February 2022, 2009

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• February 20-22, 2009
• The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing

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What is the Bassmaster Classic?

• The Bassmaster Classic is the ultimate
  competition in professional bass fishing. This
  spectacular three-day event - complete with a
  theatrical presentation of the weigh-ins
  and hours of television coverage - delights fans
  of all ages.

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• The Bassmaster Classic was started in 1971 at
  Lake Mead, Nevada. Its been held in communities
  such as
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Birmingham, Alabama
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
• BASS has 525,000 members nationwide. It offers a
  wide array of services to them, while
  spearheading progressive, positive change on
  issues related to conservation and water access.

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The Event

• For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on
  bass fishing. The organization oversees the
  prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which
  includes
• Bassmaster Elite Series
• Bassmaster Opens
• Women's Bassmaster Tour
• Bassmaster Classic - the ultimate celebration of
  competitive fishing

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• One of Bass most popular events is the Classic,
  in which 51 of the worlds top anglers compete
  for a 500,000 first place prize over three days
  of fishing.
• Classic fans are loyal and diehard. They travel
  in large numbers to the host city. Estimated
  attendance of past Classic events is 60,000 fans.

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Economic Impact

• 24 million average economic impact
• Figure does not take into account the long-term
  effects of positive television coverage seen by
  a very large audience nor is print media
  coverage considered.

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2009 Event Highlights

• Shreveport-Bossier is the host city for the 2009
  Classic. The event will be held, February 20-22.
• Red River South Marina will be the official
  launch site.
• The Shreveport Convention Center will be the site
  of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo.
• CenturyTel Center will be the official weigh-in
  site.

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• Daily Launches presented by Red River Waterway
  Commission
• Come see the daily launches of the 39th
  Bassmaster Classic on the Red River at the Red
  River South Marina
• Daily 715 a.m.

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• Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo Featuring the
  top retailers in the outdoors industry, the Expo
  allows fishing fans to browse through the latest
  and greatest in outdoors and fishing product and
  technology. The Expo includes interactive
  elements, a family-friendly atmosphere and the
  chance to visit with Bassmaster Elite Series
  anglers.
• Show hours
• Friday Noon 900 p.m.
• Saturday 1000 a.m. 700 p.m.
• Sunday 1000 a.m. 400 p.m.

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• Daily Weigh-In Fans can watch as the 51
  Bassmaster Classic anglers weigh their daily
  catches vying for a top prize of 500,000.
  Weigh-ins feature pre-show activities, giveaways
  from BASS sponsors, fan interaction and more.
• Daily 330 p.m.
• Admission to all events is free!

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• 70,000 estimated fan attendance per day
• An average of 70 percent of the spectator crowd
  comes from outside a 50-mile radius of a host
  city.

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• More than 5,000 hotel room nights utilized

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• 10 hours total ESPN coverage

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• Worldwide print media coverage

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• ESPN Radios Mike Mike in the Morning

• Broadcast live from the Red River South
  Marina. Friday, Feb. 20 from 5 9 a.m.

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Mardi Gras Events during the Bassmaster Classic

• Feb. 20 Krewe of Gemini Float Loading
  Party Gemini Float Den.
• Feb. 20 Krewe of Highland Bal Masque Randle
  T. Moore Center.
• Feb. 21 Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras
  Parade Begins at corner of Lake Street and Clyde
  Fant Parkway, proceeding south down the parkway
  to Shreveport- Barksdale Highway, then west to
  East Kings Highway, from East Kings Highway to
  Preston Street.
• Feb. 22 Krewe of Highland Mardi Gras Parade The
  parade begins at Byrd High School and ends at
  Columbia Park where Carnival de Columbia takes
  place.

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Economic Impact of Mardi Gras

• 400,000 participants
• Almost 50 are overnight visitors
• 17 million direct economic impact

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Tourism Stats

• 9,000 Hotel Rooms
• 11,000 Employees
• 50 Attractions
• 200 Local Restaurants
• 100 Local Shops

Gardens of the American Rose Center
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Transportation

• There will be free parking and shuttles to the
  Shreveport Convention Center, the CenturyTel
  Center, and the Red River South Marina.

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Ambassador Services

• Ambassador stations will be set up at all 3
  public venues - Shreveport Convention Center,
  CenturyTel Center and Red River South Marina.
• Stations will also be set up at the 5 host hotels
  - Hilton Shreveport, Eldorado Casino and Hotel,
  Sam's Town Casino and Hotel, Clarion Hotel, and
  DiamondJacks Casino and Hotel

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• At the stations visitors will be able to secure
• Insert produced by The Times of Shreveport that
  has all of the tournament details
• Local maps
• Visitor guides
• Valuable coupons for local restaurants,
  businesses, and attractions. 
• AmBASSadors will provide a number of services to
  visitors such as
• Make telephone dinner reservations
• Provide driving directions
• Answer general tourist questions
• Provide menus from local restaurants
• provide stickers to the wait staff of local
  restaurants and to anyone who wants to show their
  support of the event

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• We are accepting volunteers for 4 hour
  shifts. Anyone interested can contact Erin Habich
  at the tourist bureau.
• If you are a restaurant, business or attraction
  and would like to provide a coupon for this event
  can contact Suzanne Manfredi at the tourist
  bureau by January 26 if you are interested in
  participating.
• You must print and deliver your coupons ready to
  be distributed by February 2. 

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Get ready for customers!

• The Bassmaster Classic takes place during another
  one of our cities' major economic engines - Mardi
  Gras!
• Research shows that an estimated 400,000 people
  attend a parade in Shreveport-Bossier during
  Mardi Gras, about half of whom are overnight
  visitors. 
• With another 70,000 estimated attendees for the
  Bassmaster Classic, you'll want to make sure your
  business is prepared!

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Get Involved with the Bassmaster Classic

• Display a Welcome Sticker in a window of your
  business (free).
• Display a Bassmaster Classic Poster (11" x 17")
  in your business (free).
• Display a welcome message to the Bassmaster
  Classic Fans on your business' marquee.

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• Add specialty menu items in your restaurants that
  play off the Bassmaster Classic.
• Have a coupon distributed at eight hospitality
  sites, including the host hotels, the Shreveport
  Convention Center, the CenturyTel Center, and the
  Red River South Marina.
• Volunteer your time.

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• Make sure your business is properly staffed
• Consider adjusting your hours
• Be sure to have enough products on hand to meet
  the visitors needs

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Volunteers Needed!

• AmBASSadors
• Host Hotels (5)
• CenturyTel Center
• Shreveport Convention Center
• Red River South Marina

• CenturyTel Center
• Media Runners
• Hospitality

• Ancillary Parking Attendees

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Contact Information

• Shreveport-Bossier Convention Tourist Bureau
• 318-222-9391
• www.shreveport-bossier.org
• Shreveport Regional Sports Authority318-429-0660
  www.lasportsauthority.org