2011 Conference Report

Conference Program Photo Album Sponsors & Exhibitors Schedule of Events Become a Member Indianapolis 2012     (coming soon)

Nearly 200 attendee’s participated in USIndoor’s 11th Annual Facility Operator’s Conference and Trade Show. Held at the Marriott World Center in Orlando June 15-18th, existing operators, startups and vendors experienced this palatial resort and mixed education with fun, creating one of USIndoor’s most interactive conferences.

Certified Arena Operator's Class
sponsored by Yeadon Fabric Domes

The Conference kicked off with USIndoor’s 5th Annual Certified Arena Operator (CAO) Program. Since 2007, over 100 attendees have taken the intense 2-day course designed for general managers. For both existing operators and startups, the Program provides measureable skills and specialized knowledge that can be immediately applied to enhance a career in recreational sports.

Under the direction of Jim Cline (The Goals Group, Westerville, OH), the Program is instructed by leading industry authorities. For the third year in a row, the CAO class received great feedback. The final requirement for this year’s attendees is to pass a take-home exam. Exams are due by August 1 and results are expected by September 1.

Those interested in learning more about becoming a CAO or maintaining their certification should visit USIndoor Education.

Facility Bus Tour
sponsored by Hasty Awards

This year’s Bus Tour included stops at XL Soccer World, still under construction, the massive RDV Sports Plex, the Orlando Sports Center, recently converted from soccer to volleyball and basketball, and Van’s Skatepark. See Tour for related links. As always, the Tour was a great way to meet exchange views with a great mix of owners and operators from all over the US and Canada and to observe how operators in Orlando implement their strategies. Everyone also enjoyed lunch at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville at Universal City Walk.

General Session
sponsored by Arena Sports (Lil' Kickers and Sports I.T.)

USIndoor Meetings Director, Lou Mengsol, officially opened the 2011 Conference on Friday morning and announced downtown Indianapolis, IN, as the event's 2012 destination. The General Session featured USIndoor's third annual State of the Industry Keynote Address, led by Bryan Finnerty.  The State of the Industry Address covered key areas of the market that are changing due to the economy and shifting consumer choices, such as financing, technology, competition and management, just to name a few.

Association president Don Shapero led the General Session, which included reports by Jim Cline, CAO (CAO Program), Mark Grossman (Insurance), Chris Moler (Sponsorship Program), Ralph Shirley (Mentor Program), and Don Crowe, CAO (Advisory Board of Directors). The session concluded with the presentation of 5- and 10-year member awards:

Trade Show
FridayPresident's Reception sponsored by The Monument Sports Group
Saturday Luncheon sponsored by ActiveCommunities

The atmosphere in the trade show was electric with attendees visiting nearly 40 Vendors, gathering information and exchanging ideas and business cards. Runnign Friday and Saturday, the Trade Show created a positive buzz from vendors and attendees alike, as current operators and startups got an up-close look at the latest technology and innovations to help take their facilities to the next level of function and profitability. Vendors from virtually every aspect of the indoor facility industry were represented: from turf and board providers, to netting and lighting, scoreboards, software and insurance; program providers, like American Indoor Lacrosse, Lil’ Pigskins, Lil Sluggers and Parisi Speed School; and new exhibitors including Power Purchasing (group buying), HappyFeet Legends and Hasty Awards.

 

Core Education Sessions

The Conference’s core program consisted of two tracks of educational sessions for existing operators and for startups. Friday’s Existing Operator Track started with an insightful roundtable discussion on Best Practices, followed by Survival Tactics, focusing on case studies. Educational sessions over the two days dealt with Human Resources, Measures of Success (roundtables), Building and Selling Sponsorships, and numerous program development sessions. Startup Track topics included: decision factors for opening a sports facility, the feasibility study, establishing a business model, financing, and risk management. For a complete summary of topics, visit 2011 Conference Program.

Social Events
sponsored by Universal Fabric Structures

Saturday evening’s optional social, sponsored by Universal Fabric Structures included a Poolside BBQ … that was not so pool-side, considering it had to moved inside due to the weather. But true to form with a Pina Colda in hand, Jimmy Buffet playing, and a fabulous buffet of BBQ favorites, everyone had a great time.

Conference Feedback

Response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive regarding the Conference dates, its location, choice of hotel, schedule of events, moderators, format, affordability and Trade Show. Recommendations from existing operators included ideas on sessions, involving their staff and the length of the Conference, and from vendors on tweaks to the trade show layout. Send us your feedback at lou@usindoor.com.

Thank you to Our Sponsors!

USIndoor wishes to thank its generous sponsors for once again supporting our annual event. Those not mentioned above include:

When it comes to future buying decisions, please show your appreciation by thinking of them first, along with all of USIndoor's exhibitors and Corporate Members.


Looking Ahead

While this year’s Conference was quite a success, we are constantly evaluating how we can make it more productive and enjoyable. Our 2012 Conference in Indianapolis will be the second new destination in as many years. Our host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Downtown--newly renovated for the Super Bowl--is just steps from the dining and entertainment district. Plus, we’ll be refining our educational tracks more so for owners, senior managers and regular staff, which will be a new third track, besides startups.  SAVE THE DATES: June 11-14, 2012!.

As for our goals between now and next year’s conference, we’ll continue expanding the role of USIndoor.com, both in terms of sport programming, learning, social media and resources in which all our members can engage. This fresh approach will enable us to attract to our niche community even more valuable resources and intelligence as our membership widens its scope of programming, interests and connectivity. Of course, its ultimate success depends on you, our members, to get involved.

As you have undoubtedly heard, we have begun dedicating more and more resources on a sponsorship program, which will involve as many of our members as possible and hopefully add to all of our financial capabilities. And you’ll see the return of our Teleseminar Series later this summer, with easier access than ever before and revitalized topics.

On behalf of the USIndoor leadership and staff, I would like to thank again all of our generous volunteers, outside speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and you! It is all of your support that helps us give back and serve you. Thank you for your commitment to all that USIndoor represents and for your involvement and support where possible. And remember, please, to show your appreciation to all our volunteers and USIndoor providers.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Shapero
President

United States Indoor Sports Association
1340 N. Great Neck Road, Suite 1272-142
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454-6822
703-820-2810
509-357-7096 (Fax)
info@usindoor.com