Greensboro, NC Lands Four Major AAU National Championships

Greensboro, North Carolina announced that it has been chosen to host 4 AAU National Championships with an estimated economic impact of $20,286,600.

Events:
AAU 7th grade boys basketball National Championship – 2015 and 2016
AAU 5th grade girls basketball National Championship – 2014
AAU wrestling Grand Nationals – 2015

The 7th grade boys basketball tournament is expected to bring 21,500 room nights with approximately 9,300 attendees over the 2 years, while the 5th grade girls basketball will generate 5,500 room nights with 3,000 attendees and the wrestling grand nationals will involve 1,600 attendees and generate approximately 2,600 room nights.

“We are thrilled that Greensboro is asserting itself as the centerpiece of AAU National Championships in North Carolina. The city has incredible facilities and a well-deserved reputation for exceptional hospitality, plus a can-do attitude that is vital to the success of high level events like these AAU National Championships.” state Sean Kilmartin, North Carolina AAU Governor.

“The AAU has long been one of the most significant developers of youth sports in America and we could not be more delighted to partner with our North Carolina AAU leadership to bring these impressive events to Tournament Town.” said Kim Strable, President of the Greensboro Sports Commission.

“The Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to host the AAU National Championships for 7th grade boys basketball, 5th grade girls basketball and the wrestling grand nationals,” said Henri Fourrier, President of the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This event will provide a great deal of lodging opportunities for the hospitality industry and create exposure for the possibility of holding future AAU events in Greensboro.”

The 2013 and 2014 7th grade boys basketball National Championships will be held in Memphis, TN, the 2013 5th grade girls National Championships are taking place in Kingsport, TN and the 2013 and 2014 wrestling grand nationals will be assembled in Billings, MT (wrestling is now the 3rd largest participant sport in AAU behind boys and girls basketball.)

About Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sport, The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. www.aausports.orgInformation about participating in North Carolina AAU programs can be found at www.ncaau.org

About the Greensboro Sports Commission
The mission of the Greensboro Sports Commission is to foster economic development through coordinating and developing Greensboro’s role as a leading site for sports events involving youth, collegiate, amateur and professional organizations. www.greensborosportscomm.com

About the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Guilford County ranks third in the state in travel and tourism expenditures, with over $1 billion generated in 2011 and more than 11,700 people employed in travel-related jobs. www.VisitGreensboroNC.com