Sports tourism is a $9-plus million dollar industry according to Talty O’Connor, who brought his SportsEvents Media Group event to northwest Louisiana this week through the efforts of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission.

Speaking at the Shreveport Convention Center on Tuesday morning, O’Connor said there are more than 40,000 sporting events nationwide annually that move from venue to venue.

“We have 66 rights holders for events from destinations across the country here in Shreveport-Bossier City for two and a half days,” O’Connor said. “Sports is the most dependable part of the travel industry and it’s a people business. We have a waiting list of individuals who wanted to be here in Shreveport-Bossier.

“The planners who are here probably have about 400-plus events each year.”

O’Connor spoke after SBSC vice-president Kelly Wells introduced Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler and Bossier Mayor Lo Walker, who welcomed the smattering of attendees sitting in a banquet room at the convention center. Most of the conference registrants remained in the center’s hallway involved in interviews with the rights holders.

“There are people here from powerful sports you may never have heard about,” O’Connor said. “Archery, disc golf, which is one of the fastest growing sports out there. People may cut travel expenses, but they won’t cut sports travel.”

Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau senior vice-president of sales Scott Bruscato said few decisions about the destination of events are made during the conference, but it’s a great way to develop contacts.

The MWMCVB will host an upcoming Bassmaster event and BASS director of event and tourism partnerships Michael Mulone was one of the rights holders in town for the conference.

The future of northwest Louisiana attracting sporting events, which showcase a multi-million dollar economic impact, may hinge on the passage of a hotel-motel tax in November, according to SBSC advisory board chairman Billy Montgomery. He said the Sports Commission “doesn’t make any money.”

“It pays $10,000 for an event to come into the community, and then the $10,000 brings $100,000 to local businesses and hotels throughout the year,” Montgomery said. “It would be almost criminal if we didn’t push this proposition with the hotels and motels, because they will probably benefit from it more than anyone else. We have a lot to offer here. People don’t just come in, eat and go to bed.”

Twitter: @JimmyWatson6