## Adaptive Sports: A Powerful Economic Engine for Cities Like Richmond and Tempe
Richmond Region Tourism in Virginia and Tempe Tourism in Arizona have teamed up to sponsor All in Sport Consulting’s annual Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study. This exciting partnership aims to quantify the financial benefits that adaptive sports events bring to host cities, while also showcasing the broader social impact these events have on communities.
The study serves as a vital tool for advocacy, empowering adaptive sports organizers, venues, and community leaders to communicate the economic potential of this burgeoning sector. With this data, stakeholders can attract more investment and participation in adaptive sports events, which are witnessing a surge in popularity and influence across the United States.
Adaptive sports events, designed for athletes with physical disabilities, are on the rise. They’re not only attracting a growing number of participants but are also making a significant contribution to local economies. These events draw competitors, families, supporters, and media, providing a much-needed boost to tourism and local businesses.
Beyond the economic impact, adaptive sports offer profound social and emotional benefits for athletes, promoting inclusion, empowerment, and community cohesion. All in Sport Consulting’s study will highlight real-world examples of how adaptive sports events have stimulated local economies, attracting sponsorships and tourism revenues. The report will also emphasize how these events drive social inclusion, diversity, and equity in communities.
Both Richmond Region Tourism and Tempe Tourism have demonstrated significant support for adaptive sports in recent years by hosting events like the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Paradragons USA Training Camps. Their investment in the Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study is a testament to their ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive sports and enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in their respective regions.
The Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study has already proven its value to organizations in the adaptive sports space. The Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing fitness, recreation, athletic, and educational programs to individuals with physical disabilities, leveraged the study to make a compelling case to local business leaders about the value of adaptive sports. Amy Rauworth, the Lakeshore Foundation’s chief research and innovation officer, stated, “Sharing real impact numbers from the Adapted Sport Economic Impact Report provided by All in Sport Consulting helps us create a greater sense of community partnership with other organizations. They are more than just partnerships that advance efforts in adapted sports, research, and performance; they are business partners collaborating in a fast-growing segment of the local economy.”
By presenting solid economic data, the Lakeshore Foundation has been able to secure more partnerships, funding, and awareness for their programs, further enhancing their impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
Richmond, Virginia, has established itself as a leading destination for adaptive sports events in the U.S. The region has hosted the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships, bringing together athletes and spectators from across the country. These events not only foster a spirit of competition and camaraderie but also generate significant economic activity in terms of hotel stays, restaurant visits, and local business engagement.
In Arizona, Tempe Tourism has made great strides in promoting adaptive sports, with notable events like the Paradragons USA Training Camps. The camp’s inaugural Team USA camp and tryouts were a resounding success, attracting national attention and positioning Tempe as a hub for adaptive sports development. Tempe Tourism’s involvement with the Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study aligns perfectly with their mission to foster a more inclusive and accessible environment for athletes with disabilities.
Both Richmond and Tempe are now looking to further expand their adaptive sports portfolios, leveraging the findings of the Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study to attract new events and investments.
The Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study reveals that adaptive sports events are a powerful economic engine, capable of stimulating tourism and creating lasting community partnerships. With travel and tourism sectors rebounding from the challenges of the pandemic, the study underscores the untapped potential that adaptive sports hold for cities seeking new avenues of economic growth.
Furthermore, adaptive sports represent a fast-growing segment of the global sports market, with increasing participation from athletes, fans, and media. By hosting adaptive sports events, cities not only tap into this growing demand but also demonstrate their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study will help quantify these benefits, offering data-driven insights to encourage further investment.
One of the significant outcomes of adaptive sports events is the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). By bringing adaptive sports into the mainstream, cities like Richmond and Tempe are breaking down barriers and fostering more inclusive environments for people with disabilities. The co-sponsorship of the Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study is part of a broader effort by Richmond Region Tourism and Tempe Tourism to enhance their DEIA initiatives. Both tourism boards recognize that adaptive sports not only provide economic benefits but also help build stronger, more inclusive communities.
As more communities across the U.S. recognize the value of adaptive sports, there is a growing movement to integrate these events into mainstream tourism strategies. By investing in adaptive sports, cities can position themselves as leaders in inclusivity and diversity while also reaping the economic rewards. The Adapted Sports: Economic Impact Study serves as a crucial resource for communities, providing the data needed to make informed decisions about the future of adaptive sports.
For Richmond Region Tourism and Tempe Tourism, co-sponsoring the study is just the beginning. With a clear understanding of the economic and social benefits, these cities are poised to continue supporting and expanding adaptive sports, ensuring they remain at the forefront of this rapidly growing movement.