Connect Sports Virtual Brings Together 180 Participants in Sports Tourism
September 15, 2020
On Sept. 9-10, Connect Sports, a live business conference and reverse trade show for sporting event planners and those in the sports travel and tourism industry, held its first-ever online event, Connect Sports Virtual. The two-day online conference attracted 180 participants — 90 attendees and 90 suppliers — seeking to gain industry insights, make professional connections and generate new business.
In the digital event’s new virtual appointment lounge, 3,912 one-on-one marketplace appointments were conducted with the help of Connect’s matchmaking platform. Suppliers who attended indicated receiving an average of 4.8 new business development opportunities from the meetings, which were held in virtual break-out rooms supported by a robust virtual event platform. Planners attended an average of 23.5 virtual appointments each, according to Connect officials.
By combining the human-to-human experience of Connect Sports Marketplace with engaging virtual programming, Connect Sports aimed to rebuild business foundations for the sports tourism industry, said Patrick Higgins, vice president at Connect. The company — which produces marketplace conferences, magazines and websites for event professionals in the meetings, events, travel and tourism industries — has previously held smaller online events prior to this one.
“Connect Sports Virtual was a great testament to the power of continuing to bring the right people together in the right environment,” Higgins said. “We’re looking forward to continuing our winning streak when we bring corporate, association, faith and specialty attendees together with Connect Express [in October].”
During Connect Sports Virtual, virtual attendees were able to take advantage of five general sessions, two virtual networking functions and three marketplace appointment sessions that resulted in an average of 23.5 virtual appointments per attendee. Of those meetings, planners rated 44.5 percent of their supplier meetings as “Great Presentation,” 41.5 percent as “Immediate Business Potential” and 9.5 percent as “Deal in Negotiation.”
According to Connect officials, 73 percent of planners said they preferred the Connect virtual platform compared to what they have already experienced from the virtual events they’d attended so far in 2020.
“This was my first year attending Connect Sports, and with the virtual setting and experience being so good, I can only imagine how great the in-person meetings will be,” said John Whitley, president of the National Travel Basketball Association. “This is truly a great way to meet new destinations and facilities as an event operator.”
Connect Sports Virtual attracted participants from 36 U.S. states as well as Puerto Rico and Canada. Sporting event organizers and sports planners made up the majority of attendees at 51 percent, while 39 percent were from CVBs and sports commissions, 5 percent were hotels and resorts, and 4 percent were facilities and venues.
To learn more about Connect Sports Virtual, go here.
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Partner Voices
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Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind.
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Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.
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