Hosting the 2018 Seattle Special Olympics USA Games - Challenges and Rewards

The 2018 Seattle Special Olympics USA Games was the largest athletic event in Puget Sound region since 1990 Goodwill Games.

Our speakers are Josh Gana and Kerry Kahl from the University of Washington. Together, they worked over the past two years in project management and coordination of UW facilities and services hosting the 2018 USA Special Olympics games.

Kerry and Josh will provide an overview of the UW structure, the many divisions that provided facilities and services, and how all the logistics came together. They will focus on UW’s approach to working with the local organizing group, including how the team addressed risk management questions and hurdles. UW is excited to share lessons learned from the event, including special considerations for Emergency Management, ICA/stadium security, and healthy athletes.

Reminder: The SR99 viaduct will be open at the time of this meeting, but the on-ramps and off-ramps south of downtown (Atlantic Street/Royal Brougham Way) will be closed.