DED Assistant Director Miguel Salinas After being held in cities such as Belfast, Melbourne and New York, the World Police and Fire Games are coming to Northern Virginia in 2015. Running from June 26 to July 5, the games will bring 12,000 athletes and 30,000 spectators to the area. The estimated impact to the local economy is between $60 and $80 million. What does this mean to you? If you’re a Loudoun business owner, it’s time to capitalize on this extraordinary event.

As DED Assistant Director Miguel Salinas said to the assembled crowd at a recent Chamber of Commerce information session, the World Police and Fire Games is a “tremendous opportunity to showcase Loudoun.” In fact, eight events will actually take place in the county, including bowling, badminton and ice hockey. Leesburg’s own Morven Park will be home to one of the most highly anticipated events, outdoor soccer. Athletes and spectators will be flying into Dulles International Airport, and the Holiday Inn – Dulles will be the transportation hub. While events are spread throughout the region, Loudoun County will be the athletes’ first and final destinations.

There are many ways for Loudoun companies of all sizes to get involved, with different levels of financial commitment; some at no cost at all:

• Signage – Tens of thousands of visitors will be coming through Loudoun for the games. Most of the athletes pay for their own travel and treat the event like a vacation, bringing their family and friends along. They’re looking for things to do during their downtime. If you own a retail establishment, putting up welcoming signage is a nice way to show your support to the athletes and show that Loudoun County welcomes them.
• Volunteering – Getting involved with the World Police and Fire Games is an easy, no-cost way to open yourself up to new markets and networking opportunities. In addition to the visiting athletes, you will be working with local residents and businesspeople, who may become future customers and colleagues. There are a wide variety of volunteer positions available, allowing you to choose one that is in line with what your company does and puts you in touch with like-minded individuals.

• Sponsorship – The World Police and Fire Games offer several levels of sponsorship. The Official Partner Program provides ample opportunities for partners to interact with athletes, fans, and greater local and international communities through targeted initiatives. It also includes digital and social media marketing, traditional media, signage, and more. The Proud Host Program is a participatory program designed for a broad range of businesses and includes a Sport Draft Party as part of participation. For as little as $150, small businesses can also join the Merchant Incentive Program, which allows special promotions to be advertised on the WPFG website.

The 2015 World Police and Fire Games will be the single largest event that the Northern Virginia region has hosted. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to be a part of history, and help your business along the way.