Motor coach rally to visit RS in 2020

Years of persistence has allowed the Sweetwater Events Complex the opportunity to host the 2020 Newmar Kountry Klub International Rally.

“I have been actively recruiting them for about four years,” Lena Warren, events complex marketing and event coordinator, said. “The great thing about these events is they are going to be staying for a week.”

The rally is scheduled to take place Aug. 24-28 at the events complex will bring more than 1,000 visitors to the area and is estimated to bring $818,000 in economic impact directly the city and the county.

According to a press release from the complex, the rally will bring 500 coaches, 100 vendors and 55 service technicians to the event. The rally will also work with local catering for the event as well as the Rock Springs Golf Course to host a tournament.

“They’re really excited to come here,” Warren said. “These people are really excited to see what we have. People really enjoy the nature and beauty of our area.”

Warren said this is another opportunity to get national and international attention, which is something they achieved when the National High School Finals Rodeo started coming to the county. Last year alone, it was estimated the rodeo brought in about $8.4 million in revenue to the county.

Another event that took place this past summer was the Tiffin Allegro Club Rally. The RV event brought in about $418,400 to the local economy. Warren said they want to keep bringing groups like these to Sweetwater County.

“We are getting that national and international recognition,” Warren said.

Even though the events complex is new to the RV world, they are willing to learn. Warren said one thing she found out is how quickly other RV groups found out about the events complex after the Tiffin Rally took place. She said they already have another RV group called the Excapade Escapees RV Club booked to visit next summer too.

When these types of groups come to the complex, they not only use the complex’ campgrounds and facilities, but they go out to restaurants, gas stations and do some shopping. Warren said this is how the entire county benefits from these groups visiting.

“The Sweetwater Events Complex is a driving force to the travel and tourism in our city, county and state. Each event at our facility directly benefits our local business and residents,” events complex Executive Director, Larry Lloyd said. “These guests visit our restaurants, stay in our hotels and fill up their gas tanks at our gas stations. Each event we have on our property brings travelers to support our local businesses as well as brings in tax revenue for our city and county.” Warren said the events complex is picking up momentum in this area and it’s something it would like to continue. What takes time is getting big groups like this to come. Warren said they usually book their events years in advance, so to get them to visit takes time.