Economic Impact of Homecoming

[DECKS]

Does anyone know the economic impact homecoming has on the city of Greensboro? Looking at how booked the hotels were and how A&T merchandise was literally gone by Friday at all the Walmarts I'm thinking the number has to be significant. More importantly, how are we leveraging our impact?

[Deleted]

For what it's worth, I read on twitter that Homecoming had a 12 Million Dollar impact. We won't know the real number for a little bit.

BTW: Does anyone know the economic impact of past Homecoming weekends? Is it still the 2 largest economic impact for the Triad behind the furniture market?

[captaggie]

With an accredited business department, we should be generating and disseminating this type of information annually. Its amazes we how we minimize the utilization of our own resources.

[captaggie]

I tried the chamber of commerce, visitors and convention, and city websites. Was unable to find any economic numbers.

[Bornthrilla]

I heard 12 million on the news last weekend. But of course that just might be an urban legend.

I'm not sure when the most recent study was done to estimate the impact.

[Aggie One]

All three news stations checked with the Chamber of Commerce and although the final figures aren't in yet, it estimated the impact will be between $12-14 million over the entire week.

It is largest money maker in the city during the year and second only to the ACC men's basketball tournament which is $20 million when it is held in Greensboro.

Otherwise, A&T's Homecoming is Greensboro's biggest money making event every single year by a country mile.

[aggiejazz]

Nov 3, 2009 19:28:03 GMT -5 Aggie One said:

All three news stations checked with the Chamber of Commerce and although the final figures aren't in yet, it estimated the impact will be between $12-14 million over the entire week.

It is largest money maker in the city during the year and second only to the ACC men's basketball tournament which is $20 million when it is held in Greensboro.

Otherwise, A&T's Homecoming is Greensboro's biggest money making event every single year by a country mile.

So when will A&T become an equal partner with the Greensboro Business community and political machine?

[Bornthrilla]

When we get some individuals at A&T who are interested in facilitating those type of partnerships.

[captaggie]

IMO, the development office (Mr. Keil) who should be leading this effort. I believe his experience is more on the accounting side vs. business development.

Along with the school's leadership, the alumni/attendees also have a responsibility in leveraging our ecomomic clout.


Thanks for the info A1.

[captaggie]

www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=132461



NC A&T Homecoming Expected To Generate Millions

Greensboro, NC -- For NC A&T Supporters, homecoming weekend can be a spendy weekend. Between 30-40 thousand people are expected to fill Greensboro for homecoming festivities, and they're expected to spend between $12-$14 millon.

Pamela Walker visited from Atlanta. By Saturday afternoon, she estimated spending $200. "Getting the hotel, doing food, gas coming here, we bought some souvenirs, then they have a lot of cultural artifacts down on the campus," she said.

While it's not a time for many people to hold back, Walker and her relatives saved where they could. "If we can pool our resources together as a family like cutting costs of getting two or three rooms, then we're doing that," she said.

Destiney Bishop, who visited from Washington, D.C., also estimated spending about $200. "Which is not too bad, I'm doing a lot of activities," she said.

Area hotels are at capacity, malls are busy, and restaurants like Stephanie II's are packed. Tyresha Manaway with Stephanie II's said, "We thought with the economy the way it is, it may be a little bit slower but they're actually showing their support for the Aggies."

While the restaurants dish out the meals, the customers dish out the cash. Many say this is the time to spend, and they've actually been saving up for the big weekend.

"We spent a lot of money in restaurants. I guess we bought new clothing and stuff, you want to look sharp for homecoming," said A&T Alumnus Barry Tingle, who lives in Greensboro.

Enjoying a meal with friends at Stephanie's II, Bishop said, "Why not treat myself, I'm on a vacation, so have fun."

[Bigboy]

If any of you attended the Alumni reception at the Four Seasons on Thursday night before homecoming you would have wittnessed the partnership that the Development Office is developing with area business. More than a few businesses were there trying to foster a business relationship with A&T.

[captaggie]

Hopefully, the information presented at the reception is in the next edition of the newsletter.