With the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots set to meet on Sunday to decide the destination of the Lombardi Trophy, local businesses are set to take advantage.  Places like supermarkets, meat processors, butchers, bars, restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores stand to benefit greatly.  It’s also a mere part of how businesses look to tourism – and in particular within small towns – to gain an edge. 

Valerie Belusko is a Community and Economic Development Educator at the University of Illinois Extension.  She says while Santa Clara – the host city – will reap most of the benefits, they are not alone.
 

Belusko adds that a major reason for the economic boosts – especially for bars and restaurants – is the desire people have to gather.  Sporting events like this one provide a major opportunity for gatherings.

Many people connected to small businesses advocate for shopping local first.  Belusko says this means staying ideally within one’s zip code – or if necessary, only within the county – when shopping. 

The way businesses handle events like that of Sunday is similar to their overall hospitality strategies.  This is how tourist destinations in small towns like those in central Illinois bring in their money, and it adds to the value in doing business locally.

More information on the University of Illinois Extension is available at extension.illinois.edu.

Valerie Belusko appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.