BNP Paribas Open: Huge Preparations For Huge Crowds

INDIAN WELLS – The BNP Paribas Open gets underway in about a week. The tournament is expected to bring in hundreds of players, thousands of fans and millions of dollars. To pull off such a huge event, it takes a lot of work and a lot of volunteers.

Crews are busy moving, lifting, hanging and cleaning. In about a week, it will be a different kind of busy – less work, more play. On March 8th matches begin at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, but preparations started long ago.

“We have an eighteen-month planning cycle per event,” says Steve Simon, Tournament Director.

It takes a team of 2,500 people to get the event together, and the final week before the tournament is crunch time.

“It has to be spotless by the first day,” says Simon.

Fans are already showing up to get an early look at the event, but what they’re most excited to see their favorite players.

“I’m excited for the whole thing, but I love (Roger) Federer,” says Bobbi Klevanoff.

While crews perfect the venue, players perfect their game. Most arrive several days before their matches to adjust to the climate and the courts.

“We had our first player show up last week,” says Simon. “She wanted to get some practice, Marion Bartoli was in town.”

Hundreds of athletes will play in the tournament, in front of nearly 350,000 fans.

“We’re all excited about this every year,” says Klevanoff.

The tournament is a crowd pleaser and a money maker, bringing about $230 million to the valley each year.

“It’s a great postcard and advertisement for the Coachella Valley,” says Simon.

The “great advertisement” is thanks to a lot of hard work and just when organizers think it’s almost done, it starts all over again.

“It will start for next year on March 23rd,two days after the tournament,” says Simon.

For more information on the BNP Paribas Open go to www.bnpparibasopen.orgor call (800) 999-1585.