The Independent Sports Association (ISA) named the Columbus Area Visitors Center its 2015 “Sports Commission of the Year,” in recognition of the services provided for the ISA Senior Softball World Series held in Columbus this past summer. Erin Hawkins, the Visitor Center’s director of marketing, says the ISA operates between 400 and 500 events annually throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. She says that Columbus was selected as the award recipient from among this pool of events.

“This award is a fitting tribute to the spirit of collaboration that exists in Columbus,” according to Executive Director Karen Niverson. “The Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation takes great pride in maintaining first-class sports facilities, and the Visitors Center helps facilitate smooth logistical operations for event operators from start to finish.” Hawkins says 2015 marked the fourth consecutive year that Columbus has hosted the Senior World Series. She went on to say that the 2015 tournament featured 41 teams from seven states, and had a direct spending impact estimated at $366,640.

The award was presented at the ISA/Senior Softball USA Convention in Reno, NV last week. Hawkins says that Eric Marvin, director of sports tourism, accepted the award on behalf of the Visitors Center.