Sports aren’t just a great way to spend your time. They also have a huge economic impact on Cobb County.
I am proud of the numerous national and regional sporting events we host. The Amateur Softball Association has held its 18 and Under Gold Tournament, the top of its kind in the country, three times here. The United States Tennis Association has brought players from across the nation to Cobb for weeks at a time to play in its annual 16 and Under tournament.
These events and others bring visitors. And these visitors bring their spending power.
A recent study commissioned by Cobb Travel & Tourism showed that travel and tourism remains the number one economic driver in the county. The industry has a total economic impact of more than $2.18 billion and employed more than 31,000 in 2011.
Yet we don’t want to only host outside organizations. We want to host homegrown events. Another research study resulting from a partnership between Cobb Travel & Tourism and our Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department helped show the impact of joining together with our school systems and cities to create our own tournaments.
As a result, we formed the Cobb Sports Alliance, which is made up of more than 40 sports leaders from all walks of life, including private sports organizations, hotels and government. This group, which will meet quarterly, is already organizing events and will work to build a festival-like atmosphere around them.
And through this teamwork, we can create annual events that will become renowned for their fun and positive results for our community. The impact, both economic and socially, will be felt for years to come.
Editor’s Note: In keeping with his column in the Bright Side November paper, the Marietta Daily Journal made this very exciting announcement this morning. Braves Coming to Cobb County. See http://bit.ly/17qhjBf for their story.
If you would like to read the press release issued by the Braves, before it has been rewritten by the news media — click here. Braves_Press_Release_FINAL