Visit Anaheim is strengthening its status as one of the top meeting destinations in the United States with a new partnership with three prominent sports organizations. Already the “Happiest Place On Earth” thanks to Disneyland Park being in its backyard, Anaheim is now positioning itself to be the “Healthiest Place On Earth.”
Using Anaheim Convention Center as a backdrop to announce its big wins with national athletic agencies, Visit Anaheim officials were joined by representatives from USA Water Polo, USA Volleyball and USA Badminton to sign agreements with Sports Anaheim, a division of Visit Anaheim.
•USA Badminton agreed to have Anaheim serve as its national headquarters and training center. The organization will relocate from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
•USA Volleyball extended its contract with the City of Anaheim through 2020; Sports Anaheim has taken over the contract.
•USA Water Polo committed to make Anaheim its official travel destination for USA Water Polo, including USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics in 2017 and 2019 tournaments
“It is an historic day in Anaheim, for Sports Anaheim and the amateur sports community,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO for Visit Anaheim. “Today marks an important turning point for Sports Anaheim and the faith that USA Water Polo, USA Volleyball and USA Badminton have placed in our organization and ability to build a game-changing amateur sporting event destination. The agreements signed solidify Anaheim’s place in the growing amateur sports community.”
It’s important to note that these partnerships weren’t coincidences. Sports Anaheim was established in March 2016 to recruit local, national and international sporting events into the destination and serve as a resource for local organizations needing support in their bids to attract sports business. Here are a few other examples of partnerships and deals Sports Anaheim has already helped facilitate:
• American Athletic Union: First West Coast office in Anaheim
• 2017 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships
• 2017 USA P&G Gymnastics Championship in Anaheim
• LA24 Bid for 2024 Olympic Games
• 2017 USA Weightlifting American Open
• 2017 USA Fencing North American Cup
• North American Chinese Invitation Volleyball Tournament
• Varsity Spirit Corporation
“We are excited to be headed to Anaheim where we will benefit from being closer to so many of our members and athletes,” said David Simon, board of directors chairman for USA Badminton. “The sport is experiencing tremendous growth in California. This move puts us close to both current and prospective sponsors and by being on the Pacific Rim we will be a nonstop flight away from many major badminton nations.”
