All Eyes on Eugene

Is your business ready for Oregon21?

Article by Jeannine Erving, TrackTown USA

Incredibly, our state and community are three short years away from welcoming the world in 2021. We were awarded the honor of hosting of the IAAF World Championships Oregon21, the crown jewel of the sport of track and field.

It is the third largest sporting event in the world behind the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. Neither the Olympics nor World Cup occur in 2021, making Oregon21 the largest sporting event in the world that year and the first time ever to be hosted in the United States. This is a countdown for all citizens, not just sports fans and for Chamber members - it is a call to action.

If you attended the 2016 Olympic Trials, imagine that experience but bigger, and now in a spectacular, state-of-the-art facility at Hayward Field—accommodating some 30,000 spectators. Imagine up to 214 participating countries, 2,000 athletes and 3,000 media outlets all descending upon the state. And of course, imagine the spectators, with approximately 60% of visitors traveling from outside Oregon.

What does that mean for your business? It could mean a lot. Ideally, businesses would be considering not only the potential economic impact, but the global platform provided by this once in a lifetime event, and how we might advance some programs which will leave a lasting legacy.

In fact, we really want you to think about this, and reach out the Oregon21 Local Organizing Committee to be involved. And, yes, we want you to be thinking about how to ready your business to capitalize on this opportunity. The Oregon21 LOC will deliver the championships with certain to be unforgettable athletic performances; you get to deliver on whatever your business does best and collectively we will welcome the world to our home.

Ponder the potential for our region, how our community will build the excitement, and how our local food, wine, and craft beer vendors will wow visitors. Hotels will be teeming. Contractors, engineers, electricians will be needed. Medical specialists will be caring for athletes. And, local technicians will be assisting in delivering an international broadcast.

The global cumulative television audience for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London was 940 million viewers. Now, picture our name, Oregon21, aired on television broadcasts and social media channels, viewed by billions in countries around the world. For those not able to make the trip to Oregon, our state may now land on their list for future travel (and big spending).

If you are inspired to show our guests what a wonderful place we work, play, and live in, hopefully you will read this and be galvanized to action.

Consider the impact; reach out to Oregon21 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to get involved; and ready your business to capitalize on this opportunity. The Oregon21 LOC will deliver the championships with certain-to-be unforgettable athletic performances, while you do whatever your business does best - collectively, let's all be ready to welcome the world to our home.

To be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in some way, or tell us how your business is preparing, email Jeannine Erving, Oregon21 LOC at jeannine@gotracktownusa.com.

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