The AASA is comprised of representatives from like-minded organizations who support amateur sports of all types. In addition to the AACVB, these organizations include the City of Aurora, the Fox Valley Park District, Batavia Park District, Big Rock Park District, Sugar Grove Park District, Yorkville Park District, area high schools, Aurora University, Waubonsee Community College, privately-owned sports facilities and area private-sector business.
The AASA is committed to promoting the Aurora region nationally as a premier destination for sports and recreation. The major goal of the Aurora Area Sports Alliance are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional athletics facilities. The AASA will enhance the image of the Aurora Area by showcasing the region as an outstanding venue for sports tournaments.
“While the AACVB is dedicated to bringing all types of visitors to the area, sports groups have perhaps the greatest potential to create economic impact for the region.” stated AACVB Executive Director Cort Carlson. “We have discovered that sporting events can create an estimated economic impact of a quarter of a million dollars over just one weekend. That means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, buying gas and shopping in our stores…which leads to more tax dollars collected for the Aurora area. And with all of these organizations working together to bring competitions to the region, we are certain to become the destination-of-choice for many sports events and tournaments for years to come.”
Among its participants, an executive team has stepped forward to assist in the further development of the Aurora Area Sports Alliance. Executive team members include: Anna Kish and Jeff Long of the Fox Valley Park District, Tyler Nelson, Yorkville Parks and Recreation, and Jason Buckley, West Aurora High School. As the AASA falls under the umbrella of the Aurora Area CVB the administrative, marketing and sales functions of the AASA will be handled by Aurora Area CVB Director of Sales, Pete Garlock.
Formed in 1987, the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (AACVB) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and marketing the area as a visitor destination. The goal of the AACVB is to enhance the economic and environmental well-being of our region compromised of 10 municipalities: Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Hinckley, Montgomery, North Aurora, Plano, Sandwich, Sugar Grove, and Yorkville. The AACVB aggressively promotes the area as an overnight destination and increases visitor awareness and expenditures for the maximum economic benefit of our tourism partners.
