The Battle Continues…51st Annual Big 33 Football Classic!
State Games of America 2011 Bid Recap
Facility Feature
Check it out!
Take a time out and let HHRVB do the work for you!
Where in the World is Gregg Cook Going?
The Battle Continues…51st Annual Big 33 Football Classic!
Sports Marketing Manager, Gregg Cook, has been feverishly working with the staff at the Big 33 Football Classic; an icon event in the Hershey Harrisburg region. Pennsylvania VS Ohio kicks off at 7:00 PM on June 14 at the Hersheypark Stadium to a roaring crowd of families and fans showcasing the top talent of the states’ high school football players. “On the surface of this event is the big match up between two talented teams,” commented Cook. “But the Big 33 is much more than just a game. There are non-athletic scholarships awarded through the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation, over $3.6 million dollars since 1985. With the buddy program, golf outing, banquet and much more, there are plenty of activities going on leading up to the game itself. Most people wouldn’t even realize that the players don’t stay with their parents while they are here, but are taken care of by host families in the community. It’s a tremendous event that makes the entire region proud,” Cook said.
The Big 33 Football Classic began in 1957 and is one of the nation’s top scholastic football games providing an opportunity for outstanding athletes to compete in this “super bowl” of high school competitions! Interestingly, there has never been an NFL Super Bowl without at least one Big 33 alumnus!
This year’s honorary chairman is Penn State National Championship winning quarterback and current college football analyst Todd Blackledge. The game will be broadcast live by CN8-The Comcast Network as well as feature web cast availability.
State Games of America 2011 Bid Recap
In April, the bureau team led by Sports Marketing Manager, Gregg Cook, placed a competitive bid to host the State Games of America in 2011. Work for the bid submittal actually began in January of the New Year followed by a presentation to the State Games Board in March held in Lexington, KY. From there, the bid team (led by Gregg Cook and comprised of Mary Smith, HHRVB Executive Director and community representatives) prepared for an important site visit by the Selection Committee to Hershey Harrisburg in mid-April.
An aggressive site visit agenda was mapped out and incorporated the assistance of sports venues, meeting locations, restaurants, local and state politicians as well as the State Tourism Office. “To say that our entire community rallied behind this bid endeavor would be an understatement, “noted Smith. “It was an impressive outpouring of support and assistance to make the selection committee feel right at home during their visit and to help us showcase the wonderful attributes of our region,” Smith said.
“We were thrilled to be one of four finalists in the bidding process and although we ultimately lost out to a major market (San Diego) the selection committee awarded us positive comments and feedback that validate the value of our destination and offerings,” said Cook. Pete Lampman, chairman of the site selection committee sent a glowing personal note; “Thank you for the warm reception and hospitality that you showed us during our visit. We had a wonderful time and met some wonderful people. We enjoyed our site visit and you are so lucky to have such wonderful facilities to show off. All of us were very envious of your sites.” Another note mentioned “The ride, meals and hospitality you showed us was priceless. You certainly have some great facilities to show off. Loved the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, what a building!”
“Every opportunity to showcase the Hershey Harrisburg region and toss our hat into the ring is a step forward in marketing our area to sporting events,” commented the bureau’s Board Chairman, Randy King. “This was yet another powerful chance to sharpen our presentation programs and look towards the next big bid!” he said.
Facility Feature
The PennsylvaniaFarmShowComplex & ExpoCenter
Don’t let the name fool you, this multipurpose facility can be transformed into many different settings to suit your sporting events needs. The Farm Show Complex team can turn the halls and arenas into appropriate settings for basketball, volleyball, billiards, BMX, gymnastics, football, wrestling, cheerleading and so much more! For a complete list, check out http://www.hersheyharrisburg.org/sports/facilities--arenas/pennsylvania-farm-show-complex--expo-center/index.aspx.
Facility Specifications – What you need to know!
As you consider the Farm Show Complex and its 1 million sq ft of space for your sporting event here’s a snapshot of what you need to know:
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Total sq. ft.: |
172,000 square feet in Expo Hall (largest space) |
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Dimensions: |
250’ by 125’ floor space in large arena |
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Ceiling Height: |
32’ ceiling in Expo Hall; 100’ in large arena |
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Capacity/Arenas: |
7,200 large arena, 1,800 equine arena, 1,400 small arena |
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Banquet space: |
Yes, seats up to 1,000 |
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What’s New: |
Wireless Internet throughout facility |
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Concessions: |
Yes |
Currently, the Farm Show Complex is being considered to host a variety of events from USA Field Hockey and ABA BMX to volleyball and badminton tournaments. A new pro-indoor football team will premier at the FSC the Spring of 2009 with an ownership group headlined by New Orleans Saints wide receiver, Marques Colston!
7,000+ sleeping rooms, hundreds of dining options, shopping and nearby attractions round out the positive attributes associated with using the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center as the venue for your sports event.
Here’s what’s coming to the Hershey Harrisburg Region early this summer. If you happen to be in the area, we invite you to stop by one of these events and survey the facilities for your own future consideration.
June and July 2008
-June 14- Big 33 Football Classic, the Super Bowl of high school all-star games, PA vs Ohio
-June 14-15- Triple Crown Sports Father's Day Classic baseball tournament, various locations in the Hershey Harrisburg area
-June 14-15- Kicks 4 Kids youth soccer tournament, fields close to Hershey
-June 23- US Public Links qualifier, Manada Golf Course, just outside Hershey
-June 28 - July 3- US Junior Nationals Hershey Showcase basketball tournament, over one dozen gym locations in the Hershey Harrisburg area
-July 1- USGA Boys Junior Amateur Qualifier, Hershey CC
-July 16- Smith Barney-Millers Mutual Harrisburg Mile, Front Street/Riverfront Park, Harrisburg
-July 23- USGA US Amateur qualifier, Blue Ridge CC, Harrisburg
-Harrisburg Senators, home through Labor Day, Commerce Bank Park, City Island, Harrisburg
-City Islanders, home through early August, Skyline Sports Complex, City Island, Harrisburg
-Central Penn Piranha- home June -September, Skyline Sports Complex, City Island, Harrisburg
Look for more sporting events in our next issue, and in the meantime, you can always access our calendar of events at www.hersheyharrisburg.org!
Take a time out and let HHRVB do the work for you!
When you bring your sporting event to the Hershey Harrisburg region, Sports Marketing Manager, Gregg Cook and the staff will provide the following services and deliver the utmost in outstanding customer service to you and your event’s participants.
Last but certainly not least…we offer access to our brand new Sports Video. This video, available to all sports planners, highlights the advantages of hosting your event here. To view the sports video, visit this link:
http://www.hersheyharrisburg.org/sports/index.aspx and click on the Game On! video segment.
Let the HHRVB staff help you navigate your way through the Hershey Harrisburg region and assist in making your event a complete success. The only question you’ll be left with at the conclusion of the tournament or competition is, “When are we coming back?”
Where in the World is Gregg Cook Going?
Where is HHRVB’s Sports Marketing Manager headed this year? Look for him at these upcoming shows and conferences and make certain to introduce yourself. Gregg is a wealth of sports marketing knowledge and will help you plan your next event here in the Hershey Harrisburg region.
June 25-27, 2008
Gregg will have a site visit and meetings with Houston Sports Authority
July 21-22
TEAMS 2008 planning meeting in Pittsburgh
September 10-12
NASC Market Segment Meetings, Green Bay, WI
October 23-25
TEAMS 2008, Pittsburgh
October 27-31
AAU, Cancun
November 16-22
USSSA, Kissimmee, FL
January 14-17, 2009
NCAA, Washington DC
March 7-11, 2009
PA Rec & Parks Society, Hershey
