USL News Release
Monday, August 22, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – Sun and sand will be on the agenda for the 2011 United Soccer Leagues Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be hosted at the scenic Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, from December 15-18. The event, which has been held in downtown Tampa for the past six years, draws hundreds of owners, executives and coaches from USL’s professional and amateur teams, as well as influential figures from national and international soccer organizations.
The annual gathering features a combination of business and social activities including operational, educational and scheduling meetings, as well as annual team and executive awards presentations and the USL Hall of Fame dinner. The Clearwater Beach setting will provide a getaway for families and a welcome escape from winter for the representatives of USL’s professional and amateur clubs that will attend from throughout North America.
“The USL AGM is by far our most important event of the year and provides us with a crucial opportunity to work with our teams to continue to stay at the forefront in all aspects of league operations in preparation for the 2012 seasons,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “We’re happy to provide USL’s team executives and coaches with a beautiful location to enjoy during the downtime with their families away from the meetings.”
Through the support of the City of Clearwater Parks & Recreation Department and the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission, the 2011 USL AGM will run in conjunction with USL’s Major Beach Soccer National Championships, which will be held on vibrant Clearwater Beach December 17-18.
“We’re thrilled to welcome USL to Clearwater Beach,” said Kevin Smith, director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission. “It not only gives us an opportunity to showcase our beautiful beaches, but it also gives us a chance to meet with a variety of the soccer world’s key figures.”
The MBS National Championships will bring 12 teams from throughout the U.S. that qualified through a series of eight Major Beach Soccer and Soccer in the Sand tournaments this summer. They will compete for titles on pristine Clearwater Beach, just steps from the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach and the USL AGM.
In addition to the fast-paced beach soccer action, FIFA will conduct its first Beach Soccer Seminar to be held on U.S. sand in conjunction with the MBS National Championships. The seminar will focus on coaching education and development of the sport, as well as referee education.
The 2011 USL AGM will get underway on Thursday, December 15 with registration and new franchise orientation. Friday, December 16 includes a full day of meetings and special seminars including individual league meetings, player registration, broadcast operations, international affiliations, marketing and communications, and social media.
The annual USL Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner, presented by Demosphere, concludes Friday’s festivities as the teams gather to honor the teams and executives for their performances during 2011 and the induction ceremony for the USL Hall of Fame. The AGM continues Saturday, December 17 with continued league meetings and scheduling, and closes the morning of Sunday, December 18.