Grants Boost Awareness for Local Sports Events in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, SD, March 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Rapid City Sports Council in cooperation with the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau has awarded seven grants to area sports organizations and event coordinators. The more than $18,000 in grants will be used to support the marketing efforts of sporting events held in Rapid City.

Local organizations were selected from a record number of applicants. AAU Volleyball, National Archery in the School, the Rapid City Racers, Yost Team Roping, Barrel Bash Racing, Strider Sports International and the King of the Hills Softball Tournament were awarded the funds based on the quality of their applications and the current level of their marketing efforts. Recipients will use the money to bolster their marketing efforts in order to increase the attendance and participation of out-of-town athletes and their families.

"Organizing a sports tournament or event is a huge undertaking," says Domico Rodriguez, Sport and Event Sales Director at the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The goal of the Sports Marketing Grant program is to elevate well-organized events by providing additional funds for adequate event promotion."

"The sports marketing grant has a very big impact on the King of the Hill Softball Tournament," says tournament organizer Mike Miles. "It has helped grow the event from approximately 432 participants in 2004 to 1,380 in 2010. This year, we will use the grant to place ads in the programs of two large regional tournaments and to place banner ads on websites."

The grants which are awarded bi-annually not only impact the success of events, but also are influential in increasing the numbers of out-of-town visitors to Rapid City.

"Sporting events and tournaments bring thousands to Rapid City each year. Participants stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores," says Rodriguez. "Increasing the success of these events is beneficial to our community as a whole."

The next round of grants will be awarded in August 2011. Applications can be found at http://www.rapidcitysports.com and will be accepted until July 31, 2011. Over the past year the Rapid City Sports Council has awarded $30,000 in grant funds to area sports events.

The Sports Council is made up of event planners, coaches and players to help fellow organizers arrange venues, promote events, boost attendance and secure special grant funds. The Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau is a division of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce. The CVB's mission is to market the Rapid City area as a convention and leisure destination and to promote economic growth that will enhance the area for visitors and residents.