RACVB is pleased to announce that Rockford has been selected as the host city for the US Figure Skating 2023 Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships.
The January 23-29, 2023 event is expected to draw 170+ teams to the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. It’s the first time Rockford will host a U.S. Synchronized Skating Sectional Championship, welcoming teams from both the Midwest and Pacific Coast.
Synchronized skating consists of teams of 8-20 skaters, flowing as one unit at high speeds over the ice. Spectators can watch more than 2,100 skaters ranging in age from 6 to 70 compete in several divisions during the six-day competition in Rockford. U.S. Figure Skating chose Rockford, Illinois as the event location based on the Skating Council of Illinois’ track record managing competitions and the BMO Harris Bank Center’s suitability as a venue, having hosted past skating competitions.
“This synchronized skating championship further puts Rockford on the map as a sports destination for skating competitions and other major sporting events, showcasing our high-quality venues and our red-carpet treatment for athletes, judges and spectators,” said John Groh, president/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The event will bring nearly 4,000 visitors to the region from 28 states, spanning California to Ohio. The announcement was made at a news conference today that included Groh, RACVB VP of Sales and Service Lindsay Arellano, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli, State Representative Maurice West, Skating Council of Illinois President Edward Mann and BMO Harris Bank Center General Manager Gretchen Gilmore.
The event is expected to generate $2.1 + million of economic impact to the region including the booking of 7,500 + hotel room nights (1,500 per night x 5 nights, and some will stay longer) plus thousands of meals eaten at area restaurants and thousands of tourists visiting area businesses.
"The City of Rockford is proud and honored to host this event, and we look forward to sharing our amazing city with members of the skating community from across the Midwest and Pacific Coast regions," said Mayor McNamara.
“This event will continue to fuel the economic recovery of our region and our local businesses,” said Chairman Chiarelli.
“Synchronized Skating is not yet an Olympic sport, but it is quickly headed in that direction,” said Skating Council of Illinois President Edward Mann. “These are the best-synchronized figure skaters in the Midwestern and Pacific Coast states. The winners of this competition will go on to the US Synchronized Skating Championships.”
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