ALBANY, N.Y. – Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2019 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism honorees. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing more than $1 billion to the national economy over the past year.

Among the winners was HV GamerCon 2019, produced in partnership between the Albany Capital Center (ACC), I LOVE NY, Center for Economic Growth, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

HV GamerCon 2019, the largest collegiate esports event in the Northeast, welcomed 2,500 esports players and spectators to the ACC March 30-31, 2019. About 400 gamers participated in the event, coming from 19 colleges from Maine to Tennessee competing for an ECAC Esports Championship in Overwatch, Fortnite, and League of Legends. The event had an overall economic impact of $192,551 including 175 hotel room nights booked in downtown Albany. HV GamerCon will return to the ACC in 2020 on April 4 and 5 next year and is expected to be an even larger draw with the addition of an amateur tournament, more colleges and the addition of a new game.

All winners of this year’s awards have been recognized in a special feature published in the November/December 2019 issue of Sports Destination Management. The entire article with full details on the winners can also be found online.

“It is an honor for HV GamerCon to be recognized as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sport Tourism,” said Doug McClaine, general manager, Albany Capital Center. “Events like this are important for not only the participants, but for our local economy. It gives us an opportunity to welcome visitors from all over to explore our city and region, showcase the flexibility of this great venue and bring more attention to the growing esports industry and the gaming development hub we have here in the Capital Region.”

About the Albany Capital Center: Opened in March 2017, the Albany Capital Center (ACC), operated by leading venue manager ASM Global, is a modern, premier event and meeting destination in New York’s culturally rich Capital Region. Connected to the Times Union Center, Empire State Plaza and Renaissance Albany Hotel via enclosed walkways, the convention center hosts a diverse array of trade shows, consumer and social events, and meetings for up to 5,000 guests. It boasts 22,500 square feet of ballroom/exhibit space, six meeting rooms with 9,200 square feet of space, and 13,500 square feet of pre-function space, state-of-the-art technology, and impeccable dining options. The ACC is conveniently located in downtown Albany and within walking distance to the New York State Capitol, business and warehouse districts, performing arts venues, museums, shops, restaurants and nightlife. For more information about the ACC visit www.albanycapitalcenter.com, or contact the sales department at (518) 487-2009 or shannon.licygiewicz@albanycapitalcenter.com.

About Sports Destination Management: Sports Destination Management is written for the largest audience of sports event managers and tournament directors in the sports tourism market and maintains a focus on the important issues surrounding event location decisions and event management. With content from experts and thought leaders, SDM provides in-depth coverage of sports event planning and execution through incisive and relevant articles as well as insightful, real-world case studies showcasing best practices and successful event production. In addition to the publication, SDM offers extensive digital resources through https://www.sportsdestinations.com and the e-newsletter SDM Blitz, both providing decision support tools for organizers to ensure successful events at all levels of play.

About Due North Media:  Due North Media, a division of Due North Consulting, Inc., is a niche business-to-business publisher providing media services to executives within specialized vertical markets impacting economic development including corporate site selection, business development, market-to-market events and sports tourism via publications, digital media, qualified list marketing and custom publishing. Founded in 2001, Due North Consulting, Inc. has helped niche marketers obtain their goals for a decade and a half. The principals of the company have over 40 years of business-to-business advertising and marketing experience. It has been their mission to serve readers, clients and employees with integrity, humility and a continuing quest for the achievement of excellence.

 

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