No, it didn’t rival a Super Bowl. And certainly not a national political convention. Nor a Shriners gathering.
But this is August in Tampa, and 2,000 visitors from 17 countries just spent the better part of a week here. Thank you, World Dragon Boat Racing Championships and key locals, such as architect/urban planner Keith Greminger and Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Institute co-founder Kevin Burns. Both were
key catalysts in bringing the biennial competition to Seddon Channel.
It’s estimated the event had $2 million-$5million in economic impact — and according to anecdotal evidence, a lot of it was at Channelside, which can use the business. It was nice to personally see Channelside crowded last Saturday. Waiters at Tina Tapas said they had been seeing a steady influx of Chinese, German and Australian diners. Even the Publix at Platt and Bayshore was experiencing a noticeable uptick in business. Not a windfall, but a welcome economic breeze.
The Dragon Boat Races also signaled that Tampa was officially on “an elite list of cities,” according to Tampa Bay & Company spokesman Travis Claytor. Indeed, it was only the second time it was held in the U.S. Philadelphia hosted it in 2001. Last time it was in Prague. Either Tehran or Budapest will host in 2013.