Super Bowl XLV will be the most important sports event in the world in 2011. More than 100,000 people will attend the game and a worldwide television audience in excess of a billion will tune in. It will be the most significant event in North Texas  since the construction of DFW Airport more than 30 years ago.

To help plan for North Texas’ first Super Bowl and to maximize its positive impact on the region’s families, companies and organizations, a 250-member Host Committee was appointed comprised of leaders of Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. These leaders range in scope of responsibility from the chancellor at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth to the new conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Among those serving on the Committee are Dr. Robert Cluck, Mayor, City of Arlington, Tom Leppert, Mayor, City of Dallas, Mike Moncrief, Mayor, City of Fort Worth and Herbert Gears, Mayor, City of Irving.

To manage responsibilities ranging from transportation and public safety to volunteer recruitment and emerging businesses, the Host Committee is divided into action teams (standing committees), one of which is the Committee’s Council of Mayors, comprised of 112 mayors representing cities and towns throughout North Texas.

Whereas most Host Committees collaborate with the NFL to produce events in their respective cities or regions during the week preceding the Super Bowl, the North Texas Host Committee has planned a year-long countdown to Super Bowl XLV. The cornerstone of this run-up is an historic Kick-Off Concert Series featuring internationally renowned artists. Three shows will comprise the series: March 6, 2010 at Fort Worth’s Bass Hall, May 22, 2010 at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts’ Winspear Opera House, and a grand finale at the Dallas Cowboys New Stadium on Sept. 10, 2010. To support its operating budget and myriad responsibilities, the North Texas Host Committee has to date confirmed nine $1 Million Sponsorships, seven more sponsorships at the million dollar level than raised by any previous Host Committee in the history of the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLV’s legacy will be defined by three distinctive measurements. First, the unique regional harmony in the Host Committee’s membership will foster new relationships throughout the region that will linger long after the game and posture North Texas to continue to attract nationally and internationally important sports, cultural and entertainment events.

Second, the Host Committee has raised $1 million to be matched in a like amount by the NFL to construct a Youth Education Town Center (YET Center) in a challenged neighborhood in the region. The YET Center will provide a safe haven for children engendering confidence and self-esteem as they enjoy supervised sports, computer training, tutoring and other services.

Third, an historic education partnership between the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and Big Thought will result in the operation of a unique and creative regional community-wide service-learning educational project that will positively impact the lives of thousands of North Texas school children and their families and serve as a model that can be emulated by the NFL in cities and regions hosting future Super Bowl.

www.northtexassuperbowl.com