Sports Marketing
 

• Exceeded annual sales goals with 142 assisted definite bookings, generating a estimated 154,601 hotel room-nights and more than $116 million projected in direct economic impact. Notable bookings: The Soccer Tournament for 2026-2029, 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup, Raleigh DEKA Fit & Ultra for 2026-2027, 2026 Veolia Pickleball National Championships, 2026 IBERCUP x ECNL International and City of Oaks Challenge for 2031-2032.
   
• The Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup Final win delivered a significant economic boost for the Raleigh area—$13.4 million during the final series alone—and brought an estimated 192,922 fans to downtown Raleigh to celebrate with a championship parade and rally. 
   
• Added to the region’s track record as a top host for collegiate sports at all levels throughout the year—from regular season events to conference finals and NCAA tournament preliminary rounds and national championships.
   
• Supported a winning team of local partners to solidify our reputation as the soccer capital of America, hosting ACC Soccer Championships, the NCAA Men’s College Cup, The Soccer Tournament and multiple youth soccer events.
   
• The Town of Cary and The Soccer Tournament announced a new long-term agreement, securing the world’s premier 7v7 soccer festival at WakeMed Soccer Park through 2029, supported by a grant from the State of N.C.’s Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund.
   
• North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) Youth’s visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series welcomed 1,500+ teams, generated 30,000+ hotel room-nights and produced more than $28 million in visitor spending; and year two of The Cary Cup youth tournament delivered a significant increase in participating teams and athletes.
   
• Enhanced the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) calendar and portfolio with adaptive and emerging sports, including events with three National Governing Bodies—USA Boccia, USA Climbing and USA Baseball—along with the Minor League Cricket Championship in Morrisville, AUSL All-Star Cup series in Holly Springs and the PPA Tour in Cary.
   
• Achieved record social media growth with GRSA’s @raleighncsports Instagram, with content earning 2.5 million views, a 191.5% increase in reach from last year and growth in followers by more than 50%. GRSA also continued to maintain a strong presence on X.
   
• Worked collaboratively with the Marketing and Communications Department on tradeshow activations, digital and print advertising and Sports Watch (GRSA’s quarterly e-newsletter), plus secured national recognition for the region in the Nov. 10 cover story of Sports Business Journal.
   
• GRSA represented Raleigh and Wake County at multiple tradeshows, conferences and meetings throughout the year, and remained heavily involved with the N.C. Sports Association; executive director Scott Dupree served as chair of the N.C. Sports Leadership Council, and director Tori Collins served as co-chair of the Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organizing Committee.
   

^{Pictured: Top row (left to right): Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals and Carolina Hurricanes Championship Celebration Parade; middle row: BODYARMOR State Games of N.C. Winter Pickleball, GRSA at the TEAMS Conference and Expo and City of Oaks Challenge; bottom row: The Soccer Tournament, ACC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships and NCAA Men's College Cup}