Miami bids for 2007 USFA Nats

[esskreemr]

I thought this was cool, some people actually want hordes of fencers descending on their towns and are actively trying to get them.

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/050630/story7.shtml

[edew]

... This year's national championship, July 1-10, is in Sacramento, CA. Mike Testa, Sacramento Visitors & Convention Bureau spokesman, said he plans for about 4,000 people to attend, occupying about 700 hotels rooms, with an economic impact of $1.4 million.

(From the article.)

Gee, I think they're underestimating the numbers by 1/2. There should be about 8000 people overall attending. There may be 4000 competitors, but most likely after factoring in parents and other SOs, and then coaches and referees and other volunteers, maybe 8000 or even closer to 9000 people. The economic impact would probably be closer to $3 million.

[telkanuru]

Hm. Fencers weilding economic clout is a good thing! I also find the prediction of 7500 fencers attending in 2007 to be interesting.

[edew]

I don't think it's going to be 7500 fencers. More likely, 7500 people associated with fencing, including family members, coaches, volunteers, officials, etc.

Miami doesn't care if it's 100 fencers and 7400 other associated with fencing, or 7400 fencers and 100 volunteers. As long as we can bring in that many people and they can spend, ooh, $200/day, that's a good thing for Miami business.

The $200/day is low, considering that hotel per person is $60 minimum (unless you get those college kids stuffed 6 to a room), part of the travel (which I think they include when making the economic impact assessment) of around $100 and food. A good restaurant is going to be $50/person (at least at those restaurants that I go to). Fine cuban cigars and recently imported Afghani blow is at least $20/stogie or $50/gm...

[fluidfencer]

We will be hosting Southeast Sectionals (pending signatures) at the convention center here. As we explained more about the sport and national tournaments to the event managers, I think they actually started to drool. We discussed it with them a few years ago but couldn't find the space at the right weekend for a NAC (one that wasn't already scheduled elsewhere), and that was two years beforehand. There has been serious talk of a huge expansion so maybe we can do something in the future. First, we need to host a terrific Sectional.

We talked about good restuarants and other attractions in the area but, strange as it seems, the phrase "Afghani blow" was never mentioned.

Originally Posted by edew

I don't think it's going to be 7500 fencers. More likely, 7500 people associated with fencing, including family members, coaches, volunteers, officials, etc.

Miami doesn't care if it's 100 fencers and 7400 other associated with fencing, or 7400 fencers and 100 volunteers. As long as we can bring in that many people and they can spend, ooh, $200/day, that's a good thing for Miami business.

The $200/day is low, considering that hotel per person is $60 minimum (unless you get those college kids stuffed 6 to a room), part of the travel (which I think they include when making the economic impact assessment) of around $100 and food. A good restaurant is going to be $50/person (at least at those restaurants that I go to). Fine cuban cigars and recently imported Afghani blow is at least $20/stogie or $50/gm...

[edew]

Maybe that's just local to Miami. Perhaps you folks in 'bama have a different term.