FISHING NEWS ITEM

Bassmaster Classic to be Held in Louisiana Feed

THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2008

(Vocus/PRWEB) - The Super Bowl of bass fishing is coming to Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. Officials announced that the Bassmaster Classic will be held on the Red River, February 20-22, 2009.

“The months’ long process has certainly been worth the effort. This opportunity would not be possible if not for the support we received from the cities, our partners, and the state,” said Mary Ann Tice, executive director of the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. “This will be an extremely significant event for northwest Louisiana and we are proud to work with ESPN/BASS.”

The Bassmaster Classic is the ultimate competition in professional bass fishing. This spectacular three-day event - complete with a theatrical presentation of the weigh-ins and hours of television coverage - delights fans of all ages. The CenturyTel Center will be the host venue for the weigh-ins and the Red River South Marina is the official launch site. The ESPN Consumer Outdoor Show featuring 150 vendors will be held at the Shreveport Convention Center.

Sam Voisin, general manager of the Shreveport Convention Center, said, “This type of event is the reason the Shreveport Convention Center was built, to host events that will provide a significant economic impact and market the community as well.”

“We are excited to assist in bringing the event home. Hosting the weigh-ins at the CenturyTel Center will showcase our ability to produce world-class events,” said Mike Cera, general manager of the CenturyTel Center.

Shreveport-Bossier City was chosen not only for its excellent bass fishing in the Red River, but also for its outstanding food, attractions, shopping, entertainment, and Vegas-style casinos. With Bass Pro Shops located in the Louisiana Boardwalk, anglers and their families are sure to find something for everyone in this riverfront lifestyle center.

“This event has the potential to be the largest event held in the region,” said Stacy Brown, president of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau. “It will generate more than 5,000 hotel room nights, 10 hours of ESPN television coverage, and world wide print media.” According to studies provided by the company, it is expected to draw some 70,000 spectators for the three-day event and contribute approximately $24 million in economic impact to the Shreveport-Bossier City economy.

This phenomenon known as the Bassmaster Classic was first held in 1971 in Lake Mead, Nevada. After years of being held in July, the Bassmaster Classic was moved to February in 2006. The purchase of the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society (BASS), which organizes the event and coverage by ESPN, has increased the Classic's profile. First-place money has grown from $10,000 in 1971 to $500,000 in 2006. The Classic features 50 of the best pro bass fishermen in the nation.

Bossier City Mayor Lorenz Walker and Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover are both ecstatic about this event and the efforts of the many organizations that collaborated to secure the event for Shreveport-Bossier City. Those organizations are the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority, Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, CenturyTel Center, Shreveport Convention Center, and Red River South Marina.

For more information, please feel free to contact Mary Ann Tice, executive director of Shreveport Regional Sports Authority, at 318-470-5631.

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