Sports Tourism Generated at Least $20M in Chesterfield

Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter, Jeremy Slayton, has posted an article about the economic impact of sports tourism in Chesterfield County.

In the article, Jeremy writes

Sports tourism is a major moneymaker for Chesterfield County.

In fact, there was a 46 percent increase in the economic impact for the many athletic events held in the county during the fiscal year that ended June 30, Richmond Sports Backers Executive Director Jon Lugbill said Wednesday during a briefing with the county’s Board of Supervisors.

Sporting events, ranging from soccer tournaments to lacrosse tournaments to mud runs, attracted 60,884 out-of-town visitors and were attended by 116,135 people.

All told, sports tourism had an economic impact of $20.3 million in Chesterfield. Despite the increase, Lugbill cautioned county leaders not to expect it each year.

“Sports tourism is thriving … but you’re not always going to see growth like this,” he said. “With time, there is a real opportunity, if we keep building on this year after year and we do it the right way, it won’t just be a flash in the pan.”

Read the entire article on the Times-Dispatch web site. >>>

A copy of Jon Lugbill’s presentation can be viewed below.