For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0684
bshulman@stlsports.org
ST. LOUIS ECONOMY WILL GET AN ASSIST FROM UPCOMING
NCAA® WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR®
PRESS CONFERENCE PREVIEWS IMPACT OF
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SLATED FOR APRIL 5-7
LOCAL ORGANIZERS SEEK COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT TO
MAKE EVENT A SLAM DUNK SUCCESS
ST. LOUIS – Jan. 7, 2009 – The organizers of the 2009 NCAA Women’s Final Four in St. Louis shared a dose of good economic news today. As the nation deals with the current economic slowdown, St. Louis can expect to receive a financial shot in the arm from the event, which takes place April 5 and 7 at Scottrade Center.
At a press conference at St. Louis Union Station, the St. Louis Organizing Committee (SLOC) highlighted the impact that the Women’s Final Four will have on the St. Louis region and its business community. Local hoteliers, restaurateurs, retailers and business owners were on hand to describe how valuable and important the event will be to them and their employees. Karen Foss, civic chair for the SLOC, detailed the event’s impact and the need for the St. Louis corporate community to assist with fundraising efforts so that the event is successful.
“Even in strong economic times, events like the Women’s Final Four are very meaningful to the region and particularly Downtown St. Louis,” Foss said. “So in a period now when the economy is slumping, the Women’s Final Four is tremendously important as it will bring a much-needed economic boost to area hotels, restaurants, merchants and workers.”
Based on recent high-profile sporting events, the St. Louis Organizing Committee anticipates the 2009 Women’s Final Four will generate approximately $20 million in direct spending and attract more than 20,000 visitors to the region. A study conducted for the NCAA by Performance Research at last year’s Women’s Final Four in Tampa found the event created $19.1 million in new spending and $1.8 million in incremental tax revenue. The 2008 event brought 22,595 visitors to the Tampa Bay area.
When St. Louis last hosted the Women’s Final Four in 2001, the event’s economic impact on the region – using multiplier effects – was $20.9 million. With Missouri State University playing in the national semifinal game that year, as many as 30,000 visitors traveled to St. Louis for the event. An economic impact study also found that the 2001 Women’s Final Four was responsible for:
• $2.61 million in direct spending on local hotels and lodging
• $2.44 million in direct spending at food and beverage establishments
• $1.43 million in direct spending at retail outlets
• $440,600 in parking expenditures
• $148,220 spent on MetroLink tickets
“The Women’s Final Four has shown that it is a proven winner on and off the court,” said NCAA Vice President for Division I Women’s Basketball Sue Donohoe. “Our corporate champions and partners enjoy the strong outreach provided by our championship and our loyal fans continue to support our game. We encourage the business community of St. Louis to get behind the effort of hosting this true celebration of the ‘best of the best’ in women’s basketball as the community will feel the residual benefits for years to come.”
With the region having an opportunity to reap the benefits of hosting the Women’s Final Four, the St. Louis Organizing Committee still needs the help of the region’s corporate community to make the event successful. The SLOC has a fundraising goal of $1.8 million to cover the expenses associated with producing the event. Area companies can support the event through the purchase of contributor and hospitality packages. Those interested can call Missy Slay, SLOC executive director, at 314-434-3434.
“St. Louis has earned a wonderful reputation as an outstanding host community for major sporting events and the 2009 Women’s Final Four presents another opportunity to shine in the national spotlight,” Slay said. “We encourage those who have a great stake in St. Louis’ strength and vitality to support the event so that the region can extend its track record of success as an event host and most importantly, enjoy the economic infusion generated by the Women’s Final Four, which is so needed at this time.”
2009 Women’s Final Four
The 2009 Women’s Final Four takes place April 5 and 7 at Scottrade Center. The event will be the 10th NCAA Division I Championship to take place in St. Louis this decade. The region previously hosted the Women’s Final Four in 2001 and the Men’s Final Four in 2005. For more information on the 2009 Women’s Final Four, visit www.NCAA.com/finalfour.
The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.
Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.
