Tourism and events keep Augusta’s economy pumping
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Visitors and tourism continue to have a major impact on Augusta’s economy, from events large to small.
While the Masters Tournament is undoubtedly the biggest economic driver, plenty of other events contribute year-round, as guests book hotel rooms, dine and shop while they’re in town.
The recent Ironman 70.3 Augusta triathlon was expected by organizers to have an economic impact of $8 million to $10 million.
That’s from a one-day event that brought nearly 8,000 people to town.
“It was very exciting, very exciting. We had a lot of customers that were from a lot of different places throughout the country,” said owner of Cafe on 8th, Dallas Hooks.
Ironman brought in more money than projected for local businesses and Hooks says it was their first big event since opening in April.
“For a single day, it was a lot more people than normal. Usually, we usually just have people coming in throughout the day, but as far as large crowds, it definitely generated a lot of large crowds throughout the day,” he said.
For crews over at the Boll Weevil Cafe, there were so many people it was a bit overwhelming.
“We do have a lot more business. However, it’s just kind of like all at once. So, we do have a lot of people just coming in and kind of expecting food to come out quickly when the restaurant filled up as soon as we opened,” said General Manager, Raphael Gonzalez.
As they prepare for next year, they’re hoping to have more communication with law enforcement on road closures that may impact their business.
Hooks said: “We definitely have to amp up our inventory to get prepared.”
Gonzalez said: “Make sure my kitchen is staffed a little bit better.”
They’re both grateful these big events continue to choose Augusta.
“They’re coming here not just because it’s there and it’s food but because they’ve heard of us from all the way overseas they’ve heard that this is the spot to go and when I hear that it makes me proud of where I work,” said Gonzalez.
The 2023 Military World Softball Tournament that just ended Sunday was expected to bring 3,500 people to Augusta have a $3.35 million economic impact, according to Destination Augusta, the local tourism bureau.
Just events for the rest of October will bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to projections from Destination Augusta.
Here’s a look at events for the rest of the month and their projected impact:
| Event | Dates | Attendance | Economic impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-sides Augusta information security conference | Oct. 2-7 | 1,000 | $491,478.97 |
| 2023 Land Development Conference | Oct. 3-6 | 350 | $311,728.77 |
| Stolkin Shriners Temple 22 – Stolkin t Ball ‘23 | Oct. 6-8 | 500 | $168,662.28 |
| Together Georgia Provider Alliance Conference on Children and Families |
Oct. 10-14 | 500 | $456,836.23 |
| Georgia State AFL CIO Annual Convention | Oct. 15-20 | 200 | $225,897.13 |
| Georgia Federation of Republican Women | Oct. 19-21 | 125 | $49,495.47 |
| 70th Georgia State Pre-Paid Convention | Oct. 10-22 | 300 | $152,997.48 |
| Georgia State 2023 DCA Fall Conference | Oct. 24-26 | 200 | $181,683.41 |
| Georgia School Counselor Association | Oct. 30-Nov. 3 | 900 | $74,000.63 |
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