Champions Insider: April 2025

The newly released 2025 SFIA Topline Participation Report highlights strong one-year gains across several of LakePoint’s strategic “Core Sports,” including baseball (+3.8%), basketball (+7.5%), volleyball (+6.7%), soccer (+2.8%), football 7v7 (+7.2%), gymnastics (+7.4%), and cheerleading (+3.2%). Additionally, all eight of LakePoint’s “Core Sports” have seen positive participation growth over the past three years
 
As the travel and youth sports industry continues its exponential growth, LakePoint Sports’ “Core Sports” strategy, established in 2019, focuses on eight high-growth sports that serve as the foundation of LakePoint’s vertically integrated, owned, and operated model.
 

Tourism continues to be one of Georgia’s most powerful economic drivers. In 2023, the state welcomed more than 171 million visitors and generated nearly $80 billion dollars in total economic impact. That includes over $43 billion dollars in visitor spending and $5 billion dollars in state and local tax revenues—a record-setting number that marked a 7.2% increase over the previous year. The industry also supported more than 460,000 jobs across the state.

Part of Georgia’s strength comes from its accessibility and variety. With the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta and a location that puts more than 60% of the country within a day’s drive, Georgia continues to attract visitors from across the globe. From scenic mountain escapes and coastal towns to big-city entertainment, the state offers something for everyone.

Georgia also continues to earn the national spotlight. It regularly plays host to the biggest moments in sports, including the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, MLB All-Star Game in 2025, and FIFA World Cup in 2026. The state is home to eight professional sports teams along with standout names like the Harlem Globetrotters, the Savannah Bananas, and the premier travel and youth sports destination in the country, LakePoint Sports.

Tourism and agriculture continue to represent the two largest industries in the state. In 2023, travel and tourism generated $79.7 billion dollars in statewide economic impact, coming close to agriculture’s $83.6 billion dollar contribution. With national travel spending projected to grow in the coming years, Georgia’s tourism sector is well positioned to continue driving long-term economic growth.

As one of Georgia’s leading destinations, LakePoint is proud to welcome more than 2.5 million guests each year. The campus plays an important role in fueling the state’s growing tourism economy and creating meaningful impact for the surrounding region.

On March 5, 2025, Amanda Dyson-Thornton, Executive Director of the Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau, led the celebration of Georgia Tourism Day at the Capitol. She was joined by tourism leaders from across the state, including Steven Schumacher, President of Cartersville Museum City, and his team.
As part of the day’s events, Dyson-Thornton presented Governor Brian Kemp with a symbolic $5 billion check—representing tourism’s record-breaking economic impact on Georgia in 2023.

Among the notable attendees were Georgia Tourism Foundation board members David Friederich, CEO of Barnsley Resort, and Mark M. O’Brien, President & CEO of LakePoint Sports. Both were appointed by Governor Kemp to the 20-member board of state tourism executives, with O’Brien currently serving as Vice Chairman.

Also in attendance were Mark Jaronski, Chief Marketing Officer of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Jay Markwalter, Georgia Tourism Director. Looking ahead, Governor Kemp will unveil the state’s 2024 tourism impact results this September at the annual Governor’s Tourism Conference in Savannah, GA.

LakePoint Sports is proud to play a key role in Georgia’s tourism success. Under the leadership of Mark M. O’Brien, the campus draws over 2.5 million guests annually and contributes more than $100 million to the local economy. From large-scale tournaments to weekend getaways, LakePoint’s events fuel regional growth—driving business to local restaurants, hotels, and attractions. 

LakePoint Sports and Cartersville Museum City were recently honored with the Bill Hardman Sr. Tourism Champion Partnership Award by the Georgia Convention & Visitors Bureau. The recognition celebrates their joint initiative—the Community Corner & Kiosk—for its role in promoting tourism and supporting local businesses across Bartow County.

With more than 2.5 million annual visitors, LakePoint and Cartersville Museum City saw a unique opportunity to help guests discover the area’s incredible dining, retail, and attractions. The Community Corner & Kiosk, located inside the Champions Center and Baseball Village, serves as an on-campus welcome hub that guides visitors to explore beyond the fields and courts, infusing the local economy with meaningful tourism dollars. As a direct result of this initiative, the percentage of Champions Center visitors who explored Downtown Cartersville jumped from just 2.6% in 2023 to an impressive 20.1% in 2024—clear evidence of its growing impact.

This award reflects LakePoint’s ongoing commitment to being a world-class sports destination and a proud partner in regional growth and community connection.

LakePoint Sports recently joined local leaders, business partners, and the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Element by Westin hotel, now open in the heart of the LakePoint Sports campus.

Developed by Horizon Hospitality and the Patel family, the Element by Westin is strategically located just steps from LakePoint’s premium venues. The hotel offers a modern stay designed for athletes, families, and fans, with sleek rooms, elevated amenities, and direct access to campus events and competition. 

The property also features Skyline Bistro, a stylish on-site rooftop dining concept that offers fresh, seasonal menus and overlooks LakePoint’s iconic Baseball Village. It’s the perfect spot to refuel, relax, and take in the energy of campus—whether you’re starting your morning or winding down after a full day of action.

The ribbon-cutting marks a significant milestone in LakePoint’s continued efforts to enhance the guest experience and support economic development in the region. Whether you’re here to compete or just take it all in, the Element is now part of what makes LakePoint the premier travel and youth sports destination in the country.

The LakePoint Sports media team has been building off a successful 2024 that saw more than 60 live broadcasts and over 100 hours of airtime, and an extensive content menu across our social media channels. With an emphasis on being fun, informative and a playground for the athletes, 2025 has been off to a hot start.
 
Watch Parties — think NFL Red Zone — allow us to take viewers across campus and show multiple games at once, with a relaxed atmosphere that has included a host of players and guests joining the show. Among them, the aforementioned Jack Bauer, along with draft prospect Terrence Bowen (Blessed Trinity) and North Carolina signee Jackson Rose (Etowah).

We continue to put the athlete first in everything we do, including highlighting their personalities. Case in point: an unforgettable mic’d up with Cam Cooper from Missouri’s MICDS.

LakePoint Sports continues to raise the bar for guest experiences through its partnership with Aspen Hospitality Group, the official housing bureau for the premier travel and youth sports destination. With more than 60 years of hospitality expertise, Aspen delivers premium travel services tailored for teams, businesses, and families by offering advanced booking tools, corporate travel dashboards, and exclusive resort perks. Whether you’re here to compete or connect, Aspen ensures every stay is seamless, stress-free, and high quality.

LakePoint Local is bringing the energy again this summer with camps designed for kids to stay active, try new things, and have a blast along the way. From skill-building to just having fun, it’s a great way to make the most of summer!

In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 5, LakePoint proudly recognized the incredible women across the LakePoint Sports team. Their leadership, dedication, and drive help shape every part of the guest experience and play a key role in making LakePoint the premier destination for athletes and families nationwide.

From behind the scenes to center stage, these team members continue to inspire the next generation of women in sports. 

LakePoint Sports launched its 2025 mantra—Be Extraordinary—a cultural initiative designed to inspire team members to grow, lead, and elevate the guest experience at every turn. More than a slogan, Be Extraordinary is a mindset that empowers individuals to become the best version of themselves, while driving meaningful, campus-wide impact. It promotes four guiding behaviors: Be Engaged, Be Empowered, Be Efficient, and Be Effective—each designed to cultivate a workplace culture where initiative, ownership, and excellence thrive.

This mindset came to life in February when Terry Pelfrey, without prompt or direction, took it upon himself to line the parking lot ahead of a major event weekend. His proactive effort ensured a smoother, more welcoming arrival experience for thousands of guests. Terry’s actions weren’t just helpful—they were a reflection of the culture LakePoint is building: one where every team member feels inspired to step up, own their role, and make a difference.

Each year, the themed LakePoint mantra serves as a rallying point for the internal team—shaping behavior, reinforcing values, and fostering a culture where extraordinary effort becomes the everyday standard.