A look at local sporting events, taking measure of the SB Sports Commission

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission is the official organization for assisting and securing sporting events that have an economic impact on our community and provide a quality of life opportunity for our residents.

A board member posed the following question to me last month, and I wanted to pose this question to you, the community stakeholder: “How would you grade the events and activities that the SBSC has been involved with over the past year?” Are we bringing in the right mix of events our tourism partners and our community want us to and that fulfill our objectives and utilize the various venues throughout Caddo and Bossier parishes?

Let’s look at what our objective is and some of the events from 2016.

Our Mission: Act as the official sports destination marketing organization attracting diverse sporting activities and events resulting in economic growth through visitor expenditure and enhancing the quality of life in Caddo and Bossier parishes.

In 2016, we have provided funding or other resources for 81 events taking place in 2016 in Caddo and Bossier parishes, and we are still adding events for this fall. In comparison, in 2015 we were involved in 71 events. The following are a few from 2016. 2016 LHSAA State Wrestling Tournament: 13,400 athletes and attendees LHSCA All-Star Basketball Game: 950 athletes and attendees Red River Balloon Rally: 13,500 attendees Nitro Circus North American Premiere: 7,500 attendees AJGA David Tom’s Open (Golf): 405 athlete and attendees Powerboat Nationals and LA Hydroflight Invitational: 9,500 athletes and attendees NHRA South Central Championships and Junior Dragster Nationals: 12,000 teams and attendees USSSA Twin Cities Shootout: 1,500 athletes and attendees BASS Central Open: 450 anglers and attendees Battle on the Hardwood High School Basketball Classic: 34 teams and 7,500 estimate attendees NBA Preseason game: 8,500 estimated attendees (had 10,500 in 2014) ALAS Regional Archery Championships:

1,500 athletes and attendees SB Holiday Classic Men’s Collegiate Basketball Showcase: six Collegiate teams and 7,500 attendees I greatly value your feedback and what you would like to see come to our area.

They say to get the right answers you have to ask the right questions, so the best way to have open communication is to just ask. Below are five questions I would ask you to think about and apply this not only to my objectives but your professional or personal life as well. Take these five questions for a test drive with your friends, family or co-workers, and let’s make Shreveport-Bossier City something beautiful together. I guarantee your relationships will strengthen, and new opportunities will be uncovered by this simple exercise.

The Five Questions

1. “What is a home run for you?” – Almost everyone is passionate about a sport, and what is that one event that by being held in our area would be an “incredible” opportunity for our region?

2. “If you were me, what would you be doing right now?” – Ask coaches after a big loss, and they will tell you there are many “couch coaches” out there that would have done things differently if they were in their shoes. This is a supremely hard question for many people to ask because it makes us vulnerable not only to hear what we are doing right but also what we are doing wrong or could improve upon in the future.

3. “What concerns do you have?” – This is only effective if the person who asks the question listens to the answer, and does not immediately debate the respondent on why their answer is incorrect. My mom used to tell me, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” Listen more than you talk. I love to hear the great things we are doing right, but the only way to become more effective is by also listening to those that have suggestions for improving on how you can be better.

4. “What is the best partnership you have and why?” – I always like it when a partner says “you”; however, it’s more likely than not that the respondent has someone they like doing business with even more than you. It’s incredibly important not to do something on your own. Even the largest organizations in the world need partners to ensure success. We must take to heart the descriptions of why this particular relationship works for them and employ these tactics individually.

5. “What are our cities’ biggest assets and issues in hosting large or small sporting events?” – Make sure to ask both sides of this one. It’s kind of like last year’s two conflicting national research studies that showed Shreveport- Bossier City as one of the “happiest” and the “saddest” cities in the United States. To me, it’s the outlook you view things through, whether it’s taking the positive or negative stance to life and the community you live in.

Kelly Wells is the vice president of sports and tourism for the Shreveport- Bossier Sports Commission. The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission is a division of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau in partnership with the city of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Commission, Bossier Parish Police Jury and the city of Bossier. Visit our Web site: www. shreveportbossiersports.com or e-mail Kelly Wells at [email protected].