Newport Beach Scores BCS Tourism Touchdown

Southern California’s most luxurious and charming coastal community will host more than 10,000 visitors for the January 6, VIZIO BCS National Championship.

                The biggest game in college football will be played at Pasadena’s iconic Rose Bowl Stadium, while Newport Beach will act as “home base” for both teams, coaching staff, fans, VIP delegates, alumni groups, band members and national sports media. 

                The city’s official marketing organization Visit Newport Beach Inc. worked hand-in-hand with Tournament of Roses officials in securing various locations throughout the area. Visit Newport Beach Inc. Sales Manager Amanda Kliem took the lead and garnered the agreement through custom destination site visits and accommodation partnerships.

Any destination within an hour’s drive to Newport Beach was in the consideration set of the Tournament of Roses. However, with Newport Beach’s casual-chic ambiance, spectacular ocean backdrop and celebrated hotels, Newport Beach won over the competition as the ideal location to serve as the game week preparation site for the 2014 VIZIO BCS National Championship.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the BCS delegation once more to experience the distinctive charms of Newport Beach,” says Gary Sherwin, President & CEO of Visit Newport Beach Inc. “We want to ensure that all visitors can fully embrace the warm, quintessential spirit of our picturesque destination.”

Newport Beach previously hosted teams, media and guests for the 2010 Citi BCS National Championship.   The event turned out to be a huge success and the biggest week for tourism in the city's history.

“To this day, we still have friends from Alabama and Texas who thank us for this wonderful experience,” says Libby Wright, Chair of the Rose Bowl Management Committee. “I would be remiss not to mention that Newport Beach calls on the weather gods to provide a picture perfect forecast.”

This year, with Kliem as chairperson of the local organizing BCS Host Committee, programs are already in motion to make the event bigger and better for 2014. “The BCS Host Committee is striving to create enduring visitor experiences,” Kliem says, “Our intent is to motivate return visits and positively reinforcing the destination brand image.”

Alumni groups and meeting planners representing group travel can contact the Visit Newport Beach conference sales teams to book group rooms.

The 2010 championship events gleaned a tremendous boost in revenue, with hotel occupancy at full capacity and significant income for Newport Beach’s renowned dining, shopping and entertainment venues. 2014 will be a landmark year as we expect $3-$6 Million in economic revenue for the local economy. That far exceeds revenue from any other community event. 

About Visit Newport Beach Inc.: Visit Newport Beach Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)6 destination marketing organization that positions Newport Beach as a premier visitor and conference destination. For more information, go to VisitNewportBeach.com.