Columbia, S.C. (Friday, March 2, 2012) - With an objective to draw sporting events to the region, Columbia Regional Sports Council is proud to announce the sports events scheduled for March will generated an estimated economic impact of more than $1 million.

"Our Sports Council works tirelessly with sporting directors and event managers across the nation professing why the Columbia region is the best location for their sporting events," said Ric Luber, president and CEO of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism. "Their efforts play a large role in helping sustain tourism and increase visitor spending across the Columbia region."

The numerous sporting events are slated to bring over 35,000 athletes and families during the month; occupying roughly 1800 hotel rooms.

March events include:

March 2-3 2012 UCF War of the Stars Columbia Metropolitan
Convention Center

March 2-3 2011-2012 SCHSL Basketball State Finals Colonial Life Arena

March 10 2012 Columbia SC ‘Famously Hot' Marathon Downtown Columbia

March 10-16 2012 Bucknell Spring Training Richland County Rowing Facility

March 11-18 2012 Vassar Rowing Spring Training Richland County Rowing Facility

March 16-18 YBOA Super Regional Championships Allen University gym Greenview,
Denny Terrace, Meadowlake & Killian gyms

March 17-23 Hobart & William Smith Spring Training Richland County Rowing Facility

March 23-25 Big Shots Basketball Tournament Keenan High School

March 25 2012 Downtown Columbia Triathlon Downtown Columbia

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About Columbia Regional Sports Council:
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling the Columbia, SC region (City of Columbia, Lexington County, Richland County) as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events, and by recruiting new events which provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales, and associated tax revenues. For more information, please visit www.columbiasportscouncil.com. 

About the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism:
The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is a private, not-for-profit corporation funded primarily by revenue generated by visitors through accommodations taxes and is the parent organization of Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and Columbia Regional Sports Council. The mission of the Midlands Authority is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling Columbia, its accommodations, restaurants, facilities and attractions as a destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, special events and leisure travel. For more information, please visit www.columbiacvb.com.