economy
That’s because even though the snowbirds limited to hotel nights and meals. Airfare,
and spring break crowds have long since gas, and bike transport is not included. Nor
departed before the late-April triathlon, are race fees since that revenue often goes to
weather in much of the country still is cool. organizers and promoters based outside the
Athletes fill hotel rooms and restaurants race market.
during a slow period. Sometimes revenue is relatively modest.
The same is true of the Ironman 70.3 The Greater Madison (Wis.) Convention
championships, held in mid-November in and Visitors Bureau estimates the economic
Clearwater since 2006. Athletes fill beach impact of Ironman Wisconsin at $2.3 million,
hotels for a week before the masses arrive for which is only $680 per athlete. Athletes from
the winter. The 2008 event drew more than every state of the union and 22 countries
1,200 athletes with 6,000 out-of-state visitors, participated in this year’s event.
according to research conducted by the St. Tim Hyland, the vice president of
Petersburg Clearwater Area Convention & operations and development for the GMCVB,
Visitors Bureau, and the economic impact says the $2.3 million figure is conservative
reached more than $5 million. and anecdotally would seem higher, but that
Since the recession began, many people the organization strictly adheres to the DMAI
have cut back on leisure travel in favor of guidelines. Plus, Madison is easier to reach
“stay-cations.” Though stay-cations might and thus cheaper to attend for many athletes
have impacted some destination events, they than Ironman races held in such destinations
likely have helped other areas with many as Lake Placid and Lake Coeur d’Alene.
events. Hyland also notes that part of the impact
Fred Rzymek, race director for three sprint of a triathlon is impossible to quantify.
triathlons in St. Petersburg, Fla., saw his “We’re thrilled to be able to point to
events close out quickly in 2009, even though numbers, especially conservative estimates,
he added slots from the previous year. and it’s crucial to have that strength from
“Many of these athletes are locals so events that deliver year after year,” he says.
you’re not bringing in a lot of out-of-town “But the amount of energy that comes to
revenue necessarily,” he says. “But money a community and the goodwill generated,
that would otherwise be spent elsewhere is [not to mention the businesses that cater to
staying in the community, whether it’s local triathletes year-round], that impact extends
travel or from supporting sponsors.” well beyond the event itself.”
Economic impact revenue generally is
photo courtesy of Mario Cantu / ©CIMAGES
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