GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- When the WIAA Girls State Basketball Tournament rolls into Green Bay on Thursday, so will the dollars.
“That brings about $2.5 million dollars spent.”
Brad Toll, President of the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau says hotels and dining bring in most of the money.
“Everyone has to eat, so families will go out for dinner or breakfast in the morning.”
Hotel stay revenue is based largely on the number of teams that qualify for state from out of the area.
“I believe this year we have 17 of the 20 teams staying in hotels,” Toll said. “Families and extended families also come so that leads to more hotel stays.”
Toll added while it is great from a community pride sense if teams from the Green Bay area qualify for State, the economic picture tends to do better when more teams have to travel to Green Bay. He says recent years have shown some trends, and in some cases, area teams do end up staying in hotels just to give the girls the entire State experience.
Along with the necessities of lodging and dining, Toll said other businesses tend to benefit from having more people in town for the weekend.
“Gas stations are filling the cars before they head back home. Many buy snacks at grocery stores for their hotel rooms and retail is also big.”
Being that state basketball falls in March, Toll said one shopping trend has increased through the years.
“Bridal shops are usually very busy during Girls State Basketball as many take time to shop for prom dresses.”
Toll said Girls State Tournament provides enough free time for families to explore and shop in new places.
The WIAA Girls State Tournament starts Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Resch Center.
