CVB to Conduct Survey during Great Texas Balloon Race

LONGVIEW — The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau will conduct an economic impact analysis survey during the 2013 Great Texas Balloon Race. Conducted by Sarah Page with Sarah T. Page Consulting, LLC, this survey will include the financial impact of festivals and events in the community.

According to a news release from the Longview Chamber of Commerce, festivals and events are economic generators that can leverage a significant amount of spending by their attendees. Chamber officials say an economic impact analysis, or EIA, can help determine the financial impact an event has on a community. An EIA estimates the change in economic activity that results from visitor spending that occurs while attending a festival or event. The EIA process includes questionnaire development, estimating the survey sample size, surveying plan development, volunteer recruitment and training, on-site assistance at the event, and data tabulation and analysis. Chamber officials say this process will result in a complete and accurate picture of the event’s impact on the Longview economy.

The results will be based on actual expenditures as reported by the attendees. Economic modeling software called IMPLAN will be used to calculate the total impact on the following:
• the local economy
• the impact on key segments of the economy like lodging, restaurants, and retail, and
• the impact on local employment as a result of the event

Custom maps that detail the origins of the event’s attendees will also be provided.