Sport Tourism Essay Example for Free

Sport Tourism Essay Sports tourism presents an opportunity for the City of Kent, Kent State University and City of Kent schools to leverage existing sports and recreation facilities to create new economic and community value by hosting amateur sporting events at Kent venues. These events bring new dollars into the Kent economy, showcase Kent’s assets, and provide opportunities for Kent’s kids to compete against some of the best student athletes in the nation in their own home town. This report provides an overview of how other cities have combined local resources to create a competitive sports tourism strategy. July 17, 2006 Office of the City Manager 1 Table of Contents I. II. III. Sports Commission Missions Sports Commission Membership Sports Commission Practicing Models Big City 1. Cleveland, Ohio 2. Columbus, Ohio Small Cities with Universities 1. Cortland New York 2. Gainesville, Florida 3. Huntsville, Alabama 4. Lehigh, Pennsylvania 5. Southbend, Indiana 6. Yakima, Washington Small City without a University 1. Read more:  Wallace good people  essay Kingsport, Tennessee Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Greater Columbus Sports Commission page 3 page 4 page 5 page 5 page 8 Cortland Regional Sports Council Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee Huntsville Sports Commission Lehigh Valley Sports Commissio Southbend Regional Sports Commission Yakima Valley Sports Council page 13 page 25 page 27 page 30 page 34 page 36 Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau page 38 IV. National Association of Sports Commissions page 48 V. Economic Impact of Sports Events 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. A Review of Economic Impact Study on Sport Events Greater Chattanooga Sports Committees Estimated Economic Impact Surpasses $15 Million Kingsport Sports Tourism Dollars in 2005 Cortland Sports Tourism Dollars Economic Impact of Amateur Softball Events Cities Compete to Host Sporting Events Economic Impact Calculation Examples Comparative Economic Impact Analyses page 53 page 53 page 55 page 59 page 60 page 62 page 64 page 66 page 67 2 I. Missions Summary To make Greater Cleveland the nations foremost destination for sporting events and activities. The mission of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission is to provide leadership, guidance and marketing expertise in attracting regional, national and international sporting events and activities to benefit Greater Columbus economically and socially. The mission of CRSC is to promote Cortland County for sports related business, events, competition and education. CRSCs goal is to create a positive economic impact through sporting/recreational events within the Cortland community. Our mission is to be a leading voice of the sports and tourism industries in Alachua County; to foster economic development and add to our quality of life through sports utilizing public and private sector resources; to recruit and create sports, recreation and entertainment opportunities for the community that produce a positive economic impact; to build an understanding in the community of the importance of sports and tourism; and to do so with skill, while meeting all industry professional standards. By recruiting and retaining events, the organization seeks to increase tourism, create a significant economic impact and provide for an improved quality of life for Lehigh Valley residents. The mission of the Lehigh Valley Sports Commission is to attract sports events to the Lehigh Valley through effective marketing, bid coordination and hosting activities. The sports commission will develop a fundraising mechanism for bid fees, and foster relationships with national governing bodies, sponsors and local media. Our mission includes building a volunteer base to support amateur sports events throughout the Lehigh Valley. The South Bend Regional Sports Commission exists to attract and retain international, national, regional, state and local sports events to St. Joseph County and surrounding communities. To promote the South Bend region as a world-class sporting event destination and to pursue and assist sports-related activities which stimulate the local economy, enhance the area’s image, provide outstanding entertainment and participatory opportunities while contributing to the community’s quality of life. To advance the mission of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau by stimulating economic growth through sporting events that generate economic impact for the Yakima Valley. Emphasis is placed on promoting the Yakima Valley as a premiere sports destination to event planners, participants and spectators while providing exception customer service. 3 II. Membership Summary Columbus Board of Commissioners Brian Ellis, Chair Nationwide Realty Investors Nick Ashooh American Electric Power †¢Paul Astleford Experience Columbus Irwin Bain Schottenstein Stores Corporation †¢Butch Moore The Dispatch Printing Company †¢Michael Priest JMACRhett Ricart. Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority †¢Gene Smith The Ohio State University Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee Wende Blumberg, the 2006 GSOC President, leads the twenty-five member GSOC Board of Trustees. The Board comes from a broad cross section of Alachua County citizens. Trustees are area business people with an interest in sports and economic development. The board includes people from sports facilities including the Stephen C. OConnell Center, various Alachua County cities, Gainesville Raceway, local banks, insurance companies, and local print, radio and television companies. Huntsville Sports CommissionRonald Evans Von Braun CenterCharles Winters Huntsville Madison County Conventions and Visitors Bureau Greater Cleveland Sports Commission VISION To make Greater Cleveland the nations foremost destination for sporting events and activities WHY BOOK A VENUE WHEN YOU CAN BOOK A CITY? There are so many reasons why Cleveland is an outstanding place to host your sporting event. We can help make your event a success! The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is dedicated to making Cleveland the nations premier destination for amateur sports events and activities. The Sports Commission offers a wide array of services and assistance to not only attract events to Cleveland, but to ensure their success. Sponsorship Event Management Marketing Public Relations Facility and Site Selection Volunteers Hospitality Vendor Referrals Connections to the Cleveland Community If you would like to discuss bringing YOUR event to Cleveland, please call us at 216. 621. 0600 Host Commission of: 2004 International Children’s Games 2004 NBC Gravity Games 2007 NCAA Women’s Final Four Basketball Championships 2004 U. S. Short Track National Speedskating Championships U. S. Gymnastics Championships McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Game U. S. Olympic Trials Box-Offs. David E. Gilbert is President CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, whose goal is to make Greater Cleveland the nation’s foremost destination for amateur sporting events and activities. The organization is responsible for attracting, promoting and managing major amateur athletic events and to create sporting opportunities for youth and amateur athletes. Since its refounding in late 1999, the Sports Commission has already had significant success by securing more than 50 events for Cleveland including the NCAA Women’s Final Four, NBC Gravity Games, U. S. Gymnastics Championships, International Children’s Games, McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Game, and U. S. Olympic Trials Box-Offs. These events represent an economic impact of more than $160 million for Cleveland’s economy. Prior to this position, David served as Director of Community Affairs and Special Projects for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland where he was responsible for advancing Cleveland’s travel and tourism service standards and related developments. Highlights of his tenure with include funding and development of two new, full-service visitor information centers and spearheading the funding, creation and operations of the Spirit of Hospitality Career Training 5 Program, an innovative, new welfare-to-work initiative that received national recognition and acclaim. Prior to his work with the CVB, David served as executive director of North Coast Harbor, Inc. , a local development corporation responsible for the master planning and marketing of Cleveland’s downtown lakefront development district. He also held the position of director of corporate development for The Cleveland Play House. David Gilbert We are bringing people to town for reasons other than conventions, he said. Our mission is to make Cleveland a national capital for amateur sports. With the Commissions event schedule at 41 (one-third having already taken place, including the Gravity Games and the U. S. gymnastics and figure skating championships), Gilbert estimated the economic impact at $160-162 million. Without the capital to pay a $200,000 bid fee for a typical event, the non-profit Commission won the figure skating championships, for example, by paying only part of the bid fee but taking responsibility for hospitality, transportation, arena rental and other aspects off the shoulders of the event organizers. With creative tactics such as this, and the support of our partners, Gilbert said were beating the pants off other locations. 6 Red carpet treatment for skaters By MAYA R. PAYNE 2:21 pm, April 5, 2006. Cleveland is in the running to host the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, and area leaders are betting that a bit of North Coast hospitality will give the city an edge over two other cities hoping to host the event. The U. S. Figure Skating Association site selection committee visits Cleveland today and Thursday and is seeking information to help its members narrow the field of potential sites. The association’s representatives will appraise the ice rinks at Quicken Loans Arena and the Wolstein Center. They also will meet with Cleveland leaders and the local figure skating community, which includes a dozen separate skating organizations comprising the Greater Cleveland Council of Figure Skating Clubs. A U. S. Figure Skating Association spokeswoman declined to identify the two other finalist cities. She said the organization won’t comment on the selection process until mid-April, when it makes its recommendation to the International Skating Union, the sport’s governing body. But Spokane, Wash. , also is in the hunt, according to the Spokesman-Review in Spokane. The city’s business and community leaders had a red carpet rally along Post Street in Spokane to demonstrate their support of the event. Cleveland has its own plans for wooing the event that is expected to bring its host city $30 million. It begins with showing that Clevelanders will embrace the skating championship and not simply host it, said David Gilbert, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. The organization promotes amateur sports events and activities in the region. â€Å"When this event is here, it will mean everything to this community,† Mr. Gilbert said The sports commission and assorted community leaders, including Mayor Frank Jackson, will drive home this point with discussion of past successes such as the International Children’s Games and the U. S. Figure Skating Championships that Cleveland hosted in 2000, he said. The skating championship still holds the record for highest attendance in a non-Olympic year, Mr. Gilbert said. They can also list financial and in-kind support among Cleveland’s strengths. Mr. Gilbert said the commission has secured $900,000 in commitments already. He declined to name the donors. The International Skating Union will select the city and has already said the United States will host the 2009 event. 7 2. Greater Columbus Sports Commission Greater Columbus Sports Commission 45 Vine St. Columbus, OH 43215 614-221-6060, 800-331-0092 fax: 614-224-7301 www. ColumbusSports. org The mission of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission is to provide leadership, guidance and marketing expertise in attracting regional, national and international sporting events and activities to benefit Greater Columbus economically and socially. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a member of the National Association of Sports Commissions. Board of Commissioners Brian Ellis, Chair Nationwide Realty Investors Nick Ashooh American Electric Power Paul Astleford Experience Columbus Irwin Bain Schottenstein Stores Corporation Butch Moore The Dispatch Printing Company Michael Priest JMAC Rhett Ricart Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Gene Smith The Ohio State University Interns needed to work with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. View the general job posting or one for a specific project with the National Softball Association. The Advisory Council, comprised of high-profile sports and community figures, is directly involved in sales and marketing efforts to attract regional, national and international sporting events to Greater Columbus. Bret Adams Blaugrund, Herbert Martin, Inc. Mark Bivenour Columbus Distributing Steve Germain Germain Motor Company Archie Griffin The Ohio State University Alumni Association John Hicks MVP Tours Stephanie Hightower Columbus Board of Education Jim Lorimer Arnold Fitness Weekend Mark McCullers Columbus Crew Clair Muscaro Ohio High School Athletic Association (retired) Mike Reynolds Thrifty Car Rental. 8 Wayne Roberts Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Jack Ruscilli Ruscilli Construction Co. , Inc. Ken Schnacke Columbus Clippers Todd Sharrock Columbus Blue Jackets Dan Sullivan HNS Sports Group, Inc. Rob Wallace Accor/Red Roof Inns Robert Werth Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Visitors bureau plans launch of sports commission Business First of Columbus May 10, 2002 by Kathy Hoke Business First Forget the Olympics. Think youth soccer and basketball tournaments. Under a new marketing program to begin in late June, Columbus will go after youth athletic events as well as adult amateur matches such as the popular mens and womens NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments and USA Volleyball National Championship. The Columbus Sports Commission expects to add new power to ongoing efforts to attract sporting events, which can draw thousands of participants and fans and generate millions of dollars in spending for cities. The commission will begin operations June 28, a day after a planned fund-raiser at Nationwide Arena aimed at promoting the citys amateur sports history to a local crowd. Sponsored by the Greater Columbus Convention Visitors Bureau, the Columbus Celebrates Sports event will pay tribute to the history and future of sports in the area. Ballots for the greatest or most memorable sports moments in Columbus will appear beginning May 15 in newspapers and on a variety of Web sites. Our goal is not to determine who are the best athletes from Columbus, but rather to recognize the top sports moments that captivated our community and really put us on the map, said Paul Astleford, president and CEO of the bureau. Sports celebrities expected to attend are Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, OSU football coach Jim Tressel, U. S. national soccer team and Columbus Crew standout Brian McBride and former Buckeye greats Jim Jackson and Keith Byars. More than 1,500 people are expected to attend the event, to be emceed by Greg Gumbel of CBS Sports. 9 Logan in charge The sports commission fulfills a plan laid out when Linda Logan joined the bureau in 1997 as its first sports marketing sales representative. Logans prediction that it would take five years to form a sports commission was accurate. She will head the two-member commission, which will be structured as a charitable nonprofit in which donations are tax deductible, rather than the not-for-profit association status of the bureau, whose downtown Columbus office will house the commission. Within two years, the commission is expected to grow to a staff of seven, about even in size with many sports commissions in other cities but far smaller than the sports commission in Indianapolis, which has a staff of 30 and has operated for more than two decades. Its a very competitive market, Logan said. Over 200 cities are going for the same events we are. Logan, secretary to the National Association of Sports Commissions, knows what other cities are doing to attract athletic events. The Columbus commission is long overdue, she said, and will allow her staff more opportunities and resources to attract sporting events. A staff of two compared to a staff of seven or a staff of 30 is not an even playing field, she said. About 80 percent of the commissions work is expected to focus on attracting youth, collegiate and amateur sporting events to Columbus. The commission also will work toward luring professional events, although contributions for that work will not be tax deductible. City can compete Your city should not have a concern about its ability to compete in this industry, said Don Schumacher, a sports marketing consultant who heads the national association and who once ran a now-defunct sports commission in Cincinnati. Schumacher cited Columbus central location for drive-in visitors and its sports and hotel facilities as key factors for drawing athletic events. Logan will need support from corporate donors to fulfill the commissions potential, Schumacher said. You cant do this without the proper funding, he said. You need sufficient operating money to find events and bid on them, and raise support behind the events. 2-21-2005 By: Joni Bentz Seal 10 OSU ATHLETICS CONTRIBUTE $100. 5 MILLION TO ECONOMY Each year, nearly 1,000 athletes clad in scarlet and gray tackle, shoot and swing more than $100 million into greater Columbus coffers by drawing millions of fans for matches in 36 varsity sports. Those fans contribute to  the economic vitality of central Ohio by driving radio and television ratings, purchasing Ohio State merchandise and game tickets, and patronizing area hotels and restaurants. One of the largest and most diverse athletics programs in the nation, Ohio State is among the first to measure its impact with a study conducted by a joint effort of the Department of Athletics, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, SportsImpact of St. Louis and local public relations firm Paul Werth Associates. Athletics Director Andy Geiger presented â€Å"An Analysis of the Economic Impact of Ohio State Athletics on the Greater Columbus Region† at the Feb. 2 Columbus Metropolitan Club forum on the topic. Geiger and President Karen Holbrook also introduced the department’s Good Sports community outreach initiative, which will serve as an umbrella program for the interaction student-athletes, coaches and staff have with the residents of central Ohio. â€Å"For the past 18 months we’ve been working on a way to tell a different sort of story about the Ohio State athletics program — about some of the many things we do that don’t make the headlines,† Geiger told forum attendees. â€Å"We want to share our ideas with you — and to get your reactions to — what we have in the works to share the accomplishments of our student-athletes and staff — off the field and in the community. † Applying an economic impact equation, the team studied the spending habits of event attendees and participants — which include visiting student-athletes, coaches, team officials, referees/umpires/officials, NCAA representatives and media — from outside greater Columbus during the 2002-03 academic year. The report also indicated that, of the revenue generated, 36 percent, or $36. 1 million, is retained long term as valueadded revenue to Columbus, meaning it boosts regional income, property-type income and local taxes in an amount sufficient to annually fund 989 full-time jobs paying market wages. But Geiger explained there is an impact made on the community that transcends dollars and cents: â€Å"It is the way we touch the lives of others. We have nearly 1,000 studentathletes and 300 associates of the department who are using the power of sports to touch people of all ages and in all corners of central Ohio and campus community,† he said. The Good Sports program endeavors to demonstrate the human impact Ohio State student-athletes and staff have on the community. For example, Geiger said studentathletes contribute thousands of volunteer hours to hundreds of community groups. Many on the athletic staff lead nonprofit boards in the community and serve as leaders of major charitable fundraisers. And throughout the year, Ohio State makes its world-class athletic venues available to youth organizations, providing children with the thrill of competing in the same facilities as their sports heroes. â€Å"Good Sports is our way of further institutionalizing our mission and values within our own staff, on campus and throughout our community,† Geiger said. â€Å"We operate our department based on six core values — and we want everyone to know them well — Education, Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Respect and Tradition. † 11 In her opening remarks, Holbrook reminded forum participants that many Ohio State student-athletes will settle in the Columbus area and continue to be contributors to the social fabric of the region long after their competitive days end. â€Å"We believe the many meaningful things our people are doing in the community will be energized and grow by placing them under the umbrella of the Good Sports program, where we can measure the impact more clearly and develop synergies between various outreach programs in our city,† she said. 12 1. Cortland Regional Sports Council About the Cortland Regional Sports Council More affectionately known as the CRSC, this agency was formed as a result of hosting sporting events in Cortland for the 2002 Empire State Games. The economic impact that these events had on the Cortland Community was tremendous and thanks to a partnership between SUNY Cortland, TC3 and local community members, a focus on attracting sporting events to our community was launched. The mission of CRSC is to promote Cortland County for sports related business, events, competition and education. The possibilities are endless! So far, three events have been associated with CRSC New York State Girls High School Lacrosse Championships, Section III High School Soccer Championships and the NYS Volleyball Tournament. Combined, these events have produced over $600,000 in revenue for the Cortland business community. CRSCs goal is to create a positive economic impact through sporting/recreational events within the Cortland community. We look forward to being the recognized clearinghouse for Cortland County Sporting and Recreational events via printed and electronic media. Over the next few months there are several CRSC events slated to take place in Cortland County. There will be opportunities for local businesses to participate in these events either as volunteer or as sponsors. If there is an event you are particularly interested in, please call 756-1864 for additional information or e-mail us at [emailprotected] org. 13 Current 2005 Events Section III Soccer SemiFinals (November 5, 6 2004) Site: SUNY Cortland Economic Impact: $209,438. 00 NYSPHS Volleyball (November 12, 13 2004) Site: SUNY Cortland Economic Impact: $137,060. 88 CNY Powersports SnoCross Race (February 5, 6 2005) Site: CNY Powersports Economic Impact: $207,130. 00 ATV Special Events 2004 Season Banquet (February 12, 2005) Site: Holiday Inn Economic Impact: $5,030. 30 AAU Basketball Tournament Cortland Shootout (March 25 26, 2005) Site: SUNY Cortland Park Center and Luske Field House Economic Impact: $42,373. 87 New York State YMCA Gymnastics Competition (April 15th 16th, 2005) Site: JM McDonald Sports Complex 14 Economic Impact: $19,727. 50 Crown City Soccer Friendlies (April 30 May 1, 2005) Site: SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex Economic Impact of $7,693. 55 Crown City Lumberjack Invitational (May 21, 2005) Site: JM McDonald Sports Complex Economic Impact of $14,795. 00 NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships (June 4, 2005) Site: SUNY Cortland Economic Impact of $68,453. 05 North/South Lacrosse Game and Banquet Economic Impact of $73,976. 00 Bull League Lacrosse Opening Day Economic Impact of $321,939. 00 BonTon Roulet Bicycle Tour Economic Impact of $26,631. 00 NYS Junior American Legion Baseball Championships Economic Impact of $25,408. 88 Celtic Festival / Heavy Athletics Economic Impact of $184,464. 18 Southern Tier Bowhuners Championships Economic Impact of $8,877. 00 TOTAL = $1,352,998. 21 15 Cortland Venues JM McDonald Sports Complex The Cortland Sports Complex is a 80,000 square foot facility with the following components. Indoor NHL size ice rink (200 x 85) with seating capacity of 700 Large indoor soccer field (210 x 110) with seating capacity of 200 Smaller indoor soccer field (110 x 50) with bleachers Raised observation area Full service concession stand Indoor walking track Five locker rooms and two changing rooms Meeting rooms including a Party Room Paved parking for over 200 cars Space to provide additional overflow parking for large events Floor seating for special events like graduations and concerts will allow significant additional capacity. SUNY Cortland – Outdoor Venues For more information you can visit http://www.cortland. edu. Stadium Complex . Stadium Field Sprinturf surface with 6,5 00 seating capacity Auxiliary Field Sprinturf surface with 1,500 seating capacity with 8 Lane Track with long jump, high jump, pole vault, hammer throw, discus and shot put areas 5 Additional Natural grass fields available All fields suitable for Field Hockey, Football, Lacrosse and Soccer Wallace Field †¢ Natural Grass Baseball Field 800 seating capacity Holloway Field †¢ Natural Grass Soccer Field 1000 seating capacity Dragon Field †¢ Tennis Natural Grass Softball Field 150 seating capacity †¢ 22 Newly resurfaced Tennis courts. SUNY Cortland – Indoor Venues 16 For more information you can visit http://www. cortland. edu. Corey Gymnasium †¢ †¢ Maple Hardwood Flooring with the option of one full size, 18,000 sq. ft. and 3,500 seating capacity OR 3 separate smaller gyms Suitable for Basketball, Volleyball and Badminton Holstein Pool †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ 6 Lane 50 meter pool with removable bulkhead State of the art timing system 15 Diving area with 2 one-meter diving boards, 1 three-meter diving board water agitation system underwater viewing deck Alumni Arena †¢ †¢ 15,275 sq. ft. facility with 2,000 seating capacity Suitable for Ice Hockey and Skating. Gymnastics Arena †¢ Fully equipped gymnastics gym with seating capacity of 500 in the balcony Auxiliary Gym †¢ †¢ †¢ 5,158 sq. ft. which houses 1 Basketball or Volleyball Court 4 Badminton Courts Project Adventure with High Ropes Course and Climbing Wall Wrestling Room †¢ 3,200 sq. feet of padded space Racquetball †¢ Squash 10 Regulation size Courts †¢ 8 Regulation size Courts Lusk Field House †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ 40,000 sq. ft. 6 lane indoor track with long jump pit and pole vault area Netting to allow for Baseball, Softball and Lacrosse practice Space can be used as 3 Basketball courts, 6 Volleyball courts or 24 Badminton Courts. 17 City of Cortland Recreation Facilities Park Beaudry Location Scammell St. Basketball 2 Courts Soccer 4 Fields #1 U12 #2 U12 #3 U10 Tennis Softball/Baseball 3 Fields Beaudry 1 Youth Adult Softball Youth Baseball Beaudry 2 Youth Adult Softball Park Randall Location Elm St. Basketball 1 Court Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 1 Field Field #1 Regulation Tennis 2 Courts Softball/Baseball 1 Field Softball Field with lights Park Armory Location Randall St. Basketball 1/2 Court Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 1 Field Field #1 Regulation. Tennis 4 Courts Lights Softball/Baseball 1 Field Meldrim Field with lights Park Barry School Location Wheeler Ave Basketball Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 1 Field Field #1 Youth Tennis Softball/Baseball 1 Field Youth Baseball/Softball Location Raymond Ave. Basketball Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 2 Fields Field #1 Tennis Softball/Baseball 2 Fields Field #1 Jr. Sr. Baseball Field #2 Jr. Sr. Baseball Park Suggett Regulation Field #2 Regulation Location Homer Ave Basketball 2 Courts Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 2 Fields Field #1 Tennis. Softball/Baseball 2 Fields Williamson Youth Softball/Baseball Suggett Youth Adult Softball/Baseball Park Yaman Youth Field #2 Youth Location Basketball Soccer Tennis Skate Park 1 Park Open to Skateboards, rollerblades and 20 inch bikes. Kennedy Pkwy 1/2 Court 18 Cortland University Department of Sports Management CORTLAND, N. Y. For over 20 years, Cortland Sport Management professor Dr. Ted Fay built many solid relationships as an Olympic coach and administrator. This year, he brought one of the relationships home with him. Thanks in great part to Fays connections and tireless efforts, U. S. and international team handball officials visited the State University of New York at Cortland campus on Tuesday May 11 to announce their intentions to locate a USA Women’s Team Handball National Training Center at the Central New York campus. This is an extremely significant announcement, not just for the college, but for the entire Cortland community, Fay said. A lot of hard work went into this, and there will be a lot more in the future to grow the sport to where it needs to be on an international level. Dr. Hassan Moustafa of Egypt, the president of International Handball Federation (IHF) Federation, and Michael Cavanaugh, executive director of USA Team Handball, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of team handball, spoke at a press conference coordinated by SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. SUNY Chancellor Robert King and Cortland Regional Sports Council Chair Joseph Reagan, a local businessman, also addressed the media. â€Å"It is my pleasure to announ.

Environmental Pollution In Malaysia

Environmental Pollution In Malaysia Malaysia is rapidly developing towards being an industrial country. Many industries such as heavy and light industries, small and medium industries and backyard industries have been growing in the last ten years. The increase in industrial and agricultural activities has created a new demand in housing, urbanization, transportation and medication as the population increase. All these will contribute to environmental problems especially pollution due to the accumulation of hazardous chemicals such as heavy metals in environment. Environmental pollution has become a major issue that requires immediate action as it may effects human health. Pollution can take many forms such as water and air that we breathe. Urbanization in developed and development country, civilization and industrialization make the situation of the environment worsened as such that there is no more safe place to live. From the chemistry dictionary, pollution can be define as an undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the natural environment, brought about by mans activities. It may be harmful to human or non living things. Basically there are two main classes of pollutants which are biodegradable which means it can be rendered harmless by natural processes and need therefore cause no permanent harm if adequately dispersed or treated such as sewage. Another type is nonbiodegradable which cannot be decomposing by microbial activity. For example heavy metals such as lead, DDT and other chlorinated hydroca rbons used as pesticides, which eventually accumulate in the environment and may be concentrated in food chains. Pollution also can be describes as the introduction of foreign substances into the biosphere. It may affect the soil, rivers, seas, or the atmosphere. The pollutants that are released from the anthropogenic activities such as agricultural industries, open burning, solid waste disposal, sewage treatment plants and transportation produce hazardous and poisonous pollutants such as SO2, NOx, heavy metals and hydrocarbon compounds that effects not only human but also both plants and animals that can cause death. Some of these hazardous pollutants find their way into the human system through the food web. They may undergo biotransformation, metabolism and excreted without the risk of toxicity depending on the chemical characteristics of the compound and the dose in human body. However, some of the pollutants resist chemical and biological transformation and accumulate in the tissues, including the nerves, to cause toxicity. The adverse effects of these pollutants on the nerves system give rise to neurotoxicity. Rana et al.,(2004); Katranitsas et al., (2003) found that there is evidence that increasing exposure to toxic elements in marine and terrestrial organisms is having adverse toxicological consequences. Therefore heavy metals pollution become serious issues that must been concerned. Unlike other pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and domestic and municipal litter which may visibly build up in the environment, trace metals in the environment may accumulate unnoticed to toxic levels. Generally, human health problems associated with trace metal contamination have been well-highlighted in the literature. In spite of the relatively low level of industrial activity in less developed regions there is nevertheless a high potential of toxic heavy metal pollution. The distribution of metals in the environment is a result of natural processes (volcanoes, erosion, spring water, bacterial activity) and anthropogenic activities (fossil fuel combustion, industrial and agricultural processes) (Florea and Busselberg, 2006). Heavy metals such as arsenic lead, copper, cadmium, or zinc are released from the earthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s crust into the environment through anthropogenic sources such as non-ferrous metal industry or non-renewable energy consumption. These substances can cause major damage to human health or to ecosystem stability even at low concentrations in soils. To overcome this issue, many countries have taken numerous initiatives especially the developed country. For example, in 2001 the European Union council signed the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals (Europa, 2007). Therefore there are many methods to evaluate and assess the presence of these substances. One of them is biological used. The application of biological forms as the indicators is the best ways to evaluate the environmental condition. According to (Szczepaniak and Biziuk, 2003; Bargagli, 1998), in order to detect, evaluate and minimize the effects, there has been an emphasis in the use of natural bioindicators to monitor atmospheric quality in both urban and rural environments. Examples of bioindicators are lichens, fish, and mosses. One of the bioindicators that can be used is lichens. Lichens are widely known as an excellent indicator to assess our environment. Lichens play importance roles to forest communities. Lichens represent a rare source of readily digestible food at all times of year and in diverse environments due to their ability to survive in extreme climate condition. More generally, lichens act as pioneer species in barren or disturbed environments; their growth on rock surfaces is one of the primary stages of soil formation in such environments (BrÃÆ' ¥kenhielm, 1998; Cooper, 1953 in Dawson, 2008). Lichens are small, non-vascular plants consisting of a fungus and an alga growing together in one tissue. Normally lichens are found on the bark of trees, or the reindeer lichens growing on the ground, but many other species grow on rocks, fences, roofs, tombstones, and other objects. The characteristic of lichen that sensitive to the changes of the surrounding makes them as an excellent bioindicator s and biomonitors for air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide pollution, since they derive their water and essential nutrients mainly from the atmosphere rather than from the soil. A lot of studies towards lichens had been done related to pollution especially air pollution in most Europen countries and North America Asia. During the period 1973-1988, approximately 1500 papers were published on the effects of air pollution on lichens Richardson (1988) cited in Ahmadjian (1993), and many general reviews of lichens and air pollution have been compiled (Ahmadjian, 1993). The legislation about air quality that they made has been passes through out the countries especially in developing countries where air pollution is bad. In Malaysia, several studies has been conducted (Mokhtar et al., 2006) to determine the heavy metals pollution level using lichen at difference places. From the research, they found out that the sensitivity of lichens towards heavy metals vary from each species. Most of species of lichen have a wide geographical distribution, which allows for a study of pollution covering wide areas and its high capacity to accumulate metals (Burton, 1986). Hutchi nson et al., (1996) stated that lichens do not have seasonal variations and therefore accumulation of pollutants can occur all year-round. Lichens and mosses usually have considerable longevity, which led to their use as long-term integrators of atmospheric deposition (Sloof, 1993). The benefits of using lichens as quantitative biological monitors of air metal deposition compare to conventional air sampling techniques rise from that lichens are present in most terrestrial habitats, are perennial, inexpensive and easy reproduced (Baffi et al., 2002). Problem statement Nowadays the level of heavy metals in the environment increasing day by day as the world becomes much more developed. This is because the uncontrolled released of heavy metals leads to the pollution due to the excessive anthropogenic activities. The continuous loading of heavy metals into inland and coastal water make the situation worsens. Anthropogenic activities such as mining, smelting and agriculture have locally increased the levels of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in soil up to dangerous levels for plants, animals and human beings. Although with the forest around us, the status of heavy metals level quite crucial as the result of human daily activities, dense population area near the forest and also an increasing of the transportation. These activities give adverse effect to the life being as they enter into the environment. Other than that the regulations provided by Malaysian government which is the Env ironmental Quality Act 1974 by Department of Environment, still not fully been forced due to the involvement other parties such as local authority to take action when the level of pollutants exceed the standard given especially in coastal area. This is due to the different department have different responsibilities. Nevertheless these parties can be work together to create a better life. Meanwhile due to the lack of studies towards the lichens in our country, the data obtained can help the local authority in decision making process thus maintained the quality. Besides that, it would help to make an assessment about the environmental condition and perhaps to improve environmental quality status. Objective This study was carried out in order to achieve as the followings: To quantify the heavy metals present in lichens. To evaluate the level of heavy metals in lichens. To establish the correlation of heavy metals pollutants in lichens with the surrounding environment. Significant of study By knowing that different species has different sensitivity towards heavy metals, it allow bettering understanding about the sensitivity of lichens towards heavy metals at surrounding environment. The presence or absences of species in areas can give better understanding about the sensitivity of lichens towards the pollutants. The data obtained also can be used to assess the toxicology effects not only to the lichens but also on human. Heavy metals can very toxic if the level of the pollutants higher than the limited given. The data also can create the distribution patterns of lichens at that place. The pollution level and status place also can be determined. This study provides a reference record for conducting further biomonitoring studies. Thesis organization The determination of heavy metals in lichens as bioindicators is a thesis based on previous research in different sampling location. Overall, this thesis consists of five chapters which are to assist in understanding and ease to organize through writing process. The chapters in this thesis have been organizing as follows: Chapter 2 generally discuss about the used on lichens as bioindicators. In this chapter, it also has detailed explanation on the morphology of lichens that play important role in accumulate heavy metals. It also include the history on the scientific research on lichens, the significant role on absorb the heavy metals and the effects of air pollution and metal pollution towards lichens. Chapter 3 is more focusing on research methodology. In this part, it is divided into three parts which are the description on area of study, sampling collection and lastly laboratory analysis which is the procedure to determine heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Chapter 4 is focusing on the results obtained and discussion. In this chapter, it discuss about the data obtained after analyze by ICP-MS. It also include the statistical tools to analyze the precision of the data obtain in order to have a good data. It also states the results and the data interpretation between the samples. Chapter 5 is the last chapter which is the conclusion. In this part, it concludes for the whole chapter in the thesis. It related on the objective of the study including the recommendation to improve the research on lichens.

Lucid Dreams: The First Virtual Reality :: essays research papers

Lucid Dreams: The First Virtual Reality Psychological Sean Pasinsky LibEd 316-2 5 Feb. 1997 For ages people have thought of dreams as curses or blessings that we could not prevent nor manipulate. This "place" called our dreams has constantly puzzled us, because it is here where all things are possible and seem to occur. In our dreams we perform superhuman and wonderful feats that would normally be impossible in the "awake world". We find the men or women of our dreams, depending on our sexual orientation. While we dream, these wonderful things become our temporary reality. Yet sometimes while dreaming we may experience the most horrifying events imaginable, called nightmares. Everyone has their own version of horror, my most terrifying nightmare has been where my family and friends have been taken control of by evil monsters that cannot be stopped. Rather than kill me they make me watch old 1970's television shows over and over. For years, men have thought that there should be a way of preventing or controlling these nightly events. Humans must, like any animal, sleep. We do not fully understand why we must sleep. We only know that if we are deprived of sleep long enough that we will most certainly die. The same is true for dreams and dreaming(1). If we sleep long enough we will reach an advanced stage of sleep where our body begins to experience rapid eye movement (REM). It is during this REM period that we experience most of our dreams. Many scientists try to speculate the reasons for dreaming through biological our psychological means. This proves to be very frustrating for someone trying to find empirical meaning and truth about his or her dreams. There are countless books written about dreams with just as many different interpretations and meanings for specific dream references. For psychics, astrologists, or psychologists who attempt to interpret dreams, there are numerous factors that must be considered when endeavoring to find meaning in a dream. Because of these numerous factors that contribute to the condition of dreaming, many different paths have been created for exploration. From Freud's sexual symbolism to the current random recollection theories diversity in dream interpretation abounds. However, there is a way to dream and not be at the mercy of your subconscious mind. For the past ten years a bright psychologist at Stanford University, by the name of Steven Laberge, has been studying dreams and the physiology of the human body during the dream state. His research may sound commonplace if it weren't for the added fact that he is training people to control their dreams.

Free Hamlet Essays: Little Control in Hamlet :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Little Control in Hamlet Even though Hamlet is a prince, he has little control over the course of his life. In that time many things were decided for the princes and princesses such as their education and even who they married. This was more or less the normal way of life for a child of the monarch. But in the case of Hamlet, any of the control he thought he had, fell away with the murder of his father. Having his father, the king, be killed by his own brother, sent Hamlet into a state of feeling helpless and out of control. Cooped up in a palace with no real outlet, he tries to control at least one aspect of his life. Hamlet deliberately toys with Ophelia's emotions in order to feel in control of something since he cannot control the situation with Claudius. So much is going on in Hamlet's life, his father's death, his uncle's rise to power, Fortinbras at the ready to strike and invade Denmark, and his relationship with Ophelia, that he is feels helpless and not even in control of his own life. He feels trapped and confined by his situation and therefor not in control of it. Hamlet feels as if the situations that he is in are controlling him rather than he being able to control them and he feels trapped by them, particularly the situation with Claudius. "Hamlet: †¦What have you, my good friends, deserved at the hands of Fortune that she sends you to prison hither? Guildenstern: Prison my lord? Hamlet: Denmark's a prison" (Act 2, Scene 2, verses 242-247) Hamlet even goes so far as to call Denmark a prison because he feels so trapped in his life there and feels so helpless to change his situation, as if he were locked into it like a prison cell. Another interpretation could be that Hamlet is melancholy and indecisive, and is not trying to control anyone. He is trying only to take revenge on Claudius, at which he fails for lack of an opportune time. "Hamlet: Now might I do it pat, now'a is a-praying, And now I do it. And so'a goes to heaven. And so I am revenged†¦But in our circumstance and course of thought, 'Tis heavy with him; and then I am revenged, To take him in the purging of his of his soul†¦No.

Educating Rita Essay examples -- Education Educating Rita Willy Russel

Educating Rita The play Educating Rita, only has two characters, Frank and Rita, Rita wants to learn literacy, and Frank is her tutor. The play is set in the 1970's, when there was not a lot of unemployment, and there was plenty of money. Although Rita has everything she needs, she is dis-satisfied with her life, she wants something more. Rita feels that there is no meaning to life, and she wants to find one. The characters Rita and Frank are two totally different people, Rita is uneducated and common, whereas Frank is educated and well spoken. I found the play has no specific genre, I found it came under realist, with the issues it covers like divorce, I found it came under comedy, because it made you laugh in places, and I thought it also came under drama. Frank has a serious drinking habit; we are first introduced to this at the beginning of the play, when Frank, "pulls out a pile of books to reveal a bottle of whisky." This shows the audience that he his trying to hide his habit because perhaps he feels it is wrong, or perhaps he doesn't want to get caught drinking at work. Rita's first reaction to this habit was "y' wanna be careful with that stuff, it kills y' brain cells." This shows the audience that she might be a person who jokes a lot, but if she says it in a serious way, then it shows that she doesn't really like drinking, or that she is concerned for Frank, in case he throws his life away. In the rest of the play Frank is nearly always drunk, he is always pouring himself a drink. In act 2 scene 5 Rita has read Franks poems, "are you sober? Are you?" This question suggests that Frank was drunk a lot and Rita wanted to speak to him when he wasn't. We discover the type of relat... ...Ritas. So there may be a lot of confusion between them in the future. When Rita and Frank have finished confusing each other over Ritas name, Rita notices an erotic painting on the wall, "its very erotic isn't it?" This shows Rita sees it in a different view than Frank because he doesn't/didn't see it as erotic. This might symbolise the fact that they are from different lifestyles, or that they may not always see things in the same perspective. Overall I think the first three pages introduce the audience quite well to the main themes, it introduces Frank as an obvious alcoholic and Rita as an uneducated woman. It shows they both have different views and may find it difficult to see each other's at times. After reading the play, I found it was a good laugh, it made me understand a bit more about the two different cultures and inspired me to learn.

Sample Market Analysis

Sample Market Analysis Market Analysis Customers Family Farmers Choice has developed a database of present customer who buy on a regular basis and customers who have bought only occasionally as the opportunity presents itself, such as at farmers markets. Customer demographics show the current customers are in an income range of $45,000 or more, two income families, professional occupations, concerned about the environment and located primarily in urban areas. Research also shows these customers are Internet users and willing to order product from our business via the Internet.Research conducted by Farmers Choice has verified that there is a market segment large enough to justify the investment in the processing facility. Further, the premium these consumers are willing to pay will allow the shipment of products to nearly all geographic locations in the country. Focus groups, market surveys and product demonstrations at several locations were used to develop demographic profiles of ea ch promising location so that zip codes could be used to easily identify future markets when expansion is deemed appropriate. (Note: Results of the surveys can be provided if additional information is desired. A significant number of consumers are concerned about where their meat products are coming from and how these products are processed. The company will market directly to that group. Since they are highly informed consumers, however, a major task will be to establish credibility. In the farmers markets targeted for sales there are an estimated 100,000 potential customers (based on census estimates). At present, Farmers Choice has reached only a fraction of that customer base. Based on data in the U. S. Census Bureau databases, estimated customer potential is as follows: Big Town Farmers Market |55,000 | |Lotus |10,000 | |Keeper |10,000 | |Sagmore |15,000 | |Cool Springs |5,000 | Market Size and Trends 99718. 2 billion pounds of pork produced 199819. 0 billion pounds of pork produced 199919. 4 billion pounds of pork produced Source: Steve Meier, National Pork Producers Council. 1999 figures based on USDA estimate. Average prices received by the producer have decreased in recent years: 1997$52. 90 per hundred weight 1998$34. 40 per hundred weight U. S. per capita consumption of pork is declining: 198057. 3 pounds per person 199649. 1 pounds per person In spite of declining per capita consumption of pork, consumers still spend more money on pork per year than on poultry and fish.Average annual expenditures for pork in 1998 were $146 per person per year, second only to beef at $218. The expenditures for all meat (beef, pork, poultry and fish) decreased slightly from the 1997 annual expenditures. (Source: Consumer Expenditures Survey, 1984-98, U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics) According to USDA data, higher expenditures for pork versus poultry may have been due to retail prices. For example, in June 1998, the average retail price for po rk was $2. 29 per pound, compared to chicken at $1. 55 per pound.Consumer Perceptions of Pork According to a survey conducted by the National Pork Producers Council, more than three out of four family cooks believe pork is a healthful choice. The same study indicated families prefer pork because it tastes good. Survey respondents also cited pork’s versatility, nutrition and value as key reasons for its popularity. Ranking of the favorite cuts: 1. Chops 2. Tenderloins 3. Roasts 4. Ribs Pork producers work hard to deliver the product that the consumer wants. Consumers wanted leaner pork and they got it!Compared to 1983, pork of 2000 has about 31 percent less fat content. General Trends in Meat Consumption There are a number of new and emerging trends in meat marketing which are relevant to the interest of this feasibility study. In general there are three consumer preferences today which are driving major changes in the meat industry. †¢ Consumers are demanding meats that require little preparation time. Population and labor trends are driving this preference. An unprecedented number of women are in the workforce today.There is an increasing number of single adult households in the U. S. ; of those, the number of single parent, female-headed households is increasing, resulting in more than ever limited time for meal preparation within U. S. households. A Yankelovich poll (reported by the American Meat Institute) claims that half of all Americans spend less than 45 minutes cooking an evening meal compared to the two-hour meal preparation typical in American households 30 years ago. People have a limited amount of time and don’t want to spend it cooking.Add to this the fact that at 4 p. m. , 60 percent of Americans do not know what they will eat for dinner. The implications are that the meat marketing industry has a whole new challenge for capturing palates and dollars. †¢ Consumers have little knowledge of and skills for cooking. Studies r eport that many consumers feel that their knowledge of cooking and skills for meal preparation are more limited than those of their parents and grandparents. Furthermore, the American Meat Institute reports that many American consumers find meat preparation to be challenging.Implications for meat marketing are that meats are becoming increasingly available as meal-ready or with minimal preparation. †¢ Consumers are concerned about health and nutrition when buying meat. The Food Marketing Institute claims that nearly 80 percent of Americans want to eat food they perceive to be extremely healthy and that 42 percent are willing to pay more for low-fat versions of commonly consumed products. In the lunch meat and hot dog markets, a record 50 percent of the products offered are items with reduced or low fat. Consumers are demanding changes from the meat industry and the industry is responding. Numerous options and innovations can be observed at all levels in production, processing a nd packaging. The retail point of sale is taking on a new look. Emerging Trends in Meat Marketing Case-Ready Meat: These are value added fresh meat products that the supermarket purchases in precut packages. Due to new packaging technologies, precut, tray-ready packages tend to offer a longer shelf life than conventional products.Often hermetically sealed, they offer customers trimmed, individually wrapped, consistent portions. Case-ready meats eliminate extra steps in handling for retailers and consumers alike. Consumer-Ready Products: These products go a step beyond the case-ready meat products by including preparation tips, cooking instructions, spices, or seasoning packets. Portions are indicated on the package. Consumer-ready products include items such as marinated meats, stuffed chops, kabobs and seasoned steaks and roast which are ready to take home and pop into the oven, microwave or place on the grill.Home Meal Replacement: These are fully prepared products which free the consumer from all responsibility of meal preparation. They often come packed and portioned as entrees with options to purchase complementary side dishes or extras. Also known as TOTE (Take Out To Eat), these dinners in a bag are the way in which supermarkets and grocery stores are competing with restaurants to gain business from Americans who choose not to prepare their own meals. The market analysis shows a broad range of prospective clients.The green labeled, eco-labeled, naturally labeled, food industry is in a boom period. While there are a growing number of items from a growing number of vendors becoming available, Family Farmers Choice is approaching the market as a multi-choice provider of products with a face. The owner/members of Family Farmers Choice have spent 10 years carefully laying the groundwork and learning the methods for success. The value-added cooperative is now poised to make the most of established connections with consumers and other marketers of natural item s handcrafted on family farms.Family Farmers Choice is set to offer food, fiber and manufactured products that nourish, provide comfort or address a desired taste or want. The members of Family Farmers Choice have proven an ability to adjust their product lines while also displaying a tenacious desire to provide whatever level of sweat equity is required to preserve their independent ways of life as family farmers. The owners/members have also provided 50 percent of the equity requirements per early feasibility estimates. The food-with-a-face concept of marketing is still relatively new and enjoys some sense of novelty in the marketplace.The genuine authenticity that can be verified by Family Farmers Choice is not yet common in the commercial consumer marketplace, which gives the Family Farmers group a leg up on the competition. The industry of specialized foods and handmade, one-of-a-kind products is on a steady upward growth curve; and Family Farmers Choice is poised to capitalize on the consumer’s desire for these items. While a bouncing economy can affect many areas, specialty food items and unique crafted goods are generally less affected than the main, with unique items typically finding favor in the marketplace.The following article, reprinted, provides a degree of verification. Farmers Rated Best in Ensuring Food Safety Survey Identifies Consumer and Editor Opinions about Food Issues DES MOINES, Iowa— Tuesday, September 29, 1998— Food safety has surpassed issues such as crime prevention, health and nutrition, environmental protection, water quality and recycling as the most important public issue facing consumers. However, consumers give farmers high marks for their efforts to assure a safe food supply, a survey by the International Food Safety Council, a restaurant and foodservice industry coalition, shows.Fifty-nine percent of consumers surveyed said farmers are doing an excellent job to ensure a safe food supply. Supermarkets ca me in a close second at 57 percent, followed by food processors (44 percent), restaurants (42 percent), consumers (38 percent), government agencies (34 percent), and meat/poultry packers (29 percent). â€Å"The survey clearly shows that consumers hold farmers in high regard for their efforts to produce safe and wholesome products,† said Bill Brewer, public relations counsel for the Food Practice Group. â€Å"This offers an opportunity for the agricultural community†¦Ã¢â‚¬  998 Food Issues Survey News Release Presented in association with the International Food Safety Council, a restaurant and foodservice industry coalition. [pic] The following tables show the pricing strategy that Farmers Choice will use for their products: [pic] Potential Markets [pic] Product Distribution and Sales Meat products are sold in a variety of ways somewhat dependent on fresh or frozen and size of package. At present, ethnic markets and specialty markets are underserved. A survey of the pho ne company’s yellow pages showed only two markets selling to ethnic groups in our proposed trade area.Regardless of whether the market is a niche or traditional market, the meat sales are still handled in the same manner. Types of sales include: †¢ Over the counter in locker plants or meat shops †¢ By mail order †¢ Via Internet †¢ Door-to-door sales and delivery †¢ Grocery stores †¢ Institutional food vendors †¢ Specialty marketing †¢ Prepared food sales Farmers Choice will not have any unique food sales methods. Rather, the company will sell via specialty markets, such as farmers markets, as frozen foods, shipping product sold via Internet or phone orders and over the counter at the processing facility.For a small company, Farmers Choice will cover as many marketing avenues as time and resources permit. Estimated Market Share and Sales The potential sales volume for the projected sales area is $10 million. This is Web sites and Iowa St ate University Extension estimates, which combine population numbers and consumption numbers. With a projected sales volume of $500,000, Farmers Choice will not have a large market share. Competition Competition is formidable. The competitors have more buying power, more clout in the marketplace and more financial resources to cut deals with suppliers.Farmers Choice has no illusions of coming into the market place and easily capturing sales. It will need to work hard to gain and keep sales. Customers have well established buying habits for meat products coupled with established preferences for products, packing and freshness. Competition is in the form of three main categories: 1. Large chain grocery stores for retail customers. 2. Small independent locker plants with retail counters. 3. Meat brokers and institutional food sales groups selling to restaurants. The main competition will be pork products marketed in the traditional manner, i. e. as a commodity. Typically, the consumer does not know where the product comes from and where and how it was processed. Family Farmers plans to differentiate its products from commodity meats in the following manner: †¢ Preserve the identity of products from the hog raiser to the consumer, whether the product is sold in meat markets, grocery stores, restaurants or delicatessens. †¢ Hogs will be raised in open pastures on a rotation basis, as opposed to highly dense confinement buildings, thus minimizing the investment required and eliminating waste disposal and related environmental problems.Studies have shown that hogs raised in this manner have fewer health problems, thus reducing the need for medicines of various types, further reducing production costs. †¢ Establish that the brand â€Å"Family Farmers Choice† offers products that are safe and are of consistent high quality, thereby deserving of a premium price. Who are our competitors? We do not know the annual meat sales volume of our competitors or their market shares. Such figures, if published, were not available for this study.Farmers Choice prices will be competitive and, in some cases, higher than competing pork products found through other distribution channels. The higher cost, about 5 cents per pound higher on average, will result from the key differences of Farmers Choice product versus competitors’. Again, the sales history indicates consumers are willing to pay a very slight premium to get product that meets their criteria. Some key differences of our product include: †¢ It is a natural product, free of hormones. †¢ It is provided by farmers known to the consumer, as in â€Å"food with a face. †¢ Quality is assured as all hogs are raised to an audited quality system. †¢ No quality problems will come from processing due to our small facility and worker responsibility for quality. †¢ Doorstep delivery is available where possible. †¢ Customers can visit the factory where the fo od is made. Competitive Advantage and Analysis The following table outlines how Farmers Choice compares to the competition in terms of product and other factors, including strengths and weaknesses. The analysis is of Farmers Choice against the competition by major groups.While there may be key differences against individual stores or businesses, these do not exist in large enough quantity to affect sales or strategy of Farmers Choice. [pic] Following is an analysis of Farmers Choice strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats: SWOT Analysis (Strengths and Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) [pic] What Does the Coop Have to Sell? Carcass Breakdown(Pork) Typical Market Pig Live weight (pounds)250 Carcass weight (pounds)184 Backfat 10th rib (inches)0. 9 Loin-eye area (square inches)5. 2 Fat-free lean index (percentage)48. 0 Pounds of lean meat88. 6 [pic] [pic]

Citizenship in the nation Essay

1.Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen. 2.Do TWO of the following: a. Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it. b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history. c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation. d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country’s citizens. 3.Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family. 4.Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one. a. Declaration of Independence b. Preamble to the Constitution c. The Constitution d. Bill of Rights e. Amendments to the Constitution 5.List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community. 6.With your counselor’s approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why. 7.Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances. 8.Name your two senators and the member of Congress from your congressional district. Write a letter about a national issue and send it to one of these elected  officials, sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor.