championship events . The ITTF Junior Pan American games brought more than 200 athletes from more than 20 countries to Charleston and had an economic impact of $ 1.1 million , according to Tim Brady , president and CEO of the Charleston CVB .
The Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center also hosted the North , Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation Men ’ s
Photo by Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center .
Continental Championship in summer 2023 . The competition brought the USA Volleyball Men ’ s National Team and seven other men ’ s national teams from North America , Central America and the Caribbean . This event boosted the economy with a $ 1.3 million impact , according to Brady .
Events in 2024 include the West Virginia Youth Wrestling Association State Tournament , West Virginia State National Archery in the Schools Program \ International Bowhunting Organization 3D Challenge archery tournament and the Vantage Volleyball tournament .
“ We work closely with the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote the facility and market to sports planners ,” says Ratcliff . “ Sports events attract tourists as participants or spectators , and we work with the CVB to highlight our destination and add local flavors to the events to distinguish ourselves and provide authentic local experiences .”
Charleston is working to increase sports tourism in the area by repurposing an empty site downtown .
“ The City of Charleston and Kanawha County Commission have proposed a multi-million-dollar Capitol Sports Complex on the site of the former Macy ’ s ,” says Brady . “ This indoor anchor facility would add significantly to the city ’ s capacity to host travel sports events .”
In nearby Dunbar , the Shawnee Sports Complex focuses on giving local youth a safe , positive and encouraging environment to grow and play . The Shawnee Sports Complex has six collegiate turf soccer fields lined for multiple sports , four collegiate turf baseball and softball fields and 27 acres of grass fields along the bank of the Kanawha River .
Shawnee sees approximately 2,500 athletes walk through its gates Monday through Friday . The complex can host 5,000 to 6,000 visitors during a
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2024 Discover West Virginia