How the hospitality industry is impacted by the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open

VESTAL (WBNG) - As the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open makes a return once again, hotels are one of the many local businesses feeling the effects of the influx of guests.

Almost two weeks before the annual event, 12 News went to Vestal’s Candlewood Suites to see the event’s impact.

“It gets super busy here,” said Candlewood Suites General Manager Dawn Reidlinger. “This whole summer has been crazy busy.”

Now add to the summer foot traffic the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open.

“All three hotels get super busy during DICK’S Open,” said Reidlinger.

The general manager referred to the cluster close to Meadowbrook Lane, but the same can be applied all around Greater Binghamton.

To prepare for this rush of guests, the GM said preparation has to be done. “If any rooms had needed any kind of repair, we make sure all the rooms are clean and ready,” she said. “A lot of times people make their reservations at the last minute, a lot of times people walk in ‘do you have a room’ and we prefer that people not do that.”

However, new preparation wasn’t needed when it comes to cleanliness. Before the pandemic, the GM said the cleaning practices haven’t had to be restructured.

“The Candlewood brand standard is exactly the same as it was before the pandemic nothing has changed,” " she said. “All of our cleaners are hospital grade, every inch of the room gets cleaned. So we actually didn’t have to change what we were doing at all.”

During the days-long tournament, a temporary staff isn’t needed at the site.

“We don’t have to hire people,” said Reidlinger. “We just usually have it where it’s all hands on deck because all of the rooms will be sold. All of the housekeepers will come in at the same time, you know.”

Looking at the greater impact, once visitors book a trip here in the Southern Tier, she said there’s an economic ripple effect. The folks then shop here, eat at local food establishments, and do other tourist activities to maximize the stay.

When it comes to similar events of this scale, the GM’s advise to travelers is to book well in advance, not scramble at the last minute.

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