information provided by Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lansing, Illinois
LANSING, Ill. (December 2017) – Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors, announced the 2017 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing more than $400 million to the national economy over the past year.
Among the winners was the United States Hockey League (USHL) Development Series, produced in cooperation with the Village of Orland Park. Over 3,100 participants from throughout the United States were in attendance for the Phase I, II, and III events. Pre-screened players chosen by the USHL staff are invited to attend. These athletes then have the opportunity to perform for USHL coaches, USHL staff, and NCAA coaches. The event generated 1,416 room nights with an economic impact of $1,013,650.
Though the sports tourism series was based in Orland Park, the demand for rooms was great enough that Lansing hotels felt the impact as well, explained Loren Petrakis-Mueller, Communications Manager for the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is headquartered in Lansing.
In addition, Lansing gas stations, restaurants, and other businesses benefit from those out-of-town sports tourism guests, though specific revenue numbers are not available for publication.
All award winners are recognized in the November/December 2017 issue of Sports Destination Management: “2017 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism.”
A special feature on the economic impact of sports tourism is also available—”Moving the Needle in the Sports Tourism Marketplace.”
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau provided grants that were used to market all three events in the series.
Jim Garrett, President/CEO of the CSCVB stated “Youth Hockey is big business, and the economic impact of these and other sporting events is significant. Our region offers a variety of excellent sporting venues, and the CSCVB will continue to aggressively market and sell the Chicago Southland as a Sports Destination.”
Doug Christiansen, Director of Player Development & Recruitment for USHL Hockey said, “The USHL is thrilled to be recognized as a 2017 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. It is a great honor that is possible by our excellent relationship with the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. The partnership has been extremely helpful in bringing elite players from all over the world to the Chicago Southland area.”
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau is located at 2304 173rd Street in Lansing, Illinois. For more information about the Champions of Economic Impact honor, contact Communications Manager Loren Petrakis-Mueller at 708-895-8200 or [email protected].
