Sandusky a champion in sports tourism

SANDUSKY — Sports Destination Management, a leading sports publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2020-21 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Presented by Traveling Teams. This year's winners are responsible for contributing a more-than-welcome boost of over $400 million to the national economy over the past year. Include among the winners are: • Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the tourism bureau for Erie and Ottawa counties • The city of Sandusky • Major League Fishing for the Aug. 11-14, 2020, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit at Lake Erie event taking place at the Shelby Street Boat Launch and Paper District Marina in Sandusky. During the summer of 2020, Major League Fishing sought new tournament hosts after several events were in threat of being canceled due to COVID-19 state mandates such as those in Michigan and New York. Through quick planning with Lake Erie Shores & Islands and the city, several Major League Fishing tournaments relocated to Sandusky during that summer, including the sixth and final regular-season event — the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit at Lake Erie. This lucrative bass fishing super-tournament featured nearly 200 anglers competing for a top award of $160,000. The four-day tournament provided a much-needed estimated economic impact of $2.52 million for the region. "It's an honor to receive this award with the city of Sandusky and Major League Fishing, especially from an event where we had to quickly collaborate our efforts to overcome the challenges faced in the summer of 2020," said Chris Lewis, the sports tourism manager for Lake Erie Shores & Islands. The region "is well-positioned to host year-round sporting events because of the teamwork with community partners," Lewis said. "During 2020, industry experts predicted that the economic impact of sport tourism would help lead the way out of the pandemic and that proved true here with hosting Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit." Sandusky plays host to multiple fishing tournaments of all sizes each year, "But the 2020 Pro Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit was a unique challenge with the ongoing pandemic and short turnaround," said Jason Werling, the city's recreation superintendent. "We were happy and determined to help make a successful and safe event by providing the city's boat launch for the start of the event and utilizing the city's Paper District Marina amphitheater to showcase the weigh-in event as the anglers returned with their catch," Werling said. All winners of awards have been recognized in a special feature published in the November/December 2021 issue of Sports Destination Management. The entire article with full details on the winners can also be found online at SportsDestinations.com.