Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Economic Impact topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Explore Evansville reports $42 million economic impact in 2024; new CVB director introduced
Summary
Explore Evansville reported a record 2024—more than $42 million in economic impact—and introduced new director Tom White. The CVB told council members about 103 events, 67,000 attendees and growth in sports tourism; staff said a feasibility study for the newly acquired land will be available in June or July.
Explore Evansville, the county’s destination management organization, told the Vanderburgh County Council that it produced more than $42 million in economic impact in 2024 and introduced its new director, Tom White.
Kate Reibel, Explore Evansville’s director of marketing and development, reported that the organization hosted or helped attract 103 events last year, bringing more than 67,000 attendees and nearly 49,000 room nights. She said sports tourism accounted for roughly $25 million of the economic impact and that the organization managed more than 70 sporting events in 2024.
Tom White, the CVB’s new director, said he joined from Mobile, Alabama, where he led sales for the convention bureau; he said he planned to focus on growing conventions and sports tourism. Assistant sports director Aaron King highlighted a recent volleyball tournament staged at Old National Events Plaza—the first of its kind at the venue—plus archery and collegiate club hockey events that brought regional teams and fans.
Council members asked about a feasibility study for land the CVB and county recently acquired; staff said the feasibility work (including possible cross‑country course and other tourism uses) is far along and that a report should be available in June or July.
Council members publicly thanked interim director Kathy Garrett for her service while the organization conducted its search.
Outlook: Explore Evansville staff said they plan to use the new director’s sales experience to expand conventions and sports events, and to report feasibility study results on use of newly acquired land in early summer.
