Dear Chesterfield Residents and Visitors,
It is with great pride that we share this first annual report for Chesterfield’s Sports, Visitation & Entertainment Department. Chesterfield has always been special, and right now, it’s on the rise. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, we harnessed that excitement and launched two community engagement and tourism brands: Experience Chesterfield and Play Chesterfield. In conjunction with our partners in Constituent & Media Services, Community Engagement & Resources, Economic Development, and Parks & Recreation, these brands are the catalyst for showcasing our hospitality community and fostering a welcoming environment for businesses to thrive.
Chesterfield shines as a destination because residents are proud of where they live, work and play. That’s why we created Experience Chesterfield and Play Chesterfield as storytelling platforms that highlight Chesterfield as a first-choice community and destination. Both brands are supported and led by a team that tells the story of life in Chesterfield.
Sports tourism continues to be a gateway to Chesterfield and an important part of our tourism profile that significantly diversifies our revenue base. In FY 24, with our friends in Parks & Recreation and tremendous private venue partners like Swim RVA, Midlothian Tennis Club, and Richmond Volleyball Club, Chesterfield hosted 160 sporting events that brought an estimated $79.3 million in visitor spending and provided an estimated $2.5 million in local tax revenue. The impact is real, and the home field advantage may be the real ‘win.’ Chesterfield’s world-class facilities allow local athletes to compete at the highest level in their own backyard, saving families thousands of dollars in travel expenses.
New to Chesterfield’s sports destination portfolio is The Diamonds at Iron Bridge. Chesterfield Parks and Recreation renovated six fields at Harry G. Daniel Park, establishing The Diamonds at Iron Bridge into our second destination complex. This facility will expand the impact of sports tourism in Chesterfield.
Collaboration is key when it comes to highlighting everything that makes Chesterfield shine. Along with our many partners, we launched several programs and events that highlighted different attractions and assets, including Chesterfield Restaurant Week and Chesterfield Outdoor Fest. Then, we took our show on the road with “MIRV,” Chesterfield’s Mobile Information Resource Vehicle, traveling to area events to spread the word about all Chesterfield has to offer.
We accomplished a lot in our inaugural year, and we’re just getting started. Whether it’s the fun, food or endless outdoor adventures, we hope you’ve found your reasons to experience Chesterfield. We’re already excited to see the impact another year makes. If there’s one thing that’s for sure, there’s always more to explore in Chesterfield, Virginia.
