CIAA tournament a ‘slam dunk’ for Charlotte
Last week, Charlotte opened its doors to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament and the nearly 200,000 fans that enjoy the games, culture and festivities. With CIAA colleges and universities throughout North Carolina as well as in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, people from all over flock to Charlotte for the tournament.
In 2015 the tournament brought $55.6 million to the local economy — a 19 percent increase from the previous year — of which $32.2 million came directly from visitor spending. The CIAA tournament is the largest annual event held in Charlotte every year.
The CIAA officially moved its headquarters to Charlotte from Hampton, Virginia in 2015. The office is located at Two Piedmont Town Center in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. Eight of the 12 collegiate institutions are located North Carolina, making accessibility a key factor in the decision to move to the Queen City.
“The CIAA Tournament is about so much more than just basketball. It’s a nationally known and respected event that’s rich in history and opens so many doors for this region.” — Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner
Charlotte will host the CIAA tournament through 2020, continuing to bolster the city’s national reputation as a vibrant, diverse and welcoming destination. The city and its partners continue to explore ways to enhance the tournament experience for CIAA athletes and fans.
