Presented by SportsTravel and sponsored by Best Western International, the TEAMS 2004 conference programme includes sessions with Jim Scherr, the chief executive of the US Olympic Committee; Bruce Eskowitz, president of Clear Channel Entertainment Properties; Mike Plant, executive vice-president of the Atlanta Braves and former president of the Goodwill Games; and Bob Gilbert, vice-president of worldwide sales for Best Western International.
A general session on Thursday morning will be "Houston's Renaissance: How Sports Helped Redefine and Reposition a Great American City," featuring Gerard "Jordy" Tollett, president and CEO of the Greater Houston CVB, and William "Billy" Burge, chairman of the Harris County/Houston Sports Authority. The session will follow a welcome to TEAMS attendees by Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Carol Alvarado.
One highlight of Friday's programming is the annual presentation of the SportsTravel Readers' Choice Awards, which recognise excellence in the production and management of sporting events at the amateur, collegiate and professional levels.
Attendees at TEAMS 2004 will also have the opportunity to experience several of Houston's sports venues, with an opening celebration Wednesday evening at Toyota Center, a closing party Friday evening at Reliant Stadium and a tour on Saturday at Minute Maid Park.
The TEAMS Expo, which has been named one of Tradeshow Week magazine's fastest-growing trade shows, will run a total of nine hours over the three days of the conference.
The trade show is the world's leading marketplace for event organisers to interact with cities, hotels and other vendors seeking their business.
The complete TEAMS Conference Program is available online at http://www.TEAMSconference.com.
