NEWSLINE STORY

published November – December 2016

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

by Tina Hawkins, 2nd Vice President and Publicity/Promotion Director

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Okay… Not yet. But it will be soon. And it is time to start planning a horseshoe pitching float for your local holiday parade!

Decorate a trailer with streamers, balloons, ornaments, garland, Christmas wrap and, of course… HORSESHOES. Giant horseshoes cut from cardboard or plywood will be eye-catching additions to your display. Add posters or banners on each side, bearing your club’s logo, pitching location and contact information.

For more personal, active interaction with your captive audience, have a few pitchers walk alongside passing out fliers touting your leagues and tournaments.

Don’t forget to include www.horseshoepitching.com on your banners and handouts.

Indoor Venues Abound

Interest in hosting indoor horseshoe events seems to be high across the country, based on conversations at the S.P.O.R.T.S. and TEAMS conferences.

Designed to bring together sports event planners and potential host sites and suppliers, the conferences promote development of sports industry connections, such as between the NHPA and the CVB’s (Convention and Visitors Bureaus) of cities such as Montgomery, AL; Cedar Rapids, IA; Buffalo, NY; St. George, UT and Monroe/West Monroe, LA.

During these two events, over 70 prospective venues were represented during one-on-one appointment sessions. Many locations are eager to talk about the NHPA’s main event – but the numbers actually equipped to host are small. Size of facility is the deciding factor in most instances.

There are numerous sites that – upon learning they cannot house the World Tournament – express great interest in Regional or State events. Contact Tina Hawkins for information on facilities that may be suitable for your charter’s indoor competitions, with your own portable horseshoe courts. There may be one near you!