Tourism staff say new sports tournaments and visitor guide could boost winter bookings

Engage Franklin staff reported that DY Sports, a youth-sports organizer, signed contracts for two tournaments this year at the MOSH and intends to expand events in Franklin, and staff also said a new visitor guide and package promotions are in production.

At the Franklin Tourism Commission meeting, Engage Franklin staff member Brandon summarized recent marketing and booking activity and listed multiple incoming events. He said DY Sports “already signed their contract for the 2 tournaments in June and July,” and that the organizer’s goal is to run a monthly tournament and expand into pickleball. Brandon added that after a site visit the group told staff they “could host up to 60 teams per tournament.”

The report said DY Sports’ national organization hosted about 2,500 teams last year and projects roughly 4,000 teams systemwide this coming year; Brandon described the organization as running 40–50 teams per weekend and that MOSH could accommodate more by using its courts individually. The commission noted MOSH is a 70,000-square-foot facility with multiple courts: Brandon stated the venue can host four basketball courts, 12 pickleball courts, eight volleyball courts and four futsal courts.

Brandon and commission members discussed lodging and registration practices. Brandon said lodging will appear as “recommended areas” on the website and that participants typically make their own reservations. He said staff will list recommended hotels during registration to guide tournament participants toward local properties. The commission also discussed other pending meetings with event promoters, including a March 24 meeting with a basketball organization and a March 26 meeting with Ventures Endurance, an events company.

On marketing, staff said a new visitor’s guide is due next month and that staff are coordinating package promotions with partners, including winter ski-hill packages scheduled around Savannah’s opening prior to ski season. Brandon and Commission member Mark Wiley said staff will promote packaged offers and may add restaurants or other partners to broaden the packages. Brandon also said the office produced video tours of venues for the tourism YouTube channel and has scheduled video tours of several local venues in April.

The commission discussed outreach and media opportunities: Brandon said the office gave away 5,000 coupons at a recent golf show, each coupon highlighting Engage Franklin partners; Commissioner Bill Elliott noted the coupons were gone by the end of the show. Commissioner Mark Wiley said the region’s Biz Times will include a business-anniversary issue that could feature Franklin-area milestones and suggested checking whether tourism partners should be included.

Commission members said they will continue to pursue tournaments and package promotions as part of routine destination marketing work. No formal vote was required or taken on any event contracts at the meeting.