Category: Feature Story

Feature Story — SportsTravel — News, Insight and Analysis for the Sports-Event Industry

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Don Welsh, the president and CEO of Destinations International
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Forging Ahead

When Don Welsh took over as president and CEO in 2016 of what became Destinations International, there was plenty on his plate. Two years later, with a new name for the organization and a new commitment to its members, the former leader of the convention bureaus in Chicago, Indianapolis and Seattle is continuing to forge […]

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KindraFry
Kindra Fry became president and CEO of Experience Bryan College Station in 2017.
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She Shoots, She Scores

Growing up in Mississippi with a mom who played basketball and a dad who was a diver—and as a big fan of Mississippi State football and basketball—Kindra Fry was a sports nut who told everyone that she would one day play football for the Dallas Cowboys. That plan didn’t work out, but Fry has nonetheless […]

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Yankton, South Dakota—population 15,000—has made a name on the international sports scene by hosting several World Archery events. Photo courtesy of World Archery
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Global Scene

Every two years, the parade of nations at the Olympic Games provides a strong testament to the power of sports to bring countries together—even those that don’t get along politically. Destinations across the United States are proving the same point on a smaller scale by welcoming international competitors and spectators. Not only do these events […]

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NBA: All Star Game-Team Lebron at Team Stephen
The 2018 NBA All-Star Game generated an estimated $116 million in impact. Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports

Marquee Events Make Their Mark

Playing host to marquee professional sports events can bring in marquee numbers in terms of economic impact. That appears to be the case for Los Angeles, which estimated $116 million in increased economic activity from hosting the 2018 NBA All-Star Game in February, according to a report compiled by Micronomics. The number included $90 million […]

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NCAA Football: Peach Bowl-Auburn vs Central Florida
The 2018 Peach Bowl with Central Florida and Auburn generated an estimated impact of $49 million. Photo courtesy of Brett Davis/USA Today Sports

Bowl Games Drive Results

Playing host to signature sports events can be lucrative for cities both in the short and long terms. Consider the case of Atlanta and its relationship with the Peach Bowl, a staple of the college football postseason each year. Last season marked the 50th anniversary of the bowl game, which was staged on New Year’s […]

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Two club soccer events generated $12.2 million for Westfield, Indiana. Photo courtesy of U.S. Club Soccer

Soccer Events Kick In Benefits

In Indiana, there is no doubt that youth sports is big business. Westfield, Indiana, played host to two U.S. Club Soccer national championships in 2017, generating an estimated $12.2 million in direct economic impact to the city of 37,000 in suburban Indianapolis. Through 12 days in July, the town welcomed the NPL Finals, with teams […]

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Ironman 70.3
Photo courtesy of Erin O. Smith/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP Images

Gauging the Impact of Events

When pitching sports events to host cities or venues, organizers often tout economic impact as a selling point—and with good reason. Year after year, national studies of economic impact have proven the resiliency and strength of sports-related travel. The most current and perhaps most comprehensive figures were recently released by Longwoods International, showing an impressive […]

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Elina Svitolina and James Blake announce the 2018 Miami Open
Former professional tennis player James Blake has become a tournament director for the Miami Open. Photo courtesy of HooMe.com/MediaPunch/IPX

From Player to “Player”

In recent years, a significant number of professional tennis players have become tournament directors: Todd Martin (Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island), Tommy Haas (BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California), James Blake (Miami Open) and, most recently, Feliciano Lopez, who will take over the Mutua Madrid Open in 2019. All […]

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US Open Tennis
Sloane Stephens was the winner of the 2017 U.S. Open Photograph: Andres Kudacki/AP Images

Serving Up Renovations

The U.S. Open Tennis Championships marks its 50th anniversary this year, and it is celebrating in style with the completion of a multiyear renovation of its home, the USTA Billie Jean King N­ational Tennis Center. The anniversary of the tournament coincides with the anniversary of the sport’s “open era.” Although tennis can trace its roots […]

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