Sports Planner Testimonials

“The Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau was instrumental in bringing the boys’ Class 2A singles and doubles tennis tournament to Cedar Rapids.  Every year of the tournament new enhancements are made to made Veteran’s Memorial Tennis Center more appealing to players and fans.  The CRACVB, City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, Coe College, Westfield Tennis Club, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels have all gone above and beyond our expectations to be sure everyone has a quality experience in Cedar Rapids.”

Alan Beste
Assistant Executive Director
Iowa High School Athletic Association

“Our Cedar Rapids tournament in only its second year was rated the best by our staff and the players who participated.  Our players raved about the support of the local community and how the fans came out to watch and cheer for them.  They noticed the event was well organized and liked the challenging golf course.

The Tour each year evaluates the tournament with regards to organization, media, public relations, marketing, volunteers, spectators, etc.  This event has grown in all of these areas and now leads in almost every category over our other 16 events.  They know how to put on an all-around event not just a golf tournament.

I have to comment on the fact that we would not be in Cedar Rapids if it were not for the vision, commitment and determination of Mary Lee Malmberg and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.   We started talking about the LPGA Futures Tour coming to Cedar Rapids five years before the event happened but we continued to persevere until the pieces fell into place.”

Tracy L. Kerdyk
LPGA Futures Tour

“The 2010 World Horseshoe Tournament was held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This event is our largest event and lasts a full two weeks. To be able to host this event, it requires groups to go through a bidding process (two years in advance). Mary Lee Malmberg, Director of Sports Tourism and the Iowa Hawkeye Horseshoe Pitchers Association teamed up together to put together a very successful bid to host this event.

I have had the pleasure of working with both of these groups for over three years. During these years, I have never met such a great bunch of people to work with! Both groups went out of their way to make sure every detail was handled to make the 2010 World Tournament a successful tournament.

The event was held at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena which is located in the center of the city accessible to restaurants, shopping and city attractions. The ice hockey arena was converted into an indoor horseshoe facility which brought in 1268 pitchers who competed for money and prizes. The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) and the executive board were very impressed with the facility and all the volunteers who worked this event during the two weeks.

I look forward to working with these groups again to bring our event back to Cedar Rapids.”

Stuart Sipma
NHPA – President