Be Ready! U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship - July 2-8, 2009

I just received this information from Huntington's Create Huntington organization:

The Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is hard at work preparing for the 16,000 guests who will be coming to Huntington and Barboursville for the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship July 2 – 8. About 280 soccer teams from 13 states will compete during the six-day event that begins July 2. Among the states represented are New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware.

This event is estimated to generate a $12.5 million economic boost to the region -- including between $7 million and $7.5 million in tourism money for Huntington alone.

Anyone who has a restaurant, retail business, attraction or event that will be open in Cabell County during this time can contact the CVB at 304-525-7333, or email CVB President, Tyson Compton at tyson@wvvisit.org, to arrange to be listed on the CVB Web site. You can also contact the CVB for a soccer tournament sign to put in your windows.

Create Huntington is asking local businesses to put their best foot forward during this time. Please take the time to clean up the area around your business including weeding, mowing and collecting litter.

This is a great time to perform any needed building repairs, painting, landscaping, etc. Empty storefronts should have butcher paper covering the windows and any old signs taken down – preferably with ‘For Rent’ signs and contact information displayed.

Volunteers are still needed to assist with the logistics of this massive effort. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kheng Yap-McGuire at 304-525-6042, or Craig Warner with the CVB at 304-525-7333. Tournament volunteers are encouraged to participate in one of the volunteer workshops before the tournament. Volunteers have their choice of workshops at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., or 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, or Wednesday, July 1, at the new Huntington Visitor’s Center on the corner of 11th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard.

Let’s show the world that we love and take pride in Huntington!!

Thank you!!

Create Huntington