CIAA 2019 Tournament Returns to Charlotte
CIAA 2019 returns to Charlotte for the 14th year in a row. The prestigious tournament has transformed from a small competition held in a sold out Washington D.C. arena to a high energy week of entertainment held in the 19,000-plus seat Spectrum Center. As the third highest attended college basketball tournament in the United States, CIAA 2019 weekend should surpass attendance figures from previous years.
Appealing to a wide variety of fans, the weeklong event is expected to include educational programming and community engagement events. Like prior years, CIAA parties will include concerts, Fan Fest, Super Saturday, and the showcases events of them all, 22 highly competitive college basketball games. One of the unique appeals of CIAA 2019 will be the continued scheduling of college men’s and women’s basketball tournament games under the same roof, during the same week.
About the CIAA 2019
Since Charlotte took over hosting the CIAA basketball tournament a little more than 10 years ago, the “Queen City” has enjoyed more than a $325 million economic impact from CIAA sponsored athletic events. By far the biggest revenue producer, the CIAA basketball tournament partners with corporate giants such as Toyota, Nationwide, Russell Athletic Food Lion, and Coca Cola. The conference has received more than $20 million over the past 10 years in scholarship commitments from its corporate partners.
As one of the oldest American athletic conferences, the CIAA spans several states, including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. CIAA weekend 2019 welcomes visitors from all four states and many other states across the country. Twelve colleges and universities comprise the conference, which hosts 14 championship athletic events in both men’s and women’s sports. Many of the CIAA parties in 2019 will be held by proud members of alumni clubs.
About Charlotte
By the time CIAA rolls around in early March, Charlotte will be teeming with new plant life. The mild weather is another reason to visit the city during CIAA weekend 2019. Visitors to the city have plenty of ways to stay busy before the big games, as Charlotte has grown into one of the major metropolitan areas in the country. CIAA parties take place in bustling nightclubs, as well as the restaurants in the city noted for offering an eclectic array of menu items. Whether you like cooking from the Low Country of South Carolina or fresh seafood inspired dishes, Charlotte has something to please your palate.
When CIAA 2019 arrives, visitors who have not been to Charlotte in several years might be surprised how fast the city has grown. The United States census estimated that the city had 842,051 residents in 2016, with a metropolitan region exceeding 2.5 million people. Considered one of the primary centers for commerce in the southeast, Charlotte has enjoyed a hotel boom to accommodate the growing number of major events planned in the city. Between 2004 and 2014, Charlotte ranked as the fasted growing city in America. In 2013, Forbes named the city to its lists of “Best Places for Business and Careers.”
We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte for CIAA 2019.