NASO Summit Receives Record Support From Sponsors

RACINE, Wis. — The NASO Summit, which is the premier event for the officiating industry held annually, has received record support in 2007 from officiating leagues, associations and businesses from across the country and Canada. This year’s event, which will be held July 29-31 at the Denver Marriot Tech Center in Colorado, has received the backing of 22 contributors. The Summit theme is The Power of Persuasive Officiating: Resolve Conflicts, Manage Games, Build Relationships.

The tremendous show of support for the event emphasizes the importance of the annual NASO Summit for local, state and professional officials, officiating leaders and administrators.

“The Summit in Denver is being supported by more sponsors and grant-giving organizations than ever before,” said NASO President Barry Mano. “Yes, the financial resources being contributed in support are vital to the educational reach of the event. Of equal importance is the statement of common purpose that these sponsorships create within our industry and within the sports world in general. The effect has an impact more far-reaching than the direct financials involved.”

The Colorado High School Activities Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations will assist NASO as presenting sponsors of the event.

Other first-time financial supporters of the Summit include TheArbiter.net, the NHL, the Amateur Softball Association, the Illinois High School Association, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Sports Officials Canada and the National Basketball Referees Foundation.

Returning Summit sponsors include the NBA, Major League Baseball, NFL Youth Football Fund, Fox 40, the NFL Officiating Department, NFL Referees Association, OHSAA, TSSAA, the Sun Belt Conference, Honig’s Whistle Stop, the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, U.S. Soccer and Referee.

Other leagues and associations will be showing support for the industry event as part of a variety of Summit panels or through their attendance at the Summit.

NASO is the world’s largest organization for sports officials at every level and all sports. With more than 16,000 members, NASO’s mission is to serve as the leading source of officiating information, programs and services.

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