Warren County to Host More than 250 Youth Baseball Teams this Summer
06/22/15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Hutchinson, Communications Manager | 513-204-7046 | shutchinson@wccvb.org
Warren County to Host More than 250 Youth Baseball Teams this Summer
WARREN COUNTY, OHIO (June 12, 2015) – More than 250 youth baseball teams from across the nation will make their way to Warren County, Ohio this summer, according to Warren County Sports, a department of the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB).
The 4th Annual Warren County Summer Slam (June 18-21), 2nd Annual Great American Baseball Championship (June 24-28), and 6th Annual Kings Island Invitational (July 2-5) are expected to draw more than 12,500 attendees including athletes and supporters from Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland. Those attendees are also expected to account for approximately 8,100 hotel room nights and $4 million in economic impact.
All three tournaments, either owned or hosted by the WCCVB, have grown significantly in both size and popularity in recent years.
“All of this began with a 53-team tournament in 2010,” said Ben Huffman, Director of Sports Marketing for the WCCVB. “Since then, as our facilities, community support, and knowledge of the industry have grown, we’ve managed to turn Warren County into a highly regarded and nationally recognized destination for youth athletics.”
Phillip S. Smith, President & CEO of the WCCVB, attributes much of the county’s success in youth sports to its off-the-field offerings.
“Kids love playing sports, and take them very seriously, but they also just love to be kids.” Smith said. “Our county is fortunate enough to offer both terrific athletic facilities and family-friendly attractions the kids, their parents, and even their grandparents can enjoy when they aren’t at the fields. That has been a significant factor for us, and one that we hope will keep athletes of all levels coming back to Warren County year after year.”
Warren County Sports, which was recently named Sports Tourism Organization of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions, plans to host more than 100 sporting events in 2015, drawing more than 178,000 visitors and accounting for more than 70,000 room nights at local hotels and bed & breakfasts.
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 the 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 to the local community.
In 2014, Warren County Sports generated 69,000 room nights and an estimated economic impact of more than $38.4 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 organization committed to economic growth by increasing overnight and year-round visitors.
Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County. The 11.2 million yearly visitors drive an economic impact of $1.063 billion and 11,866 tourism-related jobs.
For additional information, visit www.OhiosLargestPlayground.com or call 800-433-1072.