2022 SPG Guide to Sports in Illinois by Premier Travel Media

2022

ILLINOIS GUIDE

Sports Illinois Attracts Big Events Group Brings in Sports That Create a Sizable Economic Impact

Illinois’ Outdoor Spaces are Enchanting A Premier Travel Media publication www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

Take a Road Trip and Enjoy the Prairie State’s Natural Splendor

Greetings from Illinois! Karla Flannery Deputy Director Illinois Office of Tourism

On behalf of all of us here at the Illinois Office of Tourism, we look forward to welcoming you to the Land of Lincoln for your next sporting event. Leading our State efforts as tourism director, I am no stranger to all of the amazing things there are to see and do in the state. Whether you are a returning visitor coming back to the state for a tournament or are a first-time visitor, there is always something to discover when you visit. We love the opportunity to invite people from all over the world to experience what we have to offer. For many, the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Illinois is Chicago, a world-class city with incredible restaurants, hotels, architecture, museums, and shopping. Illinois is also home to rich presidential history in Springfield and other communities, classic Americana along historic Route 66, great outdoor adventures and scenic beauty in the Shawnee National Forest and our many state parks, more than a hundred wineries and so much more. Illinois offers an amazing experience from the moment you arrive and long after your team finishes up for the day. With more than 1,200 sporting venues and state-of-the-art facilities, Illinois hosts everything from PGA tournaments and Olympic trials to college and high school sporting tournaments. Sporting events are an important part of the tourism industry in our state, and we continue to strive to be top of mind for sports associations and organizations planning their next event. We appreciate your consideration of Illinois for your future events. To find a sporting facility and to learn more about holding your next event in Illinois, please visit Sportsillinois.com. You can also plan an amazing trip to Illinois by visiting EnjoyIllinois.com. Best regards,

Karla Flannery Deputy Director Illinois Office of Tourism

Camel Rock in Garden of the Gods Photo courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism

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ILLINOIS 4 Illinois’ Outdoor Spaces are Enchanting 6 Sports Illinois Attracts Big Events 42 Sports Industry Trends for 2022 ©iStock.com/bgblue

Sports Illinois Huddle Photo courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism

Site InSpections 8 10 14 16 18 20 22 26 28 31 32 34 36 38 40

Quad Cities Champaign County Lake County Williamson County Great Rivers & Routes Springfield Chicago Southland DuPage County Elgin Area Effingham Aurora Area Jacksonville Chicago Northwest Rockford Bloomington-Normal

ON THE COVER: Gemini Giant in Wilmington Photo courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism

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Sports Planning Guide

ILLINOIS’ OUTDOOR SPACES ARE

ENCHANTING Take a road trip and enjoy this Midwestern state’s natural splendor

By Vanessa Day

llinois is known for many things: culture, history, architecture, food. But nature should also be included in that list. It may be difficult to get past the image of towering buildings in metropolitan Chicago, but outside the city, there is so much natural wonder to explore. As you hit the road, you may be surprised at the landscapes you discover and mother nature’s hidden gems waiting around the next turn. If you’re not sure where to start, there are several road trips that highlight Illinois’ glorious outdoor spaces. From

pristine lakes and state parks to quiet wetlands and breathtaking vistas, Illinois is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.

Adventure on the Water Some of Illinois’ most amazing adventures can be found at the water’s edge. The state is brimming with rivers and lakes, providing endless aquatic fun for visitors. The Mississippi River, which runs along Illinois’ western border, is a natural playground that can be enjoyed in

Photo courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism

Camel Rock in Garden of the Gods has incredible sightlines.

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Get Lost in the Woods Southern Illinois offers a true escape from city life. The impressive landscapes and natural wilderness areas will satisfy any outdoor lover. Wander amid the thick woodlands and steep sandstone walls of Giant City State Park, located in Makanda. This park is perfect for rock climbing and rappelling, but also offers more mellow adventures like hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. Over in the town of Goreville, visitors can explore the lush forest of Ferne Clyffe State Park and take a hike on Waterfall Trail to see dazzling vistas and, of course, the route’s namesake attraction. The Cache River State Natural Area, in Belknap, is a must see for nature enthusiasts. This ancient cypresstupelo swamp is home to 100 endangered plant and animal species. Rent a kayak or canoe, and paddle through the Cache River Wetlands. You’ll feel like you’re floating through a Louisiana bayou. If you prefer to keep both feet on land, take the Heron Pond Trail to the floating boardwalk to get lovely views of the wetlands. Shawnee National Forest, stationed between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, is a magnificent example of SportsPlanningGuide.com

Photo courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism

many ways. Start in Galena, in northwest Illinois, and journey down the Great River Road for breathtaking views of the magnificent waterway. For those seeking something more active, take a hike through Mississippi Palisades State Park, just 30 minutes south of Galena. Those up for a challenge can trek Sentinel Trail, the 1.3-mile path that leads to Sentinel Rock. Visitors can soak in the scenes aboard the Celebration Belle, a paddlewheel boat running a range of tours on the Mississippi from sightseeing to themed. To really get your heart pumping, head further south down the river to Grafton, and try out a zipline adventure or view the mighty Mississippi from an aerial tram with Grafton Sky Tours. From the Mississippi, venture east into central Illinois to experience all that the Illinois River and its surrounding areas have to offer. Starved Rock State Park feels like a completely different world, you may even forget you’re in the heart of the Midwest. This famed state park boasts 13 miles of trails running through towering trees, rocky canyons, cascading waterfalls, and stunning bluffs. Grab a canoe or kayak to explore the area from the water or hike up to one of the bluffs for gorgeous valley and river views. If there’s time, make your way over to Buffalo Rock State Park, the smaller sister park to Starved Rock. Nestled on the bluffs of the Illinois River, Buffalo Rock is home to an elaborate outdoor sculpture that features five Illinois native species molded in clay, called Effigy Tumuli. If you find yourself in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, take a paddle down Nippersink Creek. Rent a kayak or canoe and spend the day floating along 11 miles of beautiful calm waters. For a different kind of water adventure, check out The Quarry Cable Park, located in the Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake. This cable wake park lets wakeboarders skid across the water without the use of a boat, allowing them to practice their skills like never before. If you’re not an extreme sports fan, spend some time playing sand volleyball on the beach, or take in the quarry views from the lakeside patio.

Starved Rock State Park is filled with wonderment. Illinois’ natural beauty. The forest landscape consists of sandstone cliffs, quiet lakes, rippling creeks, and rolling hills. There’s over 400 miles of trails to explore, leading visitors to awe-inspiring lookout points and streams pouring into crisp watering holes. And don’t miss a visit to Garden of the Gods and Rim Rock Recreational Area, filled with dramatic sandstone rock formations just waiting to be photographed.

Hit the Trails No matter which part of Illinois you visit, there’s a trail to enjoy. Up in Lake County, cruise nearly 32 miles of the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway. Then head over to Half Day Forest Preserve for plenty more hiking and biking trails, plus fishing and birdwatching. Independence Grove offers seven miles of paved trails, ideal for biking and walking. And in the winter, strap on those cross-country skis to enjoy a snow-filled wonderland.

Stroll Through Farms and Gardens Nearly every region of the state features lush gardens and sprawling farms that provide visitors with some unique outdoor experiences. Just outside of Chicago, you’ll discover the Chicago Botanic Garden, which boasts 27 incredible gardens for you to explore. Over in Lincolnshire, Didier Farms hosts a summer farmers market, as well as several U-pick events. And in the fall, you can enjoy Pumpkinfest, complete with hayrides, a corn maze, homemade apple cider, and, of course, pumpkins. If you love to get lost, check out Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, home to the world’s largest corn maze. Over in Lisle, you’ll find the Morton Arboretum, a 1,700acre forest with more than 222,000 live plants. It’s the perfect spot for a blissful stroll. Then jet over to Jonamac Orchard in Malta, featuring more than 10,000 apple trees spread across 105 acres. Get your basket ready for some epic apple picking. Illinois has so much to offer visitors, especially when it comes to outdoor fun. Step out of the city and into the wild, wonderful wilderness of Illinois’ natural backyard. Visit enjoyillinois.com for more travel ideas about natural wonders across the state. Sports Planning Guide

SPORTS ILLINOIS BRINGS

BIG EVENTS TO THE LAND OF LINCOLN

Group attracts sports that create a sizable economic impact for Illinois By Jason Paha

professional competitions. Sports Illinois, the official event planner resource for hosting a sporting event in the state, is the catalyst behind attracting these competitions. Sports Illinois’ goal is to attract, recruit or retain state, regional and national events that increase travel and overnight stays in Illinois. The organization does this as it creates innovative, strategically driven direct sales and marketing and promotional campaigns. They also generate leads through tradeshow partnerships and Photo courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism

hen it comes to hosting sporting events, few states can rival what Illinois has to offer. The Land of Lincoln is not only home to Chicago, the third-largest city in America and a sports-crazed town, it also houses a diverse array of smaller cities that enthusiastically embrace competitions. Each year, Illinois hosts events for hundreds of organizers, rights holders and governing bodies. These include amateur tournaments, regionals, qualifiers, championships and

Sports Planning Guide

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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Photo courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism

provides educational opportunities to its members and partners. Membership of Sports Illinois is comprised of sales personnel from all certified Illinois convention and visitors bureaus tasked with selling their communities to national governing bodies and rights holders of varying sporting events. “As a key and integral part of recovery in the economic development of our state, Sports Illinois has been a huge partner in bringing sporting events into the state for attraction recruitment and retainment for those events,” said Greg Mihalich, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism. “Sporting events increase travel and overnight stays in our state and that’s been vitally important to us.” Sports Illinois’ humble beginnings can be traced back to 1994 when the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism laid the foundation and committed resources for Illinois communities to capture a share of the sport tourism niche market. That year, the department recognized the importance and financial impact sports travel could have on communities thanks to the overwhelming success of the 1994 Men’s World Cup, which was partially held in Illinois and recorded an estimated economic impact of $230 million. At that time, many convention and visitor bureaus focused on securing bus groups and meetings and conventions, but Illinois identified the sports market as a growing, untapped resource of visitors in the state. Research showed communities that attract, create and host organized sport-related events benefit economically through booked room nights, maximize use of sports facilities and traditional tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, stores and gas stations, to name a few). It was then DCEO/IOT laid the foundation and committed resources for Illinois communities to capture a share of the sport tourism niche market though the formation of the Sports Illinois organization. Since then, Sports Illinois has evolved in partnership with the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureau to what it is today with 37 Convention and Visitor Bureau partners. “Sports Illinois has been and continues to be a force to reckon with in the sports tourism industry,” said Joan Kranovich, chair of Sports Illinois. “Illinois contains a multitude of diverse, quality and affordable facilities for sporting events, but our real treasure is the family of individuals who represent their respective destinations and make sure that all sporting events, big or small, have success and grow.” “As one of the first state-led sports tourism organizations in the country, Sports Illinois has been a leader in Sports Tourism for almost 30 years,” said Pete Garlock, director of sales of the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and former chair of Sports Illinois from 2007 to 2013. “Sports Illinois can be easily found at many national sports tradeshows in a collective front, whether as a group in a large booth on the convention floor, as a sponsor of one of the many amenities offered at the show or hosting rights holders to a fun night out on the town.” Illinois is considered a Tier 1 destination due to it being centrally located and easily accessible by most any mode of transportation. An integral part of the way it does this is

The Sports Illinois Huddle was held at the formerly named U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. through a premier event held within the state, the Sports Illinois Huddle. First held in 2009, this semi-annual event has taken on a new level of pride for the Illinois sports market. The Sports Illinois Huddle is an educational conference and tradeshow created, designed, and produced by Sports Illinois to showcase the state and region’s sports facility assets to sports event owners, rights holders and major decision makers. The Huddle has been a sizable contributor to bringing amateur events to the state, generating well over $13.2 million in economic impact according to the Illinois Office of Tourism. It has helped the state attract such major sports organizations as Airsoft Republic, Game Day USA, the United States Specialty Sports Association, the Professional Disc Golf Association, USA Ultimate, the American Cornhole Association and NXT Lacrosse. The 2019 Sports Illinois Huddle yielded more than 15,000 contracted hotel room nights and a projected economic impact of $3,345,792 for the 16 Illinois destinations who attended. “During my time as Chair of Sports Illinois, having established ourselves as a force in sports destinations, we had many states reach out asking for advice on creating sports tourism groups in their own states,” Garlock said. “In 2009 we held the inaugural Sports Illinois Huddle as a way for NGB’s and Right Holders to not only learn about what great venues Illinois has to offer, but to also see them first-hand.” With the Sports Huddle going strong and Illinois’ 37 Convention and Visitor Bureau partners working together harmoniously, Mihalich is excited about the state’s future as it continues to attract bigger sporting events. “We’re working together trying to figure out how to continue to invest in the sports market,” Mihalich said. “Through conferences, trade shows, marketing promotions and grant opportunities for event owners or CVBs, we’re going to continue to see how we can help from that perspective. We are certainly looking forward to achieving new goals and continuing to drive tourism through sporting events.” Sports Planning Guide

Quad Cities, IL

Scan to discover more of what Visit Quad Cities offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

POSITIONED ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, THE QUAD CITIES WELCOMES TEAMS TO EXPERIENCE A PREMIER REGIONAL DESTINATION WITH A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WHO STAND READY TO DELIVER

TPC Deere Run

Located at the intersection of Interstates 74, 80 and 88, the Quad Cities represent the largest metropolitan area on the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Louis. The Quad Cities International Airport has dozens of daily nonstop flights to 11 cities, as well as hundreds of connecting flights from major hubs.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT TaxSlayer Center

Basketball, ice hockey, figure skating, gymnastics, rodeos, boxing, volleyball, cheer & dance, wrestling, weightlifting This 31,000-plus square-foot arena in downtown Moline features seating for 12,000+ offers ample parking, four locker rooms, six production room offices and a conference center. It also has 20,000 square feet of meeting room space and an 11,000-squarefoot lobby. TaxSlayer Center contains a

regulation size court, full size hockey and figure skating rink, luxury suites, automatic video scoreboards with replay capabilities and PA system. The facility is home to the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Championship, the revived Quad City Steamwheelers of the Indoor Football League and the Quad City Storm, an SPHL team. The arena has earned numerous architectural industry awards and has hosted NCAA Division I college basketball games (including the Mid-Continent Conference men’s basketball tournament from 1996 to 1999) and several @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES NHL and NBA exhibition contests. The arena seats up to 12,000 for end-stage concerts along with center-stage concerts. The seating capacity for theater shows is 3,000 and ampitheater shows can reach 6,000.

professionals every July. Guests can take advantage of the facility’s short game area, full-service driving range, elegant dining at the Deere Run Grille Restaurant and a Top-100 rated Golf Shop.

TPC Deere Run

Green Valley Sports Complex

A nationally ranked golf destination located in Silvis, Illinois, TPC Deere Run golf course is home to the John Deere Classic on the PGA TOUR, NAIA Golf Championships, CCIW Men’s Golf Championship and the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. The 18-hole course is a beautiful 7,258-yard, Par-71 course, and features a full practice green, 14,000-square-foot clubhouse, dining services, pro shop, locker rooms and 160 parking spaces. TPC Deere Run’s golf course was built on the site of a former Arabian horse farm and its design masterfully preserved the natural, rolling landscape along the Rock River, creating a championship golf course beautifully framed by oak trees and accented by small ponds and deep ravines. At this premier PGA TOUR property, TPC Deere Run allows golfers of all levels to experience the challenge of a course that tests TOUR

The Green Valley Sports Complex plays host to several sporting events throughout the year. The complex features eight lighted softball fields and is host to International Softball Congress world tournaments and ASA National softball tournaments. It also features nine soccer fields, one cricket field, concession stands and two covered picnic shelters. It seats 800 spectators and has 750 parking spots.

Golf

▶ Popular activities include

entertainment centers with laser tag, bowling, arcades, go-karts and escape rooms.

▶ Y ou’ll also enjoy trampoline

parks, numerous museums and

Baseball, Softball, soccer, cricket

fantastic trail systems.

▶ N iabi Zoo in Rock Island County is a public zoological park that offers 40-plus acres of forest preserve bustling with more than 600 animals representing 200 species from around the world.

▶ T he John Deere Pavilion is a popular tourist attraction featuring the story of John Deere and the company he made into the largest

VISIT QUAD CITIES

agricultural manufacturing

Joan Kranovich, Director of Sports &

equipment company in the

Business Growth

world – Deere & Company.

800-747-7800 ext. 831

Explore interactive exhibits,

jkranovich@visitquadcities.com

films, and big machines. Great

www.visitquadcities.com

for all ages.

Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The Missouri Valley Conference teams and fans love being in the Quad Cities for the MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Everything about it is top notch.” — Patty Viverito, Senior Associate Commissioner, Missouri Valley Conference

ISC Men’s International Fastpitch Tournament

TaxSlayer Center

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Champaign County, IL

Scan to discover more of what Visit Champaign County offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

A FACILITY FOR EVERY SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES SETS CHAMPAIGN COUNTY APART

State Farm Center

Willard Airport, six miles south of Champaign, features American Airlines flights daily to and from Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth. If traveling by car, I-74 connects Peoria and Bloomington from the west to Indianapolis in the east, while I-57 connects Champaign County to Chicago.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Rantoul Family Sports Complex

Baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby The new Rantoul Family Sports Complex, just north of the University of Illinois, is a stateof-the-art facility in the Midwest. The complex offers all turf fields with eight baseball/softball, two T-ball/Challenger baseball, eight soccer/ football/rugby/lacrosse multi-purpose fields, over 800 parking spaces, a splashpad, and concessions.

Activities & Recreation Center (ARC) at the University of Illinois Basketball, volleyball, swimming, diving, squash, wrestling, martial arts

The ARC is a 340,000-square-foot oncampus rec center with the capacity to host nearly any indoor sport with its versatile spaces. The space has four gymnasiums that can be converted into 12 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, three squash courts or 12 racquetball courts. Teams can take advantage of the extensive workout equipment and spaces along with its 35-foot climbing wall and @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

one-fifth mile indoor track. It houses both an indoor and outdoor pool, with diving wells perfect for competitions and a sauna and café great to enjoy afterward.

Dodds Park

Softball, soccer, disc-golf Located at Parkland College, Dodds Park has seven premier tournament quality softball fields, in a 3-plex and 4-plex structure. The site also has 11 top quality soccer fields that have hosted the Illinois Futbol Club Spring and Fall Invites, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course.

Atkins Tennis Center & Khan Outdoor Complex Tennis

Recognized in 1992 by the USTA as the country’s “Most Outstanding Tennis Facility,” Atkins Tennis Center & Khan Outdoor Complex has only gotten better since then. After an expansion in 2009, the complex boasts 20 outdoor and six indoor courts, with six courts containing individual scoreboards and spectator seating. The complex can hold up to 3,800 spectators and has indoor restrooms, a pro shop and a sound system.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

State Farm Center

▶ Pick your own apples at Curtis

Basketball, wrestling, WWE, gymnastics

Orchard & Pumpkin Patch and

No stranger to large events, the State Farm Center has 15,500 permanent seats, with a max capacity of 16,500 spectators. Its flexible floor space means it’s just as ready to have a Broadway show or rock concert as it is a Fighting Illini basketball game. The arena has hosted the 2019 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball tournaments, the Illinois High School Individual Wrestling State Championships, and much more. The center recently renovated its backstage area so that any event can take full advantage of its expansive full-service kitchen, catering/ dining services and locker rooms.

stick around for the corn maze and wagon rides.

▶ Just minutes from the Rantoul Family Sports Complex, hang out with 16 friendly animals at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch.

▶ Catch a film or have a bite in one of the locally owned restaurants throughout Downtown Champaign’s Entertainment District.

▶ The University of Illinois campus has something for everyone, depending on the season, but the cherry blossoms in bloom are a special treat.

VISIT CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

▶ Champaign-Urbana Adventures

Mike Koon 217-351-4133

in Time and Space escape

mikek@visitchampaigncounty.org

rooms build teamwork through

www.visitchampaigncounty.org

challenging, film-inspired

Rantoul Family Sports Complex

experiences.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“I have always had great support from the staff at State Farm Center. Their attention to detail in preparation for and management of my events continues to be outstanding. The updates have enhanced the great atmosphere our event has enjoyed for years. We look forward to our annual return to State Farm Center as we know we will be supported at all levels including Visit Champaign County and the great staff at State Farm Center.” —Craig Anderson, Executive Director, Illinois High School Association, referring to IHSA Individual State Wrestling Championships

Atkins Tennis Center

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Activities & Recreation Center

Sports Planning Guide

When athletes play among the legends that came before them. BIG TEN

Championship Facilities

NATIONAL

Regional, and State Tournaments

DOZENS

of Sports Capable of Hosting

4,200

Area Hotel Rooms

Champaign County, home to the University of Illinois, a premier Big Ten Institution, offers state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting any sport. Schedule a site visit and receive a free Illini t-shirt!

800.369.6151 :: mikek@visitchampaigncounty.org

champaignplays.com

HUNDREDS

of Local Restaurants and Entertainment Options

NEW!

State-of-the-art Outdoor Baseball, Softball, Football and Soccer Complex.

Scan to discover more of what Visit Lake County offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

THE CHARMING, SCENIC TOWNS OF LAKE COUNTY OFFER ONLY STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES WITH PRISTINE COURTS AND IMMACULATE FIELD COMPLEXES

Canlan Sports in Libertyville

Lake County is easily accessible by car by hopping on I-94, which follows Lake Michigan to connect Chicago with Milwaukee. By air, Lake County is surrounded by three international and numerous regional airports. O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, both in Chicago, are under an hour’s drive away.

Sports Planning Guide

Waukegan Fieldhouse & SportsPark Indoor, outdoor, multi-purpose

The impressive and modern Field House Sports and Fitness Center in Waukegan’s Hinkston Park is a great place to visit when planners are looking for a venue to host any type of event. Between its six hardwood courts, two-story fitness center, the 80,000-square foot site has all the space and equipment necessary to make sure your sports tournament goes off without a hitch.

Waukegan’s SportsPark is an award-winning, state-of-the-art sports complex. Enjoy Illinois named us “the top sports complex in Northern Illinois” and “a perfect place to host tournaments and events.” The SportsPark features 14 soccer fields (one championship synthetic field), 4 softball fields, and 685-space parking lot.

Canlan Sports in Libertyville

Soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, football, basketball, volleyball When it comes to premier sporting event

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

facilities in Lake County, the Libertyville Sports Complex is no exception. The complex spans 160,000 square feet and includes a lighted softball field, an award-winning driving range and a fitness center in addition to its Indoor Event Center. This center houses eight multi-purpose courts, two turf fields, a 29-foot climbing mountain and conference rooms capable of holding up to 120 people.

rinks. Each rink features 350 heated seats so your supporters can cheer on their favorite team or skater in comfort. And for the players themselves, the facility is equipped with 12 locker rooms, study rooms, meeting rooms, a video game room and a snack bar for all to enjoy.

Greater Libertyville Soccer Association

Vernon Hills Athletic Complex is an exceptional venue that can host a variety of sporting events. Able to accommodate a range of competitive outdoor sports, the complex’s 41 acres covers 27 different fields, including 11 diamonds, three tennis courts and a full stadium. No fan will go hungry here either, as this location has a full concession stand.

Soccer

Soccer players and their devoted f riends and family who travel to support them will be pleased with their time spent cheering their superstars on at Libertyville Township Soccer Complex. The outdoor complex’s 20 fields over 110 acres mean the location is equipped to host sizable events without waiting for available field space. The complex also has a parking capacity of over 1,200, bleacher seating for 100 and on-site concessions.

Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills Hockey, figure skating, broomball

Stay cool while working up a sweat at Vernon Hill’s Glacier Ice Arena’s two NHL-sized ice

Vernon Hills Athletic Complex

Tennis, baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse

▶ Find plenty of chills and thrills

at Six Flags Great America and its waterpark, Hurricane Harbor, in Gurnee.

▶ Gurnee Mills shopping mall has all the great factory and outlet stores you’re looking for at reasonable prices.

▶ Grab a bite to eat at any of

the hundreds of family-friendly restaurants throughout Lake County.

▶ Explore more than 31,000 acres of outdoor fun and go swimming, boating, hiking, fishing or pack a picnic at the Lake County Forest Preserves.

▶ Pacify your aquatic thrills with Teresa Lewis, Sports Event Specialist 847-662-2700 teresa@lakecounty.org

a tremendous indoor waterpark when you book at stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee.

www.visitlakecounty.org

Waukegan Outdoor SportsPark

Waukegan Fieldhouse

Vernon Hills Athletic Complex

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Sports Planning Guide

Williamson County, IL ENJOY THE GAMES, ACTIVITIES AND SCENERY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Scan to discover more of what visitSI offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“As Vice President of the North Zone for PONY Baseball and Softball, I have been extremely pleased with the work and the cooperation of the staff of visitSI. They are thorough, dedicated, and knowledgeable in what makes events work here in southern Illinois. I could not ask for a better fit for our organization than the relationship that we have built with them. We highly recommend their services.”

Rent One Park

— Steve Miller, Vice President, North Zone, PONY Baseball and Softball

Kokopelli Golf Club

Black Diamond Pickleball Complex

With expansive scenic trails, vibrant downtown shopping, and numerous family friendly activities, Williamson County, Illinois offers something for everyone to stand out as a premier destination. Buoyed by true southern Illinois charm and hospitality, and conveniently located off of Interstate 57, Williamson County has numerous hotels, outstanding dining establishments and ample shopping. 16

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Rent One Park

Kokopelli Golf Club

Featuring 3,400 chair seats and lawn capacity of 2,000, Rent One Park is home to the Frontier League’s Southern Illinois Miners. The state-of-the-art facility also boasts an HD video board, two picnic gardens, concessions, 10 mini golf holes, a wiffle ball diamond, 14 suites, and a 300-capacity banquet facility. The park hosted the Colt World Series, the Ohio Valley Conference, college and high school sporting events, and concerts.

Kokopelli Golf Club is ranked among the best in the nation for high quality, affordable course. In addition to the challenging, but f riendly, par 72, 6,716-yard course, members enjoy a full-service pro shop, professional instructors, and eight acre practice facility, a newly remodeled event center and restaurant called The Turn at Kokopelli, which features signature drinks.

Baseball

Golf

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Crab Orchard Golf Club

Black Diamond Pickleball Complex

Since opening in 1959, Crab Orchard Golf Club has proven to be an enjoyable place to play for golfers of all ages and abilities with its focus on being a family friendly environment. The 18-hole, par 70 layout features excellent greens and lush fairways on its 6,240 yards of play. The club also offers a driving range, club rentals and repairs, a recently renovated Pro Shop, locker rooms, and banquet facilities that can accommodate 140 people.

Opening in September of 2019, the Black Diamond Pickleball Complex is the first of its kind in Southern Illinois, featuring six outdoor, color-themed, lighted courts.

Golf

HUB Recreation Center Fitness

There is something for everyone at the HUB Recreation Center, the place where health and happiness meet. Bring the whole family to have fun while staying active, by taking advantage of aquatic features including full-size and kiddie pools, a three-story water slide, lazy river, and hot tub. Get a workout out on the track, courts, utilize the state-of-art fitness equipment, join a sports program, or take a fitness class. Daily passes and memberships are both available.

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Pickleball

Pharaoh’s Way Disc Golf

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Centered around Crab Orchard Lake, this 43,890-acre National Wildlife Refuge is a premier destination for outdoor adventure, recreation, and conservation. Home to a wide array of flora, fauna, and wildlife,

Disc Golf

Crab Orchard National Wildlife

Located in Pyramid Park, this 18-hole disc golf course winds throughout the park, around baseball fields, and through the woods for an enjoyable, scenic challenge for people of all ages. Professionally designed by Gateway Disc Sports and built in 2016, the course features concrete tee pads and permanent chain-link targets.

Refuge also features pristine lakes and waterfalls. There are also ample opportunities for camping, boating, hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, biking, and more.

▶ The premier dining and entertainment venue in Illinois,

VISITSI

Walker’s Bluff is a luxurious resort offering breathtaking

Tiffany Yepsen

scenery, gourmet cuisines,

6189973690

and numerous venues offering

Tyepsen@visitsi.com

remarkable events both indoors

visitSI.com

and outdoors.

Sports Planning Guide

Great Rivers & Routes, IL

Scan to discover more of what Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

CREATE EXCITING MEMORIES WHERE MAJESTIC RIVERS AND ROADS MEET

Gordon Moore Park

Plummer Family Park

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly

Principia College

Two of America’s most iconic roads meet at the confluence of three of the country’s amazing rivers, providing an amazing backdrop to the Great Rivers and Routes region of southwest Illinois, located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Here you can find numerous outdoor attractions for adventure-seekers of all ages who can experience the region’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. 18

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Plummer Family Park (Edwardsville)

Baseball, Softball, Pickleball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Football This new, 83-acre, tournament-quality facility features four lighted, full synthetic turf baseball/ softball fields, 12 pickleball courts with lights and sun shades, and six multisport fields that are perfect for lacrosse, soccer, football, spikeball, ultimate frisbee, and more. The park also features a playground, concession stand, and paved walking trails.

Gordon Moore Park (Alton)

Tennis, Golf, Softball, Football, Baseball, Softball There is something for everyone at this 704-acre park, which is home to eight tennis courts, 10 ball diamonds, a 27-hole golf course, six picnic areas, six play areas, 19 soccer/football fields, and a kids’ interactive fountain. Lloyd Hopkins Field is home to the new Prospect League baseball franchise, the Alton River Dragons.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Gateway Convention Center (Collinsville)

Meetings, Dance, Cheer, eSports, Wrestling Conveniently located within 10 minutes of Downtown St. Louis and adjacent to major interstates, this highly accessible and versatile facility is perfect for gatherings both large and small with 23 meeting rooms. Featuring 50,000 total square feet, this multi-purpose convention center boasts outstanding services.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Edwardsville)

Tennis, Cross-Country, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus is home to an array of venues, including synthetic turf and grass playing fields, a six-court outdoor tennis facility, the SIUE Cross County Course which can host 5K-10K races, Cougar Field (softball), Simmons Baseball Complex and Morris University Center (conferences, banquets). The Vadalabene Center features an indoor hardwood surface and a seating capacity over 4,000 and hosts basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Ralph Korte Stadium seats 3,000 and features a turf soccer field and an eight-lane track.

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Principia College (Elsah)

Track, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming Principia College offers numerous pristine athletic facilities including the Coach Crafton Athletic Center (indoor track and field, basketball, volleyball), the Natatorium (swimming), Hay Field House (basketball, volleyball), the Indoor Tennis Center, which also has six outdoor courts, Clark Field (football, rugby, outdoor track and field), and Cheatham Stadium (baseball).

Glazebrook Community Park (Godfrey)

Soccer This park features five 7 v 7 soccer fields and two 6 v 6 fields. It will be adding two lighted astroturf soccer fields.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES A UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Collinsville, Cahokia Mounds preserves 2,000 acres of archeological remains of the Mississippians. View the awardwinning movie in the Interpretive Center and climb the 147 steps to the top of Monk’s Mound - the largest man-made mound north of Mexico. Edison’s Entertain Complex, located in Edwardsville, this complex features 12 lanes of boutique bowling, a 4,000-square-foot laser tag arena and a 65-plus game stateof-the-art arcade.

GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES TOURISM BUREAU

Grafton Zipline Adventures With seven zip lines of various heights, lengths, and speeds,

Katie Bennett

thrill seekers of all ages can

618-465-6676

enjoy hours of fun.

kbennett@riversandroutes.com riversandroutes.com

Sports Planning Guide

Springfield, IL LOCATED ON ICONIC ROUTE 66, ILLINOIS’ HISTORIC STATE CAPITAL IS THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR NEXT SPORTING EVENT

Scan to discover more of what Visit Springfield offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “Thanks to everyone who helped make the 8th Annual SCHEELS Capital City Pickleball Classic tournament successful. Most people don’t realize the number of people it takes to host a major tournament. Thanks to the Springfield Park District staff who made it easier for us to undertake this project.”

Bank of Springfield Center

— Jack Handy, Capital City Pickleball

Springfield Area Soccer Association Complex

Land of Lincoln Junior Olympic Softball Complex

Springfield boasts a multitude of impressive athletic facilities with added amenities for an all-encompassing experience for athletes of all ages. For outside entertainment, the city is also home to a variety of historic sites and attractions honoring the state’s most noteworthy resident, Abraham Lincoln, as well both the old and current state capitols.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Bank of Springfield Center

Cheerleading, wrestling, gymnastics The Bank of Springfield Center is a worldclass, multi-use facility with 44,000 square feet of column-free space, 21,000 square feet of meeting space and seating to accommodate 7,700 spectators. The Main Floor of the facility houses major events, including concerts, trade shows, graduations, wrestling and basketball tournaments. Additional facility amenities include a parking garage with space for 700, concessions, restrooms, water fountains, air

conditioning, closed-circuit TVs and security for ensured spectator safety.

Land of Lincoln Junior Olympic Softball Complex Softball

One of the largest softball facilities in the Midwest, the Land of Lincoln Junior Olympic Softball complex is home to six main softball fields and four additional fields. Each field offers bleacher seating for optimal viewing and crushed limestone infields that speed up the process of rain delays. Field number four @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

is a centerpiece of the facility, with a 200foot outfield fence as well as a batting cage, renovated dugouts and a new infield.

Springfield Area Soccer Association Complex

Soccer, rugby, football, field hockey, lacrosse Located on the west side of the University of Illinois-Springfield, this state-of-the-art, soccer-specific complex boasts 27 outdoor grass soccer fields. The complex can also be used for a wide variety of sports and activities, including football, archery, field hockey, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee and cheerleading. Additional complex amenities include bleachers, field lighting, a concession stand, chairs, parking and restrooms as well as both field goal and rugby posts, lacrosse nets, soccer goals and tumbling mats.

Nelson Center

Hockey, figure skating The Nelson Center is home to two indoor ice rinks open year-round, eight locker rooms and two concession areas as well as the Nelson Center Pool, a seasonal outdoor aquatic facility.

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Because the Nelson Center contains the only two indoor ice rinks within a 60-mile radius, the complex hosts a wide range of ice-related programs, events and activities. The Nelson Center Pool is supervised by professionally trained lifeguard staff. The facility includes pool lanes for lap swimming, a locker room, picnic tables, a slide, kiddy pool as well as a full concession stand.

Spartan Park

Baseball, softball Located in nearby Chatham, Spartan Park is a spacious facility perfect for any baseball, softball or volleyball event. The facility includes four 315-foot down the line fields, one 180foot field, one 225-foot field and three sand volleyball courts.

VISIT SPRINGFIELD

POPULAR ACTIVITIES Known as the home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield has a multitude of must-see Lincoln sites for history lovers. Visitors can take a trip to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (with 40,000 square feet of impressive galleries, theaters and historic displays), Lincoln’s New Salem (a reconstructed depiction of the village where Lincoln grew up) the Lincoln Home (completely restored to its 1860 appearance) or Lincoln’s Tomb (a breathtaking monument with the remains of Lincoln, his wife Mary and three of their sons). Perfect for all-age fun, Knights Action Park is Central Illinois’

Terry Truman

largest water and amusement

217-789-2360 x5525

park. The park is home to eight

terry.truman@springfield.il.us

water slides, batting cages, a 50-

visitspringfieldillinois.com

tee driving range, a big wheel and a giant wave pool.

Sports Planning Guide

ChiCago Southland, IL

Scan to discover more of what Chicago Southland CVB offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

A DEDICATED TEAM, STATE-OF-THE-ART VENUES AND EYE-OPENING ATTRACTIONS MAKE CHICAGO SOUTHLAND THE PLACE TO BE FOR YOUR NEXT SPORTS TOURNAMENT

Southland Center

In the Chicago Southland, we value all our sports business, no matter the size. Whether we are hosting a small regional tournament or a large national competition, we provide our MVP treatment to all sports groups. Located within close proximity to downtown Chicago and made up of 62 south and southwest suburbs, the Chicago Southland region is an ideal sporting event location. 22

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Southland Center

Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, football, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, soccer, softball, volleyball The Southland Center, a Ho-Chunk Nation Enterprise, houses a 41,000+ square foot portable wood court for events of all kinds. This newly installed floor is the largest continuous portable wood court floor in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. The portable wood flooring has space that will accommodate 10 basketball

and 14 volleyball courts under one roof, from April through October. Courts of this size allow the Chicago Southland to attract larger regional and national events that prefer to host their entire roster in one location. Due to the functionality of the space, the Southland Center facility is now more attractive to event organizers for gymnastics, cheer and other activities, such as hobby and niche style gatherings. From November through March, the Southland Center offers 100,000 square feet of space and includes state-of-the- art Desso Turf, four hardwood basketball courts @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

and a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as a concession stand.

SeatGeek Stadium

Soccer, extreme sports, football, lacrosse, rugby Formerly known as Toyota Park, SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview is where you’ll find the National Women’s Soccer League Chicago Red Stars and the National Independent Soccer Association Chicago House Athletic Club. This stadium features a natural grass, full-size field of 74 x 120 yards. Additionally, teams will have access to two practice fields with their choice of a natural or artificial surface. There is also a 90,000 square foot dome, which has a full-size regulation indoor soccer field.

There are also on-site concession stands for spectators. In 2019, Ozinga Field hosted the CollClubSport Division I Baseball Regional Tournament.

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association

Basketball, bocce, fitness, gymnastics, martial arts, outdoor recreation, running/ walking, softball, volleyball The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA), located in New Lenox, provides adaptive and special recreation services for individuals with disabilities. The facility features four multi-purpose rooms, a learning kitchen, gymnasium with a wheelchair-f riendly floor, a therapeutic garden and a wheelchair softball field.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Zip around the tracks on electric go-karts or challenge your axe-throwing skills at Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events in Mokena.

▶ Try your hand at games of bowling or billiards, or get moving on the dance floor at Dave & Buster’s in Orland Park.

▶ Witness lively outdoor music between the months of May to October at Fox Pointe in Lansing.

▶ In the Game at Hollywood

Park in Crestwood provides

Ozinga Field

Baseball Home to the Windy City ThunderBolts is Ozinga Field in Crestwood. Ozinga Field is a large baseball venue with the capacity to hold over 3,500 spectators. Batting cages, bullpens, covered/protected dugouts, a press box and more can be found at Ozinga Field.

awesome indoor and outdoor opportunities for family fun.

CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CVB Kristy Stevens 888-895-3211 Kristy@visitchicagosouthland.com www.playchicagosouthland.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The partnerships so far with the Chicago Southland CVB have been wonderful. They’ve allowed us to do so many things that we did not have the opportunity to do before this year, especially reaching out to new players and groups that we had not had the opportunity to before.” Lincolnway Special Recreation Association

Ozinga Field

SportsPlanningGuide.com

— Brad Schubert, President, Midwestern Amputee Golf Association

Gaelic Park

Sports Planning Guide

DuPage Sports Commission Just West of Chicago Lies a Rich Tradition of Competition

DuPage County, IL

Scan to discover more of what DuPage Sports Commission offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PREMIER VENUES AND ATTRACTIONS BUILD UPON A RICH HISTORY JUST OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO

FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park

The DuPage Sports Commission is building on the rich tradition of competition in DuPage County, combining state-ofthe-art facilities with top-notch attractions to position itself as the premier destination to host regional and national competitions year-round. Located just outside of Chicago near O’Hare and Midway International Airports, its 38 communities include more than 100 hotels. 26

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park

Swimming, Diving Located in Westmont, the FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park is a state-of-the-art, 71,000 square foot aquatic facility built to host regional and national events. The natatorium features a 50-meter Olympic-size competition pool and a training pool. Other amenities include spring boards, locker rooms, weight and strength and conditioning rooms, concession stand, swim shop, and a party room.

Park Districts

Swimming, fitness, hiking, multipurpose Offering thousands of acres of parks and countless programs and activities, DuPage County’s Park Districts have something for everyone. Facilities include pools, golf courses, fitness centers, open spaces, nature preserves, baseball and softball diamonds and soccer and lacrosse fields, gymnasiums, ice rinks, and more, while offering an array of programming for every age group.

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Stardust Bowl

Bowling Featuring 84 recently renovated lanes, Stardust Bowl is one of the largest bowling centers in the U.S. and has hosted numerous national events. A staple in Addison for more than 50 years, the center also features four lounges, a video gaming lounge, a banquet facility, a ProShop, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system with bumper bowling perfect for young bowlers.

Edge Ice Arenas

Skating One of Chicagoland’s premier ice skating facilities, Edge Ice Arenas features three premier skating surfaces to accommodate practices, games, competitions, shows, and public skates. Located in Bensenville, its main rink seats 2,800 and is the home of the Robert Morris Eagles hockey team, and also features an outdoor in-line skate rink, party facilities, and concessions.

Odeum Expo Center

Multipurpose, trade shows, concerts With 130,000 square feet of space, the

Odeum Sports and Expo Center is DuPage County’s largest sports and special events facility. Conveniently located near major highways, surrounded by major hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and boasting a parking lot that can accommodate 2,000 vehicles, the center is ideal for trade shows, concerts, and sporting events.

Glass Court Swim & Fitness Club

Racquetball, fitness, swimming Glass Court Swim & Fitness has eight full-size racquetball courts and has hosted multiple major events including the Annual KWM Gutterman Shamrock Shootout, which features 300+ male players competing in a top tier event. On the women’s side, Glass Court has hosted the Pro Am Turkey Shoot, an annual tournament which is part of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour.

DUPAGE SPORTS COMMISSION

POPULAR ACTIVITIES With 222,000 live plants and 16 miles of hiking trails on its 1,700 acres, The Morton Arboretum is an impeccable setting for a leisurely stroll or an active adventure. Located at the former 500acre estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, Cantigny Park is home to a top-ranked, 27-hole golf course, vast formal gardens, and two museums. Enjoy beautiful landscapes and learn about the history of World War I. With 60 forest preserves and 26,000 acres of land, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County offers ample opportunity for recreation, conservation, and education. The Forge: Lemont Quarries is a state-of-the-art adventure park

Igor Bakovic

designed to deliver year-round

630-575-8070

activities for adventurers of all ages.

igor@discoverdupage.com

It features a versatile and wide-

DuPageSportsCommission.com

ranging mix of activities in a natural landscape.

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

BMW Championship at Medinah Country Club

Stardust Bowl

Edge Ice Arenas

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Sports Planning Guide

Elgin Area, IL

Scan to discover more of what Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

ELGIN, LESS THAN AN HOUR AWAY FROM CHICAGO, OFFERS THE PERFECT MIX OF VISITOR ATTRACTIONS AND SPORTS FACILITIES

Elgin Sports Complex

In Elgin, you can experience big-city fun at reasonable prices in a smaller urban area. Elgin offers the perfect mix of visitor attractions and sports facilities. Fun awaits athletes of all ages and levels. They will be able to train and compete in premier venues that host a variety of sports, from soccer to BMX biking.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Elgin Sports Complex

Softball, T-ball, Volleyball, Soccer, BMX Biking Elgin Sports Complex features tons of championship-level competition spaces all in one location. This 107-acre venue comprises 10 full-size soccer fields (four of which are lit), 10 fully-lit softball fields, two sand volleyball courts, hard-surface paths, a playground and The Hill, which is known as Chicago’s best BMX track. The sports complex is a pet-friendly facility and is wheelchair accessible.

Lifezone 360

Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Futsal, Gymnastics, Cheerleading Lifezone 360 (LZ360) is a highly versatile 130,000-square-foot sports complex and tournament/meet destination. The facility can be transformed from a turf-only tournament space (soccer, lacrosse) to a 7-court (basketball, futsal) tournament space. Rental flooring/ equipment can be brought in to operate gymnastics, cheer, wrestling and other meets. The facility is also designed to be transformed into a memorable destination for large-scale @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES (300 to 1,000 person) events and concerts. A pair of high-definition LED screens are available for viewing parties and conferences, as well as a full A/V system, drop-down volleyball netting for up to 10 courts, bubbleball and a ninja course. Lifezone also encompasses a full restaurant and bar, has private party suites available and a wide range of in-house catering options. A 1,000 spot dedicated parking lot with highway frontage allows for outdoor concerts, carnivals, fundraisers and similar activities.

Canlan ICE Sports

Figure Skating, Hockey Train and compete on any one of three state-of-the-art NHL-size rinks, complete with access to Jerry’s Pro Shops for the newest gear. Canlan’s recently renovated its space to include large-screen televisions, a patio, tables and fireplaces.

racquetball courts and a lap pool. With a strong history of hosting Team USA, the Centre of Elgin is perfect for larger or international tournaments.

Elgin Community College - Spartan Event Center Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Tennis

The Spartan Event Center is a multipurpose athletic space that features one of the best basketball facilities in the region. As part of the Elgin Community College campus, the Spartan Event Center includes three NCAA basketball courts, three NCAA volleyball courts and converts into two tennis courts. With stadium seating available for up to 1,550 guests, the Spartan Event Center is designed to take your varsity athlete’s game to the next level.

The Centre of Elgin is the Elgin area’s foremost recreational facility providing nearly 185,000 square feet of recreational space. Located in downtown Elgin, the Centre offers a three-basketball court fieldhouse, two

Elgin Sports Complex

abounds along the Fox River

Bike Trail or take a stroll through Hawthorne Hill Nature Center or Bartlett Nature Center.

▶ The Grand Victoria Casino offers the best riverboat gambling, dining and entertainment experience in Illinois.

▶ Experience the North Polethemed rides, petting zoo and water park at Santa’s Village Azoosment Park.

▶ Spend an afternoon golfing at

the award-winning Highlands of Elgin or Bowes Creek Country Club.

▶ Explore Gail Borden Public

Edward Schock Centre of Elgin

Basketball, Racquetball, Swimming, Pickleball, Team Handball

▶ Natural beauty and outdoor fun

ELGIN AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Ryan Cortez

Library which is home to worldclass exhibits often seen in downtown museums.

▶ Check out State Street Market

847-695-7540 ryan@exploreelginarea.com

Shops for antiques and locally

www.exploreelginarea.com

made trinkets and gifts.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The overall experience with the Elgin Area CVB, leading up to and throughout the tournament, was, in its simplest terms, extremely helpful. As a small NGB with very little institutional knowledge on staging events, we had to rely heavily on the CVB to point us in the right direction and help bring things together in numerous areas like transportation, food, and health & safety. The event would not have happened without the help of the Elgin Area CVB.”

Edward Shock Centre of Elgin

–Ryan Johnson CEO USA Team Handball

LifeZone 360

Canlan ICE Sports

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Canlan ICE Sports

Sports Planning Guide

Effingham, IL EVERY DAY, EFFINGHAM BECOMES AN EVEN BETTER DESTINATION FOR SPORT EVENTS, FROM SWIMMING TO SOFTBALL AND BEYOND

Hendelmeyer Park

Scan to discover more of what City of Effingham Convention & Visitors Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“I would say that the advantage for choosing Effingham, besides being so centrally located, is the community really gets behind and supports the events. We have such a variety of restaurants and hotels for people to choose from, and our shopping choices continue to expand. I feel fortunate to be able to host the event for its businesses and community.” — Jeff Schafer, Effingham High School Girls Basketball, (Southern Illinois Basketball Circuit Director (SIBC)

Hendelmeyer Park

Effingham County Memorial Airport and Shelby County Airport are reasonable options for those flying in, while Effingham’s central location within Illinois affords easy access for drivers via the crossroads of I-57 and I-70.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Let your cares drift away as you float down the lazy river at the Richard E. Workman Sports & Wellness Center.

▶ You’ll always find fresh produce

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex All indoor sports

The Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex was completed in early 2016. The complex offers a 25-meter, eight-lane swimming pool and indoor 15,500-squarefoot, multi-sport courts. This recreational center offers other amenities too, ranging from rentable party rooms to physical therapy services. The complex will not only offer visiting teams great places to play, but a stellar spot for helping their bodies relax and recuperate from intense activity.

Hendelmeyer Park

and large rooms for group outings

Baseball, softball, tennis

at Firefly Grill.

If you’re looking for outdoor sports, look no further than Hendelmeyer Park. This spot is a charming local park with expansive outdoor fields. At a respectable 20 acres, the park holds two lighted, slow-pitch diamonds and one

▶ Home-made creations and authentic Italian vibes abound at Tuscan Hills Winery. SportsPlanningGuide.com

lighted, fast-pitch diamond—all with natural grass—plus four lighted tennis courts. The park is rounded out with playground areas, a gazebo, concession stand and skate park.

Evergreen Hollow Park

Softball, baseball, tennis, soccer, swimming Evergreen Hollow Park spans 42 acres and comprises of two lighted softball diamonds, one lighted baseball diamond, four lighted tennis courts and soccer fields. On the west side of the park sits Kluthe Memorial Pool, an outdoor swimming pool with a lap pool, water slide and children’s pool area.

CITY OF EFFINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Jodi Thoele, Director of Tourism 217-342-5310 jthoele@effinghamil.com www.visiteffinghamil.com Sports Planning Guide

AURORA AREA, IL

THE LARGEST CITY IN CHICAGO’S SUBURBS, AURORA, ILLINOIS OFFERS LOCAL SUBURBAN FUN WITH BIG CITY SPORTS FACILITIES JUST OUTSIDE THE WINDY CITY

Scan to discover more of what Aurora Area CVB offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Seminole Sports is thrilled to have established a great relationship with the Fox Valley Park District and Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The FVPD staff does a great job of communicating with our tournament directors and ensuring proper maintenance of their pristine fields.”

Photo caption Stuart Sports Complex

— John Suvada General Manager, Seminole Sports

Great Lakes Volleyball Center

Supreme Courts

Situated just 40 miles west of Chicago makes getting to Aurora a breeze, with a variety of options for traveling teams. Teams can reach the Aurora area via Interstate 88 and taking the IL-31 exit 117 toward Aurora/Batavia. If driving isn’t a feasible option, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport serve as a gateway for reaching Aurora.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Stuart Sports Complex

Ultimate, football, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby One of the largest soccer venues in the country, Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery is suitable for every sport imaginable, namely soccer, lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, football, softball and baseball. Stuart Sports Complex offers their facilities at affordable prices, including tournament rentals for exclusive use of fields for an entire weekend. Jam-packed with

amenities throughout the facility, the complex features concessions, restrooms, a dog park, a playground with a splash pad, garden plots, Jericho Lake and a 1,300 spot parking area.

Great Lakes Volleyball Center

Volleyball For all things volleyball, look no further than Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora, one of the largest volleyball facilities in the Midwest and home to the Sports Performance Volleyball Club. Offering sports performance and development and competition workshops @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

POPULAR ACTIVITIES for both coaches and players, Great Lakes Volleyball Center is the country’s largest camp and clinic program, with thousands of athletes competing each year. Hosting numerous tournaments throughout the year to both boys and girls volleyball teams of all ages, the center’s facilities include 12 courts, a full-time retail store, an expansive, full-service weight training facility, a spacious concession area, an 11,000-square-foot mezzanine viewing area and more than 500 available parking spaces.

24 collegiate grade ceiling mounted baskets, whose low-profile interwoven subfloor design provides enhanced acoustic and dynamic uniform ball bounce. Teams can participate in Supreme Courts tournaments year-round with several benefits, such as low tournament costs, discounted pricing for minimum required participation, multiple locations to choose f rom each weekend, appropriate competition for all levels, high quality venues and certified referees.

SportsPlanningGuide.com

Yorkville is a fan favorite for all ages and is Illinois’ largest waterpark.

▶ For a day of shopping, Chicago

Premium Outlets is an outdoor mall with all the designer names at discounted prices.

▶ Funway is over five acres of indoor and outdoor activities. Families can enjoy go-karts, bumper boats, bowling, mini-golf,

Supreme Courts

Basketball Conveniently located five miles from Interstate 88 near Aurora’s Fox Valley Mall, Supreme Courts features four high school basketball courts with premium wood flooring used in 90 percent of NBA courts and top universities. The facility also includes full climate-controlled courts and

▶ Raging Waves Waterpark in

roller skating and more. Open 365 days a year.

AURORA AREA CVB

▶ BALAXI Play is a unique glow-in-

Pete Garlock, Director of Sales

the-dark entertainment center

630-256-3194

that offers fun, physical activities

pete@enjoyaurora.com

that will keep everyone engaged.

www.auroraareasportsalliance.com

Enjoy zip lines, indoor go-karting, rock climbing and a ropes course.

Sports Planning Guide

Jacksonville, IL

Scan to discover more of what Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

COLLEGE-GRADE VENUES, AN EXPANSIVE LAKE AND FACILITIES FOR NEARLY EVERY SPORT BECKON TOURNAMENT PLANNERS TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is a wonderful asset for the Jacksonville community. We began operating Future Champions Sports Complex in March 2020 – the same month COVID-19 caused businesses throughout the United States to close. We are thankful for this partnership as we continue to navigate the challenges of owning a small business.”

Photo captionSports Complex Future Champion

— Kristin Jamison, Future Champions Sports Complex

Illinois College

Jacksonville Speedway

Home to well-stocked lakes, NCAA-grade facilities and tournament-friendly gymnasiums, Jacksonville offers plentiful facilities in the heart of the Midwest. The city’s small-town friendliness, vibrant business districts and enthusiastic sports community will make the question of your next tournament destination simple.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

sandwiches to and adult refreshments.

Baseball, softball

Illinois College

Future Champions Sports Complex caters to all levels of baseball and softball competition, ranging from youth recreational leagues to collegiate contests and including all levels in between. Not your ordinary ballpark, all six infields are turfed, making it virtually rain-out proof and allowing for play from February to November. The stadium-lighted facilities boast electronic scoreboards, concrete dugouts, a professional sound system, and a concession stand that offers everything from hot

The Bruner Center on the Illinois College campus includes the Coultas Natatorium (an eight-lane, 25-yard pool for competitive and recreational swimming), King Fieldhouse (which houses a six-lane indoor track, four rubberized courts and two batting cages) and the Sherman Gymnasium (a hardwood court that can host basketball and volleyball). Other

Future Champions Sports Complex

Swimming, track & field, basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

facilities include England Stadium (an artificial turf field surrounded by a track that can host soccer and football), the Bellatti Tennis Complex (which consists of six hard-surfaced courts, lighting fixtures and a windscreen) and Joe Brooks Baseball Field.

Lake Jacksonville Boating, fishing

This 500-acre, man-made lake is filled with bass, bluegill, red-ear sunfish and channel catfish. It is the perfect location for boating, water skiing, fishing, and other water activities. Camping and boat dock are available, and a new walking path and trails were added in 2019. The lake is known for their fishing tournaments and was once named the #1 Fishing Spot in the State of Illinois by Field and Stream.

JHS Bowl

Basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance This historic semi-subterranean gymnasium was constructed in 1952 and continues to host Jacksonville High School Crimson basketball, volleyball and cheerleading competitions. The venue offers changing rooms, a scoreboard, concession stands and parking.

Midwest Athletic Center

Basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance Located in the Jenkins Education Complex on the former MacMurray College campus, this indoor facility includes two basketball courts that can also accommodate volleyball and floor hockey.

Jacksonville Speedway is a high-banked, quarter-mile dirt oval track located at the Morgan County Fairground, corner of East Westgate Avenue. Classes include Sprints, Micro-Sprints, Street Stock, Pony Stock, Modifides and late models.

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▶ Browse some of Illinois’ premier antique galleries, enjoy tasty coffee creations and cuisines and admire beautiful greenspaces of Central Park in historic Downtown Jacksonville.

▶ The 86-acre Nichols Park offers well-equipped playgrounds and an Olympic-sized swimming pool for recreation opportunities. There are gazebos, a newly added RC Car Track Speedway and picnic facilities big enough for any group outing. Also located in the park is The Link Golf Course where you can catch a round of golf overlooking the beauty of the

Jacksonville Speedway Biking, racing

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

park.

JACKSONVILLE AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Brittany Henry 1-217-243-5678 visitors@jacksonvilleil.org www.jacksonvilleil.og

▶ S erene Lake Jacksonville is surrounded by hiking trails for guests to admire the deer that reside in the region and docks for fishing and beautiful sunset views.

Sports Planning Guide

Chicago Northwest, IL YOUR SPORTS ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU IN THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS OF CHICAGO, WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES READY TO ACCOMMODATE EVERY PART OF YOUR STAY

Scan to discover more of what Meet Chicago Northwest offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “MCNW is AMAZING! Melinda and her team are a fantastic help in all aspects of the event contracting process. They are available and eager to help from the earliest stages, and are a great resource for sending out our RFP, consolidating hotel responses, following up when needed and helping to pull all of the final details together.”

Olympic Park

— April LaFramboise, Team Travel Source

The Sport Center

Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel

In the diverse and lively northwest suburbs of Chicago, you will find renowned attractions, modern dining and endless shopping. Chicago Northwest is a destination dream for sports planners, as it features facilities perfect to host soccer, football, baseball, badminton, martial arts, wrestling, gymnastics and more. Meet Chicago Northwest will assist you every step of the way. 36

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel

Martial Arts, Volleyball, Mat Sports, Cheer/ Dance, Meetings, Events This 100,000-square-foot column-f ree convention center has the capability to configure into multiple floor plans to accommodate a wide range of sporting events. Located 12 miles f rom O’Hare International Airport, the convention center offers f ree onsite parking and is seamlessly connected to 500 guest rooms and suites at the Renaissance

Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. The facility hosted the USA Karate National Championships and Team Trials in July of 2019 and September of 2021.

Olympic Park

Softball, Baseball, Soccer, Lacrosse This 72-acre sports venue features five softball/ baseball fields, eight lighted synthetic turf sports fields, two natural grass sports fields. Additional soccer fields available for tournament play. Having hosted thousands of sports tournaments including annual events such as Schaumburg @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Athletic Association’s Soccerfest, Sockers FC Fall & Spring events and Common Goals Memorial Day Soccer Challenge. Equipped with two concession stands and 700 park spots.

Harper College

Fitness, Swimming, Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Running Located in Palatine, Harper College offers a fitness center, field house, aquatics center, and more. The 10,000-square-foot Fitness Center underwent a complete transformation. The Field House is equipped with four courts for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, or badminton and a suspended one-eighth of a mile jogging track. Locker and training rooms are available.

The Sport Center

Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Softball, Gymnastics, Pickleball, Lacrosse This 110,000 square-foot building includes four basketball courts, six volleyball courts, two soccer fields and a gymnastic center.

Busse Woods

Kayaking, Boating, Running While the heart of each neighborhood provides

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you with the fun and excitement that is the Chicago city life, Busse Woods can give you a day in the great outdoors for enjoying wildlife and other outdoor activities. You can take in the views from the water by kayak, canoe, or rowboat, which can all be rented on-site, or explore 11 miles of paved bike trails through a Technicolor Forest. Busse Woods hosted GWN Dragon Boat in 2019 and Ultimate Frisbee in 2021.

Odeum Sports & Expo Center

Soccer, Boxing, Trade Shows, Martial Arts, Cheer/Dance, Rodeo, Mat Sports This 130,000-square-foot facility hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, trade shows, expositions, and indoor soccer and boxing. Each year, The Odeum Sports & Expo Center sees over 1.2 million visitors.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES Woodfield Mall No trip is complete without a day of shopping. Woodfield Mall is Illinois’ largest shopping destination with nearly 300 shops, restaurants, 800seat Dining Pavilion and familyfriendly amenities. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Enjoy a night that takes you to the Middle Ages at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament where you can sip cocktails and enjoy a four-course meal while watching knights joust, which is sure to be an experience unlike anything else. Medieval Times accommodates large opening/closing night events.

MEET CHICAGO NORTHWEST

Schaumburg Boomers

Melinda Garritano

Minor league baseball at Wintrust

847-278-3445

Field. Accommodates large

mgarritano@chicagonorthwest.com

opening/closing night events.

chicagonorthwest.com

Sports Planning Guide

Rockford, IL LOCATED ON THE BANKS OF THE ROCK RIVER, THE ROCKFORD REGION GUARANTEES A MULTITUDE OF VENUES AND THINGS TO DO FOR YOUR NEXT SPORTS TRIP

MercyHealth Sportscore One

Scan to discover more of what Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau ofers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE “The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the Rockford Park District provided a first-class venue and excellent support for our Division III College Championships. The service provided along with the hospitality shown has made Rockford one of our go-to places for future events.” — Byron Hicks, Events Manager, USA Ultimate

MercyHealth Sportscore Two

UW Health Sports Factory

The stunning Rockford region comprises a dream venue for sports planners as it allows visitors to revel in numerous engaging attractions, comfortable accommodations and phenomenal athletic facilities. A top-tier host of sports nationally, our community is no stranger to herds of teams visiting, and provides ample space for tournaments and leisure activities.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

UW Health Sports Factory

Basketball, Cheerleading, Dance, Dodgeball, Pickleball, Volleyball, Wrestling This massive indoor sports facility spotlights 108,000 square-feet (96,000 square feet of hard court surface) of space for your upcoming tournament. One of the largest facilities in the Midwest, the venue is comprised of eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, 16 wrestling mats and accommodations for other indoor sports. With a maximum capacity of 3,700 spectators, UW Health Sports Factory spotlights

north and south courts, and a champions court with seating for up to 400 people. Spacious outdoor areas overlook the Rock River with a south patio area. A full-service sports restaurant with a dazzling 180-degree view of the river and north and south courts seats 160 guests, ideal for downtime in between games.

MercyHealth Sportscore Two

Baseball, Football, Pickleball, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Golf, Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, Adapted Wheelchair Sports This state-of-the-art sports facility will be @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

sure to impress with 180 acres of courts, fields, concessions and other favorable amenities. The expansive complex features 26 outdoor soccer fields including seven turf/lighted fields, three sand volleyball courts, a playground, a 4,500-square-foot outdoor concession/ restroom building, a tournament staging area for pictures and onsite parking with more than 2,000 spaces. The Indoor Mega Center is a multi-sport complex consisting of 60,000 square-feet of multi-purpose courts and fields, a full-size (120-by-80-yards, equal to four indoor soccer fields) turf field with 70-foot ceilings, locker rooms, a sports equipment store and Skybox dining overlooking the fields. The existing indoor sports center has plans to convert to turf on both sides. The vast Wedgebury Stadium seats up to 2,500 spectators, and has been refurbished to include a new synthetic turf field, NCAA professional lighting, restroom buildings, improved pathways and upgrades to bleachers and a press box.

MercyHealth Sportscore One

Soccer, Softball, Baseball, Volleyball (Sand), Kickball, Wiffleball, Golf (Indoor), Ultimate Frisbee Nationally recognized as a premier host of soccer, softball, baseball, Ultimate frisbee and other sports tournaments, this first-rate sports establishment is an excellent option for athletes to duel it out in a nail-biting competition. Spanning 147 acres, the venue includes 18 soccer fields, eight lighted baseball/softball diamonds, an indoor soccer building, two playgrounds, a fishing pond, a boat ramp, a recreation path and concessions. Aside for competition use, athletes can enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, running and biking when they are not busy strategizing against their opponent.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES Traveling to the Rockford region will give your team the opportunity to visit Laurent House Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and famously known as the only home designed by the architect for a person with a disability. Enjoy the natural beauty of the city by touring the calming Anderson Japanese Gardens, composed of flowing waterfalls, tranquil streams and beautiful gardens. Continue your nature walk

ROCKFORD AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

in the captivating Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, simulating the gorgeous tropics

Lindsay Arellano

with special water features

Vice President of Sales and Servicing

and sculptures right along the

815.489.1653

breathtaking Rock River.

larellano@gorockford.com Gorockford.com/sports

BEAUTIFULLY GAME Towering facilities make for the perfect backdrop for the beautiful game. Sports tourism tradition is embodied by soccer and so much more throughout the Rockford, Illinois, region, thanks to the flexibility of our venues and hospitality expertise. Every tournament operator is welcome to experience first-hand why so many national events call Rockford home.

GOROCKFORD.COM Mercyhealth Sportscore Two

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Sports Planning Guide

Bloomington-Normal, IL WITH TOP-NOTCH FACILITIES AND INCREDIBLE ATTRACTIONS, THIS ILLINOIS HOTSPOT MAKES TOURNAMENT-PLANNING EASY

Scan to discover more of what BloomingtonNormal Area CVB offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Hosting major events is no easy task. Due to the efforts of the BloomingtonNormal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the BN Sports Commission, our association has been fortunate to put on first-class events in Bloomington-Normal for nearly half a century. Their ‘can do’ spirit will make your event a winner, too.” — Kurt Gibson, Associate Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association

Shirk Center

The Corn Crib

Champion Fields

Travelers heading to Bloomington-Normal by car will find Interstate 55 to be very convenient, which runs right through the area on the drive between Chicago and St. Louis. I-39 and I-74 are nearby as well. By air, Central Illinois Regional Airport is your go-to option, offering free parking, a shuttle service and access to five rental car agencies.

Sports Planning Guide

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Champion Fields Baseball, softball

Considered one of the finest softball complexes in the Midwest, this facility boasts eight lighted diamonds in the main area and two lighted diamonds at Maxwell Park. The host site for 10 ASA/USA National Tournaments in the past two decades, Champions Fields played home to the 2019 USA Softball 12A National Championship in June. Fields have covered dugouts, bleacher seating, scoreboards and a P.A. system. Each

set of four fields also has a concession stand, making this one of the Prairie State’s go-to softball locations.

Hancock Stadium, Redbird Arena

Multisport Hancock Stadium is a 13,391-seat, multipurpose facility in the heart of Normal. Home to the Illinois State University football team, in 1969 Hancock became the first college stadium in Illinois to feature artificial turf, which was replaced in 2010. That same year, a new scoreboard was installed. Other @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

amenities include a state-of-the-art press level, a 5,500-square-foot indoor club, the Redbird Team Store and a spacious concourse. The crown jewel of Illinois State Athletics, Redbird Arena is used by the men and women’s basketball teams as well as the women’s volleyball team. The multipurpose facility can hold up to 10,200 enthusiastic fans and is a raucous environment on game day..

Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University

Multisport The Shirk Center is a multipurpose athletic, recreation and wellness complex that contains facilities for basketball, volleyball, track and tennis. The facility seats 2,400 with room for an additional 400 spectators. Other incredible features include a 200-meter, sixlane indoor track, two batting cages and four courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball and badminton.

Bloomington Arena

Multisport The premier arena in Bloomington for sports and concerts, this venue can hold up to 8,000 for a concert and 7,242 for basketball and features 24 private suites and two party suites that can host up to 50 people.

Corn Crib

▶ Red pandas, river otters, a ZooLab and more await at Miller Park

Zoo, which offers families exciting chances to see a wide variety of exotic animals.

▶ Touching the exhibits is

encouraged at Children’s

Baseball, soccer, softball A great stadium in Normal and built for fun, the Corn Crib is home to the Normal CornBelters, a collegiate summer baseball team. The ballpark has a capacity of 7,000 and opened in 2010.

Discovery Museum.

▶ Explore the rich connections the area has to Route 66 and Abraham Lincoln at the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center.

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AREA CVB Matt Hawkins, Director of Sports and Market Development 309-665-0033 matt@visitbn.org www.visitbn.org

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POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Normal Theater features a classic cinema experience in a theater that opened in 1937.

▶ Iron Coyote Challenge Park is a fun fitness center featuring a ninja gym and rope course.

Sports Planning Guide

JON SCHMIEDER

SPORTS TOURISM TRENDS FOR 2022

e have a secret … sports saved the tourism industry’s bacon in 2020 and 2021. Yes, COVID-19 knocked us all for a loop, but one great thing came from it. Most tourism leaders across the country finally realized the value sports brings to the collective table. We say most because, ironically, there are still some destinations that are talking about when leisure travel and the meetings industry will bounce back. The answer may be “never” but some are still holding out hope that the tourism industry will be back to normal in the near future. We think that is very unlikely. Sports tourism will continue to drive the bus for our industry in 2022 and likely the years that follow. For our seventh edition of the SPG trends article, we did a little something different this year. We reached out to our entire Huddle Up Group team as well as a couple of key industry gatekeepers to compile this year’s list. Without further ado, we offer you the top 10 trends we are closely following as we move into 2022.

Downsizing – Nearly every CVB, sports commission, or event organization we work with cut their staff in 2020 and 2021. Most reduced their working teams by 40-60% during the peak of the pandemic. Some have slowly started hiring people back, however many have not. A good number of folks figured out they could run with a leaner ship and are going to see if that is sustainable as things ramp back up.

Alignment – In times of crisis, communication becomes more important. This was certainly true of the sports tourism industry over the past 20 months. The pandemic forced tourism driven organizations to fight for declining resources, which means they had to be able to effectively message their mission and impact and how that aligns with the community

Sports Planning Guide

“The New World”

they represent. This forced alignment should bear fruit in the future as communication lines are more open now than in years past.

Vulnerability – Many of the CEOs we have spoken to recently talked about the limited control they had over their funding sources. Most of the resources spent in our industry are discretionary. If nobody travels and bed taxes are not collected, tourism agencies suffer financially. If parents get furloughed, there is no money to spend on travel sports, including annual membership dues to NGBs. If events are cancelled, there are no registration fees collected and event owners lose a primary revenue source. It’s a vicious circle that leaves organizations at financial risk. The goal is to diversify revenue streams as much as possible so your organization is not vulnerable if one financial channel shuts down.

“The key is choosing the right tools to engage with and work through that will drive the highest and most efficient return on investment.”

Accountability – Resources are more limited today than in prior years. Given that we have to try to do more with less, the microscope is now on every transaction that is made. Every dollar has to have a good result and those that are tasked with governing our organizations are paying a lot more attention to how money is spent. Transparent organizations have a process for why decisions are made and document every move.

Choices – Today, our industry has an unprecedented number of resources available to leverage in an effort to drive our organizations forward. There are more conferences, events owners, digital tools, certifications, and (of course) consultants that sports organizations can use in an effort to grow their impact. The key is choosing the right tools to engage with and work through that will drive the highest and most efficient return on investment. Going back to the previous item on accountability, industry leaders have to be sure and measure the results of every investment to preserve the integrity of their organizations.

Focus – We can all agree the pandemic has changed the way we all do business. This would include adjusting the approach on what events we look to partner on, whether you are an event owner or a destination. It’s more important today to “right size” the events you seek to host or produce to generate maximum impact. This can include how we market the event, when it takes place on the calendar, and even if we limit capacity to create scarcity in the marketplace.

Development Mentality – Destinations have been forced to become more of a creator than a responder. We work with many CVBs and sports commissions to help build a culture of “development.” These

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

organizations are now leading efforts to develop physical products (new venues), develop new events, develop human capital (staff and board), and to develop relationships (with local sporting clubs and regional/national event owners). Today, tourism leaders are proving to be more proactive than reactive. They are seeking to create vehicles to push their sports tourism agenda forward. Develop your pathway or leave it to others to potentially choose your fate for you.

Remote Control – This one is a carryover from last year’s list. Working remotely is not just a trend that industry was forced to adopt due to the pandemic. It is here to stay. If anything is the “new normal” this is it. Given that the generations entering the workforce today largely prefer flexibility, remote work teams were likely going to take over the business world anyway. COVID-19 just sped up the process. Some organizations we work with have decided to keep the remote work team in place, and a few in the extreme have decided to not renew their office leases.

Silent Sports – Several outdoor sports have seen massive spikes in participation the past two years. Golf, canoe/kayak, and fishing (among others) all offer opportunities for those destinations that seek them.

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These “silent sports” have become a cornerstone for business development with many CVBs across the country.

DMO vs. CVB – We have seen more CVBs transition to a bigger vision for their destinations. Numerous tourism bureaus are moving towards a destination marketing organization (or DMO) mission. The difference between the two is subtle but its important. DMOs are responsible for branding and marketing their destination beyond working to attract visitors as a primary mission. DMOs have a lot of verticals to contemplate and manage. Yes, tourism is one, but just one of many things a DMO blends into a community-wide strategy to put their destinations in the best light. We believe this trend is a good one in that DMOs typically have a broader stakeholder audience than CVBs might have, as the DMO works on promotional elements that would appeal to markets beyond tourism. These additional audiences could include the area’s business climate, economic development, politics, arts and culture, and the like. By transitioning to a DMO, tourism suddenly has a more important and integrated seat at the larger table in these destinations. While the past two years have been a rollercoaster, a lot of good has and

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com/Virrage Images

“Today, tourism leaders are proving to be more proactive than reactive. They are seeking to create vehicles to push their sports tourism agenda forward.”

will come from what we have all been through. Those that accept the challenges of the past and build from them rather than focus on them have a bright future ahead. Good luck to all in 2022. Yours in Sport, Jon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jon Schmieder is the Founder of the Huddle Up Group LLC, a sports industry consulting company led by award winning executives. Schmieder has 25 years of experience in leading sports tourism and events organizations through strategic growth and increased community collaboration. The Huddle Up Group has worked with more than 250 sports organizations and destinations on over 150 strategic projects. In 2017 the Huddle Up Group was given the Superior Service Award, the highest honor a consulting firm can earn from the National Association of Sports Commissions. We can be reached at Jon@HuddleUpGroup.com or 602.369.6955. To receive the weekly “Monday Huddle Up” visit www.HuddleUpGroup.com or sign up at www.tinyletter.com/JonSchmieder. © Huddle Up Group, 2021

Sports Planning Guide

2022 SPG Guide to Sports in Illinois

Articles inside

Sports Industry Trends for 2022

Bloomington-Normal

Rockford

Jacksonville

Elgin

Chicago Northwest

Effingham

Aurora

DuPage County

Quad Cities

Chicago Southland

Springfield

Lake County

Illinois’ Outdoor Spaces are Enchanting

Great Rivers & Routes

Williamson County

Champaign County