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DELIVERING RECORD-BREAKING

EXPERIENCES.ANNUAL REPORT

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OverviewThe Spokane Sports Commission was founded in 1989, and was the first Sports Commission established in the Northwestern states. In regards to sports tourism, Spokane has broken barriers and set records, time and time again. We have been part of an impressive run of national, international, and Olympic Trial events while setting attendance records and receiving accolades from governing bodies of sport.

Today, we face new challenges. Cities and towns across the country have realized the benefit of sports tourism and are investing more than ever in their regional sports marketing efforts—including greater funding, newer facilities, sophisticated teams, and innovative ideas.

Spokane Sports Commission is looking forward to a bigger than ever 2017. We will also be focusing our efforts on long-term strategies that will improve our regional facilities and maximize our sports development efforts, ensuring Spokane continues to be competitive for years to come.

Thank you for your continued support of sports in our region. It’s only with the continued support of our community that we are able to advance sports in Spokane.

OUR PURPOSEWe make life better with sports.

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What We DoFounded in 1989, the Spokane Sports Commission is a non-profit, economic

development organization responsible for recruiting, retaining, and facilitating sports

events for the Spokane region. As advocates for sports development, our efforts help

our region realize the economic, social and community-development benefits of sports.

STAFF & SERVICES

PAM PARKS (CHAIR)EASTERN WA UNIVERSITY

BILL MAXEY (VICE-CHAIR)MAXEY LAW OFFICE

CAJER NEELY (TREASURER)BROOKE BAKER SPINKBAKER CONSTRUCTION

KARA BELLCITY OF SPOKANE

MARK CASEYMULLIN, CRONIN, CASEY & BLAIR, P.S.

BARB ANZIVINOOFFICE MANAGER

ERIC SAWYERCEO/PRESIDENT

LYNNELLE CAUDILLTHE DAVENPORT COLLECTION

STEVEN JONESEYMANN, ALLISON, HUNTER, JONES, P.S.

DOUG KELLEYAVISTA UTILITIES

BOB MINNIXWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

JIM MURPHY

DAVE PIERBRETT SPORTS

BARB RICHEYSTCU

HERB ROTCHFORDGREATER SPOKANE LEAGUE

RITA SANTILLANESBEST WESTERN PEPPERTREE INN

BRYN WESTRIVERPARK SQUARE

athlete registration services, financial services

ASHLEY BLAKEDIRECTOR OF SPORTS

DEVELOPMENT

national sports development, bid management, research

PAUL CHRISTIANSENDIRECTOR OF

EVENT SERVICES

event management contracts & logistics

strategy & operations facility development

DANA HAYNESMEDIA SPECIALIST

event media services, social media

local club development, tournament development

JODI KAYLERVP OF MARKETING

& COMMUNICATIONS

strategy & marketing branding, creative services

SAMMIE RAGANMARKETING & EVENT

MANAGER

travel & housing, athlete experience, event promotion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHERIE GWINNSPORTS DEVELOPMENT

MANAGER

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FUNDING FOR FUTURE SUCCESS

$386,580

$374,917

$400,000*

Funds pre-committed for 2017 event expenses

Funds spent on event support in 2016

Funds pre-committed for 2018 event expenses

The competition is fierce when it comes to bidding for sports events. Cities are expected more than ever to contribute significant funds towards hosting and servicing events. The Spokane Sports Commission has already won many events for 2017 and 2018, which include future financial commitments on behalf of the community. These outstanding contracts make future community support imperative from public funding to private donors.

Spokane Sports Commission relies on public funding from a variety

of sources. These combined dollars allow us to market and promote

the region as a hub for youth, college and adult sports—all while filling

hotels, restaurants, and retail locations throughout the region. In addition

to direct tourism spending, the community benefits from an increase in

tax revenue, improving our schools, roads, and safety services.

2016

Funding Summary

*Still actively selling 2018 and beyond.

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2016 REVENUE

TOTAL: $1,379,000

Lodging Tax

Tourism Promotion Area

Rental Car Tax

Private Sources

$404,000$200,000

$164,000

$611,000

2016 EXPENSES

TRENDS

Administration

Sports Development & Marketing

Personnel

Direct Event Expenses$583,000$203,000

$152,000

$375,000

2013 2014 2015 2016

Lodging Tax (all sources) $280,000 $433,000 $370,000 $403,670

Tourism Promotion Area $500,000 $530,000 $530,000 $611,091

Rental Car Tax $200,000 $220,000 $200,000 $200,000

Private Sources $198,000 $158,300 $211,000 $164,209

Total Revenue $1,180,013 $1,343,314 $1,311,000 $ 1,379,000

Total Expenses $1,185,250 $1,347,500 $1,427,250 $1,313,000

TOTAL: $1,313,000

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Economic Summary

And generated

hotel night stays

$53M

12663

51K45KThese events

brought

Adding up to

Contributing

into the local economy

Sports Commission supported

events

traveling athletes

competition days

2016

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HISTORIC TRENDS

2013 2014 2015 2016# OF EVENTS 53 61 64 63

ATHLETES 26,420 40,699 41,953 44,955*HOTEL ROOM

NIGHTS 25,801 44,793 57,784 51,479*

ECONOMIC IMPACT $27,831,804 $39,721,890 $44,412,091 $52,822,115*

Note: In 2014, the economic impact formula was adjusted to accommodate new spending patterns. 2012–2013 based off $110/$150 per day spending. 2014–2016: $150/$210 per day spending. Youth events are calculated at a lower daily spending rate than adult athlete events.

FROM 2013 TO 2016, THERE WAS: > 70% increase in the number of athletes hosted. > 99% increase in hotel room nights generated. > $26 million increase in economic impact, or 90% Increase.

ECONOMIC IMPACT AT-A-GLANCE

$0M

$10M

$20M

$30M

$40M

$50M

$60M

2013 2014 2015 2016*

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2016 Event Summary

ECONOMIC IMPACT

USA Volleyball Pacific Northwest Qualifier (PNQ) $7,722,000

2016 NCAA DI Men’s Basketball 1st & 2nd Round $4,450,000

2016 Washington State Middle School Girls and Boys Basketball Championship

$2,632,500

2016 WIAA 1B, 2B, 1A State Track & Field Championships $2,094,300

2016 Spokane-Coeur d’Alene American Legion Wood Bat Classic

$2,047,500

2016 USTA PNW Adult 18 & Over Sectional Championship $1,757,925

2016 WIAA Hardwood Classic: Boys & Girls State 1B/2B Basketball Championships

$1,544,000

2016 USTA PNW Adult 40 & Over Sectional Championship $1,465,425

ECONOMIC IMPACT

2018 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships $3,112,200

2017–2019 NWAC Softball Championships $3,000,000

2018 WA USBC Open & Women’s Tournament $2,733,900

2017 USA BMX National Event $2,348,775

2017 USA Judo National and International JR Olympics Championships $1,774,500

2017 USTA PNW Adult 18 & Over Sectional Championship $1,622,000

2018 USATF Masters Outdoor Track and Field National Championships $1,532,700

2018 Sectional Figure Skating Championships $1,092,000

2017 & 2018 WIAA 4A & 2A Boys & Girls High School State Golf Championships $600,000

2016 USA Powerlifting Northwest Regional Championships $107,250

2016 EVENT HIGHLIGHTSMOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2016

2016 MAJOR WINSBIG EVENTS CLOSED IN 2016

In 2016, Spokane Sports Commission supported 63 sports events in

our region. By offering events financial support or serving their needs

through marketing and event services, we are able to take ordinary

tournaments and make them extraordinary. Simultaneously, we are

actively securing future events for years to come.

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22WEST PLAINS/

NORTHSIDEEVENTS

20CENTRALSPOKANEEVENTS

21SPOKANE

VALLEYEVENTS

29UNIQUE SPORTS

SUPPORTED IN 2016

VOLLEYBALLNORDIC SKIINGRUGBYBASKETBALLTRIATHLONTRACK & FIELDBASEBALLTENNISSOFTBALLWRESTLING

POWERLIFTINGSTRONGMANWEIGHTLIFTINGGOLFLACROSSEROLLER DERBYTRAIL RUNNINGBMXCYCLOCROSSFIGURE SKATING

JUDOMOUNTAIN BIKEDISC GOLFFOOTBALLGYMNASTICSBADMINTONROAD CYCLINGFLAG FOOTBALLROAD RUNNING

100+ Successful sporting events are dependent on the time, skill and commitment from grassroots sports clubs from across the region. In 2016, we partnered with

As reward for their efforts, our sports clubs receive notoriety within their sport, regionally and nationally, as well as awareness and increased local participation.

REGIONALCLUBS

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Our staff and board members logged

100+ travel days in 2016, in efforts to secure new business.

TRIPS INCLUDED:

USATF INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS COMMISSION SYMPOSIUM

NCAA BID SYMPOSIUM + INDIANAPOLIS CLIENT MEETINGS

USA JUDO JUNIOR OLYMPICS

2016 OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES, RIO DE JANEIRO

US OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SPORTSLINK CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON STATE WRESTLING ANNUAL MEETING

INLAND NORTHWEST TRACK & FIELD ANNUAL MEETING

PAN AMERICAN TAEKWONDO UNION CHAMPIONSHIPS

COLORADO SPRINGS CLIENT MEETINGS

USA TRACK & FIELD ANNUAL MEETING

Development EffortsSpokane Sports Commission is the sports tourism sales and marketing

agency for the region. We spend many hours researching, developing

and submitting bids for future events while servicing upcoming

tournaments. Our sports development team is focused on developing

relationships with national and international sport governing bodies,

college conferences, and new emerging sports organizations.

2016

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Development Efforts OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMESSpokane Sports Commission had a unique opportunity to send two staff members

to the Rio Olympics to work side-by-side with the United States Olympic Committee

at the 2016 USA House. Spokane was the only city represented by their Sports

Commission. This gave our staff valuable event experience, an opportunity to

give back to our sports community, and the ability to form lasting bonds with the

international sports community.

In 2016, we hosted site visits for

10 major sports decision makers.

We’ve found the best way to secure new business is to bring decision makers to Spokane for a tour of the city, our facilities, and our community. We hear time-and-time again that Spokane always exceeds their expectations.

SITE VISITS INCLUDED:

USA SOFTBALL

USA TABLE TENNIS

NCAA

STRONGMAN

USA BMX

USA GYMNASTICS

USA POWERLIFTING

USA JUDO

NWAC CONFERENCE

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2016

SPOKANE SPORTSPLEXAs our community continues to grow as a sports destination, a new multi-use sports

facility would allow the region to attract events that we have not been able to host

due to facility restrictions. It will provide an exceptional experience for local athletes

as well as for athletes and their fans coming from across the country and overseas.

Learn more about this important project at: www.spokanesportsplex.org

AIRWAY HEIGHTS RECREATION COMPLEXLacking parks and fields for youth sports programs, Airway Heights has received

funding for a new 70-acre recreational complex. This project will provide a

center for community recreation as well as provide for sports related economic

development. www.cawh.org

MT. SPOKANE ALPINE SKI AREA EXPANSIONMt. Spokane is developing an additional 80 acres of groomed alpine ski trails and

new chairlift within the concession area. Along with expanded skiing, the area will

open additional land and trail system for potential mountain bike and trail running

events. In addition, Mt. Spokane will improve their guest services facility—providing

for a more marketable venue when pursuing competitive events in the concession

area. www.mtspokane.com/expansion

MT. SPOKANE NORDIC AREA TRAIL AND LODGE EXPANSIONMt. Spokane has proposed the expansion of the cross-country ski trail system,

new day lodge, stadium area and biathlon range. The project would provide

opportunities to pursue national and international events in nordic skiing, biathlon,

and when combined with the existing trail system, mountain bike and trail

running events.

Facility Development and Improvements

In order to compete on a world stage, our city needs exceptional facilities.

Currently, the region’s existing sports facilities exceed scheduling parameters,

leaving little room for growth of local sports groups, let alone expanding sports

tourism. The Spokane Sports Commission actively advocates for facility projects

that improve sports tourism. Below is a list of projects in development.

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Facility Development and Improvements Advance Sports Grants

In 2016, the Spokane Sports Commission formed a committee to redesign our grant program (supported by private donations and unrestricted funds) to better meet the needs of our local clubs and facilities. The new “Advance Sports” Grant Program now focuses on improving a club’s equipment, technology, or venues—outside of our normal event support obligations. By providing one-time grants, we give clubs the ability to grow their membership and may potentially allow them to host future events. These grants are dependent on private and corporate donations.

Founded in 1965, The Inland

Northwest Sports Hall of Fame, a

committee of the Spokane Sports

Commission, has celebrated the

achievements of top athletes,

coaches, and contributors in the

Spokane region. Our region’s athletic

talent is a huge source of pride and

positive recognition for our area,

and we want to honor those who

have attracted regional and national

attention. Hall of Fame memorabilia

for all inductees can be viewed year-

round at Spokane Veterans Memorial

Arena.

Save the Date for the 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017 | 4PM SPOKANE VETERANS MEMORIAL ARENA

www.spokanesports.org/sports-hall-of-fame.html

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For the 3rd year, Spokane Sports Commission partnered with SWX to celebrate youth teams, athletes, and coaches at the Spokane Youth Sports Awards Show. This important community event allows us to honor student athletes with outstanding athletic abilities along with strong character demonstrated in the classroom and community.

Spokane Youth Sports Awards

www.spokanesports.org/sportsawards.html

SAVE THE DATE: MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

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Congratulations to the winners in 2016.

ELI EMERSONCENTRAL VALLEY HS

ADAM JACOBSONLEWIS & CLARK HS

KATIE KACZKAPARASPORT SPOKANE

ROBERTO LOPEZROGERS HS

Against All Odds Recipients

NON-HIGH SCHOOL TOP MALE ATHLETE

ANDREW POTYK CROSS COUNTRY NORDIC SKIING

COACH OF THE YEAR

DAVID MCKENNA FOOTBALL, GONZAGA PREP

1B/2B/1A TOP FEMALE HS TEAM

COLTON BASKETBALL1B/2B/1A TOP MALE HS TEAM

DEER PARK WRESTLING

2A/3A/4A TOP FEMALE HS TEAM

CENTRAL VALLEY BASKETBALL

2A/3A/4A TOP MALE HS TEAM

GONZAGA PREP FOOTBALLNON-HIGH SCHOOL TOP

FEMALE ATHLETE

SARAH NICHOLLS SWIMMING

HIGH SCHOOL TOP FEMALE ATHLETE

RILEY LUPFER BASKETBALL, LEWIS & CLARK

HIGH SCHOOL TOP MALE ATHLETE

DALTON YOUNG WRESTLING, LAKESIDE HS

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SPOKANE SPORTS COMMISSION The Spokane Sports Commission is a non-profit, publicly funded organization founded in 1989 to promote and facilitate successful sporting events in the Spokane region.

www.spokanesports.org