Feb. 13, 2017

Ticket sales are down. Hotel bookings are down. By how much wasn’t disclosed.

But for CIAA Commissioner Jacquie McWilliams, it’s time both to be “nervous” and “excited.”

Next week’s tournament will draw thousands of visitors to Charlotte. Basketball will be played at Bojangles Arena and, later in the week, at Spectrum Arena. And the events and parties will begin and continue … and continue.

In her presentation, McWilliams laid out the week’s schedule, the nonprofit’s mission, and the work that the Charlotte-based organization pursues throughout the rest of the year.

The CIAA presentation begins at minute 20:23. The Q&A begins at minute 1:01:52. A question about boosting Charlotte businesses’ role in Tournament Week and finding ways to redirect some of the week’s profits into year-round youth activities is explored here.

A CMS presentation about student assignment preceded McWilliams’ presentation.