Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Syracuse is hoping to strike it big with another huge bowling tournament in the coming years. A team was just in Texas to make a pitch for the USBC Open Championship in 2018 and the Women’s Championship in 2019.
Syracuse was bowled over by the USBC Women’s Championship almost two years ago – 100 days with thousands of bowlers and tens of millions of dollars pumped into the local economy.
“It’s been a year and a half since we’ve hosted bowlers here and in that year and a half, our destination product has changed extensively,” said Syracuse CVB President David Holder. “When we brought them in for a site visit they were really wowed by that.”
They’d love to have the women again in 2019. But even better, the Open with both men and women, which would bring 70,000 people into the Syracuse area and generate $70-million in spending locally.
"They're experiencing what we have. They're using this time as their vacation time during the year, so they're going to different places in our community,” explained Onondaga County Legislative Chair Ryan McMahon.
Competition for conventions in general is fierce. McMahon and Holder say this is no different. Both say Syracuse made a strong offer, bolstered by the experience they got from hosting in 2011.
"We learned some things in terms of the welcome and layout of the convention center, we've changed that slightly,” Holder continued.
A decision for the USBC should be coming within the next few weeks.
