The Hickory Metro Sports Commission hosted the 2015 Great Smokies Shootout basketball tournament over Memorial Day Weekend. More than 200 youth basketball teams from seven states and 2000 players participated in the 2015 event, which was held in Hickory for the fifth year in row.
The Hickory Metro Sports Commission worked with area High Schools, Middle Schools, The Adrian Shuford YMCA and Parks and Recreation Departments throughout Alexander, Burke & Catawba counties. Over 20 different gyms were used for the event.
The Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) estimates economic impact from this year’s event to be in excess of $650,000. That brings the five year economic impact to well over $7.7 million dollars. Over 500 hotel room nights were occupied, the restaurants were visibly crowded and some area attractions had welcomed visitors.
According to Joe Carrington, Program Director for the Basketball Club of Western NC who conducted the tournament, “Hickory continues to be a tremendous region for us to hold our tournament. I received more thanks and compliments during the hour that I was in one of your restaurants about the Great Smokies Shootout than ever had at our previous location. We look forward to making this an annual event in Hickory.”
“This event is great for the area and provides a significant economic impact,” noted Mark Seaman, Chairman of the Hickory Metro Sports Commission. “The Sports Commission worked hard to bring this event here and we look forward to its return in 2016.”
The Hickory Metro Sports Commission is a non-profit organization whose mission is to further the quality of life through the development, promotion, and recruitment of sporting events and activities to the Greater Hickory area. For more information about the Sports Commission visit www.hickorymetrosports.com.
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