economy
Triathlon’s
economic
By Pete Williams
boost
generate millions for local businesses.
he city of That’s proven to be the case, says
T
Tuscaloosa is Beakie Powell, the director of conventions
familiar with and meetings for the TCVB. When the first
big events. As USAT events were held in August, prior to
the home of the the return of students at the University of
University of Alabama and Alabama, hotels, restaurants and bike shops
its storied football program, enjoyed increased traffic and revenue.
the city regularly welcomes Powell, who also was involved with
92,000 fans on fall Saturday Tuscaloosa’s efforts in hosting the USAT
afternoons, providing a huge Collegiate Nationals in 2007 and 2008, says
boost to the economy. one overlooked aspect of hosting such events
The rest of the year is is that it builds exposure in an area not known
slower, of course, which is for triathlon, inspiring local residents to take
why Tuscaloosa, like many up the sport and spend money on equipment,
communities across the coaching and race fees.
nation, has received an “We were totally uneducated about
economic jolt by hosting triathlon in Tuscaloosa and this has
major triathlon events. broadened people’s knowledge of the sport,”
The ever-growing she says. “It’s definitely been a shot in the
sport, which attracts a arm and we’re seeing more people involved in
disproportionate share of cycling and triathlon.”
mid-career professionals Unlike major tourist cities that host
with significant discretionary triathlons such as Washington, D.C., New
income, has been largely Orleans, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and
recession proof. When Miami, communities such as Tuscaloosa and
athletes travel to “destination Lubbock, Texas, can more easily quantify the
events,” spending two to impact of triathlon.
four nights, they provide That’s because athletes in Tuscaloosa
an economic stimulus, and Lubbock, home to the USAT Collegiate
especially during the worst National Championship in ’09 and 2010 as
economic era since the Great well as the popular Ironman 70.3 Buffalo
Depression. Springs Lake event, pack hotel rooms and
“These events generate restaurants that otherwise would be relatively
revenue and taxes by empty.
putting people in hotels and Lubbock, the home of Texas Tech
restaurants,” says Jeff Dyrek, University, is located in West Texas, far from
USA Triathlon’s national Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
events director. “Now more “Lubbock has never been what you’d call
than ever that’s crucial.” a destination city,” says Mike Greer, race
When the Tuscaloosa director of the Buffalo Springs Lake event
Convention and Visitors and a longtime USAT board member. “The
Bureau announced a four- destination is to come here and do these
year deal with USA Triathlon awesome races. When athletes make the
in October 2008 to host the effort to come here, we feel the economic
USAT Age Group and Elite impact more than cities that have a lot more
National Championships going on.”
in 2009 and 2010, as well Lubbock officials estimated the 2009
as the Collegiate National Collegiate National Championship in April
Championship in 2011 and brought more than $1 million in economic
2012, Mayor Walt Maddox impact to the city. With 1,500 participants
estimated the events could and an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 visitors,
70 USA TriAThlon winter 10
USATTriWinter10pgs50-90.indd 70 12/9/09 3:09:33 PM
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