Tourney kick-starts economy

Just as tourism and recreation experts from around the state are departing from a big conference today in Coeur d'Alene, a new wave of visitors arrives. SUVs packed with soccer gear and hopes of glory are arriving en masse, thanks to the 21st annual Bill Eisenwinter Memorial Hot Shot Tournament.

With Sting Soccer Club playing host, our soccer fields, restaurants and hotels will be jam-packed through Sunday with thousands of soccer players. Add to that friends and family, and it's a major score for the entire community.

Speaking strictly of dollars and cents, tournament officials estimated last year's economic impact to the community at more than $1.1 million. That was for a field of 3,000 players, and this year, about 500 more players are expected.

The windfall from these visitors is warmly welcomed after what is typically a difficult winter for merchants, restaurateurs and hoteliers. Because the start of a strong tourist season depends so much on the weather - last year's lingering cold, rainy spring delayed many vacationers while entirely snuffing out planned trips of others - a boost in early May is a big bonus. That's why we view the annual Hot Shot tourney as the unofficial opening of tourist season in the greater Coeur d'Alene area.

But all of that is merely the financial dimension of a bigger picture. North Idahoans take great pride in their role as hosts. The natural beauty of the region is certainly a plus, but one of the central reasons Ironman Coeur d'Alene is bigger and better than ever in this, its 10th year, is because of the way visitors rave about the people who live and work here. There is no greater validation of making a great impression on someone who planned to visit just once than this: They book their next visit before concluding this one.

That's true of countless vacationers, conference-goers and yes, soccer players and their families.

Welcome to North Idaho, all you hot shots. While you're playing your best games, we're going to show you ours.