Tupelo to Host 2014 ISA National Convention

TUPELO, Miss—(PRESS RELEASE) Tupelo has won the bid to host the Independent Softball Association (ISA) and Senior Softball USA (SSUSA) National Convention in December 2014. ISA organizes, sanctions, and governs competitive participation in various formats and classifications through league and tournament play.

“The ISA group wanted to come to Tupelo from the get go,” said Don Stratton, CEO of ISA. “The enthusiasm and true commitment of Tupelo made us feel that you really wanted us. We are looking forward to your hospitality and experiencing Tupelo.”

The ISA was created in 1984 in Shelbyville, TN, and is now run by Don Stratton in Bartow, FL. Since 2008, ISA has partnered with SSUSA to hold a joint convention. SSUSA sanctions tournaments and championships, while promoting senior softball throughout the world. More than 1.5 million men and women over the age of 40 play senior softball in the United States.

“We are looking for a memorable adventure in Tupelo,” said Terry Hennessy, CEO of SSUSA. “When we come in to Tupelo with the convention, we will expose senior softball to a great deal of people who do not know about the sport. We hope then that even more people in Tupelo and Mississippi will start playing senior softball.”

The five-day convention will be held in early December 2014. The event brings together state, regional, and national directors for both ISA and SSUSA softball, as well as equipment suppliers and city personnel with an interest in hosting ISA and SSUSA events. Tupelo will receive unmatched exposure during the National Convention by showcasing its hotels, restaurants, and facilities to decision makers for the organization and those who will choose to locate future tournaments to this area.

“This is an incredible chance for us to show off our facilities to a potential user group during a time that is traditionally slow in the sports world,” said Seth Gaines, Sports Development Director for the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are excited for them to come to Tupelo and experience all that we have to offer.”