2023 South Carolina Sports Planning Guide

Begin your Championship experience in South Carolina!

South Carolina IS the perfect fit for your professional, amateur, or collegiate sporting event!

South Carolina is Just Right for Champions. We’re just right for soccer games, baseball tournaments, golf championships and tennis playoffs. And let’s not forget about football, basketball and the awesome mud run challenges, cycling events and fishing tournaments.

Courts, fields, fisheries, and courses…we have it all!

The Palmetto State has played host to regional, national, and worldwide organizations including the PGA Tour, NCAA, Women’s Tennis Association, Bassmaster, American Softball Association, USA Cycling and so many more. Whether your event is small or large, professional, or amateur, the members of the South Carolina Sports Alliance (SCSA) are committed to helping you create an atmosphere where your sporting event can achieve the highest levels of success.

From the deep forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beautiful beaches of the Grand Strand, South Carolina’s diverse landscapes promise a memorable escape to the great outdoors. Our charming small towns, coastal cities and inland areas offer a unique setting for indoor and outdoor sports. With award-winning restaurants, affordable accommodations and plenty of exciting attractions to keep athletes, families and spectators entertained, we can deliver an unforgettable experience. Did we mention the unrivaled southern hospitality our visitors are certain to receive? You just might want to come back for your vacation!

Start planning your event in South Carolina today. Our team is ready to assist you in planning a winning event that your participants won’t forget.

Sincerely, Neil Paul, President discoversouthcarolina.com/sports-alliance

2020 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Bon Secours Wellness Center

Photo courtesy of Visit Greenville

ON THE COVER: Coastal Carolina University wins 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship.

Photo courtesy of Dalton Tumblin

Annual Myrtle Beach Invitational Division I basketball tournament

Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Area Sports Alliance

Explore South Carolina’s Abundant Outdoor Activities

Rendezvous to the lakes, beaches and green spaces for a dose of fresh air and Mother Nature

By Heather Dale

Whisk your family or the whole team away from the hotel for unforgettable memories during your downtime in the alluring South Carolina wilderness. The state consists of three distinct regions – the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Blue Ridge provinces. Possibilities are endless with every type of outdoor endeavor imaginable spanning more than 32,000 square miles of subtropical land and seascapes from the mountains to the ocean.

MYRTLE BEACH

With 60 miles of vibrant coastline teeming with natural amenities, Myrtle Beach provides endless outdoor recreations

to explore in between sporting events. Anglers can cast their lines on or offshore on charter boats navigated by professional sea captains. Kayak or canoe through the Intracoastal waterway, scuba dive, wakeboard, water ski, go on a speed boat adventure, take a river or sailboat tour or go surfing. Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park offer an array of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to camping on the beach and fishing from the scenic pier.

BEAUFORT

Comb the pristine beaches of Beaufort, Port Royal and The Sea Islands for ocean treasures while soaking up the warm sun. Visit Hunting Island State Park and explore

seashells and driftwood or hike the network of maritime nature trails. From the easygoing quartermile Lighthouse Nature Trail to the moderately strenuous 2.3-mile Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail, there’s one for every skill level. Rent a kayak and discover the salt marshes and postcardlike coastline, learn about local wildlife and paddle with dolphins in the warm, shimmering waters.

FLORENCE

Florence provides a network of trails for biking and hiking and offers adventures for every ability. Explore the Revolutionary Rivers trail by kayak, go for a three-hour guided moonlit paddle or an overnight paddle and camp along the shores. Head to the High Hill Creek Bike & Run Park and discover four miles of well-maintained trails. Lynches River

County Park spans an impressive 676 acres and provides endless outdoor recreation, including geocaching (a modernday techy treasure hunt), a treetop canopy complete with a swinging bridge, picnic areas, a softball field, a basketball court and plenty of green spaces.

COLUMBIA

The South Carolina capital of Columbia hosts beautiful Lake Murray and Congaree National Park and is an ideal place to enjoy the great outdoors. Venture through South Carolina’s only national park consisting of massive old-growth hardwoods (the only remaining in the U.S.) on a picturesque boardwalk that meanders through the unique ecosystem. Canoe or kayak down the Broad, the Congaree or the Saluda River with the pros from Adventure Carolina or Carolina Outdoor Adventures. Try paddleboarding or rend a paddleboat on Lake Murray.

SPARTANBURG

Spartanburg is a hub for outdoor amusement and casual activities. Breathe the fresh air at numerous parks and green spaces, including Cleveland Park, Croft State Park, Duncan Park, the Glendale Shoals Preserve and the Hatcher Garden Public Botanical Garden & Woodland Preserve, to name a few. The town is also home to many family-friendly scenic amenities like Village Greens Golf Club, Woodfin Ridge Golf Club, Greer Country Club and Heddles Hideaway Country Visit the horses at Motlow Creek Equestrian Center or Cannon Equine Instruction.

GREENVILLE

Take in the breathtaking panorama after you hike the 3,124-foot Table Rock summit and view 13,000 miles of sprawling Table Rock State Park. The nearby geologic wonder, Caesars Head State Park, touts South Carolina’s tallest waterfall. Glimpse the striking ancient rock outcroppings and a 2,000-foot sheer drop that is part of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, both instrumental in creating the magnificent falls. Rent electric bicycles from Pedego Electric Bikes Greenville and take a fantastic scenic journey along the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail.

ANDERSON

Located on scenic Lake Hartwell, Anderson is an angler’s and a boater’s paradise. Sadlers Creek State Park is a 395-acre peninsula that protrudes into Lake Hartwell where you can take a sightseeing hike and view native wildlife and folks enjoying water sports. The Saluda River Ramblers will take your group on a kayak adventure down the pristine Saluda River teeming with abundant wildlife like turtles, Great Blue Heron, Kingfishers, otters and more. With three lakes to choose from, fishing opportunities are endless.

South Carolina’s temperate climate and abundant natural resources make it the ideal place for outdoor exploration. Consisting of freshwater lakes, gorgeous beaches, jawdropping cliffs and waterfalls, and numerous state parks and preserves brimming with wildlife, the Palmetto State invites your group to explore its splendor.

Photo courtesy of Sam Dean/OneSpartanburg

Paddle and overnight on the Revolutionary Rivers Trail.

Photo courtesy of Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau

For big games, nothing beats Myrtle Beach. Our world-class facilities can accommodate any tournament or event. With countless attractions and more than 2,000 restaurants to fuel the fun, The Beach is ideal for athletes of all ages – and their families, too.

Scan to plan your sporting event.

MyrtleBeachSports.com

Championship Sports Thrive in South Carolina

Top-level collegiate events are no stranger to South Carolina Sports Alliance members

By Dave Bodle

On any given day during the school year, collegiate athletics are being played on South Carolina college and university campus fields and venues. The list of conference and national championship banners and trophies displayed at the Palmetto State colleges and universities is impressive.

However, when it comes time for conference and NCAA championships, that’s when the members of the South Carolina Sports Alliance do their thing. Check out what’s going on from the upstate to the coast.

SPARTANBURG

Through 2025, there are already 16 championship events scheduled.

Carolina Cup (Golf): “This is a distinctly unique college tournament where not only will golfers play in the NCAA Division I scheduled event, but they will also have the opportunity to network with business executives and influencers,” Robin English, tournament director, said.

Conference Carolinas Cross Country: “We are excited to be able to bring our Cross-Country Championships

University of South Carolina Upstate and OneSpartanburg partner to host the NCAA Cross Country Championship.

Photo courtesy of OneSpartanburg

to one of the elite facilities in the region,” Conference Carolinas Commissioner Chris Colvin said. “We always appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with OneSpartanburg, Inc.,” he continued.

NCAA Cross Country: “We are thrilled to partner with OneSpartanburg, Inc. to bring this prestigious event to Spartanburg,” said USC Upstate Director of Athletics Daniel Feig.

GREENVILLE

Bon Secours Wellness Arena and Visit Greenville CVB know NCAA Division 1 Basketball.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship: The 2023 Championship regional rounds will move to a two-host format with eight teams competing in Greenville, March 24-27, 2023.

2022 March Madness: Greenville hosted the first two rounds of the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament.

ANDERSON

NCAA Division II does it a little different, but it works.

“Anderson University is a Division II university competing in the South Atlantic Conference. NCAA Division II operates their NCAA Regional Championship events differently than their Division I Championships in that a ‘host’ university, through a bid process, can host a particular NCAA Division II Regional based on their participation and ranking in the event,” said Neil Paul, executive director, Visit Anderson.

FLORENCE

Hosting a college tennis championship April 21-23, 2023 at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center, a premier South Carolina facility is a natural.

Conference Carolinas Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championship: “Conference Carolinas has worked with the Florence Area Sports Council for numerous Championships and they have gone above and beyond in every way possible,” Chris Colvin, Conference Carolina commissioner stated.

MYRTLE BEACH

With great facilities and a dedicated sports team to serve organizers it’s easy to see why Myrtle Beach is a favorite.

Myrtle Beach Invitational: An annual Division I early season basketball tournament held the week before Thanksgiving each year at Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Arena.

Myrtle Beach Bowl Game: Held each December at Coastal Carolina University’s Brooks Stadium, the Myrtle Beach Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events and features teams from the Sun Belt, Conference USA and MAC Conferences.

Conference Carolinas Spring Championships: Held in April in 2023 and 2024, the Conference Carolinas Spring Championships will take place at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium and Ashley Booth Field in the City of Myrtle Beach and feature the Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Championships and Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Championships.

GEORGETOWN

120 college and university teams compete on Winyah Bay. 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. Coastal CarolinaUniversity bests 120 teams to win the championship.

December’s Myrtle Beach Bowl on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.

Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Regional Sports

NCAA Division II Regional Volleyball on the campus of Anderson University

Photo courtesy of Visit Anderson

Columbia, SC

A STORIED COLLEGE SPORTS TOWN, COLUMBIA IS HOME TO ENJOYABLE ATTRACTIONS AND STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES

Scan to discover more of what Experience Columbia SC Sports offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

Columbia is the home of the University of South Carolina’s immensely popular Gamecocks sports programs. The capital of the Palmetto State is more than just a storied college sports town though, bolstering its vibrant sports tourism industry with premier facilities and venues available for all ages, skill levels and interests.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Williams-Brice Stadium Football

Opened in 1934 and renovated most recently in 2020, Williams-Brice Stadium is the home of the University of South Carolina football team. The storied stadium, nicknamed “The Cock Pit,” holds more than 77,500 people and has hosted some of the most thrilling (and loudest) games in college football history. Williams-Brice may be a football fan’s dream venue, of course, but it is also popular with concert-goers. Past performers have included Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, U2,

Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and, most recently, Beyonce and Jay-Z. Want even more variety? The stadium hosted Pope John Paul II during a 1987 Papal visit to Columbia.

Colonial Life Arena Basketball

One of South Carolina’s most impressive multi-use arenas, Colonial Life is an 18,000seat venue that plays host to both sports and music events. It is best known as the home court of the South Carolina Gamecocks’ men’s and women’s basketball teams, both of which

Williams-Brice Stadium

have been highly successful in recent NCAA tournaments. It hosted first- and second-round NCAA men’s basketball tournament games in March of 2019. Beyond basketball, Colonial Life Arena has held concerts by the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen. Overall, this is a top-notch, multi-surface facility that regularly hosts some of the most exciting events the state has to offer.

Segra Park Baseball

Segra Park is the home of the Columbia Fireflies, the city’s Minor League Baseball team. The stadium, with the capacity to seat more than 9,000, opened in 2016 for the Fireflies’ first game in April of that year. Baseball fans can catch exciting minor league games here, though Segra Park is much more than just a ballpark. It is also a great choice for weddings and business meetings. Inside the stadium, the Club Lounge has space for 500 guests, while the Broad River Balcony looks out onto the field and can hold as many as 120 people. There are also batting cages that accommodate 20 guests per hour and a large conference room located just off the concourse.

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center Tennis

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center is a wonderful 30 court tennis facility located right outside the heart of downtown Columbia. As longtime area tennis players know, this facility offers one of the best playing experiences in the capital city. The 30 lighted world-class courts include USTA QuickStart Courts for children eight and under, and a championsized stadium court with a viewing capacity for 500 spectators. The 11,000 sq. ft. clubhouse on site offers the perfect spot to kick back and celebrate after a long day of play.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Learn about more than 4,200 species of native and exotic plants and check out the 2,000-plus animals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

▶ The South Carolina State Museum features a digital dome planetarium, 4D interactive theater and four floors of fascinating exhibits.

▶ Explore the internationally renowned gallery at the Columbia Museum of Art

▶ Originally built in 1855, the South Carolina State House is a great place to learn about the state’s past.

EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC SPORTS

Scott Powers, Executive Director 803-545-0009 spowers@experiencecolumbiasc.com www.ColumbiaSCsports.com

▶ Hop on a boat to traverse the 650 miles of shoreline over at Lake Murray.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Experience Columbia SC and Experience Columbia SC Sports were phenomenal partners with us throughout the conception, bid process and ultimately the execution of the Battle at BullStreet. We look forward to continuing our partnership for the Battle at BullStreet 2.0 scheduled for March, 2022.”

— John Katz, President, Columbia Fireflies

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center

Segra Park

Colonial Life Arena

Spartanburg, SC

SOFTBALL AND TRACK AND FIELD FACILITIES HIGHLIGHT A SOUTH CAROLINA CITY THAT HOSTS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

Spartanburg, at the intersection of Interstates 85 and 26, is within an easy driving distance from major Southern cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Richmond, and more.

And (GSP) Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport’s major airlines bring flights from across the U.S. to our back yard.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Jerry Richardson Indoor Arena Basketball, volleyball

Opened in 2017, the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium is a 123,000-square-foot facility that includes a 3,400-seat basketball arena and a 500-seat volleyball competition venue. This facility replaced Benjamin Johnson Arena and serves as the home for women’s basketball, men’s basketball and volleyball at Wofford College. The facility has a seating capacity for non-athletics functions, such as commencement and concerts, of 4,500.

Upward Sports Star Center Soccer, basketball, volleyball

Upward Sports recently opened the Upward Star Center, a 120,000-square-foot indoor facility equipped with two regulation-size artificial soccer fields and up to four grass multipurpose fields as well as six basketball courts, 12 full-sized volleyball courts, four lighted sand volleyball courts. This union facility features seven meeting rooms and can host an event of roughly 3,000 people indoors and 8,000 people outdoors. This massive facility is conveniently located 10 minutes from over 3,000 hotel rooms.

Jerry Richardson Indoor Arena

Tyger River Park

Softball, baseball

Tyger River Park, one of the South’s premier baseball and softball tournament complexes, features 12 youth baseball/ softball fields arranged in convenient fourfield clusters, a championship stadium seating 600 people and with unmatched site amenities, clubhouse, concession areas, umpire changing rooms, lounge, VIP Suite, wireless internet, covered seating, two playgrounds and flat-screen TVs at each pod. Located 15 miles from downtown, Tyger River Park has hosted the 2015 USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series, 2015 ASA/USA Girl’s 18 U Class A National World Series and 2015 NSA Girls Fast-Pitch Class B World Series, among other events. All fields are dirt and irrigated. Eight fields have permanent fences at 275 feet, two fields have permanent fences at 220 feet and two fields have permanent fences at 260 feet. The stadium field has a permanent 300-foot fence. Ample parking and restroom facilities are available.

Spartanburg Viking Track Track and field

The Viking Track features world-class MondoTrack FTX surface, the same track surface that was used in the Beijing Olympic Games and the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Valencia. This premium, custom-made track has increased the optimal traction and contact area due to the irregular size and shape of the tessellation pattern and has been designed to provide the best traction between track and spikes and for a greater contact area than other track systems. This improves the athletes’ grip and performance. The track facility contains eight world-class lanes, Lynx MVP fully automatic timing system, two jump pits, pole vault and high jump areas.

VISIT SPARTANBURG

Kristyn Hawkins

Director of Sports Tourism Development 864-594-5000 khawkins@onespartanburginc.com www.visitspartanburg.com/sports

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ From delicious dining and unique boutiques in Downtown Spartanburg, to incredible outdoor experiences like Croft State Park and the adrenalinepumping BMW Performance Center, there’s plenty to see and do once you get off the field or court.

▶ Explore the Spartanburg Science Center where you’ll learn about everything from robotics to ecology and unleash your inner architect at the LEGO™ Building Zone.

▶ Pick your own in-season fruits, navigate through a corn maze, go on a wagon ride and enjoy other fun seasonal activities at Strawberry Hill USA.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Spartanburg has built an exceptional facility that provides fans and teams with everything that they could dream of and more. This is truly one of the premier complexes in the United States.”

— Chris Sebren, Director of Championships, USASoftball

Upward Sports Star Center

Spartanburg Viking Track

Tyger River Park

Myrtle Beach, SC

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

Widely known as one of South Carolina’s top destinations, Myrtle Beach shines with ocean breezes, sunny beaches and top-notch sports. As a major center for sports tourism, the city brings in over 20 million visitors each year thanks to 60 miles of beaches, 86 golf courses, multi-sport indoor and outdoor facilities and more.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center

Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, archery, cheer, gymnastics, wrestling

Indoor sports thrive at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, a 100,000-square-foot indoor sports facility that helped expand sports tourism. The $12.4 million facility includes eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a café and retail area and a large multiscreen video wall. The center has 2,000 bleacher seats that can be reconfigured for various sports.

Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, archery, cheer, gymnastics, wrestling

Covering 250,000-square-feet, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center provides easily convertible space for sports and trade shows. Located in the Myrtle Beach Convention and Entertainment District, the center houses a 30,000-square-foot outdoor dance and cheer complex. If you’re not looking to host a tournament, then utilize the venue for trade shows and national meetings. The venue is within walking distance of Broadway at

CROWNED AS ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S TOP DESTINATIONS, MYRTLE BEACH WILL BRING YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND MORE WHEN IT COMES TO ORGANIZING AN INDOOR OR OUTDOOR TOURNAMENT

John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center

the Beach, one of the area’s premier shopping and entertainment destinations.

North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex Baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse

This 163-acre park includes two first class sports complexes. The baseball/softball complex consists of 6 total fields with dirt infields and natural grass outfields. The soccer/lacrosse complex consists of 8 natural grass fields (4 with lights). Both areas include concession stands, restrooms and play structures. The NMB Sports Complex is set to expand and will add additional rectangle fields, 6 more diamonds and a new family entertainment center.

Ned Donkle Complex Baseball, softball

Featuring seven fields with natural grass playing surfaces, the Ned Donkle Complex is widely considered one of the best youth baseball and softball complexes in the country. The facility has two adult and five youth fields, as well as batting cages, restrooms, concessions and press boxes. The Complex is located very close to Pepper Geddings Recreation Center and Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

TicketReturn.com Field Baseball, concerts, events

TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark is home to the area’s minor league baseball team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Holding up to 6,599 fans in its stands, or up to 10,000 with playing field seating, the stadium offers a unique, memorable space that is perfect for any crowd. Numerous facility options, a full-service catering team, easy on-site parking and more make TicketReturn.com Field a great venue for a wide variety of events.

Grand Park Athletic Complex Baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball

Located at the beautiful Market Common, this facility includes nine lighted multipurpose Field Turf fields and two natural youth fields, six-lane batting tunnel and complimentary live streaming for those who can’t make the trip.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Ride the waves at Myrtle Waves Waterpark, offering more than 30 water slides.

▶ In the heart of Myrtle Beach, the Funplex has seven thrilling amusement park rides that are suitable for all ages as well as a bar and restaurant.

▶ Pet stingrays, see a mermaid show and learn about marine life at Ripley’s Aquarium.

▶ Find a souvenir at Tanger Outlet malls and specialty shopping at Broadway at the Beach.

▶ Discover the more than 600 fine art events each year.

MYRTLE BEACH SPORTS COMMISSION

Jonathan Paris, Executive Director 843-916-7264

jonathan.paris@visitmyrtlebeach.com www.myrtlebeachsports.com

▶ Reach new heights at the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel located on the 1.2mile Boardwalk.

▶ Enjoy the natural beauty of Brookgreen Gardens, or explore the Conway Riverwalk

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Myrtle Beach is such an easy sell to my travel teams that play in our events. The city sells itself! With miles of sandy beaches, tons of attractions and plenty of hotels for every budget, teams simply love coming to play in our tournaments. Parents use our events as a vacation while getting a chance to watch their child play in a national championship.”

— John Whitley National Travel Basketball Association

Grand Park Athletic Complex

TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Beaufort-Port Royal, SC

Scan to discover more of what Greater Beaufort Area Sports Council offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

With scenic views at every turn, Beaufort is any golf enthusiast’s dream location with multiple courses. Fripp Island Resort, Dataw Island Club and the Legends at Parris Island are just three of the big names offering up unique, challenging holes. Beaufort’s Waterfront Park provides even more excitement for the whole family with fishing ops, dragon boat races and more. Also, Burton Wells Park provides 300 acres of space for team sports like baseball, basketball and soccer.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶

Take a guided tour through historic downtown and the Point by foot, horse-drawn carriage or van with one of the local tour services.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Burton Wells Park and Recreation Center

Baseball, basketball, fishing, softball, tennis, soccer, lacrosse

The Burton Wells Park encompasses a 300acre recreational complex that features three baseball and softball complexes, a community recreation center with basketball, racquetball and tennis courts. Passive use facilities, picnic areas, walking and nature trails, lakes and an interpretive botanical garden. The park routinely hosts baseball and softball tournaments as well as soccer and lacrosse.

Fripp Island Resort Golf

Fripp Island is home to a pair of glorious golf destinations in the Ocean Point and Ocean Creek courses, both at Fripp Island Resort. Set against the lively backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean on 10 of its 18 holes, Ocean Point offers sweeping vistas designed by George Cobb.

Located on the south end of the island, the Ocean Creek course provides panoramic views of the Great Salt Marsh and freshwater lakes, while rolling dunes make for challenging play.

Dataw Island Club

Golf, tennis, croquet

Dataw Island epitomizes Lowcountry golf, where two 18-hole courses take full advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings. Traverse grounds covered in live oaks that date back hundreds of years as well as Civil War-era ruins. The Cotton Dike course was renovated in 2011 and features emerald fields and fairways with a winding creek.

BEAUFORT AREA SPORTS COUNCIL

Daquan Mickens Sales Manager 843-525-8529 sports@beaufortsc.org www.beaufortsc.org/sports

HISTORIC LANDMARKS & HOMES, NATURAL FOLIAGE, MAGNIFICENT GOLF COURSES AND OUR COASTAL CHARM WELCOMES YOU TO SCENIC BEAUFORT ON PORT ROYAL ISLAND

Burton Wells Park

Dataw Island Club

Anderson, SC

WITH BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACES AND EXCELLENT FACILITIES, ANDERSON IS A PERFECT SPORTS DESTINATION

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

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Working with the staff at Visit Anderson and Anderson County on the recent Dixie Youth Baseball World Series was a tremendous experience for our staff and participants. Our staff was blown away by the organization and hospitality provided by the staff Visit Anderson. They left no stone unturned. The level of hospitality we saw extended beyond our staff and participants to the families and spectators.”

— Jay Bennett, Deputy Director Dixie Youth Baseball

Nestled between the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the welcoming shores of Lake Hartwell, Anderson has a rich history and a welcoming personality. Within this county of about 200,000, you’ll find working farms, museums, gorgeous golf courses, marinas and plenty of cultural sites. Anderson is also home to many dining options. No matter what your taste, you can find a restaurant to satisfy your hunger.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶

The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina is home to exhibits that focus not only on the history of agriculture, but how that legacy affects modern and future agricultural practices and healthy living.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Green Pond Landing & Event Center

Fishing

The legendary Green Pond Landing & Event Center is a state-of-the-art recreational facility that is one of America’s finest fishing tournament venues. Green Pond hosted the Bassmaster Classic in 2015, 2018 and 2022. In just its first seven years, it has already hosted $100 million in fishing tournaments, including three Bassmaster Classics.

Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center

Rodeo, Walking, Hiking

The 300-acre Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center plays host to concerts, sporting events, tournaments, festivals, trade shows, community meetings and more. The ASEC complex is also home to hundreds of acres of public park, plus playgrounds and miles of walking trails.

Civic Center of Anderson Trade shows

This 37,000+ square-foot state-of-theart multi-use facility provides a Conference Center, exhibition hall, entertainment arena and much more. The front Ballroom portion of the building provides a conference center atmosphere suitable for business meetings, conferences, conventions, receptions, and banquets for groups varying in size from 100 to 1,000. The Ballroom area, all 7,700 square feet, is the largest such facility in Anderson County. Meanwhile, the 28,000 square foot Arena is home to Anderson County’s largest trade shows and entertainment events – seating up to 3,200.

VISIT ANDERSON

Neil Paul 864-716-3660 neil@visitanderson.com www.visitanderson.com

Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center

Civic Center of Anderson

Greater-area Greenville, SC

KNOWN FOR ITS NATURAL BEAUTY AND LUSH FOLIAGE, GREENVILLE PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF GREAT SPORTS FACILITIES

Greenville, in the upstate region of South Carolina, is home to the breathtaking, majestic Reedy River with beautiful gardens, a bridge overlooking the region, and an incredible waterfall. Visitors will be sure to revel in the natural beauty and winding trails along the river as well as several state parks and museums offering insight into the city’s culture and history.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

Cruise around Greenville on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. Bike, walk or jog this 22+ mile multi-use trail system that runs along the Reedy River connecting downtown to much of the county.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Bon Secours Wellness Arena Basketball, volleyball, hockey, wrestling, indoor sports

This state-of-the-art multipurpose complex is ideal for sporting events, live entertainment, family shows, concerts and so much more. The complex holds, on average, 120 major events per year, and provides several guest services to ensure maximum comfort. This facility has 15,951 seats. You can enjoy a basketball game, watch a nail-biting wrestling match or keep your eye on the puck in a hockey game. With 30 luxury suites, restrooms, parking, and hotel services nearby, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena is the perfect place for your next athletic function.

Conestee Park Baseball, softball

Home of the Greenville Little League, Greenville Dirt Series, and many community events, this “Central Park” of the Upstate features five baseball/softball fields, a playground,

walking trail, large shelter, green space, dog park and direct access to Lake Conestee Nature Preserve.

Greenville Convention Center

Indoor sports

As one of the Southeast’s largest venues, boasting 280,000 square feet of impressive event space in one of the most sought-after cities, the Greenville Convention Center is committed to providing you with the resources you need to turn your event into an experience that brings your plans to life.

VISITGREENVILLESC

Tyler Teran 864-436-0753

tteran@visitgreenvillesc.com www.visitgreenvillesc.com

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Greenville Triumph Soccer

Conestee Park

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

Florence, SC

FANS OF FOOD, FUN AND SPORTS WILL LOVE THIS BUSTLING SOUTHERN CITY

Florence is the perfect place to explore. Florence offers a wide range of dining, with spectacular local cuisine served up with a side of southern hospitality. And to make your culinary experience even more interesting, the origins of the SC Pecan Trail start here. Get a taste of a modern take on traditional dishes that feature pecans.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

While in Florence, hop on the SC Pecan Trail. Grab a passport that highlights local restaurants and retail shops putting pecans in the spotlight to collect stamps and earn prizes.

Paddle through history on the SC Revolutionary Rivers Trail. The 66-mile National Water Trail follows the Lynches Scenic River.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Florence Soccer Complex Soccer, lacrosse, flag football

The expansive 80-acre complex opened in February 2018. Perfect for soccer, lacrosse, flag football and more, the complex consists of 10 championship fields, bathroom stations throughout, a 6,000-square-foot Pavilion with meeting space, and a two-mile walking trail. Past tournaments include Conference Carolinas Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships and Flag Football World Championship Tour.

Florence Center Multi-use

The award-winning Florence Center is the largest convention, meeting, and events center in northeast South Carolina. The venue offers 75,000 sq. ft. of flexible space to accommodate a wide variety of sporting events from esports to gymnastics and everything in between. The Florence Center’s adaptable design was key in hosting the Peach Belt Esports Championship

Scan to discover more of what Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Conference Carolinas has worked with the Florence Area Sports Council for numerous Championships and they have gone above and beyond in every way possible. The attention to detail provided before, during and after each of our Championships in the Florence area has been top-notch.”

— Chris Colvin, Conference Carolinas Commissioner

and the 2018 National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament.

Florence Sports Complex Multi-use

The Carolina Bank Field opened for play in May of 2022 as home of the Florence Flamingos baseball team, and stars as the centerpiece of the Florence Sports Complex. Once complete, the complex will feature six recreation-sized fields, one championship stadium with seating for 1,600, two concessions, restroom buildings, batting cages and locker rooms. A full-sized track and field facility with spectator seating is also under construction.

FLORENCE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Jade Perkins

jade.perkins@visitflo.com 843-664-0330 visitflo.com/sports

Florence Sports Complex Florence Center

PLAYING 3D CHESS

By Jon Schmieder

As we noted last year in this column, sports tourism now has a better seat at the collective tourism table than ever before. Destinations are dedicating more time and resources to the sports market than at any time in my 26 years serving this industry.

For our eighth edition of the Sports Planning Guide trends article, our team at Huddle Up Group looked back at the past year to craft and share the trends to look for in 2023 and beyond. Without further ado, we offer you the top 10 trends we are closely following as we move into the new year.

1Emphasis – Noted above, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) across the country are investing more resources in sports tourism today than ever before. This comes in the form of an increased sports marketing effort and often times in facility development. The pandemic proved to us what we have been saying all along – sports tourism is immune from economic downturns, international conflicts, and yes, pandemics.

state and locally enabling legislation to put a TID in place to fund sports tourism marketing and facility development. Having a sustainable funding mechanism like this can serve a community well in the near and long-term.

4DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (or DEI) has become a front line topic for CVBs and event rights holders alike. Several event owners have rebranded to give notice that they are intentionally addressing DEI issues. Destination International has also provided some excellent best practices in this area for CVBs through their DEI Committee’s work. As a country, we have a long way to go here. We are glad to see the tourism community at large taking an active role in how we interact with one another to make our nation a more equitable place.

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Bricks and Mortar – Nearly every project our team touched this past year had a facility element to it. What venues is that destination missing? Which of their existing facilities can be enhanced to become tournament friendly? If we built XYZ what would the economic output likely be? Ten years ago, very few tourism agencies were investing in bricks and mortar. Today, nearly every one we work with is getting in the weeds with their community leaders to help develop new facilities and/or enhance their existing venues.

2

Pickleball – The fastest growing sport in America is taking over. Pickleball has grown into a national force from the tournament level all the way down to recreational leagues across the country. Pickleball has become an “overnight success” starting in a driveway in Washington State in 1967, with the first official organization for the sport being formed in 1972. One thing our team talks about when looking at the rise of pickleball over the past decade is this – what new sport will emerge next? Slamball? Maybe teqball? How about KUUB? (Note: if you have not heard of these sports, they are all cool, Google them). More sport options mean more potential participants which mean more tournaments to potentially host. If destinations can partner with these sports as they grow, there is a greater possibility to establish a stronghold within these sports (and their events) in the future.

3

Funding – Following up on No. 2 above, how do we fund facility development and enhancement? Tourism Improvement Districts (or TIDs) are definitely the most popular route to take today. Nearly every community we work with is pushing forward some form of

Regionality – Even prior to the pandemic, there was a growing trend of “national championship” events becoming more drive market than cross country flights. That is, the teams were more and more coming from

6

The best organizations will be raising the bar and following a smart plan in the upcoming year

a day’s drive to a tournament than getting on a plane to travel long distances. The pandemic only accelerated that trend. This is important to consider when you are working to create your own events (a trend from the past few years in this writing), as you will want to focus on clubs and teams from within a day’s drive versus trying to recruit teams from greater distances.

7Special Events – More tourism organizations are adding the marketing and management of special events to the sports department’s plate. The ability to execute a sporting event isn’t that much different than producing a music festival. Putting on the “backpacks” (as we like to call it) for special events is becoming quite common for those with an experienced sports staff on the team.

8Bigger, Better, Stronger, Faster – One of the most common calls we got this past year from destinations was this, “We had to furlough all our people during the pandemic, but sports kept rolling. So, we need to build our sports program back up to a place where it is even bigger and better than it was before.” This is another form of doubling down on the great performance sports tourism offered the industry over the past two-plus years.

These last two are carryovers from last year that are still quite relevant today…..

Accountability – As we start to rebound back to 2019 levels, in many cases, resources are still more limited 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 on resource allocations and document every move along the way.

10Silent Sports – Several outdoor sports have seen massive spikes in participation the past few years. Golf, canoe/kayak, and fishing (among others) all offer opportunities for those destinations that seek them. These “silent sports” have become a cornerstone for business development with many CVBs across the country. We would also recommend that for those destinations that have great water and trail assets, that you look at how to optimize some of your sports tourism marketing to the leisure travelers in these sports.

The underlying theme of these trends really boils down to intentionality. Every move your organization makes should be intentional and follow a plan that the entire team thinks will lead to success. We like to say the best organizations out there are playing three dimensional chess while the average ones are plying checkers.

Be intentional. Play 3D chess. Raise the bar in the coming year for you and your organization. Good luck to all in 2023.

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.  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

Pickleball continues to be a growing sport and is now a national force.

Photo courtesy of PPA Tour