2002 USIndoor Facility Operators'
Conference Report

September 13-15
Family First Sports Park, Erie, PA

USIndoor thanks its local host, Family First Sports Park (Erie, PA), its Roundtable Moderators, its Exhibitors, and Sponsors (All Sports Enterprises, AstroPlay®, Summit Structures, GOAL Indoor, USIndoorTV, and The Monument Sports Group) for making this Second Annual Event a great success. In just two years, the Conference has grown approximately 30% and extended its reach across North America:

This year Conference expanded its programming, including specialized training and certification of indoor soccer referees and a Tour of four different facilities (Family First, Erie, PA; Soccer Sportsplex, North Olmstead, OH; Metroplex Warrensville Heights, OH; and Lost Nations Sports Complex, Willoughby, OH), attended by 60 guests.

The core itinerary of the Conference consisted of five Roundtable discussions, occurring simultaneously and lasting approximately 1½ hours, for five Sessions over Saturday and Sunday. (See Itinerary.) Topics, designed for both startups and active facilities included: Building Process, Writing the Business Plan, Financing, Employee Communications, Management Software, Marketing to Players, Marketing to Advertisers, Insurance, Merchandising, Tournaments, General Operations, Alternate Uses, Rules, Referees, and Competition, Managing Expenses, Revenue Programs and Leadership. Exhibitors were also invited to participate. While notes are available for some of the Roundtables, we are unable to include them here.

COMMENTS FROM CONFIDENTIAL FEEDBACK FORMS:

“The conference was GREAT! [We] enjoyed it as much or more than the Athletic Business Conference in Orlando last year - probably more, since this conference is geared only to indoor soccer facilities. It was well-run, the facility was spectacular, the seminars were appropriate, the speakers (or moderators), by and large, were very good. The tour of other facilities was important to us, and very well run. The entire experience was a GREAT VALUE. Talk about getting your money's worth!”

“All the sessions were helpful topics for an aspiring future owner.”

“A valuable opportunity to meet and discuss issues with other arena owners.”

“It was great to share a lot of the common negative issues other facilities are dealing with and how they have been resolved. Sometimes it feels like it is just isolated to us.”

“A chance to have face-to-face discussions with prospective partners.”

Of course, we will build on the positive feedback from the event and make adjustments where appropriate. Some suggested modifications included increasing and concentrating Exhibit time more on Saturday and eliminating Sunday exhibits, selecting a site more accessible by air, offering more Roundtables on administrative issues, and . Attendees who have not yet had an opportunity to send us their feedback may still do so via Email, and suggestions for 2003 are also welcome from those who were unable to attend.

FACILITIES AND PROMOTERS MAY APPLY TO HOST THE 2003 AND 2004 CONFERENCES BY SUBMITTING A HOST APPLICATION BY JANUARY 15, 2003. Once a decision is reached regarding next year’s Conference site, we will issue a general announcement.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS AND THE INDUSTRY IN 2003

Besides the wisdom and experience exchanged, which will undoubtedly have meaningful impact on almost every participant’s plans and operations, our ability to effectuate national strategies, dedicated to preserving and growing our business and our sport, will be most important in the long run. USIndoor’s mission is clear: To support its members (including its corporate members) however it can and, in so doing, promote the game of indoor soccer. USIndoor expects to promote this end by helping its members reduce their costs and by creating revenue opportunities for them.

The Conference highlighted the following national programs that any facility can adopt, which may help them in their business and, in so doing, further our national goals:

1. ANNOUNCING The “USIndoor Network.” Having grown to over 150 facilities and startups all across the country, USIndoor is beginning to attract advertisers eager to target our industry’s demographic segment. The newly formed USIndoor Network, to which all indoor soccer facilities are invited to join, is the collective embodiment of our market strength. The power of the Network is further fortified by facility offerings that go beyond indoor soccer. USIndoor has hired a new Director of Marketing, George Gill, and is partnering with EURO RSCG Impact, a world leader in the $1.2 billion industry of consumer sampling, to take the lead in realizing the full potential of the USIndoor Network. As the program matures, we fully expect to expand beyond sampling into other forms of advertising, such as print, online, and signage. Joining the USIndoor Network is free to members, your guests receive free products, and you are paid for participating. CLICK HERE for more information. In case of questions or to request an Application via fax or email, you may also call or email George at 312-321-4775 or marketing@usindoor.com.

2. Member/Player Cards, GOAL Indoor, and Insurance. Member cards are a growing trend in the industry, and the key to their success is your guests' obtaining real added value. Whether you currently produce a Member Card or are planning to make one optional or mandatory, please keep the following values in mind:
a) GOAL Indoor is available to USIndoor's member facilities at deep discounts. As an added bonus, if the total number of your subscriptions exceed 1,000, GOAL Indoor will offer two pages of customized content to your facility at no extra charge. For example, you may use the pages for local advertising, league standings, photos, articles, or almost anything else. Sign-up is simple. Call USIndoor to enroll or in case of questions (703-820-2810).

b) Participant Accident Insurance. Primary or supplemental insurance can provide coverage for medical costs relating to player injury. Rates and coverage through USIndoor’s Insurance Program are among the best in the recreational sports industry, if not the best. For additional information or to enroll, call The Monument Sports Group (Mark Grossman or Chris) at 866-674-1234.

c) Card Production. If you could be interested in using the USIndoor logo or GOAL Indoor logo on your Member Card, or if you would like USIndoor to produce a card for you, with or without your facility name and logo, please call USIndoor (703-820-2810) or Email us. The more similar requests we receive, the more cost-effectively we can offer this service.

3. USIndoor Insurance Program. One of the most popular cost-savings programs established to date, USIndoor Insurance Program makes available a complete line of coverage. For additional information or to enroll, call The Monument Sports Group (Mark Grossman or Chris) at 866-674-1234.

4. Referee Certification. Instituting USIndoor’s Referee Program, facilities can indirectly affect the bottom line by ensuring guests of the quality of refereeing. Those who have benefited from the Program and used to use outdoor-trained referees know that the difference in quality is huge. To learn more about USIndoor's specialized training and certification program or to schedule instruction, call USIndoor at 703-820-2810 or USIndoor's Director of Officials, Said Sanhoury, at 760-741-2355.

5. Become a USIndoor Member. To become a USIndoor Member or to renew your membership for 2003, please apply online, or request a copy by fax by responding to this email. Among other things, benefits of membership include eligibility for USIndoor's Insurance Program, the USIndoor Network, and discounts on GOAL Indoor and the National Conference. Prospective Corporate Members may CLICK HERE for more information.

6. Other Purchasing Programs. The cost of membership being so low, the question is often asked how facilities can best support the Association. The answer lies in facilities’ continued support of USIndoor's programs and of its business affiliates that offer valuable products and services to you. USIndoor's Corporate Members have obviously made a commitment to indoor soccer and to our organization, which, I hope you agree, makes them deserving of your consideration before making a purchase. On behalf of USIndoor's Corporate Members, thank you for your support. On your behalf, USIndoor will continue to explore new relationships that can either make or save you money and improve the quality of your businesses.

CONCLUSION

Since USIndoor’s founding in 1998 and initiation of programming in 1999, we can be very proud of our industry achievements:

• Facility membership has almost doubled since 2001;
• The just-announced USIndoor Network, designed to bring marketing benefits to all, is off and running with much promise;
• Cost-saving programs, particularly in Insurance, have been widely successful;
• GOAL Indoor (USIndoor’s national magazine) enjoys nationwide popularity and continues to expand its circulation, bringing increased recognition and appeal to the sport of indoor soccer;
• The Official Rules are becoming more entrenched as the accepted standard for the game’s growth at the youth and amateur levels;
• A specialized Referee Training Program, which continues to broaden its outreach, further supports the quality and integrity of the game;
  We have now held two successful national conferences.

Our goal for 2003 is to fortify our existing programs and explore even more opportunities to enhance the value of your membership -- whether you are an existing facility, startup, or corporate member. Thank you for your commitment to all that USIndoor represents and for your involvement and support where possible.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Shapero
President

United States Indoor Soccer Association
P.O. Box 6569
Arlington, Virginia 22206
703-820-2810
509-357-7096 (Fax)

to Facilities pages