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Explore Evansville names Tom White director; organization reports $42 million economic impact in 2024
Summary
Explore Evansville announced Tom White as its new director and reported a record 2024 with $42 million in economic impact, 103 events and more than 67,000 attendees; staff also highlighted sports tourism growth.
Explore Evansville, the county's destination management organization, introduced Tom White as its new director and presented 2024 economic-impact figures to the Vanderburgh County Council.
Tom White said he joined Explore Evansville after roles in Mobile, Ala., hotel management and the US Space and Rocket Center, and said he aims to expand tourism and conventions in the region. Kate Bridal, director of marketing and development at Explore Evansville, told the council the organization is a 501(c)(3) serving as the official sales and marketing agency for tourism in Evansville and Vanderburgh County.
Bridal reported that Explore Evansville recorded more than $42,000,000 in economic impact in 2024, supporting 103 events, welcoming over 67,000 event attendees and generating nearly 49,000 booked room nights in the city. She said the sports tourism sector contributed more than $25,000,000 to the economic impact, and Aaron King, assistant director of sports development, described recent events including a multi-court volleyball tournament at the convention center and collegiate club hockey at Swonder Ice Arena.
Council members thanked the outgoing interim leadership (Kathy Garrett) and welcomed White. Staff said a feasibility study for newly acquired land (including a potential cross-country course) is underway with a report expected in June or July.
