BALTIMORE, Jan. 8, 2014 — The US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by Champion, and the US Lacrosse Fan Fest, presented by TeamZila, STX and deBeer/Gait, will bring approximately 7,000 lacrosse coaches, officials, administrators, players, industry representatives and fans to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Friday through Sunday.
The US Lacrosse National Convention runs all three days and annually is the largest professional development event in the world for lacrosse coaches, officials and administrators. The convention includes some 150 educational clinics (many of which conducted on four live demonstration fields), the sport’s largest trade show and exposition hall, the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, business meetings and other ancillary events such as the home opener at Wells Fargo Center for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.
Bill Clement, a noted author, actor, and broadcaster and a former two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Philadelphia Flyers, will kick off the convention with his keynote address, “EveryDay Leadership: The Power to Influence Outcomes,” at 7 p.m. Friday. Jeff Triplette, an 18-year NFL official and a retired Colonel, will give a featured address to all officials at 12:40 p.m. Saturday.
Walk-up registration will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday in the convention center and continue throughout the event. Price is $160. Membership in US Lacrosse is required to attend the convention and can be renewed or initiated on site.
“We’d like to invite all those who serve in a leadership capacity in lacrosse — coaches, officials and administrators — to become better at what they do by joining us for our convention,” said Beth Porreca, director of special events at US Lacrosse. “We are thankful to have so many of lacrosse’s most knowledgeable coaches and officials serve as speakers, and we are very much looking forward to a fantastic weekend in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love, the lacrosse community and our sponsors have made this event a great start to the season each year.”
The US Lacrosse Fan Fest opens the convention center to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Fan Fest attendees will tour the expo hall’s 150 exhibitors and enjoy demonstrations, autographs, contests and more. The U.S. national teams highlight the schedule of demonstrations. General admission tickets to Fan Fest are $10. Any fan wearing a Wings jersey will be admitted for $5, as will any youth or high school player wearing his/her team jersey. All Fan Fest tickets will be sold at the gate. Cash and most major credit cards will be accepted.
Sponsors of the US Lacrosse National Convention and Fan Fest include:
Convention Presenting Sponsor: Champion
Live Field Sponsor: STX
Goalie Cage Sponsor: Bownet
Fan Fest Presenting Sponsors: TeamZila, STX and deBeer/Gait
Official Turf Supplier: AstroTurf
Education Sponsor: Krossover
Coaching Education Program Clinic Sponsor: STX
Men’s and Women’s Coaches’ Social Sponsor: Lacrosse Unlimited
Technology Lounge Sponsor: League Athletics
Bag Sponsor: Wreckless
Bag Stuff Sponsors: Lacrosse Specialties, U.S. National Teams
Supporting Sponsors: Cascade/Maverik, Lax World, UnderArmour
For more information on speaker schedules, hotel accommodations and more, visit uslacrosse.org/convention
About US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse and the home of the nation’s fastest-growing sport. US Lacrosse has more than 415,000 members in 64 regional chapters across the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse provides programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport. Bookmark, like and follow US Lacrosse at uslacrosse.org
About the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), discoverPHL.com
