The TEAMS Conference & Expo "the world's largest gathering of sports-event organizers" has been designed to achieve maximum value for attendees and exhibitors, and to focus on the inter-relationship of all sports-event industry stakeholders.
Hosted by the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, TEAMS 2009 will be held October 13-17 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
"Our intent is to give both buyers and sellers a deeper understanding of one another and to allow them to take full advantage of their time together and within our programs," said Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine, which organizes the TEAMS Conference & Expo.
Among the many events planned, a general session on the morning of Wednesday, October 14, will discuss the most important issues facing the sports-event industry, and TEAMS attendees will hear from the political leadership of New Orleans and Louisiana on the important role sports and sporting events have played in the city's post-Katrina recovery.
"Addressing the audience will be James Carville and Mary Matalin, the Washington, D.C., power couple that have moved their family to New Orleans and will co-chair the city's Super Bowl host committee," said Schneider.
"On Wednesday afternoon, October 14, attendees can select from a variety of two-part, two-hour sessions, called 'Master Classes,'" said Lisa Furfine, associate publisher of SportsTravel and show manager of TEAMS.
"These sessions will be led by practitioners with various specialties, including social media, sponsorship sales and sports-commission funding. In addition, special sessions will be offered for members of the National Governing Body Association, a group consisting of representatives of the Olympic sports."
On the morning of Thursday, October 15, the Louisiana Superdome will welcome attendees for TEAMS' first-ever off-site general session. The Superdome's general manager, Doug Thornton, will recount his experiences during Hurricane Katrina and detail the transformational renovation of the Superdome that has occurred since. The general session will be followed by behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium.
This year's SportsTravel Awards Ceremony will feature an inspiring keynote address by Chris Waddell, the multiple medal winning Paralympian who will attempt in late September to become the first athlete to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on a handcycle. His appearance at TEAMS will come only a few days after his return from his historic climb.
On Friday, October 16, attendees will be invited to participate in another first, a day of service at TEAMS. "Philanthropic Friday will include the Fifth Annual TEAMS Golf Tournament, which will benefit the St. Michael's Special School and the SportsTravel Foundation," Schneider said.
"Non-golfers are encouraged to participate in a project coordinated with the New Orleans non-profit Beacon of Hope in which TEAMS attendees will help rebuild the Pontchartrain Park Sports Complex."
TEAMS was recently recognized for the fifth time as one of the "50 Fastest-Growing Trade Shows" by Tradeshow Week. For more information on TEAMS 2009, please visit TEAMSconference.com or call toll-free (877) 577-3700.
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