November 2022 - 37

TOURNAMENT Talk
Arkansas NLM Regional/Open
Sectional a Success
By Laura Batey, Tournament Chair
5. Invited players from the surrounding
states via consistent emails
with updated information and reasons
to join our event.
6. Kicked off the event with a
two-session workshop led by Jerry
Helms.
7. Offered a charity component to
the event with a special charity game,
raffle and silent auction raising
$1,500.00 for the NWA Food Bank.
8. Added a third day of Gold Rush
Pairs.
Bentonville players (from left): Kam Harrell,
Joe Warren, Jeff Lacaze and Diane Warren
The Unit 247 NLM Regional/Open
Sectional featured record-breaking
attendance. Held in Bentonville AR
in August, the event drew 328 tables,
up 33% from pre-pandemic numbers.
How did we manage 133% participation
from what we thought were
great numbers in 2019 at a time when
tournaments are hoping for 50%?
1. Relocated the event site to Bentonville,
a city with more name recognition
and tourist attractions.
2. Maintained a tournament
website for all pertinent information
for the event, surrounding area and
pre-registration: Bentonvillebridgetourney.com.
Laura
Batey (far right) presents trophies
to the winners of the three-day Gold Rush
Pairs, Ernie Grant and Deborah Dawes.
The players loved being back with
Tournament chair Laura Batey (center)
and volunteer charity coordinator Sandy
Gromatka (right) present charity proceeds
to the Northwest Ark Foodbank representative,
Kim Daniels.
9. Offered partnership matchups
via our website and partnership chair
prior to the tournament start date.
10. Built a reputation for fabulous
hospitality. The tournament committee
worked hard to make certain that
each participant felt welcome and
safe during both the workshop and
the tournament.
Based on pre-registration numRegistration
desk volunteers (from left):
Diane Warren, Sharon Judson and Becky
Minke.
3. Formed a partnership with Visit
Bentonville the local tourism bureau.
4. Started a Facebook page, Bentonville
Bridge.
bers, we knew we were going to have
a solid turnout. We had an overflow
room pre-planned and set prior to the
tournament start. On Thursday and
Friday, we had the overflow room
completely utilized with only one
table to spare. The post-tournament
responses were very positive from all
the players and tournament directors.
In addition to the red, silver and
gold points awarded, we presented
" trophies " to the top two pairs in
November 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
37
their bridge family and enjoyed being
tourists in Bentonville. We heard
only positive comments regarding
Crystal Bridges Museum of American
Art, The Walmart Museum,
Museum of Native American History,
Compton Gardens and all the fine
dining available. One of our local
television stations came out and gave
us news coverage, and a " Visit Bentonville "
podcast was recorded with
Jerry Helms during our event. Both
media events will be featured on our
website for next year's tournament.
The committee is already working
to make next year even more special.
Be sure to mark your calendar now
and save the date for July 26-29, in
Bentonville AR.
Gold Rush and open events. The
winners of the Swiss teams were also
presented trophies.
http://www.tourney.com
November 2022

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