Greater Fort Lauderdale To Host Inaugural Regional SportAccord Pan America Convention, Panam Sports Gala, Americas Best Practices Symposium, Florida Senior Games, And National Senior Games To The Destination For The First Time

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Greater Fort Lauderdale is proud to serve as the host destination for the inaugural Regional SportAccord Pan America Convention, Panam Sports Gala, Americas Best Practices Symposium, Florida Senior Games presented by Humana, and the National Senior Games presented by Humana to the destination for the first time. The estimated economic impact from the sporting events for Broward County is more than $45 million.

• Regional SportAccord Pan America Convention – December 10-12, 2019
• Americas Best Practices Symposium – December 13-14, 2019
• Panam Sports Gala – December 13, 2019
• Florida Senior Games – December 7-15, 2019, and December 2020
• National Senior Games – June 11-24, 2021

"It is a privilege and honor to welcome these esteemed sports organizations and athletes to Greater Fort Lauderdale," said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Our year-round sunshine, 4,000-plus eateries, beaches and waterways, and our burgeoning arts and culture scene, make Greater Fort Lauderdale an ideal location for sporting events, and we look forward to showing athletes, families, fans, and sporting enthusiasts all that the destination has to offer." 

The inaugural Regional SportAccord Pan America Convention (December 10-12, 2019) marks the first networking and conference event to bring the Pan American and the Olympic and non-Olympic communities together in one location. The 3-day event will feature exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and social, cultural and networking activities. The convention enables international sports federations to gather with key players and stakeholders from the Pan American region to further develop their sport. The Regional SportAccord Pan America Convention is aimed at cities and regions, sports commissions, as well as industry sectors involved in marketing and sponsorship, media rights, finance, education and sports equipment manufacturers, to name a few – represented at the highest levels.

After the Regional SportAccord Pan America Convention closes, the fourth edition of the Americas Best Practices Symposium will welcome 41 countries throughout the continent. Here, Olympic leaders, Sports Ministers and government authorities will learn how to better support athletes as they strive for gold medals and glory in international competitions, while also strengthening the bonds between sport bodies and government leaders which is critical for the future success of sport in the Americas. The Symposium (December 13-14, 2019) will also cover the gamut from high-level sport performance, Sport for All and long-term athlete development, to supporting athletes as they transition to a career outside of international competition. 

On December 13, 2019, Panam Sports will proudly present the historic and inaugural Panam Sports Gala. At the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, the best athletes and the most inspiring performances from the largest and most important multisport event in the Americas - the Pan American Games - will be honored.

The Florida Senior Games presented by Humana are Florida's only Olympic-style sports festival for athletes age 50 and over. In 2019, the Florida Senior Games will field 24 sports over nine days. While 2019 Florida Senior Games events (December 7-15, 2019) do not serve as a qualifier for the National Senior Games, the 2020 Florida Senior Games presented will. In 1992, the first Florida Senior Games State Championships were held in Bradenton. Over the years, the Florida Senior Games continues to grow, and together with the local games, provides fun, fellowship, fitness and competition for Florida's fastest growing age group. The focus of the Senior Games is not winning but participating. The Florida Senior Games presented by Humana are presented annually by the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), the state's lead sports promotion and development organization, and a division of Enterprise Florida, Inc. 

The 2021 National Senior Games presented by Humana (June 11-24, 2021) is the largest multi-sport championship event in the world for adults 50 and over. More than 10,000 qualified athletes, accompanied by an estimated 15,000 visitors, are expected to compete in 20 medal sports that will be contested at the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center and multiple venues in Broward County. The convention center will be the hub of activity, with multiple sports contested in its halls, and a Village Health and Wellness Expo with activities and exhibits will be open to both athletes and the public. The National Senior Games has been held every other year since 1987 and has 54 affiliated qualifying Member Games in North America. The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) governs the biennial National Senior Games and is a nonprofit Multi-Sports Council member of the United States Olympic Committee.

About Greater Fort Lauderdale
From the seagrass to the sawgrass, Greater Fort Lauderdale, located in Broward County, boasts more than 34,000 lodging accommodations at a variety of hotels, luxury spa resorts, and Superior Small Lodgings reflecting a vibrant cosmopolitan vibe. Visitors enjoy 23 miles of Blue Wave certified beaches, discover 300+ miles of inland waterways that run from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Everglades, dine at thousands of restaurants and eateries, get immersed in a thriving arts and culture scene and indulge in top shopping.

For more information, contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 22-SUNNY or visit www.sunny.org. Get social and engage with Greater Fort Lauderdale on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @visitlauderdale.

Media Contacts: 
Ivonne MacMillan
Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB 
Tel: 954-767-2408
E-mail: [email protected]

Finn Partners  
Tel: 212-715-1600
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau