Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/19/13
From Press Release
The 2013 US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by Champion, drew 6,889 participants to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia Jan. 11-13, as announced by US Lacrosse. The annual professional development event is the largest of its kind in the world for lacrosse coaches, officials and administrators.
The convention’s participation base, which included paid attendees, exhibitors, presenters, staff and media, generated $7.86 million in economic impact for Philadelphia, according to estimates from the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We’re humbled by the enthusiastic response US Lacrosse member-coaches, officials and administrators continue to show when we provide the opportunity to teach and learn from each other and build relationships within the lacrosse community at our annual convention,” said Beth Porreca, director of special events at US Lacrosse. “We’d like to thank more than 200 speakers that shared their knowledge with their colleagues, the 160 businesses that set up shop in ourexpo hall and the thousands of attendees who helped make for another great convention in Philadelphia.”
The event was highlighted by a keynote address from former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil and a featured address for officials from former NBA referee and New Jersey undercover state police officer Bob Delaney. Many of lacrosse’s top coaches and officials conducted the 150-plus educational sessions at the convention, which also included the annual Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft and business meetings of several lacrosse organizations.
The US Lacrosse Fan Fest, sponsored by Moe’s Southwest Grill of Philadelphia and deBeer/Gait Lacrosse, is a portion of the Saturday convention schedule open to the public. Fan Fest drew a record 1,829 attendees Jan. 12, an increase of 114 over the last year’s Fan Fest in Philadelphia. (Fan Fest attendance is included in the convention participation figure.)
The US Lacrosse National Convention will return to Philadelphia Jan. 10-12, 2014. US Lacrosse will begin ticket sales for the convention on or about Sept. 3.
