HITS, Inc. is pleased to release the results of an extensive economic impact study of their 2014 horse show series held January – March at HITS Post Time Farm on U.S. Highway 27 in Ocala, Florida. The prestigious Sport Management Research Institute (SMRI), praised for their work with the NFL and US Open, was hired by HITS to complete a detailed study quantifying the region’s economic influx correlated to their 10-week show jumping series. On average, HITS Ocala hosts 2,000 stalls and 6,000 participants on the 250-acre site. With an average of more than 3 people per showing horse attending the circuit, the Marion County event generates in excess of $63 Million in direct expenditures by participants and spectators, generating more than $90 Million in total economic benefits annually. In a survey of horse show exhibitors, eight of ten respondents reported that they were non-residents of Ocala/Marion County. The vast majority of spending in Marion County directly associated with HITS competitors and out-of-town visitors is represented by horse-related expenses. Daily tourism expenditures including lodging/accommodations, food and beverage, entertainment, recreation, merchandise purchases and other retail expenses are also main areas of economic gain. The study identified HITS Ocala demographic majority as female with an average age of 47.2 years and an average household income in excess of $223,000.
HITS, Inc. is pleased to release the results of an extensive economic impact study of their 2014 horse show series held January – March at HITS Post Time Farm on U.S. Highway 27 in Ocala, Florida. The prestigious Sport Management Research Institute (SMRI), praised for their work with the NFL and US Open, was hired by HITS to complete a detailed study quantifying the region’s economic influx correlated to their 10-week show jumping series. On average, HITS Ocala hosts 2,000 stalls and 6,000 participants on the 250-acre site. With an average of more than 3 people per showing horse attending the circuit, the Marion County event generates in excess of $63 Million in direct expenditures by participants and spectators, generating more than $90 Million in total economic benefits annually. In a survey of horse show exhibitors, eight of ten respondents reported that they were non-residents of Ocala/Marion County. The vast majority of spending in Marion County directly associated with HITS competitors and out-of-town visitors is represented by horse-related expenses. Daily tourism expenditures including lodging/accommodations, food and beverage, entertainment, recreation, merchandise purchases and other retail expenses are also main areas of economic gain. The study identified HITS Ocala demographic majority as female with an average age of 47.2 years and an average household income in excess of $223,000.