The local economy would get a big boost if the Quad Cities could find a way to host more sports events. Wednesday a national consultant presented its recommendations to help make this a "regional sports tourism market."
Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell says the Huddle Up Group spent several months here, studying facilities and interviewing local leaders. And a key suggestion is to come up with better ways to "sell" it to local residents.
"Not a lot of people understand its value and its importance from an economic development perspective. So we've got to figure out a way to tell that story more effectively."
The consultant also recommends studying all the possible sports facilities and venues in the Quad Cities, and come up with a regional plan to use in marketing them to event planners.
Herrell says as Visit Quad Cities worked on a new strategic plan, sports tourism was often mentioned as an important way to boost the economy.
