By Kyra Oliver
It’s no secret that RVA is jammed-packed with sporting events. A huge flagpole adorning the US flag, ready for various state games to take place. And with all the sports around town, come sports tourism dollars. In fact, when you add up the estimated economic impact of all the events taking place in June, July, and August, we’re talking about the tune of $16.5 million this summer alone. Promoting these types of sporting events can bring even more people to take part in or watch them. Technology such as a led screen incites excitement for the games, it is all about strategy and bringing in the numbers. Not only can this technology be supportive, but people during this time are looking at how they can find the easiest way to place their Online sports betting for their teams of choice. However, due to the recent popularity in online betting, there are quite a lot of different betting websites out there, so they may want an answer to the question “how can bettors choose the right one?” Luckily there are websites such as matchedbets.com that can help them make the right choice during this sporting season.
Attracting the sports market is no easy task. Richmond Region Tourism, however, says that RVA will see an influx of fans of various sports by the end of summer, resulting in 25,400-plus-hotel room nights booked. A large focus for Richmond Region Tourism in recent years has been to create these kinds of positive results. “As our assets continue to grow, our facilities are helping us draw more, and bigger groups,” explains Katherine O’Donnell, vice president of community relations at Richmond Region Tourism. She points to River City Sportsplex, the Greater Richmond Aquatic Partnership Collegiate School Aquatic Center, Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park, and the Greater Richmond Convention Center as examples of the types of facilities making big things happen in RVA. “Because these events take place in-and fill-hotels throughout the region, local businesses are directly touched by their presence,” says O’Donnell. As part of Richmond Region Tourism’s increased efforts in this market, the organization has partnered with a cadre of local businesses to offer special offers for visiting sports groups. “We want to make sure that our guests feel welcome in the Richmond Region and want to return, and part of that is assisting our partners in going above and beyond in their hospitality,” says O’Donnell.
Examples of such partnerships facilitated by Richmond Region Tourism include Capital Ale House, Panera Bread, and BW3, all of which have recently targeted the local sports tournament market by signing on as sponsors of the Champion’s and Capital Cup lacrosse tournaments. By providing complimentary meals for staff and coaches they receive promotion in the tournament materials, a booth at the tournament, and material distribution. In addition to partnerships, Richmond Region Tourism staff and jurisdictional tourism reps go door-to-door to let restaurants know groups are coming so they can staff accordingly.
Sporting events this summer alone include Triple Crown Volleyball Camp and 18 Open Invitational (estimated economic impact $269,203.56), IWLCA Champion’s Cup Lacrosse Tournament (estimated economic impact $6 million), and Elite Clubs National League Finals (estimated economic impact $3 million). There is also the Softball Association Men’s Fastpitch World Series (economic impact $142,575.83), Virginia State Little League Tournament
(economic impact $292,645.13), Traditions of Golf Challenge (estimated economic impact $177,107.71), and USA Swimming (estimated economic impact $1.725 million), just to name a few.
Whether it’s a pro-athlete visiting RVA or a spectator, the region has become an ideal location for sporting events of all kinds. Lesley Paterson, a Scottish athlete who has won six-straight Xterra championships, traveled to RVA in May to participate in the 2013 Xterra East Championships. Upon arrival at Richmond International Airport, Paterson rented a car, carefully selected food from a boutique grocery, checked into a local hotel for a good
nights sleep, and hired a massage therapist the next day before her race.
Paterson went on to win the championship title. RVA also won. “We want people coming to Richmond to have a better than good experience,” says Jackie Holt Stoneburner, communications director at Sports Backers. “We want them to leave raving about our restaurants, our hospitality, and of course our events. The Anthem Richmond Marathon, and accompanying American Family Fitness Half Marathon and HCA Virginia 8k, weekend is the Sports Backers’ biggest weekend for sports tourism. A large percentage travel from out of town to attend, and all of the downtown hotels sell out for the weekend.” Stoneburner says that Sports Backers often works directly with local hotels to distribute door hangers and to distribute “Richmond LOVES Runners” stickers. Employees at the Omni hotel, for example, wear Anthem Richmond Marathon t-shirts the weekend of the race. Sports Backers also distributes “Richmond LOVES Runners” drink coasters to downtown restaurants.
For Paterson, the enthusiasm displayed by RVA was obvious from the start. “I loved Richmond and how nice everyone was,” says Paterson. “It became clear, as soon as I got there, that Richmond was going to be convenient and provide accessibility to things I needed for a successful and confident race. I just loved meeting the locals too. Such great spirit about the whole thing.”