Evansville, IN Sports Destination Management, the leading publication serving sports event planners and tournament directors nationwide, has announced the 2024 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. This year’s awardees contributed a combined $1.88 billion boost to the U.S. economy through sports tourism.
Explore Evansville was honored twice among Mid-Market Champions. The 2024 IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament, a collaboration between the Indiana High School Athletic Association, the Ford Center and DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville, generated over $3.74 million in economic impact. The 2024 US Figure Skating Theatre on Ice National Competition, in partnership with the Greater Evansville Figure Skating Club, Ford Center and Swonder Ice Arena, contributed $2.93 million to the local economy. Together, these two events attracted over 10,000 athletes and spectators to Downtown Evansville, resulting in nearly 6,000 hotel room nights.
“We are incredibly proud to see Evansville recognized for the tremendous economic impact these events bring to our city,” said Alexis Berggren, President & CEO of Explore Evansville. “None of this would be possible without our dedicated local organizing committees, whose passion and hard work form the foundation of these events. From the coordinators to volunteers, each person plays a critical role in ensuring a memorable experience for athletes and fans. We owe our success to their commitment and are grateful to see their efforts celebrated on this stage.”
All winners of awards have been recognized in a special feature published in the November/December 2024 issue of Sports Destination Management. The entire article with full details on the winners listed below can also be found online.
