Prince George's Takes the Crown

When national tourism figures were recently released, Maryland was one of only five states that showed an increase in the lucrative market.

As Terry likes to remind us, sports generates $182 billion per year nationally, with 27 percent of that coming from travel and contributing to 47 million hotel room nights annually.

Leading the parade, and beating the drums for sports tourism as a major revenue producer, is Prince George's County. In fact, Matt Neitzey, executive director of Prince George's CVB, was quick to comment on the impact sports travel has on their ascent to the throne.

"People are really starting to recognize the county's stature as a sporting venue in the state," he commented in Maryland Gazette.
 
Matt went on to elaborate on the facilities and activities that draw visitors to the county for extended stays.  The versitile Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro stages numerous equestrian events, but also recently hosted the Women's Atlantic 10 Conference basketball championships.  That series attracted 9,000 spectators but also represented accommodations for the teams and their families and friends.  In the next two years, Showplace is slated to host the Women's Colonial Athletic Association hoops tourney.
 
As Terry says, you've got to love those youth and collegiate meets because they travel so well.  When a youngster attends a regional tournament or competition, that frequently turns into a family vacation or weekend road trip.  So the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex near FedEx Field is a top producer with all the track tournaments, invitational swim meets and gymnastics competitions it hosts year round.  The complex is large enough to stage multiple events at the same time.
 
Of course, PG (I'm from there, so I can use the familiar term) is home of the University of Maryland so it benefits not only from the major intercollegiate competitions at Byrd Stadium and Comcast Arena, but also the many other varsity and club competitions that bring traveling teams and their supporters.
 
(As noted previously, the amount of time I spend in downtown Annapolis has given me tremendous appreciation for the number of family members who travel to see their little darlings compete at Academy facilities.  I can only imagine the throngs that flock to College Park.)
 
The other notable factor that promotes the Prince to King is that they've realized the value of the Office of Sports Marketing in helping them identify these lucrative events and package the bids to woo them.  Terry turned them on to the FIFA World Cup opportunity, and FedEx (along with M&T Bank Stadium) is among the 18 venues included in the US bid.  FedEx will also reap huge dividends with the 2011 Army-Navy game and Maryland-Notre Dame game.  Both of these represent sellout, weekend long festivities.
 
Terry had some noteworthy comments in the Gazette article, which I'll repeat here.
 
"Prince George's is one of the main anchor principles when it comes to the Maryland [sporting] marketplace Prince George's can position itself as a stand-alone entity, with a complete package of hotel and retail venues," he said.
 
I hope that over the next year, all Maryland counties will take a long look at their sports and recreation facilities (you can start by referencing our directory of venues) and calculating just how many events and activities take place there over the course of the year.  Not just big ticket events that generate admission taxes, but group activities, field and stream charters, and youth tournaments that represent weekend -- and longer -- travel.
 
You see these figures presented randomly -- such as the number of visitors now using the Allegheny Highlands trail, or the economic impact of the Annapolis Boat Shows.  But there doesn't seem to be a measurement of sports-related travel and spending by individual jurisdiction.   I think it would be a real eye-opener.  Particularly in places like Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.
 
But since sports continues to contribute royally to Prince George's, they will probably reign as sovereign in the realm of Maryland tourism for a long time to come.
 

A Peek at the Preak

It has been an embarrassment of riches lately.  So much going on, so many things to blog about, a lot more in the wings, and then -- there's the Preakness.

I've put my other topics on the proverbial back burner but the state's signature sporting event can't simmer a moment longer.  So here is how it broke from the gate -- as seen by one who was there among the beautiful and bountiful (that would be Terry, our leader) and one who watched carefully for two hours in front of a flat screen, sipping ice water, eyeing carefully how Maryland was displayed to the world. (That would be me.)

We saw two different events, but both bode well for Maryland.  The Preakness is a very festive, highly charged day at work for those in Economic Development.  It is the chance for our state to strut its stuff, from hospitality (traditional Maryland culinary favorites are a delectable part of the showcase) to products.

Under Armour, certainly one of the most recognizable sports apparal brands, had the premier locale in the corporate village.  Their chalet was right beyond the finish line  In addition to Being Seen, Under Armour used their Preakness digs to entertain corporate clients.  In their case, that includes sports celebrities who wear their brand and university ADs who outfit their teams in the distinctive entwined UA logo.   Terry was most impressed with the Under Armour presence.  It is as associated with Maryland as the swoosh folks are with Oregon, and tying it into the Preakness was a visible reminder to everyone there.

(Remember -- Kevin Plank is a bit of a racing buff himself.  He bought Sagamore, the Vanderbilt horse farm in Glyndon where Native Dancer pranced, with the idea of making it again a major player in the racing industry.  so he has more than microfiber in the world of Maryland sports.)

Watching at home, I couldn't see the Protect this House villa.  The brand is too recognizable, so I guess NBC wasn't giving freebie exposure.  What they did show were pastoral scenes (at least the blimp shots made it look pastoral) of the infield, and nice tight closeups on the flowers and food preparation in the VIP section.  As Terry pointed out -- it was a beautiful day and everyone looked their best and were in high spirits at the festivities.

Getting back to the working aspect of it, Terry spent some time with the owner of a major sports franchise who is considering a move to Maryland.  The Preakness was a splendid opportunity to show him a good time and introduce him to potential sponsors and investors.  It's the kind of ambiance you can't offer in a conference room or trade show.  It's an energy that has to be experienced, and in Maryland it's as predictable as the third Saturday in May.

Time for the game.  More tomorrow

Four Maryland Teams on the Road to Baltimore

Hard to believe, but the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships will take place in less than three weeks.

While ticket sales have picked up of late, action will escalate as the field  becomes clearer.  The selection process, mysterious in its works, took place yesterday.  The presence of four Maryland teams among the 16 contestents bodes well for the home tournament.

Some are still smarting from the failure of Navy (losing to Army TWICE) to advance to post season play.  And Towson's loss to Delaware over the weekend kept them from the dance.

But the good news (and big surprise) is that both Johns Hopkins and Loyola made the cut.  Add Mount St. Mary's (who have the dubious distinction of drawing UVa in the first round) and the number 4 ranked Terps to the mix and you have four Maryland Division I teams all striving to make it to Baltimore for Memorial Day.

Hopkins has never lost in the first round, but it won't be easy this year because they have to play Duke in Durham.  Loyola will travel to Ithica to play Cornell, last year's runner up who were also edged by Princeton for the Ivy League title this year.

The Terps will host Hofstra next weekend, the only Maryland  team to enjoy a home advantage.  At least until they make it to Baltimore.

Good luck, Maryland teams.  We hope to see you here.

Quote of Note

I just read this in the Maryland Gazette, in a business story about tourism.  It seems Prince George's County tops all jurisdictions in Maryland for economic impact generated by tourist dollars.

J. Matthew Neitzey, executive director of the Prince George's County Conference and Visitors Bureau, acknowledged the contribution of recently opened National Harbor, but emphasized the county's ability to attract visitors to sports venues such as the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro and the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex and FedEx Field, both in Landover, as a factor in tourism.

"People are really starting to recognize the county's stature as a sporting venue in the state," he said.

As Terry always likes to remind us, youth sports is a luctrative aspect of the industry. (Kids+parents=hotel rooms&restaurant meals)  Both Showplace Arena, with its many equestrian events, and the Sports and Learning Complex with its natatorium and elaborate indoor track and field facilities, bring hoards of young athletes and their families to Prince George's County.

So congratulations to Prince George's County for topping the state in tourist $$$$, and to Matt Neitzey for publicly recognizing where a lot of those dollars go.

Gearing Up

Baltimore's Board of Estimates is meeting now.  I'm not sure where the contract with Baltimore Racing Development for the 2011 Grand Prix is on the agenda, but today's Baltimore Sun story makes it sound like the green flag is already waving and there are plenty of people saluting.

There is supposed to be a press conference after the BOE vote, where the next steps will be outlined.  However, it sounds like Indy Race (the governing body of the circuit) is ready to bless Baltimore just as soon as the City signs the dotted line.

I love this kind of story because it keeps unfolding as more people discover the opportunities an event like this brings to the regional economy.  As with the Preakness, the benefits have a ripple effect as different segments of the hospitality and transportation industries realize what's in it for them.  Lots and lots of out of state visitors looking for places to stay, eat and visit.  Lots of yachts looking for marinas to accommodate them and service their vessels.  Lots of international stars to watch and cameras to catch the action.

And lots of adrenaline-fueled excitement for us locals with a view.  (Warehouse Bin 400 overlooks two tight turns on the course.  Can't wait to hear the swarming buzz.)

We'll have more as the story develops.  But today's contract ratification means the ignition key has been turned and the race to establishing a world class event in August, 2011 is underway.

NOOD racing in Naptown

OK, say it out loud (without looking at the picture) and admit you thought the same thing I did.  Annapolis has some peculiar customs (burning socks, beer can races, etc.) so it isn't a leap to think someone might organize a bay in the buff challenge before jellyfish discourage such exposure. 

But such is not the case.  NOOD is an acronym for National Off-shore One Design, and Annapolis is the third of nine stops in the seasonal regatta that culminates in a championship in Tortolla.

The NOODs (stop snickering) have been coming to Annapolis since 1999.  More than 1,000 sailors and 200 boats in 16 classes competed this past weekend for a chance to qualify for the finals in November.

Most sailboat races are handicapped, where vessels of different designs compete against each other and the winner is determined by calculations of time, rating and course distance.  A spectator has no idea who really wins the popular Wednesday night races because of all the factors in play.  (Doesn't make it any less fun to watch, though.)

In the NOOD regattas, sailboats compete against identical boats as defined by their class association. In theory, since the boats are equal, it is the skill of the captain and crew that determines who wins the regatta.  That's what makes the NOOD series stand out, from Newport to Chicago to St. Petersburg to San Diego.  It's all about the skill of the team.

Created by Sailing World in 1988, the NOOD regattas attract close to 2,000 boats and more than 30,000 competitors annually. Each event in the series features three days of sailboat racing for one-design models from 20 to 70 feet in length.

NOOD attracts not only the best sailors in each host region but also sailing's top stars - including America's Cup and Olympic champions. Many competitive sailors rate the NOOD as the top national event in each region of the country.

Despite the fact that locals won 13 of the 16 classes last weekend, it wasn't for lack of outside participation.  (Actually, it's because so many top ranking sailors call the Chesapeake home.)  This early season tournament brought a lot of competitors and spectators to Maryland.  It's a boon for the hospitality industry because it lasts over a long weekend and involves a lot of celebrating with folks like Captain Morgan.

This is just the beginning of the competitive sailing season in Maryland.  But a victory in the NOODs is good for bragging rights all year.

A Silly Cycle Celebration

Terry rolled his eyes when I announced I was covering the Kinetic Sculpture Race this weekend.  He didn't quite get how this bohemian triathlon, which could have easily been scripted by John Waters, qualifies as a sport or spectator attraction.

You have to be there.  But since you probably weren't, imagine bicycle-powered contraptions decorated with campy themes promoting various social agendas racing (?) through Federal Hill, past the Inner Harbor, into the Patapsco, and through the mud in Patterson Park while waving and saluting thousands of onlookers, many of whom have no earthly idea what they are witnessing.

(Two perplexed Red Sox fans got caught between contestants while crossing the street by the Light Street Pavilion.  "And they think WE'RE weird," one muttered to the other.)

What makes the Kinetic Sculpture Race part of the cycling community (other than the origins of each vehice) is that the eight mile course through downtown Baltimore has become a popular exercise for recreational cyclists who join in the procession as outriders, heralds, or just groupies.  ("Make way for the elephant.  Here comes the elephant," proclaimed one of Bumpo's turban-clad escorts.) 

Before the race reached Pratt Street, four costumed "hons" (who looked like they pedaled in from 1960's Highlandtown) waited to jump into the procession.  They were all recreational cyclists who saw this as a fun way to exercise on a Saturday morning.  They wheeled in ahead of the red barracuda who was setting the pace and established themselves as Grand Marshals of this peculiar parade. 

As I watched the procession pass, I noted a number of other cyclists of all ages, including a costumed unicyclist,  riding along for the fun of it.

I didn't stay for the whole parade, but I did have to see Fifi, the Grand Dame of the Kinetic Sculpture race who has permanent residence at the Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill.  Fifi, a confection of cotton candy pink tulle who dons red pontoon galloshes for her dip in the drink, has been a crowd pleaser since the earliest days of the race.

I departed before Fifi's perennial rival, the Platypus, passed.  I've seen the Platypus before, and he/she has a daunting display of friends, family and fans every year.  (I would not be surprised if the Platypus has his/her own Facebook page for the cult following.)

Somewhere in the middle of the pack (yes, the top award in this tournament goes to the vehicle deemed "most mediocre") was a brass band who tooted while pedaling through pylons on Pratt.  There should have been some award for that feat, too.

I didn't go to the water trials this year, but here are some past pictures of the action on the ramp. (Yes, that's Wallace and Gromit, sunny side up.)

And I can't end without a shoutout to Twitter Jay, the Johns Hopkins mascot fashioned from recycled and renewable materials.  These include bamboo harvested from the Jones Falls in the dead of night and periwinkle colored grocery bags shredded into feathers.

(Those who consider Johns Hopkins the producer of prime time docs and top flight lacrosse players forget it is also a highly regarded engineering school.  Twitter Jay was the inspiration of several of these students.)

Twitter Jay not only sported the environmental message on his pontoon bumpers, he also tweeted his position to fans via a mobile computer and GPS system onboard.

(No word on how that survived the water trials)

So while Terry is right about the questionable merits of Kinetic Sculpture as an athletic endeavor, it is a major celebration of the resourceful and innovative bicycle community.  You'll see many of these same faces (albeit without the costumes) at many of the upcoming excursions in and around Baltimore, or commuting on the ever-growing trails and designated routes that more and more people are taking to work.

(Another shout out to Nate Evans, Baltimore Bicycling and Pedestrian planner who works with us to make Camden Yards more bicycle friendly.    Bike to Work Day is May 21st.)

So as we all look forward to the meeting with Medalist Sports to consider a Tour de Maryland statewide bicycling event in 2012, remember that part of this enthusiastic community are those who dress us like tutus and slosh through the harbor and the mud for fun and exercise.

To see more pix of the race from the Baltimore Sun gallery, go to:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-kinetic-race-pg,0,467071.photogallery