FORT WORTH, Texas (March 23, 2016) – In support of the city’s growing sports market, the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau (FWCVB) has announced creation of Fort Worth Sports Marketing, a new department within the Bureau.
The total tourism industry has an annual economic impact of $1.9 billion for the Fort Worth economy. As one of the leading industries in the region, business and leisure tourism supported more than 19,000 jobs and generated $111 million in tax revenue for the City in 2015.
Annual sports events such as the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl and the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational are large contributors to the overall success of tourism in the area.
- In 2015 the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl generated $13.5 million in direct spending.
- Texas Motor Speedway’s AAA Texas 500 Weekend: $75.5 million in direct spending, 61,922 total hotel room nights.
- NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championships: $1.8 million in direct spending, 2,792 total hotel room nights.
“Dallas-Fort Worth is a leading sports destination in the country,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The Fort Worth Sports Marketing Department will help further distinguish our city by attracting new events and cultivating resources that support youth, amateur and college competition.”
The initiative will be headed by Josh Dill, director of sports marketing. He joined the FWCVB in 2013 from Lubbock Sports and has since increased sports-related bookings 40 percent. He represents Fort Worth on the Stadium Events Organizing Committee for major events at AT&T Stadium. Last year the FWCVB received Best Collegiate Multi-Sport or Multi-Discipline Event Award from SportsTravel Magazine for the 2015 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship in Fort Worth.
“I’m excited to spearhead this new sports marketing effort,” Dill said. “Our established events already drive economic impact. It’s my hope to support these and bid on new ones to foster an even stronger culture of sports within our community.”
Fort Worth Sports Marketing competes with other destinations for youth and amateur tournaments, which generate room nights and restaurant and shopping spending for the city. Gymnastics has been proven to be a sweet spot. The 2016 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship and the 2016 USA Gymnastics Women’s Junior Olympics are two recent, high-profile bookings.
In effort to further highlight sports in the area, the FWCVB will host the inaugural Fort Worth Sports Huddle on April 7, 2016. This first-time event will celebrate Texas Motor Speedway’s 20th Anniversary and elaborate on future plans of the FWCVB Sports Marketing Department. The luncheon will take place at the Fort Worth Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a special appearance by NASCAR driver and Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Elizabeth Story at ElizabethStory@FortWorth.com.
Tourism economic impact information generated by Oxford Economics. Sports tourism information derived from Sports Calculator from Destination Marketing Association International and Grotta Market Research.
For additional information, please email SarahCovington@FortWorth.com.
