The Phoenix Regional Sports Commission (PRSC) is one of the oldest Sports Commissions in the nation. The mission of the PRSC is to “Enrich Our Community Through Sports” through three initiatives. First, by representing the citizens of the Valley to bring national and international sporting events to the state. Second, to assist in the promotion of existing sporting events and our area sports teams. And third, to support youth sports programs.
Specifically, the PRSC is currently engaged in a campaign to land events that will drive a new $100,000,000 of direct visitor spending to the Valley of the Sun. The “hundred million dollar mission” as it has become called, will only include those events that would not have come to Maricopa County if the Sports Commission was not in a lead role. The timeline to achieve this goal is May of 2010.
The PRSC also owns the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and produces an annual induction ceremony. This event is the largest annual fundraiser for the organization and is the primary driver for the Sports Commission to continue to be active executing its mission.
While the Sports Commission was founded through legislative action over 20 years ago, the organization today operates solely under its 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation.
This is great information. How can I get involved with the Sports Commission?
What does it take to be on the board?
What are the time and financial requirements to serve on the board?
I like what the Commission does, but don’t have time to sit on the board. What can I do to help?
My company is small so I cannot participate at the Sustaining Partner level. How else can I help?
We want to get involved, can we help the PRSC with a barter partnership?
All these opportunities are great. At the end of the day where does the revenue go?
Who can I contact with more questions?
This is great information. How can I get involved with the Sports Commission?
The five main ways you can engage in the Sports Commission are to (1) join the board, (2) become a sustaining partner, (3) buy a VIP package at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, (4) join the Champions Circle, or (5) host a PRSC meeting or event.
What does it take to be on the board?
The Sports Commission board is a group of people passionate about enhancing our community through sports. The Sports Commission does that in three ways. First and foremost, driving events to the Valley of the Sun that bring significant economic impact. Second, promoting sports activities in the region. And third, by supporting youth sports programs.
Board members are generally leaders from the region’s professional teams, college athletic programs, the area’s major annual sporting events, the tourism industry, economic development factions, the corporate community, and representatives of government.
What are the time and financial requirements to serve on the board?
The board meets as a group every month over a 90-minute lunch period. Committees (nominating, Champions Circle, Hall of Fame, development, events, youth, etc.) meet as necessary. The annual commitment to serve on the board is a $2,500 contribution and a commitment to buy or sell one VIP package for the annual Hall of Fame ceremony ($1,500). Board members serve one-year renewable terms.
I like what the Commission does, but don’t have time to sit on the board. What can I do to help?
Become a “Sustaining Partner”. Sustaining Partners are corporate friends of the Commission that are involved in everything we do. These partners make an annual $10,000 gift to the Sports Commission and receive exposure at all PRSC events and programs throughout the year, including: Board and Champions Circle membership, Hall of Fame ceremony, youth outreach programs, championship events we host, and inclusion in our full media package.
My company is small so I cannot participate at the Sustaining Partner level. How else can I help?
Buy a table at the Hall of Fame dinner each year and support our vision and mission in the community among your peers.
We want to support the mission of the Sports Commission, and we have a need to get our name out in the community more. How can we get our sales people out networking with the Commission’s membership?
Join the Champions Circle. The Champions Circle is one of the premier networking business groups in the Valley. Individual members pay $100 per year to have access to all Champions Circle events (between eight and ten per year). Each event has a networking component as well as a sports-themed program to keep the membership connected with what is happening in sports.
These events are open only to Champions Circle members. Members also receive a web site listing, access to contact information of other Champions Circle members, and frequently volunteer at major sporting events in the Greater Phoenix area.
Applications for Champions Circle membership are taken each December for the following year. Membership is limited to 100 people each year. To apply for Champions Circle membership fill out the membership form (CLICK HERE) and submit to Ed Durkin at the Sports Commission. Ed can be reached at Ed@phoenixsports.org.
We want to get involved, can we help the PRSC with a barter partnership?
Yes. The Sports Commission regularly needs food, beverage and meeting room assistance. We hold many events per year ranging from committee meetings of 8-10 people, to board meetings of 40 people, to Champions Circle events with up to 100 attendees. Donation of food, beverage and meeting space for Sports Commission events helps the organization stretch our limited budget even further. Some donations would allow the donor to join the organization as a member of the Champions Circle.
All these opportunities are great. At the end of the day where does the revenue go?
All funds raised by Sports Commission events and partnerships go toward bidding on and hosting national championship sporting events in Maricopa County, promoting sporting events in the region, and to support youth athletics. The Sports Commission’s current goal is to secure events that drive over $100,000,000 to the economy by May of 2010.
In times of economic uncertainty, attracting tourism business is vital to our economy. Our competitors are well funded, and aggressive at competing for the same business we want to attract here to our community. Without the support of our entire community our $100,000,000 mission would not be attainable. From board members, to sustaining partners, to a $100 Champions Circle member, every team member counts.
Who can I contact with more questions?
The President of the Sports Commission, Jon Schmieder, is always available to talk with supporters about questions they have. The office number to reach Jon is 602.258.6272. If you prefer to e-mail your questions, you can send them to Jon at jon@phoenixsports.org.
