ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND — September 5, 2022
You are invited to come play table hockey also known as “bubble hockey” at the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Ellicott City (Railroad) Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043, USA, at 2 PM, September 24, 2022.
This inaugural event called, The Old Ellicott Cup and will be a one-day tournament using four SuperChexx Pro (brand) “bubble hockey” games made by manufacturer, Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE). Historically, bubble hockey tournaments feature one or two games, but this event will feature FOUR SuperChexx Pro games.
The Old Ellicott Cup will be sanctioned by the World Table Hockey Association® (USA). According to the WTHA (USA), this first year event will be considered a regional event for the mid-Atlantic, as opposed to national or international event in size or scope.
About the Organizer and His First Year Intent
Shawn Smith, new associate with the WTHA (USA), is a local resident of Ellicott City with experience. As a tournament organizer, he chose Old Ellicott City.
For this first year, his plan is to produce a modest one day event focused on quality. Quality of its operation. Ambiance of the event’s location at the B&O Museum. The fun factor. Bringing tourists to Old Ellicott City (OEC) businesses, outside tax dollars to our local government, and giving back to his community along with an eye to the future of building to larger events and possibly twice per year in the future.
Sponsors and ROI
Potential Sponsors – We have sponsorship packages available. If you would like to sponsor this event please contact Shawn Smith at (347) 604-2478 or shawn@theoldellicottcup.com. We will get your name out there before, during and after the event!
If you’re wondering about your return on the investment (ROI), we offer:
Prior to COVID, the World Table Hockey Association’s held an international event, Buffalo’s Table Hockey Festival, Exhibition and Championships, Buffalo, New York, November 2019. “had more press coverage than when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) gets when it comes to town!” – Charles “Chuck” Giglia, Director of Sports Sales, Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission.
In August, table hockey was featured over three days on ESPN 8 “The Ocho!,” and TSN in Canada, “so it means we’re onto something great here in Old Ellicott City!”
WOULDN’T IT BE COOL TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING “DIFFERENT?”
Shawn Smith, Ellicott City resident and organizer says:
“In all, this is about getting a whole bunch of cool people together to have a fun time. And if we can give a bit back in the process on the 250th anniversary of a rad town in a rad building, I am all in.
All this and we’re governed by the World Table Hockey Association (USA). In August, table hockey was featured on ESPN 8 “The Ocho!,” …and for three days! So it means we’re onto something great here in Old Ellicott City!”
THE OLD ELLICOTT CUP = FUN + BUSINESS OF SPORT TOURISM + SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
Bubble hockey isn’t just a kid’s game. Or a bar game. It’s a fun game, played by cool people who want to play for a cause. Getting many of us together on a Saturday is a feat unto itself, but doing so to draw tourism to benefit the businesses and government of Ellicott City along with driving donations for a bigger cause, the Howard County Food Bank, is even better.
Table hockey is played around the world. Players travel to tournaments around the world.
MARKETING – HOW ARE WE DOING THIS? STREAMING?
See, it turns out that the gentleman (Shawn) putting this together and his son, Carter, are connected podcasters that love to stream. And another thing that they like to do is market, as Shawn, the Dad, has done for projects from Star Wars to Universal Music.
He’s clever and wants to do an activation on Twitch for one of the four tables that will be sponsored for the table, the hosts (Shawn and Carter), their microphones, the overlays on the streams themselves (and the games on that table will be livestreamed).
SPONSORS
We seek sponsors! Did we mention that before? Donation buttons will be placed on the Twitch channel, our proof of concept for this first event to raise money, but either way, we’re going to have fun…and in doing so word will spread.
SuperChexx Pro “Bubble” Hockey, at Buffalo’s Table Hockey Festival and Championships, in Partnership with the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission, hosted by RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY, 2019.
Gregory Scoma, President of the World Table Hockey Association, offers a big “thank you” to partners Eric Teisch, Howard County (HOCO) Tourism and the management of Ellicott City’s beautiful hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott Columbia.
The WTHA and HOCO are members of the Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) where the WTHA is an Event Owner and HOCO is a Sports Commission and Sport Destination. So, Gregory understands and appreciates the support Eric and HOCO Sports has provided the WTHA’s newest associate, Shawn Smith.
Sports – Visit Howard County Maryland!
About Visit Howard County
Visit Howard County (501c6 not-for-profit) is recognized by Howard County Government and the Maryland Office of Tourism Development as the official Destination Marketing Organization for Howard County, Maryland and funded by a legislated portion of the county hotel tax, allocated through the Howard County Government. To integrate the organization’s work with industry partners to create innovative marketing campaigns and serve as a credible resource for Howard County’s tourism community.
The hotel for The Old Ellicott Cup tournament is Ellicott City’s Residence Inn by Marriott.
About Residence Inn by Marriott Columbia
Make the most of your time in Ellicott City at Residence Inn Columbia. Our hotel offers an incomparable location near several of the area’s finest local treasures. Whether you want to attend a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion, witness the inherent charm of Ellicott City’s Main Street or treat yourself to a well-deserved day of shopping at The Mall in Columbia, you’ll easily be able to find exactly what your heart has been yearning for. You’ll never have to miss the most important meal of the day, as each morning, our hotel serves a complimentary breakfast buffet full of both hearty and healthy morning classics. Our outdoor pool and fitness center offer the perfect opportunity to stay in shape during your stay. Even unwind around our cozy outdoor fire pit or utilize our 2 built-in grills. At the end of your day, retreat to comfort in our spacious suites, outfitted with fully equipped kitchens, complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-panel TVs and separate sleeping areas. No matter the reason for your visit, Residence Inn Columbia offers the thoughtful amenities and friendly service you deserve.
The people living in cities and communities within the blue circular of the radius map (attached, as shown on the map at right), would need no more than 2.5 hours to travel by personal vehicle.
