Sports Tourism Matters

August 26, 2021

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On Friday, July 23rd, 2021, The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a successful LunchVox LIVE: Sports Tourism & Why it Matters, cohosted by Eugene Cascades & Coast Sports Commission. We brought together speakers Joey Jewell of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission, Liz Dahlager of Mereté Hotel Management, and Jase Newton of Willamalane Park and Recreation District to discuss the impacts of sports tourism in the greater Springfield area economy, and what’s in our future.

Each speaker shared their respective experiences, working in the sports, hospitality, and recreation sectors, and discussed how they tie together and their broader implications for the business community and community as a whole. Joey kicked off the conversation with a background on what sports tourism is and how it interacts within the community, for example, big sports events that bring visitors to play, stay, and spend “new money” in our community. Revenue from sports tourism bleeds into and affects all types of businesses in the community and disperses itself into the local economy. Jase touched on the demand for rental spaces both indoor and outdoor, and Liz touched on challenges for hotels outside of the halt on travel, such as needing more flexible cancellation policies, and managing operational challenges. They then gave us a sneak peak to ongoing projects and what to look forward to in the future, including the a running trail titled “Shana’s Trail” established in memory of the former Springfield High School track athlete, Shana Thomas, the new baseball field at the Hamlin Sports Complex to be used as the new home for Bushnell Baseball and the Springfield Drifters, and the proposed Springfield Indoor Track, Sports and Event Center in Glenwood – more information on this project can be learned at springfieldhouseoftrack.com.

In case you missed this event, you can watch the recording online here: