Industry organisation Triathlon Business International (TBI) is scouring the world looking for triathlon events that are the ‘Triathletes Choice’ for best-of races in four categories. Triathletes Choice event winners will be honoured at the 2017 Annual TBI Conference, on 22-24 January 2017 in Dallas, Texas, and will share the stage at the January 23 Awards Celebration with the Ron Smith and Steve Hed Award winners, plus the best triathlon published articles and photographs, and event and product videos.
TBI is seeking ‘Triathletes Choice’ nominations for:
- Best Large Race (1,000+ registrants)
- Best Small Race (less than 1,000 registrants)
- Bucket list Race
- Best Intro Race for Beginners
The Triathletes Choice award criteria encompasses events around the world that: ‘challenge, inspire or bring out the best in participants; create an atmosphere of fun, excitement and energy; go beyond the call of duty when it comes to customer service, great organization and information, reasonable fees, coaching/advice, race day assistance, great volunteers, and/or; raises money for charitable causes.’
Event nominations can be made online at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6F3BHLM.
Triathletes Choice nominations must be submitted through the above Triathletes Choice Survey Monkey form no later than 20 December 2016. The top five nominated events in each of the categories will be announced on 2 January 2017 and triathletes will then have one week to vote on the top event in each category.
The 2017 TBI Conference will be packed full of information and opportunities for everyone involved in the business and sport of triathlon. As TBI notes, ‘This is where the business of triathlon will get done’. Some of the topics and activities for this year’s TBI Conference include:
- Conversation with Lance Armstrong
- Speakers including USAT President Rob Urbach; Olympic paratriathlete medallist and world champion Melissa Stockwell; ACTIVE Network’s Sam Renouf; MultiSport Research Managing Director, Gary Roethenbaugh; and others to be announced shortly.
- Panel discussions on: the future of triathlon – technology, growth areas, globalization; using corporate wellness programs as a marketing tool for multisport participation growth; diversity markets including African American, Latino and women; scaling event-specific merchandise; new retail models; working with municipalities; creating new race formats to broaden/challenge competitors.
- Event director and retail breakout sessions.
The Ron Smith Awards Celebration including the announcement of top events for the year; best triathlon article, best triathlon photograph, best event and product videos, and the Ron Smith and Steve Hed award winners. - ACTIVEX morning workouts.
Sponsors of the 2017 TBI Conference include ACTIVE Network, the Dallas Sports Commission, Headsweats, Endurance Sportswire and Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN). TBI Corporate Partners are Ashworth Awards, MPA Event Graphics and FinisherPix.
Registration Early Bird fees for the 7th annual TBI event are US$595 for current TBI members and US$695 for non-members. Early Bird registration has been extended through 9 December. Registration includes all sessions, meals, the networking events and one ticket to the Ron Smith Awards celebration. Once delegates register for the TBI Conference they can register for the USA Triathlon Symposium at a 25% discount. Special conference room rates are available at the conference host hotel, the Fairmont Dallas, through 7 January 2017.
Registration rates for the 2017 Annual TBI Conference presented by ACTIVE Network:
- 11 October to 9 December 2016: US$595 members (member number required / US$695 non members)
- 10 December to 10 January 2017: US$695 for members / US$795 non-members
- 11 January and after: US$795 for members / US$895 non members
Companies interested in conference sponsorship or Expo space should contact feedback@triathlonbusinessintl.com. Conference details and online registration are available online.
