More Than 10,000 Visitors Coming to Warren County, Ohio Sporting Events Over Memorial Day Weekend
Warren County, Ohio (May 13, 2019) – More than 10,000 athletes, coaches and supporters from across the nation will make their way to Warren County, Ohio, this Memorial Day Weekend to participate in a wide variety of locally hosted sporting events, according to Warren County Sports, a department of the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB).
Several highly attended tournaments, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Boys State Tennis Championships, the Big East Baseball Championships and the Nike Midwest Showdown Basketball Tournament will be played in the area over the last weekend of May, bringing with them thousands of participants and spectators.
Ben Huffman, Director of Sports Enterprises for the WCCVB, estimates the influx of sports-related visitors will generate approximately $3.29 million in economic impact for the county, and account for more than 6,700 room nights at local hotels and bed & breakfasts throughout the week.
“Sports tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the entire travel industry, and we’ve been fortunate over the past several years to really establish ourselves as a go-to sporting destination,” Huffman said. “Youth, amateur and collegiate athletes are traveling to compete more than ever today, and they’re bringing with them their coaches, fans, parents, siblings and friends – all of whom contribute to the host region’s local economy.”
Memorial Day Weekend projects to be among the busiest weekends of the year for Warren County Sports, which will host or assist in hosting more than 90 events in 2019.
Phillip S. Smith, President & CEO of the WCCVB, attributes much of Warren County’s success in the sports travel sector to the region’s off-the-field offerings.
“When people travel for sports, their experiences extend well beyond the soccer field, basketball court or baseball diamond,” Smith said. “Warren County is unique in that we not only offer our visiting athletes terrific on-field experiences, but awesome restaurants, hotels and attractions to enjoy during their downtime. That’s a rare combination in the travel sports industry, and something we’ve really been able to leverage.”
Warren County’s newest sporting facility, the Warren County Sports Park at Union Village, is currently under construction and due to host its first events within in the year ahead.
About Warren County Sports:
Warren County Sports is a department of the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The department bids on and facilitates national championships and regional sporting events, with a primary goal of attracting out-of-town competitors. Since its inception in 2004, Warren County Sports has grown to become an extremely successful driver of room nights and economic impact for the local community. In 2018, Warren County Sports generated more than 79,000 room nights and an estimated economic impact of more than $50 million.
About the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Warren County is Ohio’s Largest Playground®! With easy access from Interstates 71 and 75, visitors to Warren County can enjoy more activities within a 30-mile radius than anywhere else in Ohio. The Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a professional destination marketing and management organization whose mission is to strengthen the community by advancing economic growth and vitality through tourism, overnight stays, and encouraging significant participation by visitors in the local tourism economy. Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County. More than 12 million yearly visitors drive an economic impact of $1.2 billion and 11,666 tourism-related jobs. For additional information, visit OhiosLargestPlayground.com, call 513-204-1900 or visit the WCCVB on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram