1 mile races, plus trap shooting for marksmen!
MM: Based on your experience, do you suggest other cities look into hosting a similar event in their town?
BS: Yes, but I think it takes a realistic look at your volunteer base and corporate sponsorships. The reason why is because it takes the idea of a community festival to the next level. When EVERY community has a summertime festival, and there are limited weekends, competition for visitors is fierce. You need to find your niche – this one is ours.
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