The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) announced last week that Buffalo will host the 2008 Women's Majors National Championships August 6 - 10, 2008. This is a top level tournament - the most important one run by ASA - with Olympic level athletes in competition. In addition, ASA selected Buffalo to host the 2007 National Under 10 Girls Fast Pitch National Qualifier; the 2007 National Under 12 Girls Fast Pitch National Qualifier; and the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Territory Meeting. "We're thrilled that the Amateur Softball Association selected Buffalo to host these events," said Richard Geiger, President, Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Landing these events will bring 1,200 visitors and more than $450,000 in direct economic impact while further enhancing our standing in the amateur athletics community." "The ASA looks at two criteria as most important in selecting a city and Buffalo met both - location and reputation," said Phil Augustino, ASA Junior Olympic Commissioner for Metro Buffalo. "Our location worked in our favor because we're close to many of the athletes and we have proven that we're an experienced and successful host of ASA events." Buffalo Niagara hosted the 2006 Women's Majors National Championships. "Following every major tournament, we rate the area and host and Buffalo Niagara earned 98.4 points out of 100," added Augustino. "ASA knows how well we run a tournament and that we know what we're doing." A new marketing strategy rejuvenated Buffalo's relationship with ASA in 2001. In 2003, partnering with Metro Buffalo ASA, the CVB landed the first ASA tournament since 1984. Since that time, the team has successfully hosted 12 tournaments and more then 10,000 athletes, coaches, family and friends. The events account for 6,600 hotel room nights and $3.5 million in local economic impact. The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau, as the marketing leader of the Buffalo Niagara hospiutality industry, promotes our region worldwide as a convention, amateur athletics, tourism, leisure and business destination for the economic benefit of the community.
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