FLORENCE– The Florence-Lauderdale Convention + Visitors Bureau (CVB) in partnership with the City of Florence Parks and Recreation Department, have secured a three-year contract with the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) to host the North Regional Softball Tournament in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The purpose of the AHSAA is to regulate, coordinate and promote the interscholastic athletic programs among its member schools, which include public, private and parochial institutions. Currently, there are 414 senior high members and 287 junior high and middle school members with more than 80,000 students participating in the program.
Kim Vickers
Kim Vickers, Associate Executive Director with the AHSAA, commented that the Florence-Lauderdale CVB and the City of Florence have done an exceptional job with this tournament dating back to 2019. “The facilities and staff are always top notch in everything they do. When we come to Florence, we can tell that we are wanted”, said Vickers. “We can’t express our appreciation enough for Florence wanting to host our AHSAA events and we look forward to the partnership going forward”.
The Florence-Lauderdale CVB and Parks and Recreation secured a two-year contract with the AHSAA in 2019 to host both the 2019 and 2020 tournaments, yet due to the COVID outbreak, the 2020 tournament was postponed and rescheduled for May 2021. The host fee for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 tournaments will be $36,000 per year. The Florence-Lauderdale CVB and the City of Florence will split that hosting fee.
Tyler Dolan
Sales Manager of Sport + Travel Trade, Tyler Dolan, worked with both the AHSAA and the Parks and Recreation Department in the execution of the event in both 2019 and 2021.
“We are proud to be able to host such a well-rounded event that means so much for these student athletes. The memories that they make in Florence is something they will be able to carry with them for years to come. That’s what it’s all about”, said Dolan.
The City of Florence Parks and Recreation Department was on site for the entire duration of the event in both 2019 and 2021. City crews worked on all tournament set up including parking, score keepers, gate officials and field maintenance. In 2019, Tina Kitchens, Director of Parks and Recreation, said gate receipts totaled just over $39,000, yet were up $12,000 in 2021.
“We are once again pleased to be selected to host the AHSAA North Regional Tournament
at the Florence Sportsplex for the next three years”, she said. “After a great 2021 tournament and a significant increase in spectators from 2019, we look forward to working with AHSAA to continue to make this a huge success. Our athletic staff, field crew, volunteers and sponsors are what make this a tremendous event. We greatly appreciate the partnership with the Florence-Lauderdale CVB.”
The 2019 tournament produced an estimated $600,000 in economic impact to the Florence-Lauderdale economy and generated 1145 room nights. Officials for both the AHSAA and the Florence-Lauderdale CVB anticipate that number to be higher for the 2021 economic impact report.
Media Release/Florence-Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau/Rob Carnegie
President & CEO
