regatta
regatta

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Within the first 12 months of its return, the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta has earned the Mountain State Award for 2022.

Metropolis officers say award acknowledges an occasion or facility that “stands above the remainder” in regard to its programming high quality, together with the kinds and variety of actions obtainable for vacationers; its distinctiveness; attendance on the occasion; the group’s advertising efforts; and the influence on the state’s economic system and/or picture.

It was offered to the Regatta Fee, Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and the Charleston Conference and Guests Bureau on the Stars of the Business Awards ceremony throughout West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s Convention on Tourism. Town says the Stars of the Business Awards give the West Virginia Division of Tourism an opportunity to acknowledge business companions of their achievements and contributions to the Mountain State’s tourism business.

“It’s a large honor for the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta to be acknowledged as an occasion that stands above the remainder by our State Tourism Division,” mentioned Goodwin. “Our Regatta Group did an unbelievable job of placing collectively a sturdy schedule – ensuring the lineup was a mixture of previous favorites and new concepts – they usually labored exhausting to verify Regatta’s return was a outstanding success.”

In accordance with metropolis officers, the five-day occasion generated $31,507,883 in financial influence and immediately supported an estimated 5,978 jobs. Officers say roughly 210,000 folks attended the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, 71% of whom had been native attendees and 29% of whom had been from out-of-town and traveled not less than 50 miles. Metropolis officers estimate that resort capability in the course of the Regatta was at roughly 95%.

“The overwhelming help from our enterprise group sponsors and the tireless efforts of metropolis staff and volunteers was the catalyst for the success of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta,” mentioned Regatta Fee President Alisa Bailey. “We have now seen, firsthand, the exceedingly optimistic influence this 12 months’s Regatta has had on each our economic system and our picture. It’s really an honor for Regatta to be acknowledged with the Mountain State Award.”

“Tourism is such a major a part of the way forward for Charleston’s economic system, and there was no greater tourism attract Charleston within the final decade than the 2022 Sternwheel Regatta,” mentioned Tim Brady, president and CEO of the CCVB. “For the West Virginia Division of Tourism to bestow this honor on the occasion is a testomony to the exhausting work of lots of people. We’re grateful to the Regatta Fee and the employees and volunteers who made it so profitable.”