Adirondack Coast VCB Reveals Results of Economic Impact Study
Study on Pro Bass Tournaments Proves Significant Local Impact and ROI

Plattsburgh – 1/08/10 – The summer series of Plattsburgh-based pro bass fishing tournaments bring in $4.7 million annually in direct and indirect spending to the region according to an economic impact study sponsored by the Adirondack Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau, a division of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce.

The study also revealed that through anglers’ ancillary visits to the region, in preparation for their respective tournaments, the economic impact grows to $8.4 million.  Colin Read, principal consultant of Economic Insights, and lead on the study, reported, "The fishing tournaments in Plattsburgh bring significant revenue to the community. When compared to each dollar invested in hosting fees, the region stands to gain upwards of $85, depending on our assumptions. As we begin to measure additional impacts over time, we may even discover the economic impact to be larger yet. In terms of community investment, there are few projects one could imagine with a similar positive return."

The study, calculating the economic impact of the 2009 pro tournament season on Lake Champlain, reported:

• $4,722,459 generated  annually for the region
• $8,419,831 million generated with the inclusion of ancillary visits
• 4,355 room nights
• 42.5 regional jobs are created
• 2,852% return on investment on host fees

In addition to the economic impact of the tournaments, ongoing media exposure and recognition worldwide from outlets such as ESPN and the Versus Network, reaching 90 million and 61 million households respectively, increases the potential impact on Clinton County as Lake Champlain and Plattsburgh become synonymous with world-class fishing. 

Garry Douglas, President & CEO, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, stated, "We knew the economic impact of these tournaments was substantial, and now we have real numbers showing just how important they are. And these numbers are conservative as they don't quantify the continuing value of all of the promotion of our area in the national media and on cable television. That's invaluable marketing that we could never afford to pay for and which is bringing other visitors to the region throughout the year."  

2010 Pro Bass Tournament Schedule
County and local officials this morning also announced the 2010 summer pro schedule on Lake Champlain. The fishing tournaments, which will run throughout the summer, will draw more than 3,000 of the top bass anglers from across the country as they compete for $1.5 million in cash and prizes. 

Michael Mulone, Director of Site Selection for BASS, said of the organization’s return to Plattsburgh, “Lake Champlain is a tremendous fishery that has provided an excellent venue for top-notch BASS tournaments.  Many of BASS’ most accomplished anglers cite Champlain as a favorite and we are looking forward to a return to the area in 2010.”

Rick Perry, Building Inspector  for the City of Plattsburgh and its lead on the fishing tournaments, and Kristy Kennedy, Group Marketing Specialist for the Adirondack Coast Visitor & Convention Bureau,  worked together to coordinate a healthy mix of regional and national tournaments:
 

Charlie Evans, President & CEO of FLW Outdoors stated, “Lake Champlain has established itself as one of the best fisheries in our nation offering anglers a diverse body of water where they can catch both smallmouth and largemouth using a variety of techniques providing them with significant challenges and exciting competition. Plus, the area is one of the most beautiful in the country.”

Plattsburgh Mayor, Donald Kasprzak, said, “Since becoming mayor, I have come to fully appreciate the relationships, benefits and economic impact the national fishing tournaments have provided to the North Country. The projected $5 million economic impact is a tremendous boost to our local businesses and economy. While the region enjoys these benefits, we all must continue to protect our most valuable natural resource that being Lake Champlain. I look forward to the 2010 fishing tournament schedule with the hopes local residents continue to support these events.”

Committed to Conservation
One of the main focuses for tournament organizers remains local conservation efforts.  The City of Plattsburgh has worked continually with tournament officials, the National Sea Grant Office,  U.S. Fish & Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Lake Champlain Basin Program, to minimize the tournaments’  impact on the area’s resources, primarily Lake Champlain. 

The City of Plattsburgh and Adirondack Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau will continue to host only mandatory catch and release tournaments; each with requirements in place to ensure the lowest mortality rate of the fish which include, but are not limited to:

·  A minimum of two tournament catch and release boats

·  Live well tanks on each competitor’s boat with regulated water temperature

·  Mandatory daily equipment checks for each boat in competition

 Each pro angler is licensed by the state of New York and Vermont to catch – and keep –  five fish a day.  However, the catch and release program, and the many steps taken to ensure its success, is the best way to guarantee the minimum impact on the fishery.

The Adirondack Coast Bass Boat
Continuing to build on the success of the pro bass fishing tournaments and subsequent publicity, the Visitors Bureau will leverage Lake Champlain’s reputation as a top fishing destination to benefit from this market which claims more than 28 million anglers and $21.3 billion in spending each year. 

One new approach to doing this is a new marketing vehicle, the Adirondack Coast Bass Boat.  Working with the Strategic Tourism Planning Committee, the Visitors Bureau chose Derrick Martineau as an ambassador for Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Coast.  Martineau, a local pro angler, will be driving his 2008 Ranger Bass Boat emblazed with “the Adirondack Coast – Lake Champlain in the Adirondacks.”

The Adirondack Coast Bass Boat will serve as moving billboard, garnering attention up and down the east coast.  BASS estimates a wrapped boat (or vehicle) generates 138 impressions per mile traveled.   The Visitor Bureau approximates that on Martineau’s first trip to and from Okeechobee, FL next week, the boat will rack up more than 400,000 impressions.

Gary Titherington, a member of the Strategic Tourism Planning Committee and Chair of the Adirondack Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau, said, “The Adirondack Coast Bass Boat is a very unique and powerful way reach this niche market.  I feel our sponsorship of Derrick and his representation of Lake Champlain in tournaments along the eastern seaboard will have a significant return on investment for the area.”

Martineau will compete in more than 7 tournaments in 2010 in the Adirondack Coast Bass Boat, taking it with him to tournaments in Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Maryland and Pennsylvania and throughout New York.   The boat will track an estimated 9,500 miles in 2010 generating more than 1.3 million impressions for the Adirondack Coast.  Regular updates and photos from Martineau’s travels and tournament results will be posted regularly by the Adirondack Coast on Facebook.

The Adirondack Coast Bass Boat will be on display at Champlain Centre in Center Court for the next week.