CHEERSPORT 2013.

about 12 years ago, my dad accidentally got involved in the cheer competition business. you see, he had quit his big time corporate job because he wasn't happy, and ended up getting involved with our cheer gym as a "summer project." at the time, CHEERSPORT was a small competition that had been dreamed up by my coaches. and when my business-minded father got involved, he realized this company had potential. so since 2001, my dad has been running CHEERSPORT, and it has grown into quite the crazy event. according to the atlanta journal constitution, CHEERSPORT draws in over 70,000 people to the city and creates $34 million in economic impact, making it the 3rd largest event in atlanta ever year. even bigger than the final four. pretty insane.

this past december, my dad made the big decision to sell CHEERSPORT. and even though he now works for someone again, business is as usual besides everyone's paychecks just come from a different place. we held our annual CHEERSPORT nationals this past weekend, and it was another great event.

{entrance to the competition; 1 of our 5 arenas; this year's competitor gift; our 200,000 sq ft warm up room.}

i got to atlanta on wednesday evening and grabbed a drink with my sweet little from my sorority. she moved to atlanta a few months ago, and we had a beer at a bar i love that i used to frequent when i lived in atlanta, six feet under. it was so great to see her, she is good for my soul.

thursday started the craziness, but we ended the evening at peasant bistro for a quick valentine's day dinner with my family and brett! we even rode back to the hotel in a horse & buggie... i wish i was kidding.

{our usual weird pic; brett & i at dinner; court & brett stunting...normal;  daddy & mary ann on the ride home}

the rest of the weekend was all work and no play. and as always, the highlight of CHEERSPORT is seeing all my cheer friends, and spending some quality time with my dad. after 5 long/awesome days in atlanta, we headed home to charlotte. can't wait to do it again next year!

 

{view from our room at the omni... i love.}