Evansville touts tourism impact in 2024
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Explore Evansville is marking a record year for convention and sports tourism in 2024. The tourism destination organization for Evansville and Vanderburgh County says events held throughout the year generated more than $42 million in economic impact.
Explore Evansville hosted 103 events that brought more than 67,000 people from throughout the country to the region. The events resulted in nearly 50,000 total hotel room nights booked.
“By leveraging strategic partnerships, targeted outreach, and data-driven decision-making, Explore Evansville solidified the city’s reputation as a destination for large-scale events and sports tourism,” the organization said in a news release.
Specifically related to sports tourism, the city hosted more than 70 sporting events that contributed more than $25 million in economic impact, according to Explore Evansville.
Among the biggest events in 2024 were the IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament, the U.S. Figure Skating National Theater on Ice Competition, and the USSSA Great Lakes Nationals softball tournament.
Additionally, Deaconess Sports Park hosted more than 1,500 teams and 60,000 visitors for various events, while the Goebel Soccer Complex saw more than 20,000 visitors and 320 teams in 2024.
“These events highlight Evansville’s ability to host top-tier athletic competitions and contribute to the city’s growing reputation as a destination for sports tourism,” Explore Evansville said.