SPORTS that were once backyard BBQ hobbies or weekend warrior excursions are now becoming mainstream sporting events across the Midwest. If you are a planner looking for a new event to bring to your community, consider one of these nontraditional options to create a renewed buzz.

1. Disc Golf
Disc Golf started really booming in 2010 and shows no signs of slowing down. While there are nearly 6,300 courses across the US and Canada, according to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), did you know Illinois is a hotbed for Disc Golf activity? The PGDA Ledgestone Insurance Open, in Peoria, IL, is the most recognizable disc golf event in the world.
Learn more at www.PGDA.com.
2. Cornhole
Cornhole, also known as “bags,” is considered a yard or tailgating game by many, but for the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) 2018 saw 20 regional tournaments across the country. Learn more at www.AmericanCornhole.com.
3. Obstacle Course Races
There are dozens of different obstacle course races looking for destinations, from Tough Mudder to Spartan Races and Warrior Dash to Savage Race… and many more. While you will need to look to different websites specific to each style of race, look at what your community has to offer in space, community involvement, and sponsorship to see if this type of event is a fit for your planning skills and region.
Have you ever planned a nontraditional sporting event in the Midwest? Make sure to comment on this article or send us an email - News@MidwestMeetings.com

Opening in Fall 2019, Fox Cities Champion Center will be a state-of-the-art, elite sports tournament facility in the Midwest, located in Grand Chute, WI. The 164,000-sq.-ft., indoor sports facility will house a year-round ice rink with seating for up to 1,000, field house with four basketball courts or eight volleyball courts, and a seasonal arena that can double any one of the previously mentioned spaces. “The facility will host numerous hard-court and ice-based events each year, as well as community-based leagues, open recreational time, rentals, camps, and clinics,” explained Matt Ten Haken, Director of Sports Marketing, Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Fox Cities is also home to the Scheels USA Youth Sports Complex, featuring 15 natural grass soccer fields and four baseball diamonds, annually hosting some of the largest soccer tournaments in the Midwest. The Neuroscience Group Field, at Fox Stadium, is where the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Minor League Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) reside.
Fox Cities CVB works with over 180 events each year which bring visiting athletes to the area. They are able to help events be successful by offering ‘best practices’ to event directors who are new to the Fox Cities. Sports planners enjoy the many facets in which Fox Cities CVB is able to contribute in the planning process. Ten Haken explained,“Hotel arrangements, visitor maps and publications, and promotional assistance are available, but, the two biggest services we can offer are our ability to provide expert opinions to planners based on years of industry experience along with grant funding assistance.”
With so much dynamic sporting event space and communities ready to welcome your event, the Midwest may have what you are looking for when planning your next sporting event.

WINTER weather brings its own diverse sporting events across the Midwest, and for some sportsmen and women it means icehouses and favorite fishing spots. During the months of January and February, many northern Midwesterners make their way to frozen lakes and create unique winter villages and communities.
On the Saturday following the Super Bowl, many of these ice fishing fans take up semi-permanent residence on Lac qui Parle Lake in southwest Minnesota, near Watson, for the Ice Castle Classic. “We believe what sets us apart from other tournaments is that we offer the best prize value per the amount of contestants we normally have,” expressed Chad Hiepler, Tournament Coordinator. “We pride ourselves in being one of the top two or three ice tournaments in the state.” This ice fishing tournament is a large-scale, high-payout event offering 50 prizes at a total value of over $85,000 — this includes three different ice houses.
Lac qui Parle Lake offers an array of fish species including walleye, northern, crappie, perch, sunfish, bullhead, and many more. “Any legal fish species counts at our tournament, and it isn’t broken down into any specific category,” explained Hiepler. This makes the event easier and open to any type of fishing individual; young, old, new, seasoned, and anyone in need of ADA accessibility.
The 6th annual event, held on February 9, 2019, had a few challenges, especially in regard to the weather. “The amount of snow on the lake, along with the bitter cold temps had an affect on participation this year,” said Hiepler. With Watson, MN being a small community, gathering volunteers can also be a struggle. Luckily, the great volunteers toughed out the conditions and things went quite smoothly for the crew, aside from some long days. “The group of people that do help are very committed, which makes all the difference,” Hiepler raved. “Without the help of these exceptional volunteers, we couldn’t pull off such a great event.”
Planning for the 7th annual tournament is already underway. “[Planning] starts the day of the current tournament,” Hiepler explained. By making the effort to keep contacts and relationships with the businesses and organizations which help out with the tournament and repeating what has worked, the planning process continues throughout the year. “The CVB has been a big part of this event since the beginning,” added Hiepler. “Each year we partner with them in advertising, and the CVB helps offset some of the cost with this. In return, we offer free vouchers to participate in the tournament at each of the hotels in the area who are associated with the CVB. They pass this along to their customers who stay at the hotel, so it’s a win-win situation.”

Greater Des Moines was an excellent fit for the TYR Pro Swim Series, this past March, due to the recently opened MidAmerican Energy Company Aquatic Center at the Wellmark YMCA, the proximity of hotels to the YMCA (several are connected by the city’s Skywalk system), and the city and community support when hosting sporting events in the metro area.
“Catch Des Moines helped create and submit the bid (for the event) with the YMCA,” said Jordan Powers, Communications Manager, Catch Des Moines. “In that bid, Catch Des Moines worked with local hotels for the event to secure housing for teams, USA Swimming staff, and attendees.”
Outside of planning the actual events, there was also behind-the-scenes planning with hospitality, media appearances, hotel arrangements, transportation, and marketing which began months before the event. “A major help in planning was sending Catch Des Moines and YMCA team members to the TYR Pro Swim Series event in Knoxville, TN, to gain first-hand knowledge on how the event was prepared and executed,” expressed Powers.
Several key planning items were put into play in preparation for the TYR Pro Swim Series. Eight weeks prior to the event, in conjunction with the ticket sales launch, Catch Des Moines helped co-produce a media day with Olympic swimmer Kathleen Baker. The day included media appearances on TV and radio, a press conference, and a meet-and-greet with the local youth swim team.
A challenge faced was the simple fact that Greater Des Moines had never hosted a professional swimming competition of this caliber before – “mainly because, until this year, we did not have a facility capable of hosting such an event. We had no history or built-in audience for this style of competition,” Powers explained. This challenge was overcome by involving the local swimming community from the very beginning, including them in the planning and execution of the event. Powers stated, “We also offered incentives to our local sponsors and downtown business neighbors to attend the event and by educating the public on this nationally-televised swim series through earned and paid media. As a result of these efforts, the venue was sold-out for the final two nights of the series.”

Powers offered a word of advice for other sports planners looking to bring a swim series to their area:
“We’d strongly suggest reaching out to the local swimming community and ensuring they are invested and involved from the beginning. We received compliments from USA Swimming about our fans’ knowledge of competitive swimming and their appreciation for the caliber of professional athletes in attendance. Their enthusiasm for the sport is contagious and makes this type of event something an entire city can be proud of!”
And don’t forget about volunteers! “For the TYR Pro Swim Series, the YMCA dipped into their pool of volunteers used for local meets, as well as reaching out to parents and swim team athletes who love to be around all swimming events,” said Powers. “Wells Fargo, the local gold sponsor of the TYR Pro Swim Series at Des Moines, also put a call for volunteers through its in-house volunteer program. Greater Des Moines is lucky to have corporate sponsors who not only support these events with their dollars, but with the personal efforts of their employees.”
Collaborate closely with the local CVB, sponsors, and sports clubs to get your next sporting event to make a splash — even if it doesn’t involve swimming.

SUMMER is sports tournament season here in the Midwest. When gearing up for a tournament, there are plenty of considerations for planners to think about: What is the best location for my tournament? How can we make sure volunteers are well taken care of? What will make this tournament a positive experience for participants and their families? I’ll share some insights for tournament planners to keep in mind that will lead to a winning experience for everyone.
Five crucial considerations when planning a sports tournament:

• Keep the experience of the participants and their families at the top of your mind. The better you make the experience for them, the more successful tournament you will have overall. Whether it is ease of access to the facility, great nearby restaurants which can accommodate groups, passes to nearby attractions, special award ceremonies, events for participants, or even customized t-shirts, thinking through how participants and families will move through their days and any added “extras” beyond the games themselves will help create an exceptional experience.
  
• Choose the right venue. Your venue will be a key factor to a successful event. Make sure it has everything you need; enough restrooms, adequate parking, concessions, and strong Internet bandwidth.
• When deciding the next location of your tournament, look to the suburbs. Aside from great facilities, there are numerous financial benefits to hosting a tournament in the suburbs. Venues are typically less expensive, many offer free parking, and room rates are usually cheaper than downtown hotels. There is also usually more availability in the suburbs versus downtown venues.
• Make sure you have enough staff or volunteers to successfully run your event – whether you are hiring workers or recruiting local volunteers. And be sure you take care of those people and show them you appreciate them for helping make your event a success. Free shirts, food, advance and exclusive access to events, volunteer tents, appreciation parties and high-quality swag are all great ways to thank volunteers.
• Choose a location which has a population or membership in  the area who compete in the sport you are hosting. Event organizers want to make sure they put on an event that is well attended, either by participants or spectators. For example, Minnesota
• has a strong soccer community, making it an ideal place to host soccer tournaments and players from around the world.

Working with CVBs and DMOs:

• If you are a tournament organizer, contact the local CVB or DMO in the area to see what they offer. For example, at Minneapolis Northwest Tourism, we assist tournament planners with finding venues, setting up host hotels and room blocks, arranging site visits and tours, recommending potential sponsorships and partnerships, and, even, dining recommendations.
• Check to see if there are ways the CVB or DMO can offset costs. Many DMOs throughout the country offer event assistance programs to help new events be successful.
• Joining organizations like National Associations of Sports Commissions can also be a great way for tournament organizers to find the right contacts for specific CVBs, DMOs, or sports commissions.

Following these tips helps create an enjoyable experience for all – whether you win or lose the games.
Josh Anderson is the director of business development at Minneapolis Northwest, the area consisting of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove, Minn. He has more than seven years of experience in helping organizers plan tournaments on a state, national, and international level.

The Tour of America’s Dairyland (ToAD) race is the largest competitive road cycling series in the US. It began in 2009 with nine races held over 10 days. The event grew over a decade and for its 11th event, June 20-30, 2019, the racing has revved up to 11 consecutive days, moving day to day to the next community in and around southeastern Wisconsin. 2018 was the first year Janesville, WI participated in the event, creating the Janesville Town Square Grand Prix.
“We like to say we offer a world-class race experience for ALL riders,” said William Koch Jr., Executive Director of ToAD, “whether they are a 9-year-old junior [racer], a 27-year-old female Pro, or that older Master racer who is pressing 60 out there on the course.” The event is about community fun and racer camaraderie.
Race planning for the next season begins within 30 days following the wrap-up of the previous season’s event. “Securing commitments from our host communities is of the highest priority and not to be underestimated in terms of what it takes to close streets for an entire day in 11 different neighborhoods, villages, towns, and cities,” Koch expressed. “And of course, we need sponsors to help us pay for everything!” Making sure there are enough communities to participate and keeping series sponsors satisfied can be challenging when working to put on a truly fun and rewarding race series for racers, coming from 42 US states and 15 countries.

the Rock River. “This year will be great and 2020 will be spectacular with the new bridge,” said Murphy, “We [continue] to improve and raise the bar.”
Speaking of the Janesville group, “They actually jumped to “best in class” local host after only one year,” Koch said.
For more information about the 2019 races and the Janesville Town Square Grand Prix on Tuesday, June 25th, go to
www.TourOfAmericasDairyland.com.

Inline skating might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Duluth, MN. Known as a Great Lakes shipping port and gateway to the North Shore wilderness, Duluth also draws more than 2,000 athletes from around the world to participate in inline skating, roller skiing, and running races each fall.
The September 13-14, 2019 event marks the 24th Annual NorthShore Inline Marathon (NSIM) and the 9th Annual NorthShore Rollerski Marathon. Participants enjoy the scenic Lake Superior area along the 26.2-mile course, beginning just south of Tow Harbors, MN, continuing along Scenic Highway 61, moving through the Interstate-35 freeway tunnels, and finishing in the heart of the city, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The inaugural NorthShore Inline Marathon, in 1996, was along the same course. “Legend has it that Olympic skier George Hovland and a couple of local athletes came up with the idea of an inline skating race on the same course as Grandma’s Marathon,” explained Mike Ward, Race Director.
While the event has grown and persevered through the years, it is not without challenges. A constant challenge of a skating race is road conditions. “We must do everything we can to make sure the entire course is in great shape and smooth, because if not, that definitely has an impact on everybody’s race,” Ward said. “We work hand-in-hand with entities like Minnesota Department of Transportation, Lake County, Saint Louis County, City of Two Harbors, and City of Duluth to address issues like smooth roads, cracks, potholes, debris, and construction. Another challenge we always face is weather. We have to be prepared for every weather situation possible, and that just comes down to planning and executing that plan.”
Over the years, as the event has grown so have the number of events. Ward explained, “To appeal to a broader audience, we’ve added rollerski and running events, and added distances. New this year is a 10k skate through the Duluth freeway tunnels and half marathon rollerski race. Otherwise, small things have changed like t-shirt designs, medals, and atmosphere, but we still take the most pride in opening a perfect point-to-point course to all of our athletes along Lake Superior’s North Shore.”
An important part of NSIM’s success has been their developed partnership with Visit Duluth. “We partner with Visit Duluth for various marketing opportunities, digital and traditional. In the past, they have compiled an economic impact analysis which is pretty key to getting a pulse on how we are making a real difference

in our community,” said Ward.
“If you’re looking to put on any endurance event, from a 5k run to shutting down the freeway for a high-speed inline skating race, the biggest key is to get involved with an event similar to your vision,” offered Ward. “Before my role as race director, I had been on the timing team and an event volunteer for NSIM so I had a handle on what the event was all about. I started my career with Superior Man Triathlon, a long distance triathlon in Duluth on a similar scale as NSIM. It helped to see every side of an endurance race like a marathon, from participant to volunteer and race staff to event director.”
Some would say the word “marathon” is a bit intimidating and the team at NSIM have thought of that too. This year they are excited to add a couple of new events to help engage and entertain first-time participants in the sport. “People are going to love our expanded Skate Fest with more to do outside of Saturday’s races, like social skates, skills clinics, demos and shows, and vendors from all over,” revealed Ward.
As a sports planner, gauging your audience and attendees is a key to continual growth. Look at areas of your events and see where you could add a 5K, kids event, or clinic, to help build new interest and engage attendees.
Fun Fact: The race record is 57:18, which is over 27 miles per hour on average!

Illinois is a big state! “It’s 432 miles from our northern most high school (South Beloit) to our southern most high school (Cairo),” expressed Matt Troha, Illinois High School Association (IHSA), Assistant Executive Director. This past February, the Gossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, IL was packed with 100 cheer teams from across the state waiting for their turn to compete in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. “Not only does Bloomington have great venues and community support, but it is also centrally located and helps ease the travel burden of our schools,” Troha explained.
With 25 teams in four divisions; small, medium, large, and coed, there are multiple turning cogs which keep the tournament running smoothly. Producing the event in the right venue with ample space is a key. “We have been in the same venue for 14 of the event’s 15 years, so we feel we have the format down pat,” said Troha. “The most important part is making sure the warm-up timeline provides ample time and space for teams to feel ready and comfortable to compete in the culminating event of their high school careers.”
A competition such as this also requires trustworthy and accountable judges and volunteers. Judging is critical in competitions. The IHSA has a rating system which coaches use to help assess the most consistent judges throughout the season and careers. These rankings are used to help select judges for the competition to ensure quality and fairness across the board. IHSA has a number of invested groups who help with volunteers. “A few local high schools have their cheerleaders help, as do some of the local collegiate teams,” said Troha, “we [also] partner with some national cheer groups who have some local members who help out.”
February can be a tricky time for any event, especially located in the middle of the Midwest. “We contest Sectionals the Saturday before and have had years where we were forced to contest a Sectional at the State Final site on Thursday, with the winning teams staying to compete at State the next day,” Troha shared.
At the conclusion of each season Troha and his team meet to discuss important topics, the State meet, and what other high school associations, colleges, and national events are doing at their events. “[We] see if there is anything new or cutting edge we can implement to improve our event,” said Traho.
When planning a local high school event, Troha offered some advice, “Listen to the feedback from the coaches and cheerleaders (athletes)… they often provide valuable feedback and recommendations for change.”

It is hard to name a sport which can’t find a home or host city in the Midwest. With four seasons, world-class sports facilities, and family-friendly attractions across all twelve Midwest states, hosting a sporting event is made easier for planners of all kinds.
Curling has become a way of life for some in the Midwest, with clubs practicing year-round. The beginning of February started championships with the 2019 National Championships held in Kalamazoo, MI, followed by the 2019 Senior Men’s National Championship, in Mapleton, MN and the 2019 Senior Women’s National Championship, in Portage, WI, later that month.

The 2019 NCAA Final Four found a home at U.S. Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis, MN this past April. The turf was transformed to hardwood and multiple events were hosted simultaneously; Fan Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center, a kids parade on Sunday, the March Madness Music Series at the Minneapolis Armory, and free entertainment and interactive games at the Tip-Off Tailgate on Nicollet Mall during all four days.
Golfing never grows old, and the Midwest has a course to fit any group’s needs. The Straits at Whistling Straits®, in Kohler, WI has hosted the 2004, 2010, and 2015 PGA Championships, the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, and will host the 2020 Ryder Cup.
This summer alone, the Midwest will play host to a multitude of sporting events, from golf and diving to gymnastics and baseball, and so much more. The 2019 USA Karate National Championships and Team Trials will be held July 9-14, in Chicago, IL while the MLB All-Star Game is hosted in Cleveland, OH, July 7-10. Not to mention the hundreds of local, regional, and state sporting championships across the Midwest during the summer.
A central location for tournaments, community charm, and fantastic hospitality make the Midwest great for sporting events of all kinds, from Little League tournaments to Special Olympics games and National ranking sports events to International sports expos. Make the Midwest your place to play!