DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) Chairman Larry Forssberg, and Executive Director Beth Marchetti announced the official launch of the DuPage Sports Commission during an educational forum with 90 industry partners at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. Three new sports events and one returning event are expected to deliver nearly $2 million in new revenue for DuPage by 2022.
The plan to launch the Sports Commission was first announced by the organization in April 2019. Investing in sports tourism,one of the fastest growing sectors in the travel industry,is a key initiative of the organization’s master plan for the future as it provides for greater opportunity to grow visitation to and secure new tax revenue for DuPage County.
“The DuPage CVB’s sales and marketing strategies impact hundreds of businesses, contribute to resident quality of life, and to the county’s economy,” said Forssberg. “Continued investment in all segments of the tourism industry, and county-wide collaboration will ultimately ensure this powerful economic engine continues to deliver massive returns for DuPage. By launching the DuPage Sports Commission, we have created a recognizable and regionally led brand on behalf of our sports assets and partners as we aggressively work to advance DuPage’s presence in this highly competitive industry.”
New events booked by the DuPage Sports Commission and announced today, include:
Intelligentsia Cup/ DuPage Triple Crown, July 2019 – For the first time in the series history, the 2019 Intelligentsia Cup, a cycling competition with more than 900 amateur and professional cyclists, is adding a third stop in DuPage County with the addition of the Lombard Cycling Classic (July 23), complementing the Ray Whalen Builders Tour of Lake Ellyn (July 20) and the Superior Ambulance Elmhurst Cycling Classic (July 26), to form the “DuPage Triple Crown.”
USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships, December 2020 – making its return to the Chicago region for the first time since 1969, this six-day event represents the largest USA Cycling national championship event and is expected to draw more than 5,000 visitors.Races will be held from dawn to dusk at Cantigny Park in Wheaton on a customized cyclocross course through the Park’s unique landscapes and features.
United States Bowling Congress Convention (USBC), April 2021 – in association with the USBC Women’s Championship 2021 at Stardust Bowl in Addison, the largest women’s championship sports event in the world, this annual convention represents more than 1,000 attendees and will be held at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard.
Returning to DuPage for the first time since 2017:
National Travelers Bowling League, June 2022-- the annual convention and tournament returns to DuPage with more than 400 bowlers participating in a week-long competition at Stardust Bowl in Addison, IL.
The DuPage CVB has booked more than 60 sports events and tournaments over the past four years, which represent more than 60,000 visitors who generated more than 74,000 hotel overnight stays and an estimated $12.5 million in direct spending.
“DuPage has a solid foundation of sports events that generate visitation and economic impact for communities throughout DuPage,” said Marchetti. “Investing in sports tourism is an opportunity to further build upon the already significant legacy of sports in DuPage, and with the growth in amateur sports, the FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park in Westmont and the soccer fields in Oak Brook provide a wonderful foundation to continue this legacy.”
About the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau: The DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for DuPage County, Illinois’ second largest County comprised of 38 communities. The DCVB works in partnership with community business and civic leaders to maximize travel and tourism opportunities which ultimately contribute to the economic vitality of the County and its residents. For more information, visit www.discoverdupage.com.
About the DuPage Sports Commission: Created by the not-for-profit organization DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB), the DuPage Sports Commission (DSC) was founded in 2019 to harness the power of sports tourism on behalf of the County’s 38 communities and one million residents. The DSC is uniquely positioned to advocate for and actively impact the health of DuPage communities through strategic growth as an amateur, youth and professional sporting destination. For more information, visit www.dupagesportscommission.com/
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