The United States Indoor Soccer Association held its Eighth Annual Facility Operators Conference and Trade Show, June 25-29, at The Westin Alexandria in Old Town Alexandria, VA, just outside of Washington, DC. The industry-wide event for existing operators, startups and leading providers was highlighted by educational sessions, roundtables, social activities and, of course, the USIndoor Trade Show.

Over 350,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year, and with the growing availability of AEDs (automated external defibrillators), US court rulings are beginning to favor arguments for requiring AEDs as emergency care equipment.

Research reveals that the synthetic turf, questioned by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, did not hold enough lead to pose a danger, along with other findings.

Protecting customers’ and staffmembers’ personal information has never been so difficult. The growth of electronic records and financial transactions has increased the potential for piracy, potentially leaving your facility exposed to liability. Recreational facilities can take a number of steps to protect rights to privacy and reduce risks of losses.

As the popularity of indoor soccer continues to rise, so too does the demand for indoor facilities that can accommodate year-round programs.

NEW! Referee Program: Fall Instructors Class

Interested in getting your facility’s referees better trained, credentialed and insured? Send your head referee to USIndoor’s NEW Fall Instructor class on Saturday, November 1 at Chicago Indoor Sports (Chicago, IL). For more information on this class, call or e-mail Shaine Anderson, USIndoor’s Vice President of Services, at 703-820-2810 or shaine@usindoor.com.

Facility operators, who have not yet scheduled their 2009 Referee Certification Clinics, are urged to contact USIndoor for assistance. For an updated schedule of clinics across the country, visit USIndoor’s online Referees Page.

Click “IntheCrease” to access the 2008 spring issue of USIndoor’s Referee Newsletter, exclusively available to facility and referee members. For password assistance, contact pr@usindoor.com.

Committee Reports

Members-Only: Financial Survey Results Released
Twenty USIndoor member facilities recently completed the industry’s first broad-based financial and demographic survey, marking a significant milestone in our industry’s history. The effort allowed USIndoor to publish meaningful financial statistics for the first time ever and share performance details with participating members. The survey is available to all USIndoor member facilities at least three years in operation, and each member’s identity is held in strict confidence. For additional information about participating in the survey, please contact Don Shapero at info@usindoor.com.

Tournament:
USIndoor’s Tournament Committee met several times over the last several months, targeting mid- April, 2009, in Las Vegas for its inaugural championship event for Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Over 30 and Co-ed divisions. Youth divisions will also compete on regional and national levels. For information about hosting a qualifying tournament or for more information, contact USIndoor at pr@usindoor.com.

Rules:
USIndoor’s National Rules Committee recently completed its review of the Amateur and Youth Edition of “The Official Rules of Indoor Soccer.” The 2009 edition will be available by October 1, and USIndoor has begun accepting orders via 2009 Official Rules. All 2009 USIndoor referees will receive the new edition through their certification or re-certification at no additional charge.