National Senior Games Association Relocates Headquarters To Central Florida

KISSIMMEE, Fla., Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a non-profit organization dedicated to senior health and wellness, announced today the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Kissimmee, Fla., effective immediately.

The Osceola Board of County Commissioners officially approved the agreement today, which includes central Florida's hosting of five National Senior Games events through 2025. The move to central Florida from Baton Rouge, La., is a key part of NSGA's organizational growth strategy as it expands the National Senior Games competition to an annual event, from a biennial event starting in 2016 through 2025.

"We are proud to associate with a community that understands the true impact of major sporting events and is home to some of the best facilities in the country," said Mike W. Sophia, chief executive officer of NSGA. "In addition, we couldn't be happier to offer athletes more national multi-sport events with the same number of athletes, which help adults age 50 and over maintain healthy and active lifestyles."

The agreement was made possible through collaboration among NSGA, the Central Florida Sports Commission, the Florida Sports Foundation, Osceola County, Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The agreement benefits all parties involved and will bring an estimated $118 million to the area by 2025, with each national competition typically attracting more than 11,000 athletes to the host area during the ten day event period.

"The National Senior Games is an outstanding event with enormous economic impact for our state and the Central Florida area," said John Webb, president of Florida Sports Foundation. "The NSGA perfectly aligns with our mission to serve Florida's growing senior population, promote healthy and active aging and attract visitors to the state of Florida."

Increased economic activity will include an increase in tourist development tax revenue, hiring of additional staff by NSGA within one to two years and thousands of additional hotel room purchases, between September and October in years the Games are held.

"This represents a significant step toward our strategic vision of being known as one of the nation's premier sports communities," said John Quinones, chairman of the Osceola County Commission. Added John Bisignano, president and CEO for the Central Florida Sports Commission, "The NSGA's decision to relocate to Osceola County further strengthens this community as a premier sports destination," Bisignano said.

The National Senior Games will now complement The Florida Senior Games State Championship and the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Senior Games, the former being a national qualifying competition. Both events feature multiple team and individual sporting events held at venues throughout central Florida.

About National Senior Games Association (NSGA)
The NSGA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles for athletes age 50 and over. The Association is a recognized multi-sport organization of the United States Olympic Committee and is comprised of member organizations who conduct state or national multi-sport competitions; these competitions serve as qualifiers for the National Senior Games marquee events. The 2013 National Senior Games will be held July 21 – August 5 in Cleveland, OH and more than 11,500 athletes are expected to participate. NSGA is headquartered in Kissimmee, Fla. at 1925 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. For more information, visit www.nsga.com.  

About Osceola County and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau
Osceola County, which is marketed to travelers as the Kissimmee destination, was created in 1887 and serves as the south/central boundary of the Central Florida Region and the Greater Orlando Metropolitan Area. The City of Kissimmee, the County Seat, is 18 miles due south of Orlando. Osceola's only other incorporated city, St. Cloud, is 9 miles east of Kissimmee and approximately 45 miles west of the City of Melbourne on the Atlantic Coast. The Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau is the travel and tourism marketing arm of Osceola County government, developing and implementing programs that encourage approximately 6 million overnight guests each year. Kissimmee is renowned among leisure, business and sports travelers for its mix of accommodations and attractions literally just down the road from the Walt Disney World Resort. For more information visit www.VisitKissimmee.com.

About Florida Sports Foundation and Central Florida Sports Commission
The Florida Sports Foundation (FSF) serves as the state's lead organization in promoting and developing Florida's sports industry. The FSF is a private, not-for-profit corporation operating as a division of Enterprise Florida, Inc. In partnership with Florida's Sports Commissions and other organizations throughout the state, the Foundation's main focus is to promote and develop professional, amateur and participatory sports for the citizens of Florida and attract out-of-state visitors through sports, thus creating significant economic benefit for Florida.

The Central Florida Sports Commission strategically solicits, creates and supports marquee sports-related events and businesses that enhance our community's economy. The Sports Commission represents the counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia, as well as the City of Orlando. For more information, please visit www.centralfloridasports.org.

SOURCE National Senior Games Association