Sure, little Billy's soccer league is developing his skills, sportsmanship and friendships. But what's it doing for Traverse City's economy? Long-term and short-term, a whole lot, according to a report released today by the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and Traverse Bay Area Youth Soccer. Avenue ISR, the Traverse City-based research and strategy consultancy, analyzed the impact of sports teams within the nation and conducted an in-depth investigation of two youth sports tournaments held in Traverse City – the Cherry Capital Cup soccer tournament and Cherry Bomb lacrosse tournament – to determine how they impact the local community and how the community can best take advantage of the opportunities presented by similar tournaments. Some of their findings:

• Total youth athlete attendance of the most recent two TC tournaments was more than 5,500; the Cherry Capital Cup had just under 2,700 attendees and the Cherry Bomb had just under 2,900

• Youth athletes do not travel on their own; each participant brought an average of 2.14 additional people (parents, siblings, other relatives, friends) along with them

• Of the 17,400 men, women and children who attended the tournaments, 91.2 percent live in areas outside of the Traverse City area; therefore 15,900 people were brought to the Traverse City area specifically because of the two tournaments; attendees come from as far away as Louisville, Kentucky and Dallas, Texas to attend

• Median household income for tournament attendees is $124,000, significantly higher than the $67,000 median income of the typical Michigan visitor (Source: D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd., 2012 Michigan Visitor Profile)

• Total direct spending by (non-local) tournament attendees in the region was $3.4 million, an average of $985 per attendee family

• 83 percent of all families attending the two tournaments paid for some form of accommodations by staying in hotels/motels, campgrounds, rental properties and bed & breakfasts; tournament attendees filled 2,000-2,500 hotel rooms, staying two nights on average (the entire membership of the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau consists of fewer than 5,000 rooms)

• Detailed respondent comments indicate that the families of youth athletes patronized nearly 100 different restaurants and bars during their stay in Traverse City, along with dozens of retail stores and entertainment venues

• These youth tournaments served as “gateway” experiences which introduced the region to many attendees; 56 percent of respondents were first-time participants in the tournaments; of these, 28 percent were also first time visitors to Traverse City

• Once participants have visited the region, 74 percent have recommended the area to friends or family; 59 percent have returned for an overnight visit/vacation; 19 percent have considered purchasing a second home or cottage in the area