NEWSLINE STORY

published March - April 2017

 

Stay-to-Play?

by Tina Hawkins, 2nd VP Publicity and Promotion Director

 

There is a common practice in the sports industry of “Stay-to-Play” competitions. This means participants MUST stay at designated hotels in order to play in the event.

 

There is a very positive element in this format – ACCOUNTABILITY.

 

In other words, a stay-to-play event can say with all certainty how many room nights they bring to town.

 

Why does that matter? Because ROOM NIGHTS are how the host city profits from the event. Higher numbers make the event more attractive and more worthwhile.

 

The NHPA brings a very high number of room nights with our World Tournament, but we do not have the accountability of a stay-to-play event – we don’t have concrete numbers to prove our worth.

 

Don’t worry – the NHPA is not inclined to deny entry based on your hotel choice! However, if World Tournament participants book rooms with the “host” or other recommended properties, it would be quite beneficial in the quest for future hosts.

 

Those rooms will be reported and will be the concrete numbers that World Tournament bidders are looking for. Higher numbers draw more bidders and more destinations for our premier event!

 

In the future, housing agencies may be utilized to negotiate the best possible room rates at a wide variety of properties with a range of room rates. (Something for everyone!) Booking through them will enable better, more accurate reporting of the actual room nights generated by the NHPA World Horseshoe Tournament.

 

Actual room night reports will more clearly show the value of hosting our event and draw more prospective bidders to the table. Thanks to all members for understanding the need for accountability and helping to increase the numbers by utilizing the host and recommended hotels!