Show receives award for fifth time underscoring importance of sports-related travel

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 5, 2009) – The TEAMS Conference & Expo – the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers – has once again been recognized as one of the “50 Fastest-Growing Trade Shows” by Tradeshow Week, the global exhibition industry news magazine. This is the fifth win for TEAMS in the seven years that Tradeshow Week has honored the fastest-growing trade shows in North America. TEAMS 2009 will be held October 13-17 in New Orleans.

The selection by Tradeshow Week of TEAMS as one of the “Fastest 50” is based on the growth of total net square footage and the number of exhibiting companies over the previous three years. The 50 fastest-growing trade shows are selected from events across all industries. “We are honored to win the Fastest 50 Award for our fifth time and thank all of our attendees, exhibitors and sponsors whose involvement makes TEAMS a success,” said Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine, which organizes the TEAMS Conference & Expo.

“The continued growth of the TEAMS Conference & Expo is a testament to the fact that the sports-event and sports-related travel industries remain strong even in this difficult economy,” added Lisa Furfine, associate publisher of SportsTravel and manager of TEAMS.

The recognition is based in part on last year’s show, held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, which attracted more than 1,300 attendees, including event organizers, event sponsors, host destinations and event suppliers. Attendees participated in one-on-one appointment sessions, unrivaled networking opportunities and educational programs that covered the hottest topics in the sports industry.

“We’re planning an even bigger event for this October,” said Furfine. “TEAMS 2009 will showcase the renaissance of New Orleans as a sports and events mecca.”

Hosted by the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, TEAMS 2009 has been shifted one day earlier than in previous years to allow for a special day of community service on Friday, October 16. The agenda for Philanthropic Friday will include the Fifth Annual TEAMS Golf Tournament, with entry fees supporting the nonprofit SportsTravel Foundation (which provides grants to amateur athletes in need of assistance with their travel expenses) and the St. Michael Special School in New Orleans. Non-golfers are encouraged to spend the day volunteering on a project coordinated in conjunction with New Orleans-based Beacon of Hope.

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TEAMS: Travel, Events And Management in Sports is the annual conference and trade show for the global sports-event and travel industries. Established in 1998, TEAMS is the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers, attracting attendees throughout the worldwide sporting and travel industry. TEAMS 2009 will be held October 13-17, 2009, in New Orleans. For more information, visit TEAMSconference.com.

SportsTravel is the sports world’s event magazine. Founded in 1997, SportsTravel was the first magazine to identify and serve the sports-related travel and event industry. Published 10 times a year, SportsTravel is the authoritative source of information for those responsible for deciding where sporting events are held and travel planning for sports-related groups. The readers of SportsTravel generate 47 million hotel room nights annually. For more information, visit the magazine’s website at SportsTravelMagazine.com.

SportsTravel and TEAMS are registered trademarks of Los Angeles-based Schneider Publishing Company, Inc. For further information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please call toll-free (877) 577-3700 or +1 (310) 577-3700 if calling from outside the U.S.A.

For more information, please contact:
Pete Evanow
pete.evanow@schneiderpublishing.com
310.577.3700