A Publication of the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau
For more information contact us at: 812-421-2200 800-433-3025
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STATE NEWS
2009 is a budget year in the state legislature so staying in touch with local legislators is imperative. Earlier this month, Marilee Fowler traveled to Indianapolis to speak in support of HB 1588 (now HB 1604) to extend the 2% allocation from local Innkeepers' Tax to the operation of The Centre. The bill passed out of committee with unanimous support.
Pic: Marilee Fowler and Senator Bob Deig
BURDETTE IN NATIONAL BMX MAG
Last October, the Hoosier National BMX race was held at Burdette. This Midwest regional championship was well attended in all age and regional categories. The December 2008 publication of "BMX Today" features two articles on the event praising the fast track - a key element for these enthusiasts - the organizers and the "fabulous" Evansville weather.
As the popularity of this sport continues to grow as an individual and family sport, Evansville's BMX track is fast becoming a favorite location for regional competition as well as being recognized on the national and international level.
Last year, the ECVB funded a $345,000 improvement to the track from our Tourism Capital Development Fund to build a new clubhouse, add lighting and bleachers, and upgrade the course. Our Board of Commissioners along with the County Council members viewed this allocation as an investment in the continued growth of BMX in Evansville.
We will keep you informed of future events as they are booked.
MORE SPORTS NEWS!
This week, Assistant Director of Sports Dan McDonnell announced that USI will host the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships this November. The ECVB congratulates Dan and his staff for successfully securing this event. Evansville hosted this championship in 2004 and we are glad to hear it will return. We hope to see more NCAA Division I and II events in Evansville in the future.
To that end, the ECVB was an early supporter of forming a statewide sports commission - Sports Indiana. Here we partner with other Indiana member CVBs and counties to promote and catalogue the sports facilities throughout the state that are ideal for hosting all levels of competions within the NCAA. As their national headquarters is in Indianapolis, the NCAA agrees it is both practical and economical to keep more of the Division I and II events in state.
We are proud to be part of the effort to bring the Cross Country Championships back to Evansville. We will continue to work with USI, UE and Sports Indiana to attract more events like this in the future.
BOWLERS BEGIN ROLLING IN TOWN!
This weekend, we welcome the first of 13,000 young bowlers from cities throughout the state. Ranging in age from 5 to 20, the Indiana State United States Bowling Association Youth Tournament continues on subsequent weekends through April.
Each weekend, they will fill our hotels, eat in our restaurants and visit our attractions and malls. The ECVB invites you to offer them a friendly smile and helpful hand while they are here.
See the Conventions and Events listing below for the direct expenditure figure we calculate this group will contribute to our local economy over the next few months.
Conventions and Events
Convention/Event
Dates
Attendees
Room Nights
Expenditures
Arthritis Foundation 8-Ball Tourney
02/05 - 02/08
200
100
$73,600
Cincinnati Financial Winter Meeting
02/11 - 02/12
115
95
$21,160
Marathon Oil Spring Training
02/14 - 02/15
100
75
$30,000
Indiana State US Bowling Congress Youth Tournament
Evansville CVB - Staff Bob Whitehouse, Acting Exec. Dir./Dir. of Sales
Jan Fisher, Office Manager
Laura Libs, Marketing & Comm. Mgr.
Ashley Vezzoso, Sales Support Mgr.
Bitsy Mourning, Sales Executive
Julia Pillow, Office Assistant
Evansville CVB – Board of Commissioners Joseph J. Vezzoso, President
Kristen Tucker, Vice President
Claudette Branson, Treasurer
Greg Gee, Commissioner
David Dunn, Commissioner
Stacey McNeill, Secretary
STATE NEWS
BURDETTE IN NATIONAL BMX MAG
MORE SPORTS NEWS!
