By Heidi Cleary

This year’s Recreational Sports Expo featured 132 outstanding vendors who shared their expertise and new products to attendees representing 50 states, 7 provinces, and 5 countries.

Aerial view of the 2013 NIRSA Recreational Sports Expo

At the grand opening of the expo, attendees mixed and mingled among their fellow peers, vendors, and ACPA attendees while enjoying an array of appetizers. The two kick-off Fitness Forum classes recorded record numbers with enthusiasm pouring over into the adjacent rooms. There was also a buzz about the Centennial of Collegiate Recreation, which was highlighted as part of the Heritage Museum.

The fun continued throughout the following two days as attendees compared steps tracked on their pedometers, late afternoon and early morning workouts, Fitness Forum classes, food, a photo booth, and prizes! Wednesday, the NIRSA booth was busy with attendees racing in for a chance to win one of five crisp $100 bills, as well as to cash in accumulated steps on their pedometer for raffle tickets for the Spinner® Blade manufactured by Star Trac.

Winners of the $100 bills were:

  • Charles Allen- University of Mississippi;
  • Suzanne Merrill- The Ohio State University;
  • Lisa Pittet- MacEwan University- Alberta;
  • Debby Woodall- University of Louisville;
  • Richard Wysong- Loma Linda University

The winner of the Spinner® Blade, which included free delivery and set up from Star Trac, went to Kristin De Angelo of University of Arkansas.

Overall, the 2013 NIRSA Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Expo was a huge success because of the continued support of conference sponsors and NIRSA Partners. Many thanks to those who contributed and continue to contribute throughout the year.