The goal of the Indoor Sports Tournament Center is to use the Greater Richmond Convention Center as a haven for indoor sporting events that bring visitors to the Richmond Region. For certain events, the Sports Backers will offer a discount on equipment rental for use in the convention center. An event not meeting these criteria can still rent the flooring and equipment from the Sports Backers.

The criteria for an event to receive the equipment discount are as follows: The tournament needs to have an established tournament director. A two-day minimum competition schedule is required. The tournament must bring visitors from outside of the Richmond Region for overnight stays in local hotels. The tournament needs to have a marketing plan that includes areas outside of the Greater Richmond Region. A business plan for the tournament should intend on drawing more than 50 percent of its participants from outside of the Greater Richmond Region. Participation must include a minimum of 25 teams.

In addition to the above criteria, an event rights holder from outside of the Richmond Region must have a marketing plan that includes areas outside of a 50-mile radius of Richmond. A business plan must intend on drawing more than 50 percent of its participants from outside of a 50-mile radius of Richmond.

Once a part of the program, annual events will have three years to show a significant history of filling local hotel rooms in order to continue.

If you would like to learn more about how your event can fit into the Indoor Sports Tournament Center, email John Raigins or call (804) 285-9495.