October 30, 2024
HUNTSVILLE, AL – When the Von Braun Center opened its doors for the USA Table Tennis Nationals in July, it not only welcomed a national championship to South Hall for the first time but also delivered a significant economic impact to the community.
On Wednesday, Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation among sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, announced that the USA Table Tennis Nationals was selected as one of the 2024 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. This year’s winners contributed a boost of over $1.88 billion to the national economy over the past year.
“This is a tremendous honor for our entire sports tourism team here in Huntsville,” said Joel Lamp, Sports Development Manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Thanks to the partnership with USA Table Tennis, we were able to create a memorable experience that drove a significant economic impact at a needed time for our hospitality community.”
All winners of this prestigious award are recognized in a special feature published in the November/December 2024 issue of Sports Destination Management. Full details on the winners can also be found online. Read Now: Article on Champions of Economic Impact
Selected as a recipient in the Innovations in Sports Tourism category, the USA Table Tennis Nationals generated an economic impact of $1.9 million, with 2,955 room nights booked. The event drew large audiences, including a near-capacity crowd of nearly 1,000 fans surrounding the championship court for the men’s and women’s finals.
“This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire team and the remarkable collaboration across Huntsville to make events like these a reality,” said Mark Russell, Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission. “We’re proud to showcase Huntsville as a sports destination and create unforgettable experiences for athletes and fans alike, while also supporting our local economy.’
The Huntsville sports tourism team adopted a holistic approach to the event experience—from the airport arrival to citywide hospitality. Leading up to the event, Huntsville International Airport featured “Air Court 1,” a table tennis court where travelers could play. Downtown Huntsville provided wayfinding signage and website promotions to connect visitors with local restaurants and attractions. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Space & Rocket Center collaborated with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Huntsville Sports Commission to host a “Send-Off Party” for the U.S. Olympic team, including a ceremonial first pitch at a Rocket City Trash Pandas game.
The Nationals is one of our largest events, and we are proud that it was selected to receive this honor,” said USA Table Tennis CEO Virginia Sung. “Partnering with Huntsville enabled us to provide our participants a championship-level venue and experience befitting a national event. This partnership exemplifies the positive impact sports can bring to a community.”
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.
About Due North Media: For over 20 years, Due North Media has embraced the definition of growth by evolving from a traditional publishing company to a dynamic marketing organization utilizing best practices that ensure engagement. The company’s desire to look at things from all sides, combined with our thirst for knowledge allows us to embrace the ever-changing world of content creation, marketing technology & consumer engagement. While we’re at the forefront of innovation, we also take great strides to remember our roots, ensuring the message reaches the desired audience in ways they consume media. Whether we’re serving clients in the business-to-business sector, delivering e-commerce solutions for merchants in a direct-to-consumer environment, or working with organizations trying to engage buyers, we realize that our end goal shouldn’t be just about numbers. It should be about creating a dialogue and interaction that leads to a fulfilling relationship. Work with us to develop marketing strategies that go beyond the click to deliver the conversation. Founded in 2001, Due North Media has helped marketers obtain their goals while adapting to new generations of media consumption. It has been our mission to serve our clients and employees with integrity and humility, and a continuing quest for the achievement of excellence.
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The Huntsville Sports Commission is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), organization that promotes and enhances the quality of life in Huntsville by identifying, recruiting, promoting and staging sports events and meetings. For more information, contact Brooke Izzo Shaughnessy, Director of Marketing & Communications, 256-883-3769, brooke.izzo@huntsvilleal.gov.