Report: Bradenton regatta worth more than $8 million to local economy

BRADENTON -- The inaugural Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta on Feb. 7 attracted more than 80,000 people to Bradenton and Palmetto, and had an economic impact of more than $8 million, according to an economic study released Monday.

While the majority of the attendance appears to have come from the Tampa Bay area, an estimated $3.3 million of the total economic impact came from outside of the region.

The study, by Walter J. Klages of Research Date Services in Tampa, found that 70 percent of attendees were Manatee County residents, 20 percent traveled just for the day and 10 percent were overnight visitors. Overnight guests had an average party size of 2.6 people and spent 3.6 nights in Bradenton specifically related to the event.

Of everyone polled on the day of the event, 95 percent said they would return next year.

"These are incredible numbers for a first-year event," said Bradenton Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Dave Gustafson. "It's a demonstration of how the community came together on this to put this together and demonstrates the community's desire to have an event of this nature."

Exact numbers for Palmetto and Bradenton, specifically, were not included in the report, but Palmetto appears to have not fared as well, according to businesses contacted by the Bradenton Herald. Downtown Bradenton businesses, however, flourished during the regatta.

Rick Willets, owner of O'Bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar and the Grill at O'Bricks on Old Main Street, reported the busiest lunch service in the restaurant's history and a 60 percent increase in business. Willets, also the president of the Downtown Merchants Association, praised the city council last week.

"It was the biggest boon that downtown has ever seen," said Willets.

According to the report, the findings were based on 186 random interviews. Respondents reported a "good, safe, family-friendly event," but called for improvements. The top suggestions from attendees were more restrooms, bleachers, shuttles from parking areas, boat viewing areas and vendors. Organizers have taken notice of these suggestions and discussed these very items during an after-action report in February.

Attendees also listed having a beer garden to round out the top six suggestions.

The report states data are "based on estimates, assumptions and other information developed from our research of the market, our knowledge of the industry and our discussions" with tourism officials.

Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said, "I'm pretty excited about those numbers. The 80,000 and $8 million is good news and I imagined it would be pretty strong. We'll be having conversations soon about moving this event forward to next year. Everybody is really excited."

Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant expressed skepticism about the numbers, "and even if they generated that dollar amount, it certainly wasn't in Palmetto. Some, like the Riverhouse Reef and Grill did very well .., but as far as most of our small businesses, most were negatively impacted."

Bryant said she is encouraged with some early dialogue with the regatta promoters, but she remains hesitant to say the city would support it again without changes.

"We didn't get what we were promised," she said. "At this point, if it's marketed as the Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta, then that tells you it's in Bradenton."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Report: Bradenton regatta worth more than $8 million to local economy ."