Wilmington, NC: Travel industry partners in Wilmington and our island beaches will welcome participants and their guests during the Be The Best Baseball and Softball Convention for their 50th Anniversary on January 13-15, 2023. Approximately 500 attendees are expected to participate in the convention, along with families and guests who will also travel to Wilmington. 

Held annually in January, Be The Best was founded in 1972 as a clinic where baseball and softball coaches gather annually to interact with, learn from, and get to know some of the greatest professionals in the game. The event has since grown exponentially to become the longest-running baseball and softball clinic in the country. While the Be The Best convention will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, this is Wilmington’s first time as host city. 

“I am beyond excited to move this event to Wilmington, North Carolina,” says Be The Best CEO Lindsay Mayer. “It is a beautiful, affordable city right in the heart of the baseball and softball worlds. I look forward to connecting thousands of coaches and athletes, as well as creating business opportunities that extend beyond the field.” 

“I see it as a journey,” states Vice-President Diego Ibarra. “And no matter where we are on our individual paths – whether it’s Little League, travel ball, college, or at the pro level – we can all learn from each other in our quest to Be The Best players, coaches, and selves that we can possibly be. I am proud to be in a position to help empower so many individuals on their personal journeys.” 

With a focus on baseball and softball, several high-profile coaches will present on professional development topics such as Title IX, leadership, culture, building champions, team building, mindset, mental performance, brand-building, and work and homelife balance. Speakers include Tyler Gillum (Savannah Bananas Head Coach), Kristy Norton (UNCW Head Coach ‘13-’22), Carol Hutchins (Michigan Head Coach (‘85-’22), Andrew Bartman (USA Baseball), Darren Fenster (Team USA Olympic Team / Boston Red Sox), and many more. Recently added speakers include Mark Scalf (the all-time winningest coach at UNCW and in the Colonial Athletic Association) and Trent Mongero (blue-collar baseball coach, author, mentor). The full speaker lineup and schedule is available on the website BeTheBest.com. General admission is only $50 for the three-day event and advance registration is recommended.  

The Be The Best convention will take place at the Wilmington Convention Center beginning Friday, January 13th. Attendees, speakers and guests will stay at a variety of hotels in Wilmington, including Hotel Ballast Wilmington-Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront. 

“We are excited to welcome the Be The Best Baseball and Softball Convention to Wilmington and our island beaches. Wilmington has so much to offer our visitors, whether here for business or leisure, and we look forward to the opportunity to spotlight some of the city’s best attributes and provide a memorable coastal Carolina experience,” states Kim Hufham, President/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “We hope attendees and their families enjoy their visit and return for future conferences and leisure vacations.” 

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, markets and develops the county and its communities’ leisure and group travel experiences for economic growth and quality of place.  

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Note to Media: To arrange media interviews with conference organizers and to discuss best photo opportunities for the Be The Best Baseball and Softball Convention 50th Anniversary, please contact Lindsay Mayer via email  lindsay@bethebest.com or phone 401-692-3048. 

Contact:
Hannah Almeter
Communications/PR Specialist
Wilmington CVB
910-341-4030 x126
866-266-9690
halmeter@wilmingtonandbeaches.com