(Charleston) The city of Charleston will once again play host to the Toyota Governor's Cup National Watercraft Races, the EVP Pro Am Beach Championships and the Firefighter Combat Challenge in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Patty Pitrolo, the president of the Charleston Convention and Visitor's Bureau made the announcement Thursday. "We wanted the chance to do it again. We're going to get that chance."
This time around all three events will take place at the same time.
"What we did is package these three events into SportsFEST. And we're able to get these wonderful people to agree to come to Charleston for the next three years."
A.J. Handler with Upstate Watercraft Promotions says no one had to twist their arm to choose Charleston. He says the athletes are anxious to come back. "The whole community was just very friendly and that's what they really liked. That was the number one thing."
SportsFEST 2010 will take place August 19-22. The Watercraft Races and Pro Am Volley Ball will be located at Magic Island. The Firefighter Combat Challenge moves to Haddad Riverfront Park.
Pitrolo says SportsFEST is a huge economic development tool. "This past summer these three events combined had an economic impact for Charleston of about $2.1-million."
Pitrolo believes that number will climb over the next three years.