CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The City of Charleston wants to put its best foot forward next month in hopes of keeping the Mountain East Conference basketball tournament in town for years to come.
“We are going to do our best and have been laying a foundation for the best experience the Mountain East has ever had in Charleston for this year, so we can leave a lasting impression that says ‘yes, you are welcome here’,” said Deputy Mayor Rod Blackstone.
The tournament returns to the Charleston Civic Center March 1-5 for a final time as part of a three-year agreement. The MEC plans to bid out the tournament for a new three-year contract after this year.
“We’re confident that there will be multiple cities and venues that would be very interested in potentially hosting the Mountain East Conference basketball tournament. We hope that, ultimately, that competition will end up providing a really strong bid, not only from Charleston, but maybe some other areas,” said Reid Amos, MEC commissioner.
Blackstone said the city has renewed its efforts this year to develop and grow the event. A local organizing committee was formed to help make the operation of the event more cost effective.
“We’re developing a restaurant partners program, so that people that come to the Mountain East Conference and come to the games can flash their ticket or their badge at a restaurant around town and be able to get a discount,” Blackstone said.
The conference is pleased with those efforts, Amos said.
“We’re very excited about the fact that Charleston has really made every effort to step up their efforts this year,” he said.
Revenue from last year’s event fell short of the $60,000 benchmark with only 7,816 fans in attendance.
Blackstone estimates there will be a $2 million economic impact for local businesses and hotels during the five-day tournament.
“You don’t have to find your keys until Sunday,” Amos said of the benefits of having the tournament in Charleston. “You can walk everywhere that you might want to visit between hotels, restaurants and shopping at the Town Center Mall. Things of that nature are all close by which can help to create a festival atmosphere.”
The event also brings people together, Blackstone said.
“This is the place to be to see some great basketball and to hang out with some college friends or with other folks that just might want to see some good basketball along the way and enjoy a great experience at the Civic Center,” he said.
The MEC format has been expanded this year by a fifth day. There will be 18 games total with the top 10 men’s and top ten women’s teams. The MEC opens after the high school girls and boys state tournaments.
There will be a Championship Sunday Celebration at Adelphia’s Sports Bar on Capitol Street for both winning teams (men’s and women’s) and their families.