Charlotte County Press Releases 
2009 Redfish Cup & Festival Infused Charlotte County’s Economy an Estimated $320,000 in Direct Spending
Event Has Generated $1.4 Million in Direct Spending Over Past Four YearsCharlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Fla. (August 20, 2009) – Today the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau released economic impact data for the 2009 Redfish Cup & Festival held at Laishley Park Municipal Marina in Punta Gorda, Fla., April 30 – May 3, 2009. This year’s event resulted in an estimated $320,000 in direct spending for Charlotte County and tremendous media coverage. To date, the 2009 fishing tournament has generated 3.7 million impressions in print and electronic publications and was broadcast July 4 and July 11 on ESPN2 into an estimated 650,000 households.
“The Redfish Cup & Festival is an important economic generator for Charlotte County,” said Becky Bovell, Director of the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, “The weekend event generated 260 hotel room nights while the year-round media exposure is building invaluable destination awareness.”
Research indicates since 2006, the Redfish Cup & Festival has generated an estimated $1.4 million in direct spending for Charlotte County. The Visitor & Convention Bureau has hosted the nation’s premier saltwater fishing tournament for six years, and the successful collaboration among the public and private sectors and the outpouring of community support has resulted in Punta Gorda being selected by the producers as the only permanent stop on the tour. Top anglers compete in four regular-season tournaments topped off with the championship.
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” The city of Punta Gorda was named in September as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla., was just named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Huber
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau
Tel: (941) 743-1900
jennifer.huber@charlottefl.com
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau
18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-743-1900, FAX: 941-743-2245
www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com
Release Date: 8/20/2009
