Short's practices for upcoming NCAA business
By PAT KINNEY, Assistant City Editor
October 16, 2003

WATERLOO --- Short's Travel Management, which received a multi-year contract from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to handle travel arrangements for all NCAA events, is conducting a dry run announcement/reservation blitz this week with airlines and an
international firm which has done similar planning with past Olympic Games.

Five representatives of the Inocon Group from Australia, Ireland and the United States have been at Short's office in Waterloo this week. They were joined today and Friday by airline representatives from Delta, American Airlines, Miami Air Charter, Champion Air Charter and other travel partners.

Short's is responsible for every participant's travel in connection with NCAA-sponsored events. Beginning in November, the NCAA will begin its first selections for fall sports championships. Ahead of that process, Short's has been planning, practicing and integrating the many facets of travel logistics, so they are ready when the championship selections are announced and the requests for travel soar.

David LeCompte, president of Short's Travel Management said, "We have partnered with Inocon to make sure that participants in the NCAA receive the highest level of service they have ever experienced."

Short's has been working with Inocon since July. "NCAA players don't just show up for the game without practice," said LeCompte. "Inocon is helping us practice so that when the games begin, we're ready."

Short's contracted with Inocon shortly after being selected by the NCAA. Inocon has developed a proprietary process called "ReadySim," a system they used for the 2000 Sydney and the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Games. As well as involvement with international major events, Inocon also has clients among the top 100 U.S. corporations.

"Our simulation will validate our planning, cement our relationship with key partners, and test our ability to manage constricted timelines and stress variables," said LeCompte. "Inocon has devised simulated scenarios to reflect real circumstances that may arise. The NCAA contract gives us the chance to test and advance our level of integration and readiness. We welcome the Inocon team and the opportunity for a practice run."