WCP events operate under a "Stay to Play" lodging policy to streamline accommodations for teams traveling over 80 miles. Through our partnership with Event Connect, teams benefit from a professionally managed booking process, with expertly negotiated rates and added perks. Simply submit a group room block request, and Event Connect will efficiently handle the arrangements—allowing you to focus on the event.

Stay-to-Play programs are often misunderstood, and this lack of understanding can lead to a poor reputation. However, these programs provide valuable benefits to teams, families, and partner hotels.

When teams book rooms with hotels that partner with event organizers, the hotels have a predictable flow of guests and are often willing to offer reduced rates and added perks for those families. Hotels value consistent, planned occupancy, and Stay-to-Play agreements encourage them to provide competitive rates and perks, like free breakfasts or late checkouts, and greater flexibility for last-minute changes or cancellations.

Without a Stay-to-Play structure, families booking independently may face higher rates and fewer perks, as hotels do not have the same assurance of occupancy.

Here are the benefits of a properly executed "Stay to Play" Program:

1. Guaranteed Lower Hotel Rates for Teams & Families

By partnering with hotels, we can secure exclusive discounts and special rates for your team and families. Hotels value the predictability of guaranteed bookings, which allows them to offer better pricing and perks. When hotels know that our event is bringing in a large group, they are motivated to provide the best possible deals, including:

*Lower nightly rates
*Free breakfast (where available)
*Free parking (where available)
*Other amenities like early check-ins or late check-outs

Without a Stay to Play system, families may end up paying higher, non-discounted rates at hotels that aren't offering these perks. Our partners give priority treatment to Stay to Play teams, making your stay more affordable and comfortable.

2. Flexibility and Peace of Mind for Your Family

Hotels that partner with us through Stay to Play are much more flexible when it comes to things like cancellations or special requests (e.g., room types, early check-in, etc.). When teams book independently, they often lose out on these kinds of benefits, and hotels may be less accommodating.
With our program, you'll get:

*More flexible cancellation policies in case of weather delays or changes to the event.
*Priority for special requests like room configurations or upgrades (subject to availability).
*Easier management of your reservation through Event Connect if there are changes due to weather or other circumstances.

3. Supports Umpires and Officials' Lodging

When teams commit to booking their rooms through our hotel partners, we can also ensure that our umpires and officials have quality accommodations at the same hotels. This makes the logistics of managing the tournament run smoothly and ensures that officials are well-rested and ready to work.
This partnership helps us provide:

*Hotel rooms for officials, improving their experience and performance during the tournament.
*More efficient coordination between teams, officials, and event organizers.

4. Contributes to the Local Economy

One of the key reasons for Stay to Play programs is to measure the economic impact of our events on the local communities. By tracking hotel stays, we can show local governments and businesses the value of hosting these events, which can help us:

*Secure future event dates in those areas.
*Grow the tournament and bring more visitors, boosting local businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and service providers.
*Support local communities, ensuring these events continue for years to come.

When hotel stays are tracked and measured, it's much easier to demonstrate the event's positive economic impact, leading to more venues, more dates, and more opportunities for your team to compete.

5. Helps Keep Event Costs Low for Teams

The revenue generated from hotel partnerships is reinvested into the tournament, helping us keep entry fees and other event costs reasonable for teams. Instead of raising fees for teams, this program allows us to:

*Offer high-quality events with better amenities.
*Keep the tournament experience affordable for families and players.
*Improve the overall event experience (e.g., better facilities, improved scheduling, etc.).

6. A Streamlined Process for Everyone

Stay to Play makes booking and managing your hotel accommodations easier, saving you time and effort. You don’t have to search for available hotels or worry about availability—we've done the work for you.
Through our partners and Event Connect, you can:

*Easily book your team’s rooms.
*Adjust your reservations if needed (e.g., changing the number of rooms or team members).
*Get real-time updates and assistance with any cancellations or changes.

In Summary: Why Stay to Play is a Good Thing for Everyone

The Stay to Play program isn't just about booking hotels—it's about creating a better experience for everyone involved in the tournament. It ensures:

Lower rates and better perks for teams and families.

Flexibility and peace of mind when it comes to cancellations and special requests.

Support for officials' lodging, ensuring a smoother tournament.

A measurable economic impact that helps sustain future events in local communities.

More affordable events for teams by keeping costs down through hotel partnerships.

A streamlined, stress-free process for booking and managing hotel rooms.

We want this to work for everyone involved, and we truly believe that Stay to Play benefits not just the event organizers but also the teams, families, and communities. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out—we value your feedback and are here to help!

Select the Lodging link within each tournament's site to begin the process.

QUESTIONS ON THE WCP LODGING PROGRAM?

If you have any questions about this program, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to WCP Tournaments or Event Connect. Here are the direct contacts:

Drew Reiners, 
West Coast Premier Tournaments 
360-597-3811 
drewr@wcptournaments.co