A self-proclaimed "sports fanatic," Craig Hall is excited to bring sporting events to Jefferson City.
Hall started work as the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau's sports sales manager in October.
His role at the CVB focuses on working with event promoters and advocating for Jefferson City as a place to host sporting events like tournaments.
"I've lived here my whole life - I was born in Jefferson City - so I'm big on helping it grow and just getting people to experience it," Hall said.
He works closely with local groups like the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and Special Olympics Missouri to promote hosting events at their facilities, he said.
Before coming to work at the CVB, he was serving on its athletic events committee while working as sports director for the Jefferson City Area YMCA, a role he started after coaching youth football for the YCMA for several years.
"The nine years at YMCA was fun, but I was ready for a change," he said.
He acknowledged switching jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic was a bit of a risk - "sometimes you've just got to take risks," he said - but he's happy to help bring popular events back to Jefferson City after what has been a difficult year for gatherings.
"It's kind of a tough time right now with everything going on, so our main focus right now is just to try to get things rescheduled that were canceled last year," Hall said.
The 2020 events canceled because of the pandemic included a big volleyball tournament; a couple of basketball tournaments; the Missouri State High School Activities Association's state track championship; and the Pedaler's Jamboree, a Katy Trail cycling event that would have ended in Jefferson City for the first time, he said. He's working with Pedaler's Jamboree organizers now on future prospects.
Hoping to start spring 2021 on the right foot, the annual Shelbyfest All Mustang Rally is set to return to Jefferson City in May after being postponed last year.
"My goals for getting started are just to bring back business that we've had in the past and keep those people happy, but my big goal down the road is I'd like to really expand the events that we're bringing into Jefferson City," he said.
Outside of work, Hall enjoys spending time with his family - wife Stacy, daughter Samantha, son Austin, stepson Bryan and granddaughter Nora - as well as traveling and, of course, enjoying sports.
"My wife probably would tell you I watch too much football," he joked. "I'm a big Dallas Cowboys fan, so it's been a rough few years, but there's always next year."