Beth Hecquet with the Scripps National Spelling Bee recently asked CVBs and sports commissions if events such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee Regional Qualifiers were appealing to destinations even though they are not “heavy heads-in-beds but are heavy in brand recognition and community.”
Hecquet, CMP, CMM, senior program manager, events and sponsorship for Scripps National Spelling Bee, Inc., said she is working on the 2020-2021 information packet where sponsors (hosts) are provided with guidance, representation and financial assistance through the organization.
Hecquet said after she initially posted her request for feedback and received “good questions and requests for more information,” she made a second post that read: “I received so much interest and questions following my post last week about looking ahead to our 2020-2021 regional bee season that I wanted to share more with everyone in #sportstourism and #sportsbiz worlds.”
Hecquet encouraged those who are interested in sponsoring/hosting events to visit the local sponsors page at www.spellingbee.com/sponsors or email her at beth.hecquet@scripps.com.
Hecquet said information packets should be available by the middle of May.
The sports travel and tourism industry has responded positively to Hecquet’s outreach, and although she is not sure now what that means for the regional qualifier events, she is hopeful that destinations are open to sponsoring events when youth across the country are ready to compete.
