issymayake, these tournaments are usually 3-day events. PONY Nationals I believe were 5 days. They do most everything but fill up nightclubs and bars.

Local teams travel to other states when other states aren't here. It grows from year to year. There will be teams here this coming weekend from all over the country. And this particular tournament is just beginning.

twc,

You are ignoring a fact central to this discussion; this is a NATIONAL convention. There are only about 5K registered, but there were many, many more in attendance as non-registered participants.

I'm not really sure what events you are referring to at Walnut Creek, but it would be on their PR team to garner interest in that event. Furthermore, are those participants booking hotel rooms for multiple nights, shopping, eating out, ordering room service, and filling up nightclubs and bars?

This event is a pre-cursor to next years All-Star game and gauges if Raleigh can once again host medium to large events (after losing the CIAA Tournament to Charlotte). It can also help them with planning for the NHL All-Star game next February.

Most of the convention money seems to go to building and tearing down and re-building convention centers.

Walnut Creek is lucky to have covered seating!

Did this convention last 6 days? It was estimated to be 5,000 people.

By comparison Walnut Creek had about a 100 teams last weekend. That's about 15 people per team minimum. Now add the parents of the players. Now add the officials. Now add the fans. Now add the college scouts.

And this is not just once in a while; this is a normal weekend for the area. And this happens June through Otober!

And headlines? Only if the weather is excessively hot!

The money will be generated by/through hotels and local eateries.. not to mention any addtional shopping that might be done. Also, the fees for the local convention centers, including the meals for the luncheons. Trust, these conventions bring in millions!!!

All you have to do is calculate it.. most conventions last atleast 6 days.. not imagine 15,000 people staying in hotel rooms for 5 nights at $100 a night!

I am in a sorority and our convention is next week, we have over 250,000 members which an average of of 15,000 - 20,000 REGISTERED...this doesnt include the ones that just come to hang out that dont register.. I am going, my room is $145/night at 5 nights + 13% tax and tip! Oh, and lets not mention the $36/day parking... so you add all that up!!