National Association of Sports Commissions Hosts Board Retreat in Grand Rapids to Preview City for 2016 NASC Symposium

GRAND RAPIDS, MI--(Marketwired - Aug 12, 2015) - The Board of Directors of the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) are in town this week for their annual board retreat while previewing the region in anticipation of Grand Rapids hosting the 24th NASC Sports Event Symposium April 3-7, 2016. Today, they named Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports as the beneficiary of the NASC Sports Legacy Fund in 2016.

"This is an exciting week for Grand Rapids to showcase its incredible sporting event assets while the NASC is in town for its summer board retreat," said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. "And just as important as leaving with positive impressions about our region, they leave with a promise to invest in our community by naming Mary Free Bed as the 2016 beneficiary of the NASC Sports Legacy Fund."

As the only nonprofit 501 (c) (3) trade association for the sports tourism industry, NASC produces the NASC Sports Event Symposium, and Grand Rapids will host it for the first time, April 3-7, 2016 at DeVos Place.

Mary Free Bed Named 2016 Beneficiary of NASC Sports Legacy Fund
Begun in 2006, the NASC Sports Legacy Fund was originally created by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission, and awards an annual grant and sports equipment donation to an organization in need in the host city of the NASC Symposium. The West Michigan Sports Commission nominated Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and its wheelchair tennis program since it fits with the NASC's criteria of donating to not-for profit organizations that provide individuals -- particularly at-risk youth, veterans, or physically or intellectually disabled individuals -- opportunities to participate in sport and encourage healthy lifestyles.

The NASC Sports Legacy Committee organizes a silent auction and raffle to raise money for the Sports Legacy Fund at the NASC Symposium each year. Proceeds from the auction and raffle will support the 2016 beneficiary and the NASC Sports Legacy Fund endowment. Originally developed as an equipment donation program, the NASC Sports Legacy Fund became a monetary donation in 2009 and has contributed more than $63,000 since then to programs in its conference host cities.