Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board Annual Meeting reports strong tourism impact

The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board’s (CCLMC) Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, August 22 at the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center. The meeting reviewed CCLMC’s 2023-24 achievements in tourism and economic development across Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and Saluda Counties and previewed plans for 2024-25.

2023-24 Year-In-Review:

Big Fishing Means Big Economic Impact:

• The Bassmaster Elite Series, held at Dreher Island State Park, was filmed for Fox Sports and garnered 958,000 viewers, over 3,800 room nights booked in our region, $298,000 estimate in food/beverage was spent, and $1 million+ in direct economic impact.
• Fishing University filmed a nationally televised show, airing on CBS Sports, Outdoor Channel, and World Fishing Network on Lake Murray with BASS pro-Bryan New (of Saluda) which included our national tourism ad with a community segment on the region.
• Other fishing tournaments hosted and marketed include Queen City Kayak Bass Fishing (over 250 anglers at 3 events); SC Bass Nation (275 anglers), Bassmaster College Series (500 anglers), Bassmaster Kayak (258 anglers), Youth State Bassmaster (396 anglers), USA Kayak Team Qualifier (78 anglers), and Big Bass Tour (869 anglers) for a combined total of over 2,600 anglers in Lake Murray Country.

Southeastern BBQ Showdown

One of the key achievements of the past year was the creation and launch of the Southeastern BBQ Showdown (SEBBQSD), an ambitious event designed to boost tourism, showcase the local culinary scene, and provide an entertaining experience for the Capital City. The SEBBQSD will be featured on Bally Sports TV on September 7 and 14, reaching a national audience through a two-part series on The Excursion Show. In the coming months, CCLMC will work to refine the event, which may lead to it becoming a bi-annual event.

• 23 chef teams traveled to Columbia from Japan, TX, SC, and GA.
• 24% of the audience were from 18 states outside of SC.

Explore Lake Murray Country Podcast

Kelly Hughes, Marketing & Communications Manager, has taken on the role of host for the popular podcast Explore Lake Murray Country. In its first year, the podcast has achieved impressive success, ranking #2 on Apple Podcasts for “Travel South Carolina”.

“Last year, CCLMC’s marketing efforts yielded a return on investment of $1,825,444. This investment, which accounted for 71% of the total budget, generated an estimated marketing value of $210,678,608 for the region,” said Miriam Atria, President & CEO.

Looking ahead at 2024-25

The destination marketing organization continues to attract strong national media attention, drawing numerous events and promotional opportunities. “We are excited to welcome the Great Race in June of 2025, a national classic car rally, which will further elevate the area’s tourism appeal with the finish line in Irmo,” said Senior VP of Funding and Events, Vickie Davis.

2024-2025 events were announced: Save the Date!

September 2024

• 7-8: BFL Super Tournament
• 26-29: Pan American Kayak Championship

October 2024

• 6-11: American Bass Anglers National Championship

November 2024

• 8-12: World Food Championships, Indianapolis, IL (CCLMC Sponsors Team Lake Murray Country)
• 14: Lake Murray Country Holiday
  Open House

November 2024 Cont.

• 16-17: Queen City Kayak Championship

March 2025

• 6-9: MLF Bass Pro Tour
• 27: Taste of Lake Murray

April 2025

• 2-5: Fishers of Men National Championship
• 25-27: Big Bass Tour

June 2025

• 28: 4th of July Celebration on
  Lake Murray
• 29: Great Race (Finish line in Irmo)

Announcements & Awards:

• CCLMC will break ground on an expansion to support its growing staff and mission.
• Partner of the Year Award: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Tommy Stringfellow
• Volunteer of the Year Award: George Mathias
• CCLMC announced the return of the Tourism Ambassador Program.
• Mayor Sloan Griffin – Town of Blythewood
• Katie Maglocci – Palmetto Outdoors
• John Tjaarda – Local birding expert & Area Director for the South Carolina Chapter of the American
• Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Lake Murray was named 2nd Best Lake for Water Sports by USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards 2024.
• The new 2024-2025 visitors guide is here! Stop by the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center located at 2184 N. Lake Drive, Columbia – to pick up a copy today!

Board of Directors Updates:

• Jimmy Chao of Chao and Associates was elected as a new board member to replace outgoing Board Member Brad Rutherford of Pure Fishing. Mr. Chao joins the current CCLMC board of directors: Jan Jernigan (Chair), Andy Marchant, Buddy Jennings, Ryan Wingard, Dian Berry, Gettys Brannon, Brandon Crutchfield, and Rick Lackland.
• Honorable Tyler Bailey (City of Columbia Council, At-Large) and Butch Wallace (Wallace Insurance Group) were appointed as Ex-Officio Board members.
• Debbie Summers (Lexington County Council) was recognized for her years of service.

Current Ex-Officio Members:

Representative Nathan Ballentine – SC House of Representatives, District 71
Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon – SC House of Representatives, District 87
Representative Chris Wooten – SC House of Representatives, District 69
Honorable Larry Brigham – Lexington County Council, District 2
Honorable Todd Johnson – Newberry County Council, Chair
Honorable Jim Moore – Saluda County Council, Chair
Honorable Derrek Pugh – Richland County Council, District 2
Honorable Jason Branham – Richland County Council, District 1
Honorable Tina Herbert – City of Columbia Council, District 1
Mrs. Iris N. Griffin – Dominion Energy, VP of Fossil Hydro Operations
Mayor Hazel Livingston – Town of Lexington
Davy Hite – Bassmaster
Outgoing Members: Debbie Summers (Lexington County Council) & Katrina Shealy (SC Senate, Dist. 23)

 

About Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board:

CCLMC is the official source for all things Lake Murray Country. To plan your next trip, find information on attractions, dining, hotels, outdoor recreation, fishing, golf, and events. Explore The Top Southern Destinations of Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and Saluda. For more information about CCLMC visit LakeMurrayCountry.com or call 803-781-5940 | 1-866-SC-Jewel. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube
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