Super Bowl Exec Gives MBA Students a Rare Glimpse of the Big Game
November 12, 2008
When most people talk about Super Bowl XLIII, they’ll chat about the football teams expected to play and the musical entertainment for half-time.
Reid Sigmon has a few
hundred more details on his mind. As executive director of the 2009
Super Bowl, to be held in Tampa on Feb. 1, 2009, Sigmon coordinates
the lodging, transportation, security, special parties and
fundraising activities the massive tourist and sporting event
requires.
He shared his experiences earlier this month in a Saturday session
with students in Saint Leo University’s master of business
administration program. All the students share an interest in
management, and some are particularly interested in the sports
business or hospitality trade.
The students were intrigued to learn from Sigmon that:
Guests will arrive in Tampa Bay over a three- to four-day period
before the Bowl Game, and all try to leave during a three-hour time
period the Monday after the game, creating some transportation
challenges;
About 10,000 people will be working at Raymond James Stadium the
day of the game, requiring advance hiring and training;
Though Tampa Bay has hosted Super Bowl games previously, this is
the first one since the 9/11 attacks, and consequently, a larger
security perimeter will be established around the stadium.
Because of the myriad of details involved in successfully planning
such large-scale projects, students interested in sports and
hospitality are well-advised to pursue the MBA degree, the
executive told students. MBA grads are "able to examine things from
all the different perspectives," said Sigmon, who holds an MBA from
the University of Florida.
Sigmon also shared with students this perspective on the game: "No
matter who plays, we all win," because of the increased exposure
Tampa Bay gains among convention planners by hosting the Super
Bowl.
Reid Sigmon speaking to Saint Leo MBA students with MBA Program
Director Bob Robertson on left
For more information, visit a new Web site: www.tampabaysuperbowl.com
