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Airstream Ventures pitches broad sports-event pipeline; flag football, lacrosse and triathlons targeted
Summary
Airstream Ventures representative told the council the county has secured multiple prospective and recurring events, is pursuing NCAA and national governing-body bids, and aims to bring 10 events that together could generate more than 3,000 room nights and about $2 million in economic impact.
Alan Verlander of Airstream Ventures told the Tourist Development Council Sept. 3 that sports tourism outreach over recent months has produced multiple booked and prospect events for Clay County, and that the county’s new regional sports complex makes larger tournaments possible.
Verlander listed four already-booked events he said will recur: Athletes (girls and coed flag football), the Minor League Golf Tour tournament (third year), the Black Creek Showdown (girls flag football, planned as a two-day event), and a cross-country invitational returning to Sea Mark Ranch. He said the golf event can draw Korn Ferry–level players and that the flag football market has grown since flag was added to the Olympics.
He and staff described ongoing conversations with dozens of event organizers and national governing bodies including USA Archery, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), USA Pickleball, college club-sport organizers, and others. Verlander said the county is pursuing NCAA regional championship bids and that bids are typically submitted in March with awards in October.
Verlander gave a goal of bringing 10 events that together would produce more than 3,000 room nights and about $2,000,000 in estimated direct economic impact. He and staff told council members that event conversion depends on logistics such as parking and operations at the regional sports park; staff said they are working through solutions.
Council members and staff discussed niche sports the county could target—Verlander emphasized flag football as a current high-opportunity sport and also noted water sports, barbecue events, pickleball, triathlon, archery, and others as prospects. Staff said regional partners and a new USA-sports liaison (Bailey Robinson) are actively pitching national events that can fit available facilities.
Council members asked about barriers to hosting large events; the council and staff said parking and an operational plan for the regional sports complex are active concerns but are being addressed by county operations and administration. Verlander and staff also said Airstream, tourism staff and parks and rec coordinate regularly to convert one-day events to multi-day events when possible to capture more overnight stays.
