It’s not every day an opportunity like this comes along. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC), the national governing body for the sport of bowling, has released two important multi-year RFPs.
The first is for the USBC Women’s Championships in 2028, 2031, 2033, 2034, 2036 and 2037.
The RFP is available at this link and the deadline is July 1, 2023. (The USBC’s website is www.bowl.com)
The USBC Women’s Championships is one of the world’s largest annual participatory sporting events for women, attracting between 4,000 and 6,000 four-player teams (16,000-24,500 participants) annually over a 90- to 100-day period. It has been in existence since 1916 and celebrated its 100th edition in 2019 in Wichita, Kansas.
The USBC Women’s Championships is open to any female USBC member. Participants at the Women’s Championships will compete in one or two bowling centers in close proximity to each other, with two centers of at least 48 lanes or one 60-lane center preferred. Using two centers, one will host the team competition, and the second will host the doubles and singles competitions.
Economic Impact: An estimated 16,000 to 20,000 participants, plus guests, will attend the USBC Women’s Championships. The estimated direct economic impact of the event is approximately $646 per guest ($10.3M to $12.9M), depending upon any regional multipliers destinations may feel comfortable using.
Venue, Space and Organizational Requirements can be found in detail in the RFP, with venue information listed under Appendix B, Tournament Site Questionnaire; however, here is a synopsis: A potential host may propose two centers with 48 lanes each within close proximity to each other, or a single 60-lane center. The facilities shall be available for the exclusive use of the USBC from approximately April 1 through July 31 of the proposed host year. In addition, the USBC shall have access to approximately 5,000 square feet of storage space at no cost to the USBC during this time.
Hotel Requirements: Full information can be found in the RFP; however, here is a quick synopsis. For the duration of the tournament, at least 400 acceptable rooms must be available for bowlers and their guests each day. USBC utilizes the services of a third-party travel agency to negotiate and contract with participating hotels.
USBC requires a wide range of hotel choices for bowlers and guests to choose from, including budget hotels and limited-service hotels. USBC prefers hotels within a maximum 20-minute drive of the tournament venue(s).
Information on financial commitments, media relations, marketing, logistical requirements and other items can be found in the RFP.
Interested parties are cordially invited to attend the 2023 Women’s Championships at the South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas, on mutually agreeable dates convenient to their traveling parties. Those interested in visiting the event should contact Greg Moore at the contact information below. The tournament runs seven days per week, beginning April 23, 2023, and ending July 2, 2023. Anyone who wishes to attend opening ceremonies are invited to do so on April 23, 2023.
No proposal fee is necessary to accompany the proposal. All questions must be directed to the following:
Gregory S. Moore, PE, PMP Senior Director - Open & Women’s Championships
United States Bowling Congress
621 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX 76011
817-385-8270
greg.moore@bowl.com
The USBC Open Championships is seeking a site for its events in 2028, 2031, 2034, 2035, 2037 and 2038.
The United States Bowling Congress Open Championships is a prestigious event and championship competition anticipated annually by bowlers everywhere. The Open Championships is conducted in an arena or convention-center setting.
Important Venue Note: The tournament venue is constructed from scratch in a convention center over an approximate eight-week period and is generally removed in seven to 10 days.
Approximately 50,000 bowlers plus friends and family members from all 50 states and some foreign countries will visit the host city during the run of the tournament. Bowlers compete in three events – team, doubles and singles; in three skill-based categories: Regular Division (176 average and above), Standard Division (156 to 175 average) and Classified Division (155 average and below).
The RFP is available at this link and the deadline is July 1, 2023. (The USBC’s website is www.bowl.com)
Economic Impact: An estimated 75,000 people, including guests and participants, will attend the USBC Open Championships. Each person stays an average of 3.5 nights. The estimated direct economic impact of the event is approximately $35M, ), depending upon any regional multipliers destinations may feel comfortable using.
Venue, Space, Financial and Organizational Requirements can be found in the RFP and those interested should read that document thoroughly.
Hotel Requirements: Please read the RFP for full information on expectations concerning hotels; the following is a synopsis only:
USBC is interested in securing a Tournament Headquarters Hotel(s) and will position the property (or properties) as the flagship hotel(s) for bowlers and guests during the entire run of the USBC Open Championships. This will result in a significant positive impact on the hotel’s revenue.
To be considered as the headquarters hotel, the property must meet the following criteria:
- Tournament headquarters hotel must tentatively block 200-300 guest rooms per night during the tournament dates.
- 80% of the tournament headquarters hotel rooms must be held for the tournament.
- USBC will earn one (1) complimentary room for every forty (40) rooms utilized. USBC will have up to 18 months from the close of the tournament to utilize complimentary rooms, or hotel will provide a cash settlement direct to USBC for any unused complimentary rooms. Any cash settlement will be calculated as follows: number of remaining complimentary room nights multiplied by tournament room rate.
- Should USBC decide to hold any functions, meetings or banquets at the hotel, the space must be complimentary.
- Hotel must provide shuttle service to and from airport and bowling venue during the entire time period of the tournament.
Other information of note includes the following:
Charities: USBC has contributed to the Host Community through its Charities of Choice program. USBC has long-standing relationships with the charities listed below. USBC will coordinate closely with the local chapters of these charities, donating time, materials and services. The goal of USBC’s Charities of Choice program is to make a lasting impact on the Host Community.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
- $75,000+ in used building materials will be donated locally
- Hundreds of local volunteers showing the spirit of involvement working around the clock for several days for tear down
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
- During the Open Championships, USBC donates use of lanes and manpower for two days of competition, a special way to kick off the tournament
- 500+ bowlers and partners, representing 15 states, compete in the Special Olympics National Unified Tournament (the 2022 event marked the 30th year with the Open Championships)
Interested? Here is how to proceed, according to USBC:
The first step in the proposal process is to submit a Letter of Interest to USBC by July 1, 2023. The letter should indicate that the potential Host Community can meet the financial commitments noted in the RFP, has the required convention center, arena or sports space available for the duration needed and is interested in submitting a detailed proposal for the USBC Open Championships.
Proposers may express interest on either of the Open Championships; however, only one event will be awarded to a Host Community.
Letters of Interest may be submitted at any time prior to the July 1 deadline. Additionally, the Tournament Site Questionnaire must be completed and submitted along with the Letter of Interest. The Letter of Interest and Tournament Site Questionnaire should be submitted to:
Gregory S. Moore, PE, PMP Senior Director - Open & Women’s Championships
United States Bowling Congress
621 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX 76011
817-385-8270
greg.moore@bowl.com
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