Chicago Southland Tournament Recognized as a Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism

Lansing, Ill. – The 2019 Toyota USA National Juniors & Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Association Championships has been recognized as a Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management. The tournament was recognized in the Innovations in Sports Tourism category.

The championships were held at four different locations in the Chicago Southland, including the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) in New Lenox. The tournament featured 57 teams with more than 500 adaptive athletes participating. The event used a total of 19 hotels throughout the Chicago Southland and generated 1,300 hotel room nights over the course of three days.

The 2019 tournament marked the first time that both the juniors and women’s events were hosted over the same weekend. Over 1,500 volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that the event was a success, including guaranteeing athletes had access to appropriate housing and transportation while visiting the Chicago Southland region. Overall, the total estimated economic impact for this event was $478,000. Through a partnership with LWSRA, the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau was able to successfully bring this event to the Chicago Southland area.

“This year’s nominations were incredible,” said Sports Destination Management Publisher Scott Swoger. “We were amazed not just by the sheer volume of events, but by the scope. We saw an amazing array of entries — from team to individual, from youth to seniors, and across all disciplines and all levels of play. Events nominated represented not just the traditional tournaments but emerging sports, showing us that this industry is continuing its evolution.”

Sports Destination Management is a leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market. Sports Destination Management focuses on the important issues surrounding event location decisions and event management. 

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s 63 south and southwest suburbs. The Visit Chicago Southland markets the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings and conventions, group tour, sports events and leisure. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.

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Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau

Katie Arvia -- Communications Manager

2304 173^rd Street, Lansing, IL 60438

Phone: 708-895-8200 Fax: 708-895-8288 Toll-free: 888-895-8233

Katie@VisitChicagoSouthland.com     VisitChicagoSouthland.com

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