Fort Lauderdale United FC and Nova Southeastern University welcomed approximately 50 Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance business and community leaders for a morning focused on professional soccer, education and opportunity in Broward County.
The Sept. 29 event began with breakfast and introductions at Coquina, the bar and grill at Amerant Bank Field. Guests then watched the team train, participated in a question-and-answer session with players and toured the Nova Southeastern University campus, sporting investments and Fort Lauderdale United FC training center.
Business leaders meet Fort Lauderdale United FC
Fort Lauderdale United FC Founder and Chairman Tommy Smith addressed the group about the club’s partnership with Nova Southeastern University. He later led a guided bus tour that connected the Alliance members with the club’s facilities, the university campus and the sporting investments taking place there.
“Fort Lauderdale United FC is open for business, and hosting the Alliance was an opportunity to show what that means,” Smith said. “Together with Nova Southeastern University, we’re building a destination that brings professional sports, education and community together. We wanted local business leaders to meet our players, see our facilities and experience the investment taking place across this campus. There’s tremendous opportunity here, and we want the business community to be part of it.”
Guests had the opportunity to speak with Fort Lauderdale United FC players and staff during the training visit. Nova Southeastern University’s Razor the Mako Shark also joined the gathering, which gave Alliance members a closer look at the people and facilities connected to the soccer program.
Gail Bulfin, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, said the event introduced business leaders to professional soccer while highlighting Nova Southeastern University’s resources.
“Tommy Smith worked with the Alliance to fashion a unique, up-close experience which would introduce key business leaders to the world of professional soccer,” Bulfin said. “At the same time, our members were able to see the vast resources NSU invests in building a world class workforce ready to power our ever-expanding businesses. It’s that collaboration of business and talent that makes Broward so special.”
Tour highlights club and university connections
Smith’s guided tour included Nova Southeastern University’s campus, sporting investments and the Fort Lauderdale United FC training center. The visit also gave guests an opportunity to speak with NSU Dean Melanie Kevorkian, adding a university perspective to the event’s focus on soccer, education and business in Broward County.
Bulfin said the morning offered Alliance members behind-the-scenes access to a professional sports team and a closer look at Nova Southeastern University’s athletic and academic growth.
“It was thrilling,” Bulfin said. “To have ‘behind the scenes’ access to a professional sports teamespecially one rooted in Lauderdalewas just the sort of experience our members appreciate.”
She also praised Fort Lauderdale United FC players and staff for their interaction with the visiting leaders.
“Fort Lauderdale United went above and beyond in delivering a great experience,” she said. “Our business leaders loved the personal attention and interaction with the players, and the accessibility of the Fort Lauderdale United FC staff.”
Bulfin added, “This event gave us a chance to share the exponential growth of Nova, not just athletically, but academically.”
Fort Lauderdale United FC said community leaders and small businesses interested in visiting or working with the club can contact Diego@FTLUTD.com. The event connected those prospective partners with the club’s players and staff, Nova Southeastern University leaders and the facilities at Amerant Bank Field and on the university campus.
FSB Take
Fort Lauderdale United FC used its partnership with Nova Southeastern University to give Broward business and community leaders direct access to professional soccer, club facilities and university resources. The morning included player interaction, live training, a campus tour and a conversation with Melanie Kevorkian. That combination showed how the club and university are connecting sports, education and business engagement in Broward County.
Source: Original report