Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission

Take your organization to the next level of success

Attract more customers by promoting your business more widely. Get help arranging and hosting sporting events. Grow your share of the tourist dollar. Make sure your facility or organization gets in front of event planners hosting sporting events in the BN area. Make your venue a place everyone in the local community can enjoy.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission can help you achieve these goals. Become a member and take your organization to the next level of success. Read these testimonials from Sports Commission members, to find out how joining the commission benefitted their business. Becoming a member of the Sports Commission can take your organization to the next level of success.

The commission can help you promote your business and attract more customers. They can help with arranging and hosting sporting events and make sure that your venue is well used by the local community.

As a host, the support of the Sports Commission is essential in putting on a first class event. We have the ability to retain and attract new athletic events to Illinois Wesleyan University because of the experiences that the teams have when they come to Bloomington-Normal.
-Mike Wagner, Athletics Director, Illinois Wesleyan University

Much of the success realized by member hotels is directly attributed to the first class sporting events secured by the Bloomington/Normal Sports Commission. This commission and its hard working volunteer members have put Bloomington/Normal ‘on the map’ and for this; we are thankful and will always be supportive.
-Richard Raube, Treasurer, Bloomington-Normal Hotel & Lodging Assoc.

The Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission has played a vital role for many years in attracting, retaining and organizing sporting events in the Twin Cities. With the Sports Commission involvement the Town of Normal has hosted numerous successful softball tournaments/events giving the community well deserved recognition on a state and national level.
-Cary Frey, Adult Sports Supervisor, Normal Parks and Recreation Department

From a business owner’s standpoint, I must stress the importance of community events and activities, because our restaurants receive a great deal of recognition from our sponsorship of the Sports Commission. By hosting these events in our area, they create an impact that is felt by all area businesses.
-Bob Dobski, Owner, Rob Dob’s

The long time collaborative partnership we have with the Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission is crucial to our success in hosting several Illinois High School Association State Final Championships.  Visitors come from across the state and enjoy their time on the Illinois State campus and in the Bloomington-Normal community.
-Larry Lyons, Athletics Director, Illinois State University (retired)

Individual Membership – $25 per year

• Sports Commission membership certificate
• Subscription to the Sports Commission newsletter
• Invitation to Sports Commission membership functions/meetings
• Opportunity to volunteer at Sports Commission events

Corporate Membership – $250 per year

• Receive all sports leads for catering, promotional items, etc.
• Invitation to all BNACVB/Sports Commission activities and events
• Highlight with link on the BNACVB website
• Opportunity to display promotional fliers at select events
• Subscription to BNACVB newsletter
• Event volunteer opportunities
• Sports Commission membership certificate

Hospitality Membership – $8.00 per room, per year

• Receive all sports leads for lodging
• Invitation to all BNACVB/Sports Commission activities and events
• Highlight with link on the BNACVB website
• Opportunity to display promotional fliers at select events
• Subscription to BNACVB newsletter
• Event volunteer opportunities
• Sports Commission membership certificate

To join the Sports Commission or to find out more about membership information please contact the Sports Commission at 309.665.0033.

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO SPORTS COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP >

As a member-based organization, the Sports Commission is proud to partner with organizations that share our interest and enthusiasm for promoting Bloomington-Normal as a world class sporting event destination.The Sports Commission would like to acknowledge and thank all its members. Your hard work and support helps make BN a world class sporting event destination.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission organizes, sponsors or assists the majority of amateur sporting events in McLean County. Our events are some of the fastest growing and most recognized in the Midwest. Athletes from across the nation, and across the globe, travel to BN to compete each year.

Sports Commission events are well run and highly respected in the community, and throughout the state of Illinois. Our events offer a positive environment for everyone involved, and are not over commercialized, offering sponsors high brand visibility. Players and spectators will be aware of your company’s support.

We strive to create new events each year, opening further opportunities for your business to show its support for BN sporting events. Sponsors enjoy a multitude of benefits from supporting BN sporting events. The Sports Commission can design specific sponsor packages to meet your business’ needs and maximize your exposure to event attendees.

• Grow awareness of your business: Sponsoring BN sporting events will put your business in front of sports fans, players and spectators. Sports Commission events are popular, well run and highly respected in the community.
• Enhance your image locally: Associating your business with amateur, community and local sporting events shows that you support local events, that you care about your community and that you are proud to do business in BN. Distinguish your business from your competitors by showing your support for your community.
• Gain local support for your business: Research indicates that people are more likely to purchase products or services from companies aligned with local events. Fans and players respect their local sponsors’ support. Sponsoring BN sporting events can win favorable recognition for your brand, and your marketing messages.
• Advertise in a positive family friendly environment: Sporting events create an active, healthy family friendly environment. Marketing your business at local sporting event helps forge a warm, healthy relationship with your customers.
• Help attract and retain staff: Sporting event sponsorships can encourage company pride and loyalty. This can help attract and retain high quality people.
• Show that you support your local community: Sporting events become a source of community pride. Sponsoring a community sporting event shows that you care about your community and that your business is prepared to invest in the future and welfare of the community, and local people.
• Get your business in front of a captive audience: Most event layouts keep spectators confined to a specific area for an extended period of time, resulting in multiple exposures for sponsors.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for BN sporting events please call 309.665.0033.

• • John Althoff, Past Chair, State Farm
  • Tony Bauman, Athletics Director, Bloomington High School
  • Leanna Bordner, Illinois State Athletics
  • Ray Ceresa, Bloomington-Normal Hotel & Lodging Association
  • Doug Damery, Normal Parks & Recreation Department
  • Veleda Harvey, McLean County Circuit Court
  • RC McBride, WGLT
  • Steve Newman, Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission
  • Beth Sauser, Chair, Illinois High School Association
  • Nicole Schaefbauer, Illinois Elementary School Association
  • Eric Veal, Director, Bloomington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts
  • Mike Wagner, Illinois Wesleyan Athletics
  • Rich Zeller, Avanti’s Italian Restaurant

• January 10, 2024
• March 6, 2024
• May 8, 2024                                     
• July 10, 2024
• September 11, 2024                                   
• November 6, 2024