The Parkland school shootings took place almost a month ago and the reverberations are still being felt. Now, the tourism industry has found itself in the crosshairs. A call from surviving students to boycott Florida as a destination for spring break could, if heeded by others, have serious ramifications for the sports tourism industry as well.

The domain name of “www.playportlandtexas.com” says it all. “We want people to Play Portland because we have so much to offer,” says Mona Gandy, director of marketing and communications for the City of Portland, “and this is a wonderful place to be.” With two outstanding venues, Municipal Park and the Sports Complex, the area is suitable for a variety of activities and chock-full of amenities that can guarantee a great sports experience. In the off-field hours, athletes and their families can explore Portland and the surrounding Texas coastline and its white-sand beaches, as well as swimming, fishing, beach-combing, windsurfing, camping, bird-watching and more, including golf with scenic views, a skate park, racquetball courts and more.

Nestled in the center of Texas between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is a sweet spot for sports, with both vibrant natural beauty and plentiful outdoor amenities. From off-the-beaten-track races to collegiate level play, our facilities are a natural fit for your next tournament or event.

There’s a lot to be learned from an event that started as a regional mountain bike race and grew into the largest cycling festival in North America. The Sea Otter Classic, held each April in Monterey, attracts more than 9,500 athletes and 72,000 spectators and has a $30 million impact. Get to know this event and find out how it grew organically.

"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot."

~ Bill Russell, reflecting on his career with the Boston Celtics