At the time of the 2018 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference, organized at the Verizon Center in Mankato on March 6th and 7th, the Schwan’s USA CUP youth soccer tournament received the award as the Minnesota Tourism Event of the Year.
Many individuals along with organizations and tourism businesses get recognition every year due to their effort into the $15 billion travel industry of the state by Explore Minnesota Tourism at the Excellence in Tourism Awards banquet.
Last year on July 14th till 22nd, Schwan’s USA CUP that took place at the National Sports Center in Blaine, observed its 33rd year full throttle. 20,000 teams have played over 56,000 games in the course of the history of the tournament, while millions of visitors all over the world have called Minnesota home for two weeks in mid-July.
Nine days drawing over 32,964 visitors (players, coaches, fans, volunteers and staff) everyday, the total attendance of 2017 event’s exceeded 260,000 respectively. The fact that visiting teams stay for 10 days blow up the effect in tourism significantly.
The 2017 event lured 1,168 teams, showcasing 15 different countries and 17 states, and succeeded in churning out $29 million of economic impact on $29 million.
“This is a great honor for the Schwan’s USA CUP staff and volunteers,” said USA CUP Director Jen Een. “USA CUP has always taken its tourism mission seriously. We work hard to attract international and visiting U.S. teams. This award is a recognition of the fine work done by many people over the years to build USA CUP into the tourism force that it is today.”
