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| Volume 1, Issue 5 - February 2005 | ||
| In the News | ||
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Tampa Bay Sports Commission generates over $22 million in direct spending by visitors in Fiscal Year First Quarter
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission booked 25,482 hotel visitor room nights in the recent first quarter of the fiscal year surpassing the organization's first quarter goal (15,000) by 10,482 room nights. The first quarter visitor room night total surpassed the entire year's total of visitor room nights for 2003 by more than 4,000 visitor room nights, and nearly equaled the entire year's total for 2004 (25,680). 25,482 hotel visitor room nights results in $22,150,768.00 in direct spending by visitors in Hillsborough County. "Our success in the first quarter serves as further evidence that sports business generated by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission will continue to have significant economic impact on our incredible community," said Executive Director Rob Higgins.
In its 13th year, the Coloplast International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament had another successful competition at the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex. This event included teams from the United States, Canada, and Sweden, and was featured on WTSP, Tampa Bays 10. "This event is about showcasing the hard work and dedication of elite athletes that happen to have a disability," said tournament organizer Justin Stark. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission would like to thank Justin Stark, the Tampa Generals, and all those who were involved in the success of this tournament in the Tampa Bay area. | ||
| Upcoming Events | ||
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Soccer Game Day of Champions - March 5, 2005
NFL Europe - Training Camp - February 15 - March 20 We have had a request from NFL Europe for our volunteers to assist them from February 15-March 20 working in their local office while their training camp is held in the Tampa Bay area. For those not familiar with this group, NFL Europe, formerly called the World Football League, started in 1991 with tryouts in Orlando, Florida. They moved to Tampa to be in an "NFL" city. The League educates Europeans on American Football, scouts talent in foreign countries to play in the League and develops young NFL players along with recently graduated college football players. The League has six European teams vying to reach the World Bowl. In the next few years, one of these young players could be a future player on our Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Look over your calendars and give Joe Willis a call at (813) 342-4075 or email him at jwillis@visittampabay.com to schedule a shift. Game Day of Champions - March 5th We are in the process of organizing our volunteer efforts for the annual Soccer Game Day of Champions that will be held on March 5th. We are looking for people to assist in the areas of team check-in, escorting teams and cheerleaders, and welcoming fans to the stadium. This event will be held at Raymond James Stadium, home of the 2003 Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For more volunteer information or to sign-up, please contact Joe Willis at jwillis@visittampabay.com, (813) 342-4075, or www.tampabaysports.org. | ||
| Board Member Profile | ||
| Gregory Orchard | ||
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As Vice President for Finance and Administration for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Gregory Orchard oversees and manages all financial and administrative operations for the local agency. An avid sports fan, Orchard has been a board member for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission since its inception and currently serves as Treasurer. Still active in public service and sports to this day, Orchard serves on the Board of Directors for the Outback Bowl and continues to participate in adult sports leagues. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission would like to thank Greg Orchard for his valued involvement in making Tampa Bay a vibrant sports community and his involvement on the Tampa Bay Sports Commission Board of Directors.
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International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament 
On March 5th, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission will host the Game Day of Champions at Raymond James Stadium. The annual Game Day of Champions Soccer program gives Bay area youth soccer teams a special opportunity to play on the same field as their favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This event will feature twelve teams from local youth soccer leagues. Game times are 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm , 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. Admission and parking are free for this event.
Ph: 813.223.1111 - Toll Free: 800.826.8358 - Fax: 813.218.3376 - www.TampaBaySports.org
For more information, email Joe Willis at jwillis@VisitTampaBay.com