Attending pre-Classic events

Follow Gettys Brannon as he goes behind the scenes with Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., and Dave Precht, Vice President of Communications for B.A.S.S., to a series of municipal and media events in the Anderson, S.C., area to kick off the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. 
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First on the agenda was the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anderson Bassmaster Welcome Breakfast at nearby Anderson University. Civic leaders and business people from across Anderson county and the state of South Carolina attended welcoming B.A.S.S. and its flagship event for the third time in 10 years.
Follow Gettys Brannon as he goes behind the scenes with Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., and Dave Precht, Vice President of Communications for B.A.S.S., to a series of municipal and media events in the Anderson, S.C., area to kick off the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

First on the agenda was the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anderson Bassmaster Welcome Breakfast at nearby Anderson University. Civic leaders and business people from across Anderson county and the state of South Carolina attended welcoming B.A.S.S. and its flagship event for the third time in 10 years.

Akin was the keynote speaker over breakfast.
Akin was the keynote speaker over breakfast.
Joining him was Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson.
Joining him was Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson.
Paul, and his team at Visit Anderson have been integral in securing the Classic for Anderson and Greenville, along with other B.A.S.S. events. Most recently, the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in October, 2017. 
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“We are excited to have B.A.S.S. and the Classic back in Anderson,” said Paul. “We look forward to hosting more B.A.S.S. events [at all levels] in the future.”
Paul, and his team at Visit Anderson have been integral in securing the Classic for Anderson and Greenville, along with other B.A.S.S. events. Most recently, the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in October, 2017.

“We are excited to have B.A.S.S. and the Classic back in Anderson,” said Paul. “We look forward to hosting more B.A.S.S. events [at all levels] in the future.”

Moving forward, Anderson will host the 2018 Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Eastern Open presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods, April 14.
Moving forward, Anderson will host the 2018 Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Eastern Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, April 14.
Glenn Brill, Anderson County Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, attended.
Glenn Brill, Anderson County Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, attended.
Along with County Administrator Rusty Burns.
Along with County Administrator Rusty Burns.
Brill and Burns waiting for the meeting to begin.
Brill and Burns waiting for the meeting to begin.
Opening the breakfast was Kevin Capell, Director of Business and External Affairs for the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. 
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Capell spoke on the economic effects of the Classic.
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“The economic impact of the Bassmaster Classic is not only local, but regional,” said Capell.  “The Classic leaves a lasting imprint, locally and regionally, far beyond the event itself.”
Opening the breakfast was Kevin Capell, Director of Business and External Affairs for the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Capell spoke on the economic effects of the Classic.

“The economic impact of the Bassmaster Classic is not only local, but regional,” said Capell. “The Classic leaves a lasting imprint, locally and regionally, far beyond the event itself.”

County Administrator Burns addressed the attendees.
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The unique technology of live tournament broadcasting began on Lake Hartwell during the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic, won by local angler Casey Ashley.  
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“This is the chance for our area and lake to be showcased internationally,” said Burns. “Viewers as far as Japan will see the Lake Hartwell area.”
County Administrator Burns addressed the attendees.

The unique technology of live tournament broadcasting began on Lake Hartwell during the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic, won by local angler Casey Ashley.

“This is the chance for our area and lake to be showcased internationally,” said Burns. “Viewers as far as Japan will see the Lake Hartwell area.”

Next up was Akin, to give his first of many Classic discussions throughout the day.
Next up was Akin, to give his first of many Classic discussions throughout the day.
Akin discussed the programming of Bassmaster LIVE and the <em>Bassmaster</em> television show on the ESPN family of networks, as well as the editorial work of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times. 
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“When Bassmaster LIVE debuted here in 2015, the viewership was 312,000,” Akin explained. 
“Last year, in Houston that number doubled.” 
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“Not only is the coverage from our media team world class, we expect the immediate economic impact on the Anderson community to be between 22-24 million dollars.”
Akin discussed the programming of Bassmaster LIVE and the Bassmaster television show on the ESPN family of networks, as well as the editorial work of Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times.

“When Bassmaster LIVE debuted here in 2015, the viewership was 312,000,” Akin explained.
“Last year, in Houston that number doubled.”

“Not only is the coverage from our media team world class, we expect the immediate economic impact on the Anderson community to be between 22-24 million dollars.”

Longtime VP of Communications, Dave Precht looked on over breakfast.
Longtime VP of Communications, Dave Precht looked on over breakfast.
Along with leaders in the Anderson business community.
Along with leaders in the Anderson business community.
One of the chamber’s favorite features was already on Bassmaster.com, “Tournament Town: Anderson, South Carolina,” by Craig Lamb.
One of the chamber’s favorite features was already on Bassmaster.com, “Tournament Town: Anderson, South Carolina,” by Craig Lamb.
Copies were passed out to everyone in attendance.
Copies were passed out to everyone in attendance.
Questions were fielded by Akin, before he left the podium.
Questions were fielded by Akin, before he left the podium.
Matt Schell, Anderson Parks Manager, awarded Akin…
Matt Schell, Anderson Parks Manager, awarded Akin…
…and Precht with a keepsake from the construction of the new phase of Green Pond landing.
…and Precht with a keepsake from the construction of the new phase of Green Pond landing.
These circular slices of steel were not the first piece of construction site souvenirs given to B.A.S.S. In 2015, Schell presented Akin with an I-beam from, quite possibly, the largest concrete ramp push U.S. history.
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“The circular pieces of steel pilings represent the continued partnership of Anderson and B.A.S.S.,” said Schell. “This is a symbol of the commitment and promise required for the Classic and B.A.S.S. to return to our facilities.”
These circular slices of steel were not the first piece of construction site souvenirs given to B.A.S.S. In 2015, Schell presented Akin with an I-beam from, quite possibly, the largest concrete ramp push U.S. history.

“The circular pieces of steel pilings represent the continued partnership of Anderson and B.A.S.S.,” said Schell. “This is a symbol of the commitment and promise required for the Classic and B.A.S.S. to return to our facilities.”

Schell and Burns speak after the meeting before heading to Green Pond to continue the tour.
Schell and Burns speak after the meeting before heading to Green Pond to continue the tour.
David Belk, General Contractor of the Green Pond project, Glenn Brill, and Tom Child, the installer of the dock systems, converse about the new dock system, installed before the Classic.
David Belk, General Contractor of the Green Pond project, Glenn Brill, and Tom Child, the installer of the dock systems, converse about the new dock system, installed before the Classic.
The new dock system is 350 feet long and 10 feet wide. The construction of the latest dock will provide much needed room for spectators and boaters for the Classic.
The new dock system is 350 feet long and 10 feet wide. The construction of the latest dock will provide much needed room for spectators and boaters for the Classic.
Precht and Akin hold their steel emblems up for a photo atop Green Pond.
Precht and Akin hold their steel emblems up for a photo atop Green Pond.
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Each are inscribed with Green Pond…
Each are inscribed with Green Pond…
…and the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
…and the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Akin sits for his first of many interviews of the afternoon with local media.
Akin sits for his first of many interviews of the afternoon with local media.
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Glenn Brill with Anderson Parks discussed the Classic’s return with Nicole Ford of WSPA, a CBS affiliate in Upstate S.C.
Glenn Brill with Anderson Parks discussed the Classic’s return with Nicole Ford of WSPA, a CBS affiliate in Upstate S.C.
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Aerial view of Green Pond landing provided by Tom Child.
Aerial view of Green Pond landing provided by Tom Child.
We leave Green Pond for a trip back to Anderson.
We leave Green Pond for a trip back to Anderson.
Around the Anderson and Greenville area billboards of 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Champion, Jordan Lee, can be seen.
Around the Anderson and Greenville area billboards of 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Champion, Jordan Lee, can be seen.
Akin wrapped up the day with a visit to the Greater Anderson County Rotary Club.
Akin wrapped up the day with a visit to the Greater Anderson County Rotary Club.
All attendees to the day’s conferences received a copy of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine and <em>B.A.S.S. Times</em>.
All attendees to the day’s conferences received a copy of Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times.
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The Greater Anderson Rotary club has more than 70 members, most of which were in attendance for the luncheon.
The Greater Anderson Rotary club has more than 70 members, most of which were in attendance for the luncheon.
Akin touched on the conservation and the promotion of the county’s natural resources on all levels of fishing competition.
Akin touched on the conservation and the promotion of the county’s natural resources on all levels of fishing competition.
Dave Precht, Glenn Brill, Bruce Akin, Jeanie Campbell, President of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, Neil Paul, and Tricia McDougald, of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, pose for a photo to wrap up the day’s festivities.
Dave Precht, Glenn Brill, Bruce Akin, Jeanie Campbell, President of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, Neil Paul, and Tricia McDougald, of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, pose for a photo to wrap up the day’s festivities.