BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A pre-season exhibition game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets at Legacy Arena Tuesday night, Oct. 14 highlighted Birmingham’s growing appeal as an entertainment destination, with city officials working to capitalize on increased visitor traffic.
The basketball game represents just one of many major events drawing crowds to the Magic City, according to Michael Symes, REV Birmingham City Center District Manager.
His organization has noticed a significant opportunity to extend visitor stays beyond single-night events.
“Birmingham has more,” Symes said. “We have noticed this opportunity, that it is attracting a crowd that would potentially stay here more than just one night.”
Excitement builds as north Birmingham neighbors welcome Coca-Cola Amphitheater
Excitement builds as north Birmingham neighbors welcome Coca-Cola Amphitheater(WBRC)
Visitors travel from across the region
The Tuesday night crowd included fans from multiple states, demonstrating Birmingham’s growing regional draw. Daniel Escobar traveled from Chattanooga, Tennessee, though he’s originally from Mexico. Mike Gambel made the trip from Pensacola, Florida, while Stephanie Word brought Ms. Betty from Phenix City, Alabama.
“It’s rare that we have pro sports to come here on a neutral site game here in Birmingham so to be able to experience this is definitely something worth taking in,” said Ashtain Howell, who drove down from Jasper, Alabama.
Local residents also expressed excitement about the increased activity downtown. “We’re just excited to have something new going on in the city, something different,” Word said.
Chad and Caleb Key, from Huntsville, said they “travel down here often. Love Birmingham!”
Amphitheater draws regional visitors
REV Birmingham has tracked a notable increase in out-of-town visitors since the Coca-Cola Amphitheater’s first year of operation.
The data reveals the venue’s regional draw extends well beyond the immediate Birmingham area.
“This being the first year with the amphitheater, we’ve seen an uptick in some of our foot traffic,” Symes said. “Even just, in particular September alone, we noticed that 60% of the people who are coming to visit the amphitheater came from over 30 miles outside of downtown.”
Visitors plan extended stays
Many attendees Tuesday night had plans beyond the basketball game, exactly what REV Birmingham hopes to encourage. Escobar praised his hotel accommodations and said he was “looking forward to the food.” Howell planned to visit Uptown for drinks, while Word’s companion wanted to visit Buc-ee’s and go to dinner.
“Great hotel! I haven’t eaten though but I’m looking forward to the food,” Escobar said, adding he was “excited to be here with family and friends.”
Small touches create lasting impressions
REV Birmingham focuses on creating an atmosphere that encourages longer stays through both major attractions and subtle enhancements to the downtown experience. Symes emphasized that sometimes minor details make the biggest impact on visitors.
“We want to make walks interesting, unique, creative,” he said. “It could be something as small as a poster campaign where we’re adding some vibrant color into an area that once was just a vacant storefront.”
The organization aims to create unexpected moments that enhance the visitor experience.
“You may be walking to lunch or walking to dinner one Friday night and all of a sudden you hear a saxophone playing in the air and you’re like, ‘Oh! That was unexpected.’”
Customized experiences available online
For visitors looking to maximize their Birmingham experience, REV Birmingham offers online tools to help plan extended stays around major events. The organization’s website allows people to customize their downtown experience based on personal interests.
“If you go to downtownbhm.com, there are ways you can curate your own night in downtown so you’re coming in for that one concert but maybe you want to come a couple hours before,” Symes said. “You want to go to a certain restaurant, or you want to go into a dog-friendly establishment. We narrow it down to even things that you can curate that you are passionate about.”
The website helps visitors discover dining options, entertainment venues and activities tailored to specific preferences, encouraging them to extend their stays and explore more of what Birmingham offers.
As Howell advised fellow visitors: “Have fun while in Birmingham folks!”
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