FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Louise Heine
Destination Marketing Director
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 109 or louise@yorkpa.org

Brent Burkey
Communications Specialist
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 103 or bburkey@yorkpa.org

 

YORK, PA-The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes the Middle Atlantic Conference Swimming Championships, the first of three significant events being held in York County as a result of Sport York efforts through next weekend.

The collegiate swimming championships which started Thursday and run through Sunday at the Graham Aquatic Center in York are expected to generate more than $728,000 in total economic impact for the local community, and are the first installment of back-to-back swimming events being held this month at the center.

The Middle Atlantic Conference brought its championships to York last year and recently renewed with a two-year deal, committing to the Graham Aquatic Center through 2016.

"The renewal shows the strength of York County facilities and the Sport York initiative to not only attract but retain events," said Laura Gurreri, the York County CVB's Director of Sales who leads Sport York efforts.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference will hold its swimming championships a week later at the Graham Aquatic Center. The event February 19-22 is expected to generate more than $535,000 in total economic benefits for York County.

Both swimming championships illustrate how Sport York is capitalizing on what a recent sports facilities audit of our destination found to be one of our greatest areas for growth in the future - aquatic events.

Completing this mid-February trifecta is the returning Mid-Atlantic Power League, which is estimated to bring approximately $2 million in total economic impact as a result of its volleyball event being held February 21-22 at the York Expo Center.

"The winter months are a traditionally slower time for tourism in our region. However, our focus on securing sports events and the economic impact they bring to York County has helped the York County CVB to boost business in the winter months for our tourism industry," said Anne Druck, President of the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Sport York initiative is designed to recruit events and maximize 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.