YORK, PA - Thousands of athletes and spectators will flock to York County this month and in March for a trio of swim meets expected to drive almost $3.6 million into the community.

The action starts with two collegiate events, when the Middle Atlantic Conference Swimming Championships and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Swimming Championships come to York. Those meets will be followed by the Middle Atlantic Junior Olympics Swimming Championships in early March, when youth swimmers from Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey take to the pool.

All told, the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCCVB) anticipates that more than 3,800 visitors will filter through York over the course of the three meets.

York has hosted the MAC and PSAC championships the past four years. Both events will return in 2018 and 2019. The Middle Atlantic Junior Olympics came to York for the first time in 2016 and agreed to return this year after a successful meet.

"York County's sports visitors have the highest spending of any visitor type and generate the greatest economic return on investment for our community," said Anne Druck, President of the YCCVB. "Every returning event is a testament to our versatile facilities, exceptional value and convenient location."

The YMCA of York and York County's Graham Aquatic Center will host the two collegiate events and join the Central York Community Natatorium to accommodate the influx of athletes participating in the Junior Olympics.

Details for each individual event can be found below.

MAC Swimming Championships

  • February 9-12 at the Graham Aquatic Center
  • 889 visitors expected
  • Estimated economic impact of $884,940

PSAC Swimming Championships

  • February 16-19 at the Graham Aquatic Center
  • 786 visitors expected
  • Estimated economic impact of $893,854

Middle Atlantic Junior Olympics

  • March 2-5 at the Graham Aquatic Center and Central York Community Natatorium
  • 2,145 visitors expected
  • Estimated economic impact of $1,820,211

In addition to the three upcoming meets secured by the YCCVB, the Graham Aquatic Center also hosts seven other swim meets that result in overnight stays.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Sport York program is designed to recruit events and generate additional economic impact in York County. Sport York positions York County as Pennsylvania's Premier Sports Destination, highlighting the area's dynamic facilities and central location on the East Coast. For further information about Sport York, visit www.yorkpa.org/sports.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.

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