AUGUST 2008: AROUND THE STATE
The Olympic trials dust Eugene with a little gold
EUGENE While athletes at last month’s track and field
Olympic trials in Eugene competed for gold medals, area
business also got a bit of gold.
The Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County
estimated about 75,000 visitors would inject $28 million
into the local economy and “we’ve met or even
exceeded that amount,” says spokeswoman Lisa Lawton.
Initial concerns surfaced in the first days of the 10-day event
that it was too “self-contained” and that visitors
were not venturing from the festival area to spend money in
local businesses, says Dave Hauser, president of the Eugene
Chamber of Commerce.
Lawton says ticketholders stayed close by the festival area
located in and around Hayward Field at the University of Oregon
because the event schedule was “packed.” But during
the trials’ off days (July 1-2), tourists started to
spread out and spend. For example, Sweet Cheeks Winery reported
a 50% increase in sales compared to the same time period last
year, says Lawton.
Eugene also plans to host the 2012
trials.
JASON SHUFFLER
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