World Games CEO Nick Sellers Gives Rotarians Preview of Event

RCB President and Rotarian Nick Sellers

The Rotary Club of Birmingham recently welcomed Rotarian Nick Sellers, CEO of The World Games 2022. He gave Rotarians a preview of the international sporting event coming to Birmingham July 7-17.

Sellers said the event is expected to draw over half a million visitors to Birmingham, with an anticipated $256 million economic impact. He discussed the extensive planning involved in bringing unprecedented crowds to the city to witness competition among the world’s elite athletes over the 10-day period, including coordination with the International Olympic Committee and their delegates, invitations to dozens of ambassadors and consuls general, high-level support from the FBI, local and regional public safety entities, planning with multiple municipalities where the 12 venues are located, recruiting and training 3,500 volunteers.

Sellers shared his excitement for the construction of The World Games Plaza, which will connect Birmingham’s downtown business and entertainment districts for the first time and host the Alabama Experience to promote economic development in the state. He played the recently recorded theme song, “Hope of Alabama,” co-written by Rotarian Dr. Henry Panion, Randy Owen and Alison Owen, featuring many of the state’s most famous recording artists.

Sellers shared plans for television coverage of events on CBS, a thrilling journey for the American flag carried from Washington, D.C. by members of Team Red White and Blue to meet honorary chairs Noah Galloway and Mayor Randall Woodfin for the start of the opening ceremonies. He also reflected on the significance of the opportunity for the city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama.

“There’s nothing larger in this moment—in this global, televised moment—to help the world reimagine Birmingham,” Sellers said. “A place of struggle, indeed a place of great failure. But now, even though we are shaped by our history, we’re not bound by it. Our history is in front of us. And The World Games will be a delineation point in many ways of the new Birmingham and new Alabama.”