Sports Tourism Task Force
Contacts
Bilal Ali
Legislative Analyst
Montgomery County Council
Council and Committee Sessions
June 18, 2024 Council session
Staff Report |
Video
Feb 8, 2024 Joint ECON and EC Committee
Staff Report |
Video
Press Releases
Montgomery County has great demand for its world-class sports facilities from residents and outside groups alike, generating significant economic, community development and health benefits. The County is seeking to identify opportunities to enhance the number of youth, amateur, and semi-professional sports tournaments and build upon the economic impact of these activities.
To support these efforts, the Council created the Montgomery County Sports Tourism Task Force, which will explore ways to promote sports tourism and increase capacity and access to sports facilities for County residents. The Council approved Resolution 20-547 to the create the task force on June 18, 2024. The joint Economic Development (ECON) and Education and Culture (EC) Committee spearheaded this effort.
Beginning on Sept. 11, 2024, the task force will meet on the second Wednesday of every month for 12 consecutive months. The task force will provide interim reports on its progress at joint ECON and EC Committee meetings and provide a final report with recommendations to the Council.
The Sports Tourism Task Force is focused on four specific tasks:
- Conducting a facility needs assessment, including assessing the viability of a multi-use facility that can increase sports capacity in the County and potentially serve as a facility for events like high school or Montgomery College graduations;
- Identifying workforce development needs related to the sports tourism industry;
- Assessing ways to improve marketing to outside groups and enhance the coordination of outside groups with sports facilities, equipment vendors, hotels, local businesses, and through supporting promotion of events; and
- Exploring the potential economic and community impacts of attracting and recruiting a professional sports franchise to Montgomery County.
Meetings
| Date | Location | Virtual Meeting Details | Agenda | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. | Council Office Building |
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| Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m. | Council Office Building
100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD
6th Floor, Potomac River Room |
Facebook live stream | ||
| Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m. | Council Office Building | Facebook live stream |
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Members
- Keith Miller, executive director of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority (chair)
- Terry Hasseltine, executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission
- Matt Libber, executive director of the Maryland SoccerPlex
- Kelly Groff, president and chief executive officer of Visit Montgomery
- Darren Flusche, deputy director of the Montgomery County Parks Department
- Tom Cove, chair of the Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee
- Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan, director of systemwide athletics at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
- Robin Riley, director of the Montgomery County Department of Recreation
Ex-Officio Members
- Bilal Ali, County Council Central Staff
- Susan Madden, Office of the President, Montgomery College