FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Running USA 2011: The Industry Conference Recap
Record conference attendance; annual award and The Perfect Pitch winners
and more in San Antonio; Running USA 2012 set for Houston
SAN ANTONIO - (February 15, 2011) - Running USA 2011: The Industry
Conference, held at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio from February 13-15, drew a
record of more the 430 attendees to the Alamo City. The largest and
signature running industry conference had something for everybody from
"best practices" sessions, dynamic speakers, social events and morning runs
as well as networking opportunities.
"At our 8th edition, from the Hall of Champions inductees to Team USA
Arizona winning the Allan Steinfeld Development Award to the inspirational
speakers to the variety of panelists and to everybody who made this
conference a great success, we did indeed 'Celebrate Running, Celebrate
Success' and more," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO. "We especially thank
our Running USA 2011 sponsors and attendees for helping make this
conference the best in the sport."
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
At Monday's Trailblazer Luncheon and Awards, Beth Shluger, Hartford
Marathon Foundation executive director, was presented the Women's Running
Magazine Trailblazer Award for her contributions to the sport, and Benita
Fitzgerald Mosley, Chief of Sport Performance for USA Track & Field, gave
the luncheon address.
The Monday evening awards banquet inducted the eighth class of the Running
USA Hall of Champions who were recognized for their contribution and
dedication to the sport:
* Dr. Ken Cooper (Dallas, TX), best-selling author / researcher / pioneer /
"father of aerobics"
* Creigh Kelley (Englewood, CO), race organizer / announcer / administrator
/ volunteer
Team USA Arizona was also announced as the second Allan Steinfeld
Development Award winner during the Hall of Champions dinner, and the
conference's silent and live auctions raised more than $53,000 for
Flagstaff-based training group and other Running USA programs.
The evening also included a tribute to the Cascade Run Off and the 30th
anniversary of its awarding of Open prize money, the first such "over the
table" money for a major U.S. road race. This historic event led to the
professionalization of the sport. At the tribute, race founder Chuck
Galford, race coordinator Keith Peters and 1981 women's winner Anne Audain
represented the 15K race.
New this year at the 8th edition was The Perfect Pitch. This two-part
session featured semi-final and final rounds of sponsorship pitches by
events, companies and organizations to a panel of industry experts from
LIVESTRONG, Brooks, ASICS and YAVAY - professionals who review sponsorship
proposals every day. With $4000 on the line, Wine Country Half Marathon
Series was selected as the top pitch and won $3000, while Virtual Race Bags
had the runner-up proposal ($1000). Other selected "pitchers" were Big Sur
International Marathon, Fetal Hope Foundation, New York Road Runners and
RaceMates.
On Tuesday at the Leadership Luncheon presented by Ashworth Awards, Running
USA youth awards sponsored by YouthRunner.com were announced for:
Youth Event of the Year
Junior Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA - Competitor Group
Youth Program of the Year
Flying Pig Kids' Marathon, Cincinnati, OH
Youth Program Contributor of the Year
Tim Arem, PhD, of T-Bone Productions, Asheville, NC
On Sunday, Running USA's Board of Directors elected the following officers
to one-year terms: vice president, Beth Salinger (Hospital Hill Run) and
secretary, Jeff Matlow (imAthlete). Continuing officers include president,
Virginia Brophy Achman (Twin Cities in Motion) and treasurer, Lonnie Somers
(Fetal Hope Foundation), and Allan Steinfeld (New York Road Runners) is
president emeritus.
Running USA 2011 was presented by Active.com, Ashworth Awards and Leslie
Jordan, Inc. Running USA 2012 - set for January 15-17 - will be hosted by
Houston in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and Chevron
Houston Marathon weekend - three outstanding events in one great location.
2012 registration will open soon.
For more information on Running USA, its objectives, members and annual
conference, go to RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232
or
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