Courtesy Pennsylvania Dutch CVB
Deep in the heart of Texas, Round Rock loves to call itself the Sports Capital of Texas because of its devotion to amateur, youth and recreational sports. The Round Rock CVB loves to promote them.
This city of 104,000 people 15 miles north of Austin is one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and withstood the recession with a strong economy. “We saw growth in the outdoor events we host and are designing a new sports center to accommodate all types of indoor sports events,” said Nancy Yawn, CVB director.
More than 28,000 participants traveled to Round Rock in 2011 to play outdoor sports such as the Super Series Baseball qualifiers and national championships, the PONY Girls softball national championships and monthly softball tournaments, soccer, disc golf, ultimate Frisbee, the Texas Firefighters Olympics, the Iron Kids triathlon and the National Championships for the Women’s Independent Football League. And more success is expected this year.
“We are very optimistic about sports events in Round Rock in 2012,” said Yawn.
Pennsylvania Dutch Country, primarily Lancaster County, also is already feeling upbeat. “The phones definitely started ringing after the holidays,” said Audrey Bialas, the CVB’s tourism sales director. “We noticed a big difference in call volume. We’re seeing a nice uptick in international interest [Europe and even China]. We’re getting inquiries from groups that have never been to Lancaster or haven’t been here for many years.”
The popular Sight and Sound Theatre has a new show for 2012. “They are reporting very encouraging numbers to us and have already outsold their previously top-performing show,” said Bialas.
In the Deep South, Birmingham, Ala., is digging out of the deep recession, said CVB vice president of sales Michael Gunn.
“We feel 2012 will be much better. The economy is slowly recovering. More people are getting jobs and are optimistic. Christmas was good for retailers. People are spending a little more money,” he said.
In that vein, the CVB is increasing its sales goal for conventions and sports events by 2.5 percent. With a new hotel and entertainment district being built next to the convention center, “Birmingham is the place to be,” Gunn said.
The buzz these days is that the travel/meetings/hospitality arena is rebounding. The challenge for CVBs will be to adjust and fine-tune marketing messages while reaching out to potential business, meeting and leisure travelers tentative about booking business in still uncertain times. Staying visitor friendly and cost effective may be the key.
