Sports Creates Millions For Local Economy
By Space Coast Daily // June 8, 2014
BREVARD PRODUCTIONS SPRING TRAINING ATTRACTS SPORTS TEAMS FROM ALL OVER NORTH AMERICA
ABOVE VIDEO: Softball coaches and players talk about their great experience during their stay in Brevard for Spring Training. Brevard Productions’ Space Coast Spring Training program attracts sports teams from all over the U.S. and Canada – and pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. Spring training includes more than 120 college and high school baseball, softball and lacrosse teams.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Facilities in Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Viera, Melbourne and Palm Bay played host to more than 120 college and high school baseball, softball and lacrosse teams from the U.S. and Canada as Brevard Productions Inc. produced its 28th annual Space Coast Spring Training program.
The spring training teams began to arrive in Brevard in February, and came in force through the end of April.
As always, the economic impact is significant for the Space Coast tourism industry as players, coaches, family members and friends converge on Brevard for week-long stays – generating millions of dollars for the Brevard economy.
“The spring training teams are an important part of our business at this resort as well the area,” said Tim Michaud, general manager of the International Palms Hotel in Cocoa Beach.
“They spend money while in town at area restaurants and attractions. We also find that trend to come back other times outside of spring training for vacation. The teams all stay for about a week each and also bring lots of family and friends.”
PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO GROW
Rusty Buchanan with his Space Coast Sports Promotions company assists the event in securing athletic facilities from area high schools, city parks and county assets.
Executive Director of Space Coast Sports Promotions, which manages and promotes athletic events in Brevard County. Buchanan is also the First Vice President of the Amateur Athletic Union. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
Buchanan continues to do what he has done for the past 25 years – filling Brevard’s hotel rooms with thousands of players, coaches and family members from visiting youth sports teams from across North America.
“Our programs continue to grow and we are still having a lot of success in attracting sports events to Brevard,” said Buchanan.
“Thanks to the wonderful facilities that the county has built, and with the school board and cities help, we can continue to grow the business of youth and amateur sports in Brevard County.”
“The colleges and high school teams that we host here in Titusville and in Melbourne for spring training are very important for our economy,” said Nancy Evans, director of sales.
Titusville’s and Melbourne’s Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, also sees a great positive impact from sports.
“The colleges and high school teams that we host here in Titusville and in Melbourne for spring training are very important for our economy,” said Nancy Evans, director of sales.
“We really appreciate that business as they have longer stays and have lots of extra people with them who also stay and use our local
restaurants.”
BUCHANAN IS SPACE COAST SPORTS PIONEER
Buchanan has a plethora of experience in youth sports, and as Vice President of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), he has been involved in many facets of the AAU for over 25 years.
He first became involved in the AAU in 1975 as an athlete and later served in many roles on both sport and legislative committees.
Since 1980, as executive director of one of the first ever sports commissions in Florida – 
– Buchanan has actively managed, operated and/or promoted a variety of sporting events throughout the Brevard County area.
Some of these events include the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games, Amateur Athletic Union National Championships for Boys, Girls, Mens, Womens Basketball, Baseball and Surfing. Other events include the Special Olympics, Florida Firefighter Games, International Law Enforcement Games, Space Coast Retired Military Golf Classic, and many more.
