Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Post

There are lots of things happening as the weather warms up. Events galore. Bike conventions. Boat conventions.  Car shows.  Side-by-side events. Dirtbike races. County fairs. You name it, it’ll be happening soon. As you gear up for these activities, I just wanted to say…be careful out there. Whatever it is that brings you joy, stay safe. Not just as you partake in the fun these things bring, but also in getting there. Buckle up. Check your trailers.  Your tires. Your straps. Chains.  Make sure your brakes are in good condition.  Plan your routes accordingly. Know your clearances for things like bridges and overpasses if you’re moving oversized items. Heed road signs and traffic indicators. Just be careful. Have fun. And once you’re there, forget all that advice until it’s time to come back home. Enjoy yourself. It’s time to get back outside. #Spring #SafetyFirst

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Here's our new executive summary: WestRing is poised to revolutionize the Bay Area's automotive and family entertainment landscape by introducing a unique, accessible, and family-friendly destination for car enthusiasts and their families. Drawing inspiration from European models and the Nurburgring's consumer approach, WestRing offers an unparalleled experience that combines the thrill of automotive competition with the comfort and amenities of a top-tier family destination. Unique Value Proposition WestRing addresses a significant gap in the current automotive recreation market by providing a safe, legal, and family-oriented venue for car enthusiasts to enjoy their vehicles. Unlike traditional raceways with high barriers to entry, WestRing requires no special equipment or race licensing, making it accessible to a broad audience. Its design caters to both the casual driver looking to experience their car's capabilities and the serious competitor seeking a challenging course. Market Opportunity The Bay Area's vibrant car culture and lack of accessible, family-friendly automotive venues present a significant market opportunity for WestRing. The region's car enthusiasts currently lack a permanent venue to enjoy their passion, relying instead on public roads or distant, expensive race tracks. WestRing's introduction will fulfill this unmet need, attracting a diverse clientele ranging from local families to automotive clubs and event organizers. WestRing's development plan consists of three phases to ensure a scalable growth strategy: 1. **Phase 1:** Construction of a 2-mile single-lane course with state-of-the-art safety features. 2. **Phase 2:** Addition of family-friendly amenities including an events field, cafe, shop, lodge, and restrooms with an upscale aesthetic. 3. **Phase 3:** Expansion to include a covered paddock, garages, and optional fuel and workshop facilities. Revenue Streams WestRing's diverse revenue model includes course lap fees, driving education programs, food and beverage sales, garage facilities, sponsorships, memberships, and reciprocal club memberships. This multi-faceted approach ensures multiple income sources to support operational costs and future expansions. Location and Accessibility Strategically located within one hour of the Bay Area, WestRing offers easy public access while providing a secluded and immersive driving experience. The selection of a 200-acre land parcel ensures ample space for development and future growth. Advisory Board and Local Government Synergy An advisory board comprising experts in auto competition, event management, and construction, along with local government representatives, will guide WestRing's development. This collaborative approach ensures alignment with community interests and leverages local expertise. www.westring.org

Hey! If you don't listen to The Rock Fight, the BEST podcast featuring two dorks bantering about the outdoor industry and the juiciest bits of industry goss and goings on, well, you should because it's the only thing like it going. Today's episode covers more ground than your fave ultra-running FKTer.

https://lnkd.in/esc3vA5c The results of a recent Nc Department Of Commerce study uncovered significant economic impacts generated by the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. According to the study, the event: ·     Created 625 jobs for North Carolinians ·     Increased the value of the statewide economy by $42.4 million ·     Increased statewide labor income by $27.9 million ·     Led to over $20 million in direct construction and infrastructure investment in Wilkes County ·     Generated nearly $29 million in visitor spending The 2023 All Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway brought about substantial economic growth to our state, showcasing the immense potential of motorsports in driving economic prosperity. Of particular interest to my work in tourism, survey results showed Race attendees: ·      spent $28.9 million on food, accommodation, travel, etc. and 41% of attendees were from outside of North Carolina (only 12% of total attendees were from Wilkes County.)  ·      attended from as far away as California, Washington state, Canada and New Zealand.  ·      36% stayed in North Carolina at least two nights and 25% stayed at least four nights ·      attended 2.3 other NASCAR events over All-Star Race weekend, in addition to the main All-Star Race I want to thank our elected leaders, Representative Jeffrey Elmore and Senator Settle Eddie whose unwavering support and dedication made this study possible. Their commitment to understanding and harnessing the economic benefits of events like the NASCAR All-Star Race is commendable and underscores their vision for a thriving North Carolina. Also, Speedway Motorsports and our local governments and community partners for creating a seamless experience from start to finish. This study serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between government, private industry, and community stakeholders in fostering economic development and prosperity. It's inspiring to see how initiatives like these can not only elevate our state's profile but also create tangible opportunities for businesses and communities across North Carolina. Let's continue to build on this momentum and explore new avenues for economic growth and prosperity. Together, we can drive North Carolina forward and unlock its full potential as a powerhouse for innovation, opportunity, and prosperity. #NASCAR #EconomicImpact #NorthCarolina #Collaboration #Community #Leadership

3 weeks out from the Canaan Valley Half, and my ops guide is 90% written. 2 weeks out, it will be 99% done and my team (3 out of 4 new to the race) will hopefully know 95% of what they need on race week and into race day, and if they don't, I will have my thoughts organized to explain to them. 5 days out, we hit the ground and I hope that I or the RD could fall off the face of the Earth, and the rest will have the info they need to excel at the event. Can you say the same about your events? Your team is only as good as your ability to communicate goals and empower them to make decisions. If you hire event professionals and want them to excel, give them the base they need to improvise and adjust - don't keep the information in your head. I'm sure I will forget some things and I'm sure my plan will go entirely out the window, but every piece of info I put in writing or diagram is guidance to fall back on when it does. I believe strongly - more strongly than possibly anyone I have met in the race industry - in stretching the stress of race day out into race week, and the stress of race week out into careful, detailed planning in the month prior to the event, and so forth. Through doing this I try to give my teams the power to excel, and maybe even to have some free time to enjoy themselves the day or two before the race without scrambling to get info from me. But there's nothing magical about this - just a dedication to taking a bit of time to write and document everything from processes to goals to deadlines, and turn that into readable documentation for your team. Doing things last minute causes opportunities for stress, and failure. This is not just a problem exclusive to small events - I have seen this in countless larger races, even national franchises that have scaled ahead of building systems and processes to easily replicate and grow. If the information is all in your head, driving you crazy, and you need someone - onsite or off - to help organize your planning process and get the most out of your team, give me a shout. #racedirectors #eventmanagers #marathons #halfmarathons

Planning, it just takes a little planning, but in the haste to make more cycling lanes, many go nowhere & just start anyplace some dump cyclists into traffic! https://risk-mgmt.co/rfr @RecreationLaw #CylingLaw #CyclistsNotInvisible #RecLaw #RecreationLaw   

Introducing Will Fuller, our Northeastern Regional Sales Manager with a robust background in the graphics industry. Zund cutters are nothing new to him, and although he joined Zund in 2023, his quick integration into our team has made it feel like he's been on board for much longer. Will possesses a remarkable ability to establish an instant connection with people, making them feel like they've known him for years. Thank you, Will, for being such a great person to work with. Your personable, relatable nature, combined with your extensive knowledge, makes you a valuable asset to our team. We look forward to what's in store in 2024! Check out his spotlight questions below! Q: What is your favorite sport? A: It has to be football! 🏈 The game is never over until it’s over, and there are always surprise teams every year. Football develops leaders. 🌟 Q: What's a piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self? A: Never give up! 💪 Some salespeople give up after 2-3 touchpoints, but it can take many more to gain a new customer and new business. Challenge yourself to never give up. Roger Penske has a famous slogan in his facilities that says “Effort Equals Results.” 🚀 Q: What's a skill or hobby you've always wanted to learn but haven't had the chance to yet? A: I have always wanted to be part of a crew building a passive solar house because I don’t know anything about the process! 🏡 Q: Name one thing you’re willing to spend more money on to make sure you get the best quality. A: Because I love to be outdoors and hike, it inevitably rains, so the smartest thing to buy is a really good Gore-Tex outer-jacket. They are expensive, but last a long time and are worth the money in the end, whether skiing or trekking. 🌧️ Q: If you can hop on a plane within an hour, where would you go? A: The 8 National Parks in Alaska! 🏞️ My wife and I have a goal of going to all the 63 National Parks, and we’re about a third there! #EmployeeSpotlight #zundcutter #meetzund

Located Near Downtown Edwardsville and Multiple Access Points of the Madison County Bike Trail System

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