The San Diego Sports Commission, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista partnered together to host the 2005 International Sports Invitational. This elite domestic competition, created by the U.S. Olympic Committee, featured 252 athletes from seven countries including Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. The International Sports Invitational took place June 7-12, 2005 at San Diego State’s Cox Arena, the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
Volunteers
USOC required support from the community to help put together a world class event and San Diego answered the call.
Using our database of volunteers, we secured over a 100 volunteer shifts for the basketball and volleyball events with a wide range of duties supporting the international teams and event operations.
Venue Selection
Based on the requirements, the SDSC established that the Jenny Craig Pavillon and Cox Arena were suitable venues for the volleyball and basketball events, respectively. This helped the USOC negotiate contracts ensuring all their needs were met.
Event Planning
We secured a local transportation company to help bus the athletes to/from their dorm accommodations to the practice/event sites. Bid out and received competitive rates for bleacher seating, portable toilets, barricades and fences for the softball facility at the Olympic Training Center due to the thousands of fans expected to be in attendance. Also handled all security requirements for the USOC.
The Commission assisted in retaining dorm rooms (1,309 room nights) and hotel rooms (186 room nights) for the coaches and athletes.
Marketing
Utilizing our local PR agency, we notified the local radio/television/print media on the event to create the buzz necessary to attract the community to the International Sports Invitational. 149 media credentials were issued for the event.