U.S. Fencing will host its first junior-level Cup of the season at the Frontier Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave
The U.S. Fencing Association will host its first junior-level Cup of the season at the Frontier Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Friday, Nov. 19 through Monday, Nov. 22.
Nearly 1,400 of the nation’s best fencers between the ages of 12 and 20 will compete against one another over the weekend. Foreign competitors are expected to come from as far away as Canada, Great Britain, and Israel.
"It’s part of our intitiative to promote and market the city of Milwaukee particularly for sporting events," said Dave Fantle, vice president of public relations for VISIT Milwaukee. "We’ve proven to be a successful city when it comes to hosting sporting events, whether it be fencing, youth soccer, hockey or NCAA basketball, so it’s definitely a market we want to continue to pursue."
The U.S. Fencing association committed to the deal in February and VISIT Milwaukee projects the economic impact the event will have on the city is over $1million. The tournament is expected to bring 4,000 visitors to the downtown area and utilzie nearly 2,000 hotel rooms at the Hyatt Milwaukee Regency, Hilton Milwaukee City Center, The Double Tree Hotel and Marriott Residence Inn, Fantle said.
"Central location at a venue large enough for our needs is very important," said Cindy Bent Findlay, spokesperson for U.S. Fencing Association. "Milwaukee is centrally located and fairly easy for people to get to either by car or by plane."
The U.S. Fencing Association has been working with VISIT Milwaukee officials for nearly two years, Findlay said.
The event is free to attend and is open to the public.
"It’s a great opportunity to see some of the world’s best athletes, some Olympic contenders, in action,"said Findlay.
