By David Purtell

david.purtell@salisburypost.com

The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association awards banquet held each year in Salisbury isn’t just a gathering of the top names in sports journalism, it’s an economic boon for the area.

The event, which wrapped up last Monday night, brings hundreds of people to Salisbury and pumps hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy. And several businesses directly benefit from the event.

Dave Goren, executive director of the NSSA, said Quick Copy in Salisbury was paid $15,000 to print the programs for the event. He said 100 event attendees were shopping downtown on Monday.

People who come for the NSSA do go out and about in town, Goren said.

Go Burrito was paid $700 for food vouchers given to attendees. Chartwells at Catawba College did the catering for four meals, and Vogue Dry Cleaners was paid to clean the tablecloths used for the awards banquet.

Vouchers for a round of golf at the Salisbury Country Club were also given out, Goren said.

James Meacham, executive director of the county’s tourism authority, said the estimated economic impact of the 450 people who attended the event this year is nearly $175,000. That figure takes into account the cost of staying at hotels and the projected money people spent while in town.

“Hosting the event has always been good for the community,” Meacham said, adding it elevates the profile of Salisbury and the rest of Rowan County. The event has been held in Salisbury for over 60 years.

“It’s good to have events that are authentic,” Meacham said.

Meacham said the NSSA, which is based in Salisbury, has done a good job partnering with businesses and organizations in the community.

This year, the NSSA and the Waterworks Visual Arts Center partnered to hold the association’s fourth-annual book signing amidst historical sports photographs at the arts center in the “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” exhibit.

Contact Reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.