Study: $3.5 million generated in economic impact from busy weekend of shows, Ironman
These events led to more than just ticket sales as visitors filled restaurants, bars, hotels, parking lots, and other venues across Springfield and surrounding communities. “We know, for a fact, that some of the people who competed stayed over because Bruno Mars was playing,” said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. Wydra told Western Mass News that before the kickoff of Ironman, they expected the triathlon alone would generate around $2.2 million, but after meeting with Ironman officials on Wednesday, Wydra said she fully expects that number to be even higher. “Our call today was unusual in a sense that there were very few hiccups. They liked what they got here in western Mass. Not only did they like the course, but they loved the feeling they got when they were here. They continually talked about people cheering them on and our locals sitting out on their lawns, you know, waving to the bikers as they went fine everything,” Wydra added.