VYSA 2010 Convention exhibitor Buyer's Guide

The 2010 VYSA annual Soccer Convention is this weekend (Friday and Saturday) at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va. This is a weekend of workshops and receptions for anyone involved in soccer: coaches, parents, administrators, players, and soccer enthusiasts.

The Convention also boasts the Exhibit Hall, filled with many exhibitors, discounts, and giveaways. Below you will find a Buyer\'s Guide to who will be there and what they have to offer (including some discounts and offers for PSW subscribers!). This guide was compiled by Potomac Soccer Wire staff, with the help of contacts at each company or organization. Not every exhibitor responded, and some responded with more or less than others, but it will help you walk through the show, or help you "browse" the companies and organziations supporting soccer in Virginia if you cannot make it out to the show.

We\'ll have this guide available at the Potomac Soccer Wire booth on the show floor as well. We hope you will also take time to stop by and pick up a copy, and introduce yourself! Just look for the crowd around the FIFA10 game on the flat screen, we\'re bringing a system along just for the kids (big and small)!

[ + See registration prices and register for the show online ]
[ + Find schedules and updates on activities, presenters, etc.]

VYSA 2010 Convention Buyers\' Guide

BOOTH #1 - PEEL-A-WAY FUNDRAISING
www.peelawayfundraising.com
 

BOOTH #2 - GTM SPORTSWEAR
gtmsportswear.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
This is our 3rd year attending and we have enjoyed making contact with the youth coaches at this show. And we now have our own line of soccer uniforms to show.

Describe your primary offering.
We offer soccer uniforms and apparel, including warm-ups, tees, hoodies, bags, polo\'s, and uniforms.

What makes you different from your competitors?
We manufacture our own products.  So, we are able to cut out the middle man and give our customers factory direct prices.


BOOTH #3 - UK ELITE
www.UKElite.com
Describe your primary offering.
Training programs with well qualified British training staff.

What makes you different from your competitors?
Our standards of staff are extremely high and our reliability.


BOOTH #4 - CHALLENGER SPORTS
www.challengersports.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
To meet coaches and board members who currently use our products and services, prospect and offer our services to organizations we currently don\'t work with and to network with coaches and organizations.

Describe your primary offering.
Challenger Sports provides summer soccer camps, holiday camps, clinics, tours, tournaments and uniforms to thousands of clubs nationwide. Challenger understands that players, coaches, parents and administrators all have different needs and priorities, and by listening to our customers throughout the period of our growth we have created a TOTAL SOCCER company that caters to everyone involved in the game.

What makes you different from your competitors?
Incredible coaches - With over 20 years experience, we know how to make learning soccer fun. Each of our 850 coaches has flown to the US for one reason only,  to make sure your child improves their soccer skills and has a good day at camp every day!

Innovative curriculum - Not only will your kids learn how to dribble, pass, shoot, tackle and head the ball, but they will also learn about Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Leadership, Sportsmanship and will learn about how soccer is played around the world. Our British coaches turn a normal week of soccer camp into magical cultural experience. 

The Challenger difference - we have created a unique coaching methodology that gets results quicker. The Challenger Way of coaching is based upon maximum participation, maximum touches on the ball and maximum fun. Simply put, no line drills, no long speeches and lots of encouragement.

Each camp include a free camp shirt and camp ball, a giant fold out soccer poster and a personal player evaluation. Plus get a FREE British Soccer replica Jersey by signing up online 45 days prior to camp!
 

BOOTH #5 - ORONO SPORTS
www.oronosports.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
This will be our second year attending the VYSA show in order to bring our products/services to the coaches in the Virginia area, and to let them know that they have an option that is less expensive than the national brands for their soccer balls and training equipment needs for the coming soccer season.

Describe your primary offering.
ORONO SPORTS offers a full line of custom logo soccer balls and in stock soccer balls (mini, camp, practice, game, indoor, futsal & NFHS approved), scrimmage vests, soccer accessories and training equipment. Our full line of items is always available at www.oronosports.com.

What makes you different from your competitors?
In this economic climate of tighter budgets, we have the right price/product mix to keep the quality high and the prices low as compared to the major brands of soccer. We have a long record for excellent customer service that our customers have come to know and appreciate.


BOOTH #6 - POCONO CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENTS/PANINI SOCCER CARDS
www.poconocup.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
To inform VYSA clubs of our tournaments during the spring and summer.

Describe your primary offering.
Pocono Cup: We offer three tournaments: Pocono Cup Memorial Day "B" Club Level Soccer Tournament (May 29-30, 2010 - Boy & Girls U9-U16), Pocono Cup "Girls" Premier Soccer Tournament (July 3-4, 2010 - U9-U19), and Pocono Cup "Boys" Premier Soccer Tournament (July 10-11 - U9-U19)

Panini Cards: Soccer player trading cards including those from the 2006 World Cup, 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League, 2008 UEFA Euro 2008, 2008-2009 Champions League, 2009-2010 Champions League

What makes you different from your competitors?
The tournament sites are located in Stroudsburg Penn., in the "Heart of the Pocono\'s." The area offers a wide array of family adventure, including mountains, camping, hiking, rafting, shopping outlets, golf, water & adventure parks, and a new casino at Mount Airy Lodge.  Our four outstanding soccer sites are easily assessable off Interstate 80 and just over the PA border within an easy driving distance. 


BOOTH #7 - EUROSPORT - SOCCER.COM
www.soccer.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
To bring better knowledge of Eurosport and SOCCER.COM\'s team uniform and soccer gear capabilities to VYSA\'s clubs.

Describe your primary offering.
We offer team uniforms, as well as soccer equipments and apparel.

What makes you different from your competitors?
Our pricing and vast selection of product.


BOOTH #8 - SOCCERTOURS.NET
soccertours.net
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We have supported Virginia Youth Soccer by attending the Annual Conference as an exhibitor since 2002. We have made many friends during those years among the Virginia coaching ranks and have had the privilege of planning and organizing many soccer tours for Virginia teams.

Describe your primary offering.
We plan and operate international and domestic soccer team travel and tours for all ages.

What makes you different from your competitors?
World class service; 100% accountability; totally dedicated to providing the perfect customized tour for each team.


BOOTH #9 - AMERICAN CREDIT CARD PROCESSING CORPORATION (ACCPC)
www.accpconline.com/
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
American Credit Card Processing Corporation (ACCPC) values our relationship with the youth sports community. I specialize in working with non-profit organizations, foundations, especially sports leagues and associations and know what the many volunteers are up against trying to run a youth sports club, league and / or a tournament. I\'m on a soccer field virtually everyday myself (coaching, refereeing, playing, running a
tournament, etc.).

Describe your primary offering.
My company is a "cashless payment solutions provider". I help organizations (clubs, associations, tournaments, camps, clinics, etc.) accept payment other than cash (credit cards, debit cards, electronic checks). I work with them to do this via the internet or "on-site - face to face". I work with organizations directly and in conjunction with registration software companies such as Got Soccer, Demosphere, e7Sports, Jevin, Active, Affinity, Youth Leagues USA, League Lineup, Blue Sombrero, SportsPilot, etc.

What makes you different from your competitors?
We create long term partnerships with our clients to:
- Provide personalized service via a personal account executive - Cell phone provided for direct access.
- Simplify the administrative process of running an organization by working directly with the organization to find solutions for the administrative issues.
- Partner with our clients to support their events - tournaments, registration, fundraising - in many cases we loan equipment to the organization for their event.

Provide value via reduced processing costs:
- We customize a rate and fee plan, specifically designed to save our clients money on the fees they pay for processing.
- Typically the savings are 22% - 28%, but can be as high as 40% - 50% depending on the organization.
- We are the only company capable of working directly with the debit and credit networks (other companies can only work directly with the credit networks) to direct the transactions to the lowest cost network.
- We are also a knowledge resource for many of our clients helping them with fundraising opportunities that are marketing driven vs. product sales driven. These partnerships then produce on-going revenue for the club or organization.

PSW Discount:
- $59 annual fee waived
- $99 ACCPC set-up fee waived


BOOTH #10 - WASHINGTON FREEDOM
www.washingtonfreedom.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We are at the VYSA Convention this year because we want to make sure that the DC Metro area knows that the Washington Freedom is here to stay. We are coming into our 2nd session in the WPS and want to make sure we touch every team and club in the DC area.

Describe your primary offering.
We offer unique, affordable ticket packages to world class women\'s professional soccer and expert training though camps and clinics within the Washington Freedom Youth Development Program. Our season tickets include 12 home games throughout the season with benefits such as our Ticket Exchange Program and entry into the Meet the Team Party. We also have a Coaches Club Membership Program.

What makes you different from your competitors?
We are the only WPS Team in the DC Metro area, but we are one of the original teams from the former WUSA league and have kept the Freedom name alive during the years that the league was in transformation and revamping into the WPS. We have a "center of excellence" that has local clubs feeding into our system to make us the best program in the country and top in the world. We strive to further the growth and development of the beautiful game both on the field as players and off the field as positive community leaders.

PSW Discount:
Come to our booth to discuss options with our different packages and mention PSW.


BOOTH #11-12 - PROTIME SPORTS
www.protimesports.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
Protime Sports is exhibiting to make uniform buyers aware of an alternative source for high quality affordable uniforms.
 
Describe your primary offering.   
We sell soccer uniforms direct from the factory to the end user. Jerseys, shorts and socks as low as $13.95.

What makes you different from your competitors?
Quality and delivery differentiate us from our competitors.

PSW Offer:
Protime Sports will give away 10 GK gloves to randomly drawn PSW subscribers
10% off new orders over $250 placed at the show


BOOTH #17-18 - TOTAL SPORTS/NOVA ROYALS
http://www.novafc.org/


BOOTH #19 - D.C. UNITED
www.dcunited.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We are supporting VYSA and youth soccer in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.

Describe your primary offering.
D.C. United Summer Camps & Season, Group, & Single Game discounted ticket packages for VYSA Youth Soccer Clubs in 2010.

What makes you different from your competitors?
D.C. United is the premier men\'s professional soccer club in the VA/MD/DC area. There is no better way to learn the "beautiful game" than watching the professionals play while spending time with family and teammates.

D.C. United Player Appearances at VYSA Convention - D.C. United Booth
o    Devon McTavish - 18 - 930am - 10am
o    Clyde Simms - 19 (2009 D.C. United MVP) - 11am - 1130am
o    Talon - 1030am - 1130am
D.C. United Door Prize at Booth - Enter to Win a chance at winning a FREE D.C. United Winter 4 Pack that includes Four (4) tickets to United\'s Home Opener plus an official D.C. United Hooded Fleece. Enter to Win postcards will be in your VYSA Goodie Bag.

PSW Discount:
Winter 4 Pack - Four tickets to United\'s home opener plus an official D.C. United Hooded Fleece - all for as low as $98 - https://www.dcunited.com/winter-4-pack?r=WS


BOOTH #21 - XARA
www.xarasoccer.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We are exhibiting at this year\'s show to develop the awareness of Xara Soccer\'s quality uniforms at both the competitive and recreational age groups.

Describe your primary offering.
We offer products, programs and services that assist clubs at all levels - not just uniforms. Our interactive curriculum programs are offered free to all clubs, as it is our commitment to support clubs at the grass roots level.

What makes you different from your competitors?
Offering all of the products, programs, and services that clubs need is what makes us different from the traditional trading relationship. We have the programs to support clubs at every level, to increase parent participation, assist with the recruitment and training of
parent coaches, and we have a program that supports the retention and growth of membership.

PSW Discount:
40% off catalog prices


BOOTH #22 - COMMONWEALTH SOCCER PROGRAM
www.cspsoccer.net


BOOTH #23 - DEMOSPHERE
www.Demosphere.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We have been at the show before and have been state partners with VYSA for 10+ years. We also have many customers within VYSA.

Describe your primary offering.   
We offer web-based technology services - websites, online registration, league scheduling, and tournament management.

What makes you different from your competitors?
We offer comprehensive services and best-in-class support.

PSW Discount:
Mention PSW at booth to receive a discount


BOOTH #24 - RIXSTINE RECOGNITION
www.rixstine.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
To show our support for VYSA.

Describe your primary offering.
We offer awards, pins, medals, apparel, signs, and gifts.   

What makes you different from your competitors?
Our customer service and our ability to go above and beyond because of our manufacturing abilities in house.

PSW Discount:
Yes.


BOOTH #25 - FARRISH SUBARU
www.farrishsubaru.com

BOOTH #26-27 - VIRGINIA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
www.vysa.com


BOOTH #28 - INARIA
www.inariausa.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We want to offer our products directly to clubs and associations, as well as meet people who are involved with VYSA.

Describe your primary offering.
We manufacture uniforms, equipment, and accessories.

What makes you different from your competitors?
We have the best quality and best value in uniforms.

PSW Discount:
Yes.

BOOTH #29 - EUROTECH
www.eurotechsoccer.com

BOOTH #31-32 - SCORE, SPORTS
www.scoresports.com

BOOTH #33 - YOUTH LEAGUES
www.ylusa.com

BOOTH #34 - NATIONWIDE INSURANCE
www.nationwide.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
We are exhibiting at this years show because are trying to get the word out about our new affinity relationship with VYSA.

Describe your primary offering.
We offer auto, home, and life insurance for individuals and families in VA, MD, and DC.

What makes you different from your competitors?
VYSA members (and their parents) get exclusive auto insurance rates from Nationwide that aren\'t available to the general public. Also, each year Nationwide will be giving money to VYSA based off of the new members to Nationwide from VYSA, so signing up with Nationwide helps the clients, our agency, and VYSA as a whole.

PSW Discount:
Each VYSA member will be able to have discounts on their auto insurance that aren\'t available to the general public.

BOOTH #36-37 - VIRGINIA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
www.vysa.com

BOOTH #38 - METRO DC REF\'S
www.vadcsoccerref.com

BOOTH #39 - ADIDAS
www.shopadidas.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
To show our support for VYSA, showcase adidas apparel for clubs, network with potential customers and see old customers.

Describe your primary offering.
All of our new offerings are for team business specifically - Condivo jersey and short, Regista jersey, Equipo short, and Stricon jersey and short.

What makes you different from your competitors?
Relationships, service, quality of product, and heritage


BOOTH #40 - SPORTS PINS INTERNATIONAL
www.sportpins.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
Sport Pins International, Inc. has a long standing history with VYSA. We have done the awards for most tournaments in this Association for many years.

Describe your primary offering.
We mostly sell pins, medals, patches and coins, but we also do recognition items such as trophies, acrylic and glass awards, t-shirts, etc.

What makes you different from your competitors?
The one thing that makes us stand out above our competitors is that we are soccer people!

PSW Discount:
10% off new orders over $250 placed at the show


BOOTH #41 - POTOMAC SOCCER WIRE
www.potomacsoccerwire.com
Why are you exhibiting at this year\'s show?
To support VYSA and promote our brand while making new contacts and strengthening old ones.

Describe your primary offering.
We are the area\'s #1 local soccer news and information resource for anyone who wants to stay in touch with what\'s happening with soccer in their community, and to share ideas with their peers. We maintain a news website and community forum with thousands of visitors a day, and also publish an email newsletter to 10,000 subscribers in Maryland, Virginia, andevery Tuesday and Friday.

What makes you different from your competitors?
We\'re locally focused, only covering soccer topics with connections to Virginia and the greater DC region. We don\'t cover the same old news about the global professional game like just about every other soccer news magazine or website on the planet. Our writers write about local teams, local players, local leagues.

PSW Discount:
Giveaways from random drawing of new or confirmed subscribers of our newsletters. Also offering to lock in current advertising rates for contracts booked and paid before February 1st, even if you don\'t need the ads to run until later in the year. Our rates go up February 1st.

BOOTH #43-44 - AMERICAN CHALLENGE
www.challengesoccercompany.com

BOOTH #45 - ALL STAR SPORTS

DISCOUNTS OFFERED TO POTOMAC SOCCER WIRE SUBSCRIBERS

ACCPC (#9) - $59 annual fee waived - $99 ACCPC set-up fee waived

D.C. United (#19) - Four tickets to United\'s home opener plus an official United hooded fleece for as low as $98 https://www.dcunited.com/winter-4-pack?r=WS

Demosphere (#23) - mention PSW at booth to receive discount

Inaria (#28) - mention PSW at booth to receive discount

Potomac Soccer Wire (#41) - Giveaways from random drawing of new or confirmed subscribers of our newsletters. Also offering to lock in current advertising rates for contracts booked and paid before February 1st, even if you don\'t need the ads to run until later in the year. Our rates go up February 1st.

Protime Sports (#11-12) - Protime Sports will give away 10 GK gloves to PSW subscribers; 10% off new orders over $250 placed at the show

Rixstine Recognition (#24) - mention PSW at booth to receive discount

Sports Pins International (#40) - 10% off new orders over $250 placed at the show

Washington Freedom (#10) - come to the booth, mention PSW, and discuss different package options

Xara (#21) - 40% off catalog prices