Raleigh Area Prepares for a Giant Month of Sports Events

Raleigh, NC (October 25, 2010) - The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) is
preparing for a jam-packed November and early December with 12 major amateur youth, high school and college-level sporting events taking place at venues throughout Wake County. The 12 events will
welcome approximately 45,000 attendees, collectively producing an estimated $10.8 million in economic
impact.

The largest event during November and December is the CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series,
which also has the distinction of being the largest youth sporting event held in our area. This event, which takes place over the course of four weekends, is expected to bring in 31,500 visitors with an estimated economic impact of $8.2 million.

"This next month provides a classic example of how the sports event industry has such a tremendous impact on the local economy," said Scott Dupree, Vice President for Sports Marketing at the Greater Raleigh CVB. "Our hotels are going to be filled, and our restaurants and retail stores are going to benefit in a big way from thousands of young athletes competing in Wake County."

Highlighted events taking place throughout the months of November and December include:

CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series
Nov. 6-7: Girl's Shootout - WRAL Soccer Park and other area venues
Total Visitors: 6,000; Total Room-Nights: 6,000; Estimated Economic Impact: $1.5 million
Nov. 13-14: Boy's Shootout - WRAL Soccer Park and other area venues
Total Visitors: 6,500; Total Room-Nights: 6,500; Estimated Economic Impact: $1.6 million
Nov. 19-21: Boys' Showcase - WRAL Soccer Park and other area venues
Total Visitors: 9,000; Total Room-Nights:9,000; Estimated Economic Impact: $2.4 million
Dec. 3-5: Girl's Showcase - WRAL Soccer Park and other area venues
Total Visitors: 10,000; Total Room-Nights: 10,000; Estimated Economic Impact: $2.7 million
*Combined Total - Total Visitors: 31,500; Total Room Nights: 31,500; Estimated Economic Impact:
$8.2 million

North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Volleyball Championships
Nov. 6 - N. C. State University Reynolds Coliseum
Total Visitors: 2,660; Total Room-Nights: 665; Estimated Economic Impact: $312,000

North Carolina High School Athletic Association Cheerleading Championships
Nov. 13 - Raleigh Convention Center
Total Visitors: 3,657; Total Room-Nights: 650; Estimated Economic Impact: $411,000

"None of these events would be possible without our partners", said Dupree. "CASL generates
more sports group hotel room nights than any other organization in the Triangle. And the City of
Raleigh, Town of Cary, N.C. State University and St. Augustine's College are absolutely superb
at hosting events like these. That's one of the reasons why Greater Raleigh clearly has
established itself as a great destination for sporting events."

*Sports Events mentioned in this release are only those that are associated with GRCVB Sports
Marketing. Local venues and organizations also host numerous sporting events which are not
included the above figures.