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Thanks in part to a grant from USA Triathlon (USAT), the first statewide multisport conference and expo in North Carolina will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Duke University's Wilson Center.  Wilson Center has a large exhibitor space (Card Gym), indoor track, 8 lane pool (Taishoff Aquatic Center), classrooms and fitness facilities, allowing for participants to enjoy all expo and conference activities in one space. 

 A volunteer Organizing Committee directed by JoAnna Younts, a member of USAT’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Council, is leading organizational efforts for the Expo.  The Michael and Laura Brader-Araje Foundation, a local North Carolina foundation, is also providing grant funding to support educational and youth-oriented activities at the Expo.  Attendance is expected to be 750 to 1,000 at the inaugural event.  Although the majority of attendees are likely to be from the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) area, the Expo’s marketing efforts are designed to attract participants from across North Carolina. 

The Expo will feature approximately 40 local and national exhibitors, including equipment and apparel retailers and manufacturers, coaches, race production companies, nutritional products and others.

Sheila Taormina, an Olympic medalist, will headline the event as the keynote speaker.  Sheila is the only person to compete in four Olympics in three different sports (swimming, triathlon and modern pentathlon).  She brings a “hard work” attitude that will resonate with many multisport athletes. Separate from her keynote, Sheila will also teach a swim technique workshop. 

In addition to the keynote, the Expo will have speakers and workshops throughout the day on a variety of topics including swim technique, bike fitting, Chi running, race nutrition, sports injuries and athlete recovery.  Organizers expect it to be a great mix of fun and education for all levels of multisport athletes, including youth, beginners and iron-distance veterans. 

USAT COACHING CEU CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE TO USAT-CERTIFIED COACHES.  FEE OF $60 EARNS 7 CREDITS AS LONG AS COACHES ATTEND ALL DAY.

For more information and registration, go to www.ncmultisportexpo.org.