The Gainesville Sports Commission
Our Mission is to be the leading voice of the sports
tourism industry in Alachua County; to add to our
community’s quality of life through sports; to recruit
and create sustainable sports recreation, and
entertainment events that have a positive community
impact; to build an understanding in the community
of the importance of sports, recreation and tourism
and to skillfully do so while meeting all industry
professional standards and best practices
Gainesville Sports Commission
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Founded in 1988
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Alachua County’s official sports marketing arm
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Staff of three full-time and one part time employee
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Reliance on additional help from 3-5 interns quarterly
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Twenty-five to 35 hosted or assisted events annually
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Managed by a 25-member volunteer board
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Meet monthly; third Thursday at noon
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Willing partner in Alachua County Destination Management Efforts
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Report to VisitGainesville monthly and quarterly
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Audited annually by independent firm as part of agreement with Alachua County
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Selected 2009 Member of the Year by National Association of Sports Commissions
Contracts with VisitGainesville Fund Most
But Not All GSC Activities
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County Funding
 Operations
Account
Rent
Salaries and Benefits
Office Expenses
Insurance
Travel
Professional Fees
Meals and Entertainment
Advertising and Marketing
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Bid and Event Pool Account
Funds Rights Fees
Funds Contracted Services
Required in Event Contracts
All Funding Based on Daily and
Overnight Out-of-Town Visitation
All Funding for Only Approved
Costs Based on State Statutes

Grants from Florida
Sports Foundation
Fund Balances from Events
Hosted by GSC
Sponsorships
Admissions
Registrations
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Membership
In-Kind Contributions to
Offset $80,000+ in
Budgeted Expenses
OPERATIONS SUPPORT 1997-2008
Year
County
Funding: GSC
Operations
Program
Revenues:
Net from
Events
Membership Dues
Support
Total Direct Support General & Administrative
Expenses
1997
$103,377
$49,601
$12,027
$165,005
$131,813
1998
$114,083
$26,868
$15,510
$156,461
$160,213
1999
$107, 847
$69,814
$10,960
$188,621
$137,767
2000
$117,498
($2,927)
$16,445
$131,016
$181,193
2001
$148,979
$22,074
$25,475
$196,528
$191,994
2002
$128,017
$42,298
$35,450
$205,765
$228,203
2003
$147,538
$67,082
$23,750
$238,370
$222,499
2004
$159,981
$55,296
$30,100
$245,377
$223,231
2005
$170,847
$45,956
$30,675
$247,478
$238,918
2006
$194,317
$19,754
$27,044
$241,115
$234,890
2007
$222,361
$12,909
$26, 075
$261,345
$264,738
2008
$234,145
$23,259
$30,679
$288,083
$296,592
2009
$222,413
$34,980
$29,615
$287,008
$300,762 Unaudited
2010
$199, 186
$42,025
$38,100
$279,311
$279,311 Projected
Recruiting and Creating Events

With our limited staff and competitively limiting sports facilities we must
work smarter and more effectively than those with whom we compete
1.
Partner with local sports volunteers to co-host
2.
Partner with local sports volunteers and fund with bid pool funds
3.
Accept grant requests
4.
Host created and recruited events
The Strategy We Use to Build Local Sports Tourism
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Support and make existing events better
Find county-wide and large events we can host on rotating basis
Build expertise with local sport partners to host “step-up” events
Bring new events to the community
Create new events where it makes sense
Secure events that aren’t date-limited in scheduling
Remain flexible to pick up or events in the short term
Work to overcome limitations in facilities: New facilities means new business
Work with other destination tourism leaders. Our model of working with the VCB and
other local tourism leaders is looked up to as a best practice nationwide!
Help build awareness of the sport market with hotel partners
Help build awareness of sport event hosting with local sport partners
Bring hotels and local sport partners to the same
National events: “Your not just coming to Gainesville; you are coming to Florida.”
Event Bid Selection Process
The Gainesville Sports Commission constantly reviews bid
opportunities through our network of rights holders, sport
volunteers, attendance at national meetings, on-line notifications
of bid availability through the National Association of Sports
Commissions, Florida Sports Foundation, Sports Event Magazine,
Sports Travel Magazine, and other sources.
Often bids are due this year for events that will be held in two or
three years from now. When bidding on these events, we
must restrict our bids to those events where NCAA or UF schedules
don’t prevent submission of our bids. We can’t bid on events if we can’t
guarantee facility availability.
Nine out of Ten events we look at don’t even get to the bid stage—by our
choice. We know our market and self-select for those that can be held
here and limit our considerations of others.
Step I: Availability Review and Mission Considerations
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Is the facility (or are multiple facilities) available?
Do facilities meet specifications?
Can it be secured at a reasonable cost?
Is there a chance of generating out-of-town visitation?
Participants
Spectators/Families
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Are hotels available that can support the need?
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Do we have a conflict with other events in town?
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Are there sources of income from the event available to
offset hosting expenses?
Step II: Due Diligence
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What were the results from past event host communities?
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Did the event meet their expectations?
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How were the rights holders to work with?
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What are likely returns on our investments?
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Do we have the resources to meet rights holder
expectations?
Step III: Bid Preparation and Submittal
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If the results from Steps I and II are favorable we
prepare the bid
If cash requirement is significant, we negotiate
providing in-kind contributions in lieu of or to reduce
cash requirements
Under promise and over deliver in the bid
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
1997
1998
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ASA 3-D Archery
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ASA 3-D Archery
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Gatorade Sports Medicine Seminar
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FHSAA 3A Tennis Finals
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FHSAA 3A Tennis Finals
FHSAA Track and Field Finals
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FHSAA 6A Tennis Finals
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FHSAA Track and Field Finals
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US Cycling Regional Masters
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Florida Law Enforcement Games*
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FHSAA Football Finals
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11,820 Room Nights
YBOA Boys 17 and Under/19 and Under
Championships
Sunshine State Games Basketball
Championships
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Florida Junior Olympics Swimming
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FAST Swimming (Holiday Reindeer Classics)
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FHSAA Football Finals
8,863 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
1999
2000
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Florida Special Olympics Basketball
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Florida Special Olympics Basketball
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NIKE Florida Classic
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Buy.com Florida Classic
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ASA 3-D Archery
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ASA 3-D Archery
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Florida Swimming Regional Championships (1&4)
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2000 Regions Soccer Cup Soccer
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Gainesville Crew Classic
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Gainesville Crew Classic
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FHSAA 3A Tennis Championships
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FHSAA 1 A Tennis Finals
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FHSAA Track and Field Finals
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FHSAA Track and Field Finals
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USA Swimming Grand Prix
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USA Swimming Grand Prix
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USSS Baquacil Age Group Championship
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Sunshine State Games
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Sunshine State Games Basketball Festival
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Speedo Jr. National Championships
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Florida Swimming J.O. Championships
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DSP Summer Baseball Classic
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SE Regional Bambino Babe Ruth Championships
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National Women's Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball
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Florida Special Olympics Golf Championships
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Florida Special Olympics Golf Championships
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FHSAA Football Finals
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Timucua Conference Cheerleading Championship
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FHSAA Football Finals
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Cox Communication Collegetown Classic
15,846 Room Nights
9, 548 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2001
2002
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Florida Special Olympics Basketball
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USTA $10K Tennis Invitational
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ASA 3-D Archery
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Florida Special Olympics Basketball Festival
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Gator Grand Prix Carting
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ASA 3-D Archery
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Buy.com Florida Classic
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Florida Sports Club Festival Cycling
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Florida J.O. Swimming Championship
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Florida Scholastic Chess Tournament
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Florida Scholastic Chess Tournament
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National Women's Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
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Gainesville Junior Fencing Championship
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Florida J.O. Swimming
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GatorNationals City Fest
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NHRA Summit Import Drag Racing Series
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American Junior Golf Pre-Season at Gainesville
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National Underwater Hockey Championship
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DSP Memorial Day Classic
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NBHA Florida State Finals
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SE Sectional Field Archery Championship
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AAU Florida Track and Field Championship
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CABA Florida State Tournament
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Gainesville Chess Club Invitational and Chess Camp
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DSP Summer Classic
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Gainesville Senior Games
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Gainesville Thunder/DSP October Baseball Classic
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Timucua Conference Cheerleading Championship
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Speedo Holiday Classic
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DSP December Classic
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National Women's Wheelchair Basketball
Tournament
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SKUSA Florida Regional SuperKarts
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Gateway Regional Fencing Tournament
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NHRA Summit Import Drag Racing Series
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NSA Florida Fast pitch B Tournament
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Florida Chess Camp and "America's Most Wanted"
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DSP Summer Classic (2 Events)
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USA Cycling Junior National Championships
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Dodge Florida Shoot Out
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Florida Special Olympics Golf Tournament
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Gainesville Senior Games
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Timucua Conference Cheerleading Championship
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Gone Riding Trek Florida Mtn. Bike Championship
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Gator Swim Club Winter Classic
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DSP Winter Classic
20,942 Room Nights
22,265 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2003
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Heat Strokes III Winter Rowing Camp
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ASA 3-D Archery
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Florida Cycling Grand Prix
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Florida Scholastic Chess Championship
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Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Regional
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Collegiate Club Fencing Championships
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FHSAA Track and Field Finals
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Arrendondo Dressage Reg. III
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NBHA Florida Championship
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Gainesville Duel
AutoTrader.com NHRA SE Sport Compact
Nationals
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Diamond Sports Park Winter Classic
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Gator Swim Club Holiday Classic
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FHSAA Football Finals
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eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming
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Sunshine State Games Basketball Festival
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CABA House World Series
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SE Equestrian Trails Conference-Large Animal Clinic
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Underwater Hockey Championships
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AJGA Ashworth Post-Season Tournament
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Diamond Sports Park Fall Classic
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Gainesville Senior Games
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Timucua Pop Warner Cheer and Dance
Competition
25,191 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2004
2005
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Florida Men's JUCO Shoot Out
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Independence Invitational Wheelchair Basketball
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Heat Strokes IV Winter Rowing Camp
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Tour de Felasco
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Archery Shooters Association Florida Pro-Am
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Colivita Women’s Cycling Camp
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AAU Gainesville Shoot-a-rama
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GAR Heat-strokes Camp
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FHSAA Boys Weightlifting Finals
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Gator Spring Soccer Showcase
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FHSAA Track and Field Finals
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ASA 3-D Archery Pro-Am
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CABA State Baseball Championship
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Florida Sunshine State Games Basketball Festival
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Firefighter Combat Challenge
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4th Annual Gainesville Senior Games
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Timucua Pop Warner Cheer and Dance
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FHSAA State Swimming and Diving Championships
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FAA Marked 3-D Championship (Archery)
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Gator Swim Club Holiday Winter Classic Swim Meet
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Diamond Sports Park/Newberry Rec. and Parks
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Gainesville Gators Baseball Invitational
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FHSAA Florida Football Finals
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Firefighter Combat Challenge
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JUCO Women's Shootout
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Heart of Florida Airshow
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Timucua Conference Pop Warner Cheerleading
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Gainesville Senior Games
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1st Annual Turkey Fest Fast pitch Softball Tournament
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FHSAA Girls Weightlifting
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FHSAA Boys Weightlifting
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FAA Field Championship (Archery)
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AAU Track and Field State Championships
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Sunshine State Games Basketball
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19,142 Room Nights
US Synchronized Swimming Collegiate National
Championships
FAA Unmarked 3-D and Southeast Sectional 3-D
Championship (Archery)
North Central Florida Winter Invitational Baseball
Tournament
Gator Swim Club Holiday Classic
22,153 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2006
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Tour de Felasco
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Gator Soccer Showcase
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National Underwater Hockey Tournament
FAA State Marked 3-D Championship
NORCECA Volleyball Tournament
SE Regional Firefighter Combat Challenge
Gainesville Senior Games
Independence Invitational Wheelchair Basketball
Tournament
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ASA 3-D Florida Pro-Am
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FHSAA Girls Weightlifting
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Five Points of Life Marathon
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Boys Gator Soccer Showcase
Timucua Cheer & Dance
FHSAA Boys Weightlifting
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CUSA Crappie Tournament
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Florida Firefighter Games (6 weeks)
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Bike Florida's Beach and River Ramble
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Gator Swim Classic
Newberry Youth Athletics Assoc. Winter Baseball
Tournament
Florida Women's JUCO Shootout
Triple Crown Newberry Xplosion Baseball
Tournament
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US Field Archery SE Sectional and Florida
Championship
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Gainesville December Duel
Florida Men's JUCO Shootout
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Bobcat Invitational Soccer
Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour
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Floridaprospects.com Girls HS Basketball
Tournament
Gainesville Women's Bowling Assn. 20-Yr Club
Tournament
32,398 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2007
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Tour de Felasco
ASA 3-D Archery
Gainesville Gaviatas Synchronized
Swimming
Girls Gator Soccer Showcase
5 Points of Life Marathon
FYSA Region B Cup Round 1
FYSA Region B Cup Round 2
National Wheelchair Basketball Men's South
Regional
Katsu Karate Challenge
HS Sanction for Pepsi Florida Relays
Heart of Florida Airshow
Canterbury May Days Qualifier
Triple Crown Mother's Day Baseball Tournament
Florida Scholastic Chess Tournament
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Florida FAA State Championship
Hershey Track and Field Qualifying Meet
Florida Swimming Junior Olympics Summer
Championship
Firefighter Combat Challenge
Gainesville Senior Games
Crappie USA Lake Lochloosa/Orange
Diamond Sports Park Winter Invitational
Gator Swim Club Holiday Classic
Women's JUCO Shootout
Men's JUCO Shootout
Kiwanis of Gainesville Invitational
Basketball Tournament
24,517 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2008
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Bobcat Soccer Invitational
Tour de Felasco
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State of Mind Tri-Du
ASA 3-D Archery
GSC Indoor Track and Field
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State of Mind Tri-Du
Gator Soccer Showcase
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5 Points of Life Marathon
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Florida Sports Foundation Flag Football Festival
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Gator Head Race
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Gator Swim Club Winter Invitational
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Newberry Winter Invitational
Women's JUCO Shootout
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Men's JUCO Shootout
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High School Sanction for Pepsi Florida Relays
Coaches of the SEC Beach Volleyball
OTC Firefighter Combat Challenge
USA Renshinkan Karate
Florida Babe Ruth Fast Pitch State Championship
Florida Swimming JO Championship
2008 National Underwater Hockey Championships
Gainesville Senior Games
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State of Mind Tri-Du
Japan Karate-Do
Triple Crown Mother's Day Baseball Tournament
FAA State Field Championship
USSSA Stampede Shootout
Canterbury May Days Equestrian Qualifier
25,252 Room Nights
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2009
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CUSA Crappie Tournament
Bobcat Invitational
Tour de Felasco
State of Mind Tri-du
ASA 3-D Pro-Am
Jimmy Carnes Indoor
Independence Invitational Wheelchair
Basketball
State of Mind Tri-du
Gainesville Soccer Alliance
Five Points of Life Weekend
State of Mind Tri-du Florida Soccer State
Qualifier
Katsu Karate
High School Sanction Pepsi Florida Relays
Gator National BMX
9th Annual Stampede Shootout
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YBOA Boys and Girls Mustang Classic
Triple Crown Baseball Mother's Day Tournament
Florida State and SE Regional Archery
USSSA Girls and Boys Grade 9-12 State
Tournament
2009 ESynchro Age Group National
Championship
Region 7 AAU JO Qualifier
Equestrian Trails Conference
Florida State and SE Regional 3-DArchery
USA Swimming Sectional
Teddy Bear Gymnastics Invitational
Gator Head Race
Gator Swim Club Winter Invitational
Newberry Winter Invitational Women's
JUCO Shootout
Men's JUCO Shootout
33,844 Projected Room Nights when Reports Complete
Events Hosted or Assisted by GSC
2010

ASA 3-D moved to the new facilities at Easton-Newberry Sports Complex …largest contingency of
archers in events history with nearly 1,400 registered participants—2,600 attendees including
family and vendors.
Expanding from four day event format to a six day format “Spring Training” for archers.
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Signed three year agreement with Florida Sports Foundation to return Sunshine State Games as the
Florida Sunshine Games Alachua County Festival here under new format that will host
Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Archery, Canoe/Kayak, Rowing, Racquetball, Lacrosse, Swimming,
Synchronized Swimming, Track & Field, and Ultimate (Frisbee).
Assisting City of Alachua’s hosting of the Girls Fast Pitch 12U Babe Ruth World Series
Returning support for Newberry and Diamond Sports baseball tournaments, Gator Swim Club meets
(2), Gainesville Senior Games, USSSA Basketball, YBOA Basketball, Katsu Karate, Gator Soccer
Alliance tournaments (3-4), Five Points of Life Race Weekend, Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field,
Men’s and Women’s JUCO Shootouts and other smaller events.
30,000 Projected Room nights