1.0 Introduction/ Background

A mid-sized city, which already operates a soccer stadium, wishes to host a soccer tournament next year. In addition to conducting the tournament, they will host a fan experience event throughout the tournament on the property adjacent to the soccer stadium. The city’s soccer stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people and it is expected to sell-out all five days of the tournament. The tournament is hosted by the Unified Soccer League Association of the Americas (USLAA) and the event will be televised and available via radio.

2.0 Business Objective

The city needs to plan and erect new facilities and infrastructure for the tournament, which is set to take place next year. In order to do so, they must prepare both venues to receive and support 10,000 people in the stadium and 250 to 500 fans in the fan experience venue. They must also create the infrastructure required to support network connectivity for fans and media. Concessions and merchandise will be sold at the event. The city must also promote the event and offer a VIP guest experience. Parking and traffic must be accounted for and safety systems must be put into place.

3.0 Current Situation and Problem/Opportunity Statement

While the city does already operate a soccer stadium, much of the infrastructure for this event must be created. The tournament will attract many individuals from outside of the city and will bring additional business to restaurants, hotels, and companies in the area. Additionally, successfully conducting this event will likely attract similar events and could be a boon for the local economy.

4.0 Critical Assumption and Constraints

This project must be completed within nine to twelve months as the tournament date is set. It also requires support from the city council and citizens to be successful. The potential for revenue is high, but funding must be in place to make the event possible. A number of employees must be hired or re-trained to work the event. Staff from the soccer stadium may be used, but it is likely that more individuals will need to be hired to work the event only. Training of these individuals must occur before the tournament. The network backbone must be created to include WIFI and ethernet for broadcasting ability and to provide attendees with internet access. Additionally, parking is not sufficient for the expected number of guests so overflow parking must be secured. Any items or systems costing over $10,000 must be bid upon by multiple providers. This will add at least two to three months to the purchasing processes. Additionally, all purchases made with city funds must go through their procurement process in order to produce a purchase order.

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5.0 Analysis of Options and Recommendation

There are only two options when deciding if to undertake this project.

1.    Do not host the tournament.

2.      Host the tournament.

Based on the potential for economic gains and increased revenue for the city and its community, as well as the general support for the tournament, option two is the best option.

6.0 Preliminary Project Requirements

1.    The facility must be reserved for the tournament.

2.      Training for all staff must be secured

3.    A networking backbone must be installed

7.0 Budget Estimate and Financial Analysis

The initial estimate of costs is approximately $190k. This number does not include rental of facilities, any equipment already in place at the stadium, or any routine stadium care. It is assumed that the city already owns the facilities and, therefore, any cost to care for the facility is accounted for in the facility budgets. See Exhibit A for the estimated budget.

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