West Michigan Sports Commission Releases State Games of America - 2017 Campaign Video
Grand Rapids, Mich., October 22, 2015 – Officials with the West Michigan Sports Commission held a campaign kickoff party today to premiere the 2017 State Games of America promotional video, Bring Your Game. The video release marks the start of a national marketing campaign for the 2017 State Games of America that will be held in Grand Rapids, Mich. August 3-6, 2017. The video was produced by Antix Creative.
Grand Rapids was selected by the National Congress of State Games to host the 2017 State Games of America. The NCSG board heard presentations from four cities vying to host the pinnacle of more than 30 individual state game competitions. In addition to Grand Rapids, competing cities included San Diego; Lincoln, NE; and Hampton Roads, VA.
“It was a tough decision by our board, as all cities proved their ability to successfully host these games,” stated Dan Duffy, President of the National Congress of State Games. “Ultimately, the board felt that Grand Rapids offered the most compelling bid based on their successful Meijer State Games of Michigan, quality venues and the many community and local sport partnerships involved in the bid.”
The WMSC, Experience Grand Rapids and the Meijer State Games of Michigan partnered to bid on and host the State Games of America in 2017. The 2017 State Games of America is expected to bring $5.6 million in direct visitor spending to Grand Rapids.
“Our community continually supports public/private partnerships, which helped form the West Michigan Sports Commission and contributes to our success in promoting sports tourism,” stated Mike Guswiler, President of the WMSC. “This support is also reflected in the success of our Meijer State Games of Michigan. Due, in part, to the strength of the state-level event, the NCSG board trusted our ability to host a successful State Games of America in 2017.”
“I am very excited to begin planning for the 2017 State Games of America,” expressed Eric Engelbarts, Executive Director of the Meijer State Games of Michigan. “The growth and success of the Meijer State Games have prepared us to host these national games. I am thankful for the corporate and sport tournament committee support that have made our state games what they are. We will be ready to host the nation’s athletes in 2017.”
The State Games of America is an Olympic-style event featuring competition between State Games gold, silver and bronze medal winners from across the nation. Currently, 30 states conduct or organize statewide sports festivals known as State Games. The national games are held biennially, with the 2017 games set for August 3-6. The 2015 State Games of America were held in Lincoln, NE July 28 – August 2. If you are interested in speaking with a representative of the West Michigan Sports Commission or Meijer State Games of Michigan, please contact Eric Engelbarts. For more information about the State Games of America, visit: www.stategamesofamerica.com.
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About the West Michigan Sports Commission: Established in 2007, the West Michigan Sports Commission has worked with more than 350 events that have brought over 300,000 people into the region and generated an economic impact of more than $100 million from visitor spending.
About the Meijer State Games of Michigan: Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among residents of Michigan. A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is truly a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners.
About the National Congress of State Games: The National Congress of State Games (NCSG) is a membership organization comprised of 30 Summer State Games and 10 Winter State Games organizations and a member of the United States Olympic Committee's Multi Sport Organizational Council. The mission of the NCSG is to support State Games member organizations in the promotion of health, fitness and character building through Olympic-style competitions and physical activities.
The NCSG is also the rights holder of the State Games of America, an Olympic-style event featuring competition between State Games medal winners (gold, silver, bronze) from across the nation.