Abilene's Corporate Olympics
Abilene is a town of winners and there is no greater proof of that than our local businesses that continue to thrive each year in our community. Time and time again, businesses not only come together to support each other, but also to support overarching community causes. I am fortunate enough to see this every day in my role as Sales and Sports Director for the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.
To celebrate this and rally for a good cause, the Abilene Sports Alliance is thrilled to announce a new fundraiser to benefit local high school athletes through our scholarship program and events that generate overnight stays through our grant program. Abilene’s first-ever “Corporate Olympics” will take place on October 22nd and is open to any local business to enter.
The events include co-ed 3-on-3 basketball, co-ed volleyball, DEKA, pickleball, axe throwing, cornhole, and an after-hours beer relay. Events will take place at the Dodge Jones Youth Sports Center, the Abilene Country Club, Abilene Axe Company, and the SoDA District Courtyard. The day will end with an after-hours Corporate Olympics Awards and Block Party in the SoDA District. This is a fun and unique way to bond with your team.
The sports tourism market is a growing segment of the travel industry and Abilene has gained a positive reputation to take advantage of that growth. Sports tourism contributes over $11 million to the local Abilene economy each year. Sports travelers typically book lodging with an eye toward convenience and affordability, and our city boasts a great variety of high-quality, limited-service properties. Abilene also has a great selection of facilities, parks, and venues to serve indoor and outdoor sports. The city’s central location also is an asset.
The ACVB created the Sports Alliance Committee in 2004 to help generate more sports tourism business in Abilene. The committee works to increase participation of existing events, establish new sporting events and tournaments, and offer annual scholarships to local athletes. To date, more than $160,000 in scholarship monies have been awarded to local athletes and over $85,000 granted to local sporting events.
The founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, once said, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”
We hope that you and your business will join the good fight! Corporate Olympics registration, sponsorship information along with more details, will be out soon. For more information contact me at 325-676-2556 or tiffany@abilenevisitors.com.