Quad Cities, IA/IL (February 4, 2025) - Join Visit Quad Cities on Tuesday, February 11 at Iron Tee Golf for a lunch program examining the evolving world of sports tourism and Sports QC at AccelerateVQC: Revisiting the Playbook – Sports Tourism in the QC and Beyond.
Event Details:

• 11:00 a.m. - Arrival & networking
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Lunch & program
• 1:00 p.m. - Conclusion
• Location: Iron Tee Golf (6909 Iron Tee Way Bettendorf, IA 52722)
• Free to attend
• Media encouraged to attend, no credentials needed
• Register online at visitquadcities.com/accelerate-vqc

This event will include a high-level presentation by special guest Jon Schmieder, founder of Huddle Up Group, a national sports tourism, venue and event consulting firm, as he explores the evolving landscape of sports tourism. This event offers an exclusive look at national trends in sports tourism and their direct relevance to Sports QC.
"The sports tourism industry has evolved greatly over the past five years," said Schmieder. "Destinations that are entrepreneurial and have been able to shift with the marketplace have been far more successful than those that haven't moved with the times. Communities that collaborate on facility development, aligned marketing efforts, and implement intentional stakeholder engagement have been able to meet their common goals much more effectively."

Schmieder has over 25 years of direct experience in the sports tourism industry, having held senior leadership roles with three different sports commissions: Phoenix, Tulsa, and Denver. He brings a wealth of knowledge in sports tourism and economic development, having also served in key staff positions for the Senior Olympic Games and Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading. 

In 2019, Huddle Up Group assisted Sports QC in developing a strategic plan that established the foundation for growth and success. Now, it's time for an important check-in and refresh. Together, we will evaluate our progress, pinpoint opportunities for innovation, and chart the course for a vibrant future of sports tourism in the Quad Cities region.

"We look forward to welcoming our stakeholders to this AccelerateVQC event," said Joan Kranovich, Vice President of Business Growth and Director of Sports QC. "This event is an exclusive opportunity to gain insights into trends in the world of sports tourism and join the conversation about how Sports QC can continue to be a leader in this space."