West Michigan Sports Commission reports $87.9 million in economic impact for 2023

SportsNonprofit

Jan 22

Photo courtesy of the West Michigan Sports Commission

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) reported that youth/amateur sports tourism generated $87.9 million in estimated economic impact for the region in 2023 through 121 events – the second-highest year in the organization’s 16-year history.

“We closed out one of the best years in our organization’s history for growing our region’s economy through sport,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “Included in that success was generating the highest estimated economic impact yet for the Meijer Sports Complex and Meijer State Games of Michigan. Clearly, sports tourism is a key economic lever for West Michigan.”

The WMSC was founded in 2007 as an economic generator to harness some of the $39.7 billion national youth and amateur sports industry for the region. One of its key tenets is generating overnight stays from event visitors, which drives spending in area hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Since its inception, the WMSC has booked 1,216 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 2.1 million athletes and visitors, generating over $649 million in estimated economic impact.

Looking at 2024, the WMSC is focused on increasing the number of traveling athletes and visitors and their related hotel revenue, plus bidding on more marquee events in 2024 and beyond – including NCAA DI, DII and DIII tournaments through a multi-event, multi-year bid proposal process with results due in October. The WMSC will also implement key elements identified through a strategic planning process with a national sports consulting firm, including creating a permanent local bid committee plus a regional sports tourism facility master plan with regional partners such as Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation, Kent County Parks and Experience Grand Rapids for pitching national tourism-driving sporting events. It also celebrates its 15th year of hosting the Meijer State Games of Michigan in 2024.

Another focal point of 2024 will be raising the remaining $4.7 million project budget to expand the Meijer Sports Complex, which will bring gender parity with the addition of a championship softball field, continue to promote inclusivity with the resurfacing of Nate Hurwitz Miracle Field, and generate an estimated additional $1 million in annual visitor spending.

For more information about the WMSC, visit https://www.westmisports.com.