GREATER ORLANDO SPORTS COMMISSION SEES HISTORIC YEAR OF SPORTS TOURISM IN LAKE COUNTY
Orlando, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2021) – The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) announced today a record year for sports tourism in Lake County, Florida despite having to navigate the challenges of hosting events during a pandemic. GO Sports credits its ability to help relocate tournaments displaced from other states, its longstanding partnership with county leadership, and a strong spirit of collaboration amongst local stakeholders, venues, and hotels as the reasons for success.
GO Sports’ events in Lake County for the 2020-21 fiscal year (October 2020-September 2021) eclipsed 10,000 room nights and produced over $8 million dollars in economic impact. Events such as the B.A.S.S. College National Championship, LPGA’s Symetra Tour and UANA Tokyo Olympics Swimming Qualifier were hosted in Lake County for the first time and produced a significant return on investment.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to share this year’s results with our partners at Visit Lake,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Despite the many challenges presented, we persevered and celebrated a historic year in our partnership with Lake County that has spanned 25 years. I want to thank Paul Johns, COO of Orlando Health South Lake Hospital and Bud Beucher, Vice President and General Manager of Mission Inn Resort and Club for their steadfast leadership as they represent Lake County on our Board of Directors.”
“As we celebrate our 25-year partnership, we are grateful for the Greater Orlando Sports Commission who truly have a heart for our community,” said Brandon Matulka, Executive Director of Lake County Economic Growth. “We are proud of all that GO Sports has accomplished in the face of challenges presented by COVID-19. Through our partnership, Lake County has continued to become a premiere destination for sports related events, and we are excited for many more to come.”
| FY 2020-21 Events | |
| 2020 Fishers of Men District 12 Tournament | 2021 Bassmaster High School Series |
| 2020 Symetra Tour Mission Inn Championship | 2021 Florida Double Anvil |
| 2020 Bassmaster College Team Championship | 2021 UANA Olympic Swimming Qualifier |
| 2020 FHSAA Golf Finals | 2021 Symetra Tour Mission Inn Championship |
| 2020 Sunshine State Amateur | 2021 National Professional Fishing League |
| 2020 Bassmaster Team Championship | 2021 NCAA DIII Men’s Golf Preview |
| 2021 FSGA Next 100 Junior Invitational | 2021 FL Bass Nation Team State Championship |
About Greater Orlando Sports Commission:
GO Sports is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1993, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,450 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $1.9 billion in spending within the community. For more information, please visit GreaterOrlandoSports.com.
