2022 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Announced by Sports Destination Management

Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2022 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing more than $2.42 billion to the national economy over the past year.

“The nominations we saw were incredible,” said Publisher Scott Swoger. “What really struck us was the variety of events. We had everything from professional golf championships to a tournament for homeschool soccer teams – and everything in between. It is absolutely clear that there is a demand for quality sports events at every level, and that event owners and destinations are answering that call. ”

This issue of the magazine honors events that had a significant economic impact upon the communities where they were hosted; these numbers are a reflection of spectator fees, hotel room usage, restaurant business and shopping in local stores. Awards were presented according to market size, as well as in a separate category, Innovations in Sports Tourism.

Full event details can be found in a special feature published in the November/December 2022 issue of Sports Destination Management. The entire article, with full details on the winners listed below, can also be found online.

Read Now: Article on 2022 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism

Large Market Events:

2022 Winter Equestrian Festival

Destination Partner: Palm Beach County Sports Commission

49th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships

Destination Partner: Visit Orlando and Greater Orlando Sports Commission

2022 PGA Championship

Destination Partner: Tulsa Sports Commission
 

2022 Special Olympics USA Games

Destination Partner: Greater Orlando Sports Commission

The Ripken Experience™ Aberdeen – 2022 Season

Destination Partner: Visit Harford!

Women’s Championships

Destination Partners: DuPage Sports Commission and Stardust Bowl

2022 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships

Destination Partner: Sports Milwaukee

Mid-Market Events:

56th AAU Junior Olympic Games

Destination Partner: Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau

World Athletics Championships Oregon22

Destination Partners: University of Oregon, Travel Oregon, Travel Lane County

2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana

Destination Partner: Visit Lauderdale

2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors BASSMASTER Classic presented by Huk

Destination Partners: Visit Anderson and VisitGreenvilleSC

Huntsman World Senior Games

Destination Partner: City of St. George

North American Sand Soccer Championships

Destination Partner: City of Virginia Beach

2022 USA Karate National Championships and Team Trials

Destination Partner: Spokane Sports

IBC Youth 2022 Junior Gold Championships

Destination Partner: West Michigan Sports Commission

USTA League National Championships

Destination Partners: City Of Surprise – Sports & Tourism / Explore Surprise

Keystone State Wrestling Championships

Destination Partner: Erie Sports Commission

United States Youth Futsal-Great Lakes Regional Championship

Destination Partner: Heart and Sole Futsal Academy & Sports Alliance of Greater Akron

Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Fishing National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Destination Partner: Visit Anderson

P.O.N.Y. International Softball World Series

Destination Partner: Visit McAllen

Small Market:

The 2022 Grand Slam World Series of Baseball

Destination Partner: Visit Panama City Beach

United States Fastpitch Association (USFA World Series)

Destination Partner: Visit Panama City Beach

2021 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida part of VinFast IRONMAN US Series

Destination Partner: Visit Panama City Beach

National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals 2022

Destination Partner: Visit Edmond

Premier Girls Fastpitch Super Select Championship

Destination Partner: City of Columbia

2022 Mississippi Bombers Southeast Summer Invite

Destination Partner: Visit Oxford

IRONMAN 70.3 Ohio

Destination Partner: Shores & Islands Ohio

ECNL Girls Florida Regional League National Event and ECNL Boys Florida National Event

Destination Partner: Greater Orlando Sports Commission

2022 Snohomish United Bigfoot Soccer Tournament

Destination Partner: Snohomish County Sports Commission

Ripken Select Tournaments

Destination Partner: Visit Panama City Beach

2021 Dick's Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic

Destination Partner: Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau

IWWF World Waterski Championships

Destination Partner: Greater Orlando Sports Commission

2022 USA ARCHERY JOAD TARGET NATIONALS

Destination Partner: Decatur Morgan County Tourism

2022 Little League Senior Softball World Series

Destination Partners: Little League International, Lower Sussex Little League

Mardi Gras Mambo NCAA Softball Tournament

Destination Partner: Youngsville Sports Complex

US Open Pool Championship

Destination Partner: Atlantic City Sports Commission

Rocky Top Invitational

Destination Partner: Rocky Top Sports World

2022 OSSAA Class 5A/6A State Swimming Championship

Destination Partner: Visit Edmond

USA Gymnastics Region 8 Xcel Championships

Destination Partner: Foley Sports Tourism

Innovations in Sports Tourism:

Caribbean Volleyball Championships

Destination Partner: Discover Puerto Rico

28th Annual Sarah Backstrom Memorial Tournament

Destination Partner: Erie Sports Commission

USA BMX Legacy Nationals

Destination Partner: Tulsa Sports Commission

National Homeschool Soccer Championship

Destination Partner: Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Coast Guard Marathon

Destination Partner: Visit Elizabeth City

We Run The World Girls Flag Football Tournament

Destination Partner: Valley Forge Sports Events & Tourism Authority

About Sports Destination Management

Sports Destination Management is written for the largest audience of sports event managers and tournament directors in the sports tourism market and maintains a focus on the important issues surrounding event location decisions and event management. With content from experts and thought leaders, SDM provides in-depth coverage of sports event planning and execution through incisive and relevant articles as well as insightful, real-world case studies showcasing best practices and successful event production.

In addition to the publication, SDM offers extensive digital resources through www.sportsdestinations.com and the e-newsletter, SDM Blitz, both providing decision support tools for organizers to ensure successful events at all levels of play.

About Due North Media

For over 20 years, Due North Media has embraced the definition of growth by evolving from a traditional publishing company to a dynamic marketing organization utilizing best practices that ensure engagement.

Our desire to look at things from all sides, combined with our thirst for knowledge allows us to embrace the ever-changing world of content creation, marketing technology & consumer engagement. While we’re at the forefront of innovation, we also take great strides to remember our roots, ensuring the message reaches the desired audience in ways they consume media.  Whether we’re serving clients in the business-to-business sector, delivering e-commerce solutions for merchants in a direct-to-consumer environment, or working with organizations trying to engage buyers, we realize that our end goal shouldn’t be just about numbers. It should be about creating a dialogue and interaction that leads to a fulfilling relationship.  Work with us to develop marketing strategies that go beyond the click to deliver the conversation.

Founded in 2001, Due North Media has helped marketers obtain their goals while adapting to new generations of media consumption. It has been our mission to serve our clients and employees with integrity and humility, and a continuing quest for the achievement of excellence.