... is for Ric Campo
R
... is for Ric Campo
The Chairman Means Business
“ It ’ s like starting a business from scratch ,” says RIC CAMPO , chairman of the Super Bowl Host Committee , of Houston ’ s effort to create , staff , publicize and monetize the world ’ s biggest sporting event of the year . “ Our bid committee consisted of 15 to 20 people plus one paid consultant , and once we were awarded the game , we had to staff up to 45 full-time staff , 25 contractors and a team of thousands of local volunteers who are taking care of transportation , entertainment and fundraising , among other tasks . It ’ s a $ 63 million business .”
Campo knows how to run one . He ’ s also chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Camden Property Trust , the Houston-based developer and manager of multifamily apartment communities that stretch from coast to coast . You ’ d think that would keep him busy enough , but when BOB MCNAIR comes calling and asks you to head up Houston ’ s Super Bowl bid , Campo admits it ’ s hard to say no . “ And then we have JAMES BAKER , the ultimate statesman , as the Honorary Chariman – and my quarterback – so I couldn ’ t turn down the experience . Working with Secretary Baker was definitely a big incentive .”
As a businessman , Campo sees the Super Bowl as a powerful platform for economic development in Houston . “ We ’ ve had $ 6 billion in investment by Tim Moloney | Photography by Cody Bess
downtown since the city last hosted the game in 2004 , and added 1.1 million new residents – like adding a city to a city – plus really improved our transportation systems and circulation . We ’ re even got an app now . We ’ re going to capitalize on all of that !” he enthuses .
What does that mean ? By the committee ’ s projections , $ 350 million in net income that wouldn ’ t be in Houston without the Super Bowl . Plus , an additional $ 44 million in incremental tax revenue . “ We ’ ve got 150,000 people coming here to spend money , and we expect 1.1 million to visit Super Bowl LIVE at Discovery Green downtown for music , entertainment , food and more . I think we ’ ll double San Francisco ’ s fan fest numbers from last year ,” he says .
He also views the Super Bowl as a social driver . “ Sports are the great unifier . They enable people of all walks of life to communicate , commiserate and celebrate . The Super Bowl will create incredible energy around the city . It ’ s the biggest party day of the year ,” he says . “ And the Monday after the Super Bowl is the biggest sick day or absentee day of the year across the country ,” he laughs .
Now it ’ s just a race against the ( countdown ) clock to complete everything by February 5 . “ I ’ m not too worried ,” Campo says . “ The Super Bowl is the ultimate deadline for getting things done .”
54 LOCAL | january 17