FRISCO, Texas (November 16, 2023) – Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2023 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism.
Among the winners was the 2023 US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships, held in Loudoun County, Virginia, from June 23-29 and produced in conjunction with Visit Loudoun. It was the fifth time the storied event took place in the Old Dominion State after being held in Virginia Beach (2005 and 2006) and Spotsylvania (2017 and 2018) previously.
“Congratulations to everyone at Visit Loudoun on this award that they undoubtedly deserve,” said USYS CEO Skip Gilbert. “They proved remarkable hosts. It is fantastic that Visit Loudoun and US Youth Soccer can come together to impact the local region positively, as well as provide memories of a lifetime for the participants and their families.”
Many of the best teams across the east coast of the United States competed at the regional event, with more than 260 teams from 13 different states playing in games throughout the week at Hal and Bernie Hanson Regional Park in Aldie and Bolen Memorial Park in Leesburg.
It is estimated that the days-long event brought in more than 4,600 players and 11,700 total people to the northern Virginia community, which saw champions crowned and 14 teams earn a spot at the US Youth Soccer National Championships.
“The US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships was one of the largest tournaments Visit Loudoun has secured and it had an $8.3 million economic impact for our destination,” Visit Loudoun President & CEO Beth Erickson said. “This national recognition by Sports Destination Management not only further positions Loudoun as a prime destination for sports tournaments but generates awareness to the economic benefits a sporting event can have on a community.”
This year’s Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism winners were responsible for bringing in a substantial boost of more than $932 million to the national economy over the past year. Each honoree has been recognized in a special feature published in the latest issue of Sports Destination Management. To read the entire article with more details and a list of all winners, click here.
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About US Youth Soccer
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.
About Visit Loudoun
Visit Loudoun is the destination management organization for Loudoun, Va., known as DC’s Wine Country®, located 25 miles from Washington, DC. This not-for-profit organization develops and implements programs that promote tourism and travel to Loudoun and its towns, to increase visitation and generate visitor spending. The organization showcases Virginia’s culinary and heritage assets, including award-winning vineyards, horse country, scenic byways, and towns and villages steeped in history. Visit www.VisitLoudoun.org for more information.
About Sports Destination Management
Sports Destination Management is written for the largest audience of sports event managers and tournament directors in the sports tourism market and maintains a focus on the important issues surrounding event location decisions and event management.
With content from experts and thought leaders, SDM provides in-depth coverage of sports event planning and execution through incisive and relevant articles as well as insightful, real-world case studies showcasing best practices and successful event production.
In addition to the publication, SDM offers extensive digital resources through www.sportsdestinations.com and the e-newsletter, SDM Blitz, both providing decision support tools for organizers to ensure successful events at all levels of play.
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