Sports | Capital Analytics Associates

His Airness bullish on NASCAR

By: Felipe Rivas

2 min read September 2020 — After conquering every imaginable feat on the basketball court, His Airness is ready to let it fly on the asphalt. Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, together with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, will own the newest car racing around the track come the 2021 season. Driver Bubba Wallace, coming off a career-best season, will drive the basketball icon’s car, after announcing his departure from Richard Petty Motorsports earlier this month.

Jordan will be the majority owner of the single-car NASCAR Cup Series team with Hamlin slated as the minority owner. Hamlin, a Jordan Brand athlete, has long enjoyed a friendship with Jordan.

The Jordan-Hamlin ownership is set to announce the organization’s name, car number and further details at a later date. The group indicated that it struck an agreement to acquire the team charter from Germain Racing, the NASCAR organization reported.

“We proudly welcome Michael Jordan into the NASCAR family, and look forward to watching Michael, Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace compete in 2021,” the NASCAR organization said in a press release. “Michael is an iconic sports figure and celebrated champion whose fiercely competitive nature has placed him among the greatest athletes of all time. His presence at NASCAR’s top level will further strengthen the competition, excitement and momentum growing around our sport. We wish Michael and his team tremendous success.”

Jordan has long had an affinity for fast cars, motorcycles and racing. Many of his shoes have taken design cues from racing car staples such as Ferrari, Porsche, and even fighter jets. But this is not Jordan’s first foray into the racing world. In 2004, shortly after His Airness hung up his namesake sneakers for good, Jordan dove into the world of motorcycle racing, forming a motorsports team with the help of Nike and Pete Mauhar, a racing team manager with a decade of experience, according to his official website.

Reportedly, Jordan hopes that this venture into NASCAR will help create diversity in ownership and driving talent. “Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan my whole life,” Jordan said, according to the NASCAR organization. “The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me. Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more.”

Reportedly, Hamlin will remain a driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he has been racing since 2005. Hamlin has six wins this year and is one of the favorites to win the 2020 championship.

To learn more, visit:

https://www.nascar.com/

https://air.jordan.com/

Charlotte: Toe to Toe with Coronavirus

By: Felipe Rivas

4 min read June 2020—The tenacity of the coronavirus has challenged, and at times highlighted, the economic strength of cities across the nation. While the pandemic has severely bruised the Queen City’s economy, the city’s dexterity and sound fundamentals are helping to soften the blow as Charlotte recoups and prepares for an uncertain future.

Marked by serious losses and promising victories, June has been a roller coaster of economic activity for the Charlotte Metro Region. Unexpectedly, the city’s hospitality sector, an already embattled segment of the economy, suffered a further blow when President Donald Trump and Republican leaders swiftly yanked the Republican National Convention (RNC) out of Charlotte after coronavirus-related concerns prevented North Carolina leaders from guaranteeing a fully operational Spectrum Center, hotels and other amenities. But as Charlotte reeled from this sudden blow, the region jabbed back at the coronavirus-related adversity with positive job expansion and promising rezoning announcements slated to be catalysts for growth in the near future.

Two years of RNC preparations vanished as RNC leaders decided to move more than half of the August festivities to Jacksonville, Florida. Since winning the bid to host the 2020 RNC in 2018, the host committee and Charlotte’s hospitality and business leaders have toiled to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for the thousands of delegates, journalists, and visitors expected for the event. However, as government and business leaders entered 2020 confident about the state of the economy, the contingency plans unsurprisingly failed to factor in a global pandemic and the subsequent reduction in major events and large gatherings of people.

In late May, in a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper, RNC leaders demanded that Charlotte, which remains in a state of emergency, guarantee a “full convention,” and “full hotels and restaurants, and bars at full capacity,” according to a response letter published by the governor’s office. Citing uncertainty and the state of the coronavirus come August, Gov. Cooper said planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity. “As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the Convention you describe in late August, it is very unlikely,” Gov. Cooper wrote to the RNC leaders. “Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek.”

This lack of guarantee prompted RNC leaders and President Trump to move three of the four convention days to Jacksonville, according to different news sources. Charlotte will host the first day of the convention, with the traditional speeches and fanfare occurring in Jacksonville. The convention is scheduled to run Aug. 24-27.

“We wanted to host the RNC because we hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and so we want to prove to the world that we are capable of delivering high-quality events,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles told Invest: Charlotte in the spring, before the RNC decision. She further explained the advantages for Charlotte: “It is a great branding opportunity for the city, as we expect up to 50,000 people, including many international journalists, to visit during the event. It will also provide a huge boost to our hospitality industry.” she said. The convention was expected to generate more than $150 million in revenue for the area’s restaurants, bars and hotels, the Charlotte Observer reported.

As the hospitality and tourism sector begins to gather its composure after such a punch, Charlotte heavyweights aim to continue to strengthen the region’s foundation. Two significant redevelopments projects moved forward on Monday after receiving unanimous approval from city leaders. Rezonings were approved for the redevelopment of Atrium Health’s Midtown flagship campus and the former Eastland Mall property in east Charlotte, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

Atrium Health, the region’s largest employer, seeks to rezone close to 70 acres at the Carolina Medical Center to accommodate a live, work, and play environment, complete with a new bed tower, rehabilitation hospital, office space, affordable housing and more. In 2019, Atrium Health announced more than $1.5 billion investment in the Charlotte metropolitan area to help build new infrastructure, including new hospitals and medical facilities, President and CEO Gene Woods Told Invest:Charlotte in the spring. “This is about more than just adding brick and mortar. It’s about investing in this community because this is the place our friends, our neighbors and our loved ones call home, and we want to see it continue to thrive,” Woods said. “As the major healthcare system in the state of North Carolina, we know we can play a key role in helping our economy flourish as well.”

The Eastland rezoning includes close to 78 acres of mostly city-owned property, according to the Charlotte Business Journal. The site will be the future headquarters of the yet-to-be-named Charlotte Major League Soccer team, owned by business leader David Tepper. Similar to the Atrium Health project, Eastland will be the site of mixed-use development featuring residential units, office and retail space, and athletic fields.

And while these projects are expected to pay dividends to the community in the future, the region scored significant economic development victories on Tuesday when Chime Solution and Ross Stores announced the addition of 250 and 700 jobs respectively to the region’s economy.

Georgia-based Chime Solutions, a provider of customer contact services for several industries, will add jobs for licensed life and health insurance agents and will pay $16 an hour and include training and licensing, WFAE reported Chime Solutions opened an office in the University City area last fall. Leading off-price apparel and home fashion retail chain Ross Stores Inc. announced it will expand its distribution and warehousing operations in York County, according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. The company’s $68 million investment is projected to create 700 new jobs over five years.

To learn more, visit:

https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/2020_06_02_RNC-Response-Letter.pdf

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2020/06/16/eastland-mall-atrium-health-rezoning.html

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article243540772.html

https://charlotteregion.com/index.php?src=news&submenu=Relocation_Expansions&srctype=detail&category=Investor%20News&refno=8639&hurl=n

https://www.wfae.org/post/charlotte-says-chime-solutions-250-job-expansion-offers-economic-mobility#stream/0

Spotlight On: Dan Rajkowski, Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte Knights

By: Felipe Rivas

2 min read February 2020 — The Queen City is teeming with sports activity. It is host to NASCAR, the NBA and NFL, and closed the decade with a new MLS team. Not too far behind stand the Charlotte Knights, the region’s minor league baseball team. The Knights have led the country in fan attendance four out of the six years they have played in Charlotte. The loyal fan base and consistent attendance numbers can be attributed to affordable ticket prices, a family environment, and a centrally located ballpark, Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski told Invest: Charlotte. For 2020, the Knights plan to host several Republican National Convention-related events and concerts to maximize the use of their ballpark.

How has the local sports scene evolved in the last few years?

We have had tremendous success in Charlotte since we opened in 2014. We have led the country in minor league attendance four out of the six years we have been here. We are in a vibrant and growing market with a youthful demographic. Coming into the market from South Carolina, and bringing another 650,000 people into Center City, is creating tourism for different parts of the county. The Charlotte Knights produce an economic impact of close to $50 million a year. The region has NASCAR, NBA, NFL, major golf tournaments, other minor league teams, and now professional soccer. Charlotte has created a great hotbed for professional sports, while amateur sports are also enjoying growth. All this is largely thanks to the initiatives of city and hospitality leaders. They are very aggressive in trying to get sports teams to the region and making sure they stay

What are the benefits of being located in Center City?

Our ballpark is gorgeous. There are very few ballparks that have our skyline view, and fans can easily get to the park. Our affordability is important, especially in minor league baseball. While there are many options for fans, with different levels of ticketing, with us, they can get a ticket for $10 or $12 and enjoy the game. Some major league sports games are not as affordable as minor league baseball. We offer a great product that is not necessarily driven by wins or losses. We drive our fan base by promoting the experience, whether it be through a fireworks show, giveaways or on-field contests. We try to create an atmosphere of nine innings of fun. Being located in Center City, with its vibrancy, and the population base that is in this core, as long as you provide a good product people will continue to come.

How are you collaborating with the local business community?

We are heavily involved with the business community as all sports teams in the city are. Charlotte has a tremendous business community. There are several organizations that work closely to improve the city and the business community gets that. We are fortunate to have wonderful corporate leaders across sectors that step forward when there are initiatives out there that relate to the community. We feel we need to be active in the community. That means donating time, money and resources. We have the ability to bring underprivileged kids to the ballpark and give them a great experience with professional athletes. As a sports organization, you have to position yourself to make an impact in the community that other people may not be able to make.

What can fans expect from the Charlotte Knights in 2020?

We have 70 games a year. We also host college baseball games. In 2020, we will host the ACC baseball tournament. This year, we will host a number of events related to the Republican National Convention. In the fall, we plan to host a few concerts as well. We will continue to improve our brand and keep prices affordable. We want to be creative, but always give people three hours of a fun experience.”

To learn more about our interviewee, visit: https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights

The Real Winner in Super Bowl LIV

By: Max Crampton Thomas

2 min read February 2020 — Over the course of last week the excitement for Super Bowl LIV was palpable throughout Miami-Dade County, which was not surprising with over 200,000 people visiting South Florida to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers. Ultimately the Chiefs came from behind to snatch their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. While the final numbers aren’t yet in, the early indications suggest another winner from the NFL championship: Miami-Dade County.

The expected economic impact for the Miami-Dade area when the final numbers are reported from the past week’s events? $500 million. This would be a significant boost from Miami’s last Super Bowl (XLIV) in 2010, which generated $234 million for the region, and the 2007 Super Bowl (XLI), which accumulated $463 million in economic impact.

The stellar financial results are thanks to well-thought-out events and years of deliberate planning by local leaders and organizations, like the Super Bowl Host Committee. Events like Miami Beach’s Super Bowl Experience and Bayfront Park’s Super Bowl Live were glowing examples of why this Super Bowl was a major win for Miami-Dade.

Equally impressive was the windfall from “free publicity” that was afforded to Miami, thanks to media coverage of the game and the surrounding large-scale events. In fact, according to the South Florida Business Journal, during a panel discussion on Feb. 3 between local leaders for Super Bowl LIV at the University of Miami’s Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility, Miami Super Bowl Host Committee Chairman Rodney Baretto said the figure related to free publicity would be “in excess of $200 million” for Miami-Dade.

This Super Bowl also provided an opportunity to some of the smaller, local businesses in the region through the Business Connect program. This program afforded close to 300 South Florida-based minority-owned businesses with vendor contracts in order to help in supplying their services and products for the events happening in the region and on the day of the game.

Another opportunity resulting from Super Bowl LIV was the Super Bowl Legacy Grant Program. This program consisted of the NFL Foundation donating $1 million to the host city, which was then supplemented by funding from the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, bringing the grand total to $2.4 million. The money has since been distributed to five capital improvement initiatives throughout the South Florida area. These include new lighting for Bayfront Park in Miami, new synthetic turf for Gwen Cherry Park and a new Outdoor Fitness Zone for Plantation Heritage Regional Park in Broward County.

One of the biggest winners from the Super Bowl events was the hospitality sector in Miami-Dade and Broward County. With room rates in the Downtown Miami and Brickell areas ranging anywhere from $500 to $5,000, the Super Bowl provided local hotels with an opportunity that couldn’t be missed. The South Florida region was prepared for this onslaught of new guests into the area, with more than 10,000 new rooms being added since the last Super Bowl in 2010.

While the Chiefs may be walking away the official winners of Super Bowl LIV, Miami-Dade and the South Florida region are the true beneficiaries of a job well done.

To learn more visit:

https://www.miasbliv.com/

Equestrian Festival Leads the 2020 Palm Beach Sports Charge

By: Sara Warden

2 min read January 2020 — Horses are big business in Florida, which boasts the third-highest horse population nationwide behind only Texas and California. The state is home to half a million horses and the horse-riding industry pulls in an estimated $6.5 billion annually.

This week, Palm Beach County welcomes the Winter Equestrian Festival – 12 weeks of elite competition ending on March 29. The contest attracts a diverse set, aged between 2 and 70, among them some of the most talented Olympians, adult amateurs, juniors and children from 52 countries. But many of these competitors have something in common: deep pockets.

The show-jumping prizes are often lucrative, and the Winter Equestrian Festival will award millions of dollars in total purse money to victors. But this is partly a reflection on the initial outlay to participate. “Only the wealthiest of families can afford to break into the sport. Today, prized horses can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The cost of maintaining a horse can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars a month,” according to Business Insider.

The Equestrian Festival is not the only sporting event Palm Beach residents can look forward to this year. Coinciding with the festival is the Palm Beach International Polo Season, held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Although a typically exclusive sport, this festival offers fun for all budgets, with tickets starting at just $10. Also on offer for those who want to splash out are Champagne brunches, ride simulators and introductory lessons starting at $100 each.

Palm Beach County will also welcome another elite sport this month: the Gainbridge Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), with a purse of $2 million. Pro golfers are expected to descend on Palm Beach County to witness the three-day event beginning Jan. 23. “Expect the Olympics, expect to see the best young female golfers at the prime of their career, come from all over the world. We’ll have 29 different countries teeing it up here when we play in January,” Mike Whan, Commissioner of the LPGA told CBS 12 News.

Other sporting events in the first quarter include the start of baseball’s spring training. The World Series champion Washington National’s first spring training game will be against the Houston Astros, the team they faced in the World Series, on Feb. 22. Palm Beach County is proving it is entering the big leagues with this range of heavy-hitting events.

“We’re just trying to put a spotlight on this incredible run of sports that will impact Palm Beach County in so many ways. It’s great entertainment for our local residents in our community to a huge economic and tourism benefit that will be delivered through Palm Beach County through sports,” said George Linley, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, to CBS 12 News.

To learn more, visit:

https://www.palmbeachsports.com/

https://www.lpga.com/

https://ipc.coth.com/

https://pbiec.coth.com/

No Lull for Football Fans in Tampa Bay

By: Max Crampton-Thomas

2 min read January 2020 — If the last few weeks in the Tampa Bay region have felt like a nonstop marathon of events and gatherings, that’s because it has been. While the region has been celebrating the multiple holidays and enjoying the dozens of holiday happenings around the area, there have also been some significant sporting milestones, specifically in the world of football. As the season closes for the NFL in Tampa Bay, another one begins for the new XFL and the beginning of 2020 also marked another successful bowl game in the Bay.

The end of the NFL 2019 regular season was lamented by a 28 to 22 Buccaneers loss to the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. While it was not the season Bucs fans were hoping for, it did leave some room for hope in the next season as well as some shining moments that will be enshrined in Buccaneers history. This season saw the complete dominance of what could possibly be the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, Buccaneers Mike Evans and Chris Goodwin. Between them they had almost 2,500 receiving yards, 17 touchdowns and they were both chosen to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

Then there is the curious case of the Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston, who was just the eighth quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 passing yards in a season, becoming the passing yards leader for the 2019 season. This in itself should be a huge advantage on the resume of the quarterback, who was playing for a new contract this season, but that same resume for this year is marred with a new NFL record – Winston is the first quarterback to throw for 30 passing touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single season. So while head coach Bruce Arians has a lot of positives on the offensive side heading into his first offseason with the Bucs, there are some significant decisions to be made this offseason in regards to the future face of the franchise.

Jan. 1 not only marked the beginning of the new decade, it was also the day to catch the annual Outback Bowl held at Raymond James Stadium. The bowl game, which has been played in Tampa Bay since 1986, is a staple in the community and receives support from some of the largest local institutions like Pilot Bank and Visit Tampa Bay. The game itself saw the #18 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the #12 ranked Auburn Tigers in what was an exciting game through all four quarters. While both teams jumped out to strong starts in the first quarter, Minnesota capitalized on the momentum by scoring 14 in the 2nd quarter and ultimately Auburn was never able to make a push to get ahead. With Auburn trailing for the rest of the game, the final score resulted in a 31 to 24 victory for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

With the end of the Bucs season and the passing of another Outback Bowl, the Tampa Bay region would normally go into a football lull, but thanks to the introduction of a new XFL team, the Tampa Bay Vipers, there will be no shortage of football to enjoy. Invest: recently spoke with the president of the Tampa Bay Vipers, Josh Bullock, about the process of bringing this team to the region and why Tampa Bay is perfectly suited for another football franchise. “The process of bringing this team to Tampa Bay has been exciting, intense and rewarding. Thankfully, we have great leadership, both in the region and throughout the league, starting with the chairman of the XFL, who gave us the time and resources to build this league the right way,” Bullock stated. “We anticipate playing a fast, fun style of professional football at Raymond James Stadium for Tampa Bay fans. I believe Tampa Bay is perfectly suited for this XFL team because of the great sports fans we have throughout our community. There are many entertainment options available and our community will continue to gravitate to products that are enjoyable, engaging and offered at an affordable price. That is exactly what the XFL is going to provide.”

Football fans won’t have to wait long to start enjoying everything the XFL promises to provide as the first game is slated for Sunday, Feb. 9, against the New York Guardians. The team’s home opener at Raymond James Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, Feb 22, versus the Houston Roughnecks.

To learn more about our interviewee, visit:

https://www.xfl.com/en-US/teams/tampa-bay

Why Orlando is an ideal city for esports hub

By: Yolanda Rivas

Over the last few years, Orlando has been increasing its presence in the esports scene. Already home to numerous simulation, training and tech companies, there’s no doubt about the City Beautiful’s potential as a main driver in the gaming arena.

One of the pillars in Orlando’s gaming scene has been Full Sail University. The institution opened The Fortress last May, which is the largest esports arena on a college campus in the nation. Since then, it has attracted several major events like an NBA 2K League competition and a qualifying event for the Red Bull Conquest.

“When we were planning and building The Fortress, we knew, like other facilities on campus, it would need to function as a professional-caliber facility since we are educating our students to work in the real world,” said Full Sail President Garry Jones in an article from the Orlando Sentinel.

Although the esports boom is just starting and there’s only a handful of arenas in the country, these events represent a boost to the economy, especially with the presence of teams and fans attracted by the tournaments.

A recent report from WalletHub ranked Orlando as the fourth-best city for gamers and No. 2 for gaming environment. The study compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 23 key indicators of gamer-friendliness.

Local MVP: Atlanta United FC season may be done but its value is rising fast.

By: Felipe Rivas

2 min read November 2019 – In the world of sports, soccer has long been the most popular game on Earth with over 4 billion aficionados who all want their favorite team to win. In the United States, however, the checkered round ball does not roll as far as it battles footballs, baseballs, basketballs, and even hockey pucks, for fans’ love, attention and attendance. But in Atlanta, the beautiful game is quickly becoming a fan favorite thanks to the success of the local and 2018 Major League Soccer Cup Champion Atlanta United FC.

For the last three years, Atlanta United FC has broken multiple league records both in performance and attendance since joining Atlanta’s sports realm in 2017. Recently, the team topped the Forbes list of most valuable MLS teams with an estimated value of $500 million, up from $330 million from last year’s ranking. Trailing behind Atlanta United FC are LA Galaxy with a value of $480 million, and the Los Angeles FC valued at $475 million, both of which are clubs with established fan bases.

The reigning champion’s hopes of defending its title were crushed after a 2-1 loss to Toronto FC in October. Though defending a title is hard in any sport, on average 52,000 fans flocked to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to cheer on The Five Stripes this regular season. In an August home match against the LA Galaxy, 72,548 people came out to support the team, the most ever in an MLS regular season match. In comparison, according to ESPN statistics, the Atlanta Falcons, who also claim the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as their home, have averaged close to 72,000 fans per home game, proving that soccer is quickly gaining popularity among fans in a town with a historied sports legacy.

Though the 3-year-old franchise did not hoist the championship trophy this season, it did grab other remarkable accolades usually reserved for more established franchises. The World Football Summit named club President Darren Eales the Executive of the Year, and gave Mercedes-Benz Stadium the award for Best Venue. The Sports Business Awards named the Atlanta United FC as the Sport Team of the Year beating out teams in all pro-leagues, and further recognized the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Sports Facility of the Year. Additionally, Atlanta United’s star forward Josef Martinez finished No. 2 on the MLS list of top-selling jerseys, behind legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was acquired by the LA Galaxy from Manchester United in 2018.

Off the field, Atlanta United FC is active in the community and champions different efforts to make the game of soccer accessible and inclusive for individuals across the state of Georgia.

The Atlanta United Foundation promotes the importance of physical fitness and sportsmanship, and has made sizable soccer-related donations to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and Atlanta Public Schools.

And if you think you have what it takes to be the next Atlanta United FC star player, here is your chance. The club is hosting its Dream Tryouts where aspiring athletes will battle it out for a professional contract with Atlanta United on Nov. 16.

For more information, visit: https://www.atlutd.com/

Top 5 Tourism Drivers for The Palm Beaches

By Max Crampton-Thomas

4 min read October 2019 — With more than 8 million visitors to Palm Beach County in 2018, it’s no secret that tourism is the driving force behind the economy in The Palm Beaches. Last year, these visitors generated $7.4 billion in economic impact and are the reason for over 70,000 tourism jobs. While the appeal of a relaxing beach vacation may seem like the obvious tourist magnet, there are so many different and unique facets of the county that drive the economic behemoth that is the tourism sector. Here is the Invest: Top 5 tourism drivers for The Palm Beaches

BEACHES

Palm Beach County is bordered by 47 miles of Atlantic coastline that offer some of the state’s most attractive beaches. These include Boynton Beach Ocean Park, Coral Cove Park, Juno Beach Park and many more, with a large portion of these beaches offering resort amenities and marine activities. The Palm Beach County coastline was also nicknamed Florida’s Gold Coast after gold was recovered from Spanish galleons that sank off its shores. A fitting nickname for beaches that are like gold to the Florida economy. Invest: spoke with Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches, who touched on the importance of the beaches to the tourism industry in the county. “Leisure remains the most crucial tourism driver for The Palm Beaches, with meetings and conventions continuing to gain momentum. Within the leisure tourism market, our beaches are the biggest draw for not only those seeking to relax and rejuvenate, but also those interested in activities such as boating, fishing, scuba diving, kayaking and paddleboarding,” Pesquera told Invest:.

You can learn more about the county’s best beaches here: https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/blogs/best-beaches-are-palm-beaches

ARTS & CULTURE

Home to cultural institutions like the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, The Palm Beaches are an arts and culture hub that drives many cultural travelers to the area. Invest: discussed with Judith Mitchell, CEO for the Kravis Center, how this increased interest from out-of-town visitors has positively affected her business as well as those in the surrounding area. “Our strong programming and marketing teams ensure that we continue to bring the best of Broadway and other diverse performances that attract audiences from outside the state and from cities north and south of the Center. In 2018-2019, the Center saw an increase in out-of-county audience members by nearly 50%. This also has a positive economic impact on the surrounding hotels, restaurants and shops as these nonresident guests choose to dine, shop and stay overnight before or after attending a performance.”

For more on the various arts and culture destinations in the county, visit: https://www.palmbeachculture.com/

SPORTS

For an area that doesn’t have a major professional sports franchise, the county’s tourism market has a strong driver in the sports tourism market. It helps that among Palm Beach County’s various monikers, one of the titles held most proudly is “The Golf Capital of Florida,” boasting more than 150 public and private golf courses. It also doesn’t hurt that Major League Baseball teams, namely the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, call Palm Beach County their home during spring training. For those who prefer alternative sports, The Palm Beaches are also the location of polo and equestrian events, including a variety of International Polo Club tournaments.

Interested in learning more about sports offerings in The Palm Beaches? Visit: https://www.palmbeachsports.com/

ECO-TOURISM

When a county boasts 110 parks and recreation facilities paired with 35 natural areas that make up more than 31,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands, it is bound to attract eco-tourists. This form of tourism may seem obscure from an outside perspective, but it not only can provide visitors with a memorable experience, it also provides health benefits as well. Invest: recently sat down with Deborah Drum, department director of Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management, who spoke to this tourism driver and its benefits. “We have conducted economic studies of our natural areas. We have over 300,000 visitors just to the natural areas in our county. These are remote areas that offer more passive types of recreation, including hiking, fishing or bird-watching. We have done a study with the University of Florida on this passive connection and we have determined that these visitors are coming for that purpose. There have also been a number of studies about the connection between mental health and time spent in natural areas or spent outside. There is a positive relationship between the reduction in mental health issues with more time spent out in nature,” Drum explained.

Check out more on Palm Beach County’s Natural Areas Map: http://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/Pages/Natural-Areas-Map.aspx

MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS

There is a direct correlation between the increase in business tourism to The Palm Beaches and the economic and business growth that the county is enjoying. The beneficiaries from this driver of tourism are a wide range of business types, from hotels to restaurants and even retail. Discover The Palm Beaches’ Pesquera highlighted just how significant this is to the tourism market. “On the meetings front, we’ve seen a 567-percent increase over the last several years in groups booked at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Unlike our good friends in Miami and Fort Lauderdale — where there is a clear and established epicenter of tourism activity — The Palm Beaches are truly a collection of midsize to small cities and towns that altogether deliver an exceptional vacation or meeting experience,” Pesquera told Invest:.

For more on this and the tourism industry in Palm Beach County, visit:

www.thepalmbeaches.com/

His Airness bullish on NASCAR

Charlotte: Toe to Toe with Coronavirus

Spotlight On: Dan Rajkowski, Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte Knights

The Real Winner in Super Bowl LIV

Equestrian Festival Leads the 2020 Palm Beach Sports Charge

No Lull for Football Fans in Tampa Bay

Why Orlando is an ideal city for esports hub

Local MVP: Atlanta United FC season may be done but its value is rising fast.

Top 5 Tourism Drivers for The Palm Beaches

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