Jumbo Shrimp receive JAXUSA Industry Leader Award

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp received the JAXUSA Partnership Industry Leader Award on at the second quarter JAXUSA Partnership Luncheon on Tuesday, June 12. Team owner Ken Babby accepted the award, which is presented to a company each quarter that has shown outstanding growth and community involvement.

The award winner is selected by the JAXUSA senior leadership team and is based on criteria including continued growth in the region, innovative work and a commitment to the community it serves. JAXUSA recognizes the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp as a key community contributor making a positive economic impact in North Florida.
Since Babby's Fast Forward Sports Group took ownership of the Southern League franchise in September 2015, the organization has focused on Affordable Family Fun, with notably improved fan areas - adding the Budweiser Tiki Terrace and Hot Corner, expanding the Wheelhouse Lounge, and renovating luxury suites on the BDO Suite Level. The club enhances fan experience, partnering with Community First Credit Union on a new Jumbo Shrimp VISA® Debit Card, with FIS to make the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville the flagship of "Ballparks of the Future," and with Advanced Disposal to become the Cleanest Ballpark in Minor League Baseball. The ballpark's non-baseball event lineup has grown to include Family Movie Nights, charity events, an annual craft beer festival and the JAX Chamber Gala. In the community, Jumbo Shrimp staff have done regular volunteer projects, and the organization has partnered with Andrew Jackson High School on a unique Jackson Five Program to introduce high school students to the sports business industry.
"We are humbled and honored by the JAXUSA Partnership Industry Leader Award, which is also a credit to the great partners we have throughout the community," Babby said. "With their support and the enthusiastic response of our fans, we are further energized in our mission of providing Affordable Family Fun."
The award follows the Jumbo Shrimp's recognition in the past year as the Southern League Organization of the Year and Promotional Trophy Winner, General Manager Harold Craw's selection as Southern League Executive of the Year, as well as the club's nomination for "Sports Breakthrough of the Year" by Sports Business Journal. The Jumbo Shrimp have been lauded for everything from marketing and social media (the club won "Best Local Twitter Account" by Folio Weekly readers) to concession offerings (Travel Channel's "Food Paradise featured the club's Shrimp & Pulled Pork Nachos and Bold City Burger Pie in its Minor League Baseball episode)
The JAXUSA Partnership is a business membership organization focused on regional economic development. JAXUSA facilitates the creation and retention of quality jobs and significant capital investment, resulting in a higher standard of living and better quality of life in Northeast Florida.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy, and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.