The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) had its premier event honored as 2025 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management (SDM). The world’s largest volleyball tournament, the 52nd AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, held in Orlando, has been recognized as the 2025 Hall of Fame Champion category by SDM.

Sports Destination Management is the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market and annually recognizes sport event excellence, through its Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism awards.

Among the winners was the 52^nd AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, hosted in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). The 24-day event brought in approximately $825.5 million in economic impact to Central Florida this year based on 325,500 attendees traveling to Orlando from June 13 through July 7. The event was the only entry into SDM’s Hall of Fame category as a nine (9) time winner of the Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism award.

“We are so thankful for our community partners when it comes to arranging this event, without Orange County Convention Center, Greater Orlando Sports Commission, and Visit Orlando, we wouldn’t be able to host the premier event for AAU’s largest sport,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President.

The 2025 AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships was the largest sporting event ever held at OCCC – breaking last year’s record. The event also holds the Guiness World Record mark for the largest volleyball event in the world, brining in athletes from every corner of the United States, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. An event of this magnitude would not be possible with the help of local partners such as Visit Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.

“Congratulations to President Jo Mirza and the entire AAU leadership team on this well-deserved recognition from Sports Destination Management,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “In collaboration with the Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando, the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships continues to exemplify the powerful economic and community impact of sports tourism in our region. We’re proud to support this world-class event and look forward to helping it reach even greater heights in the years ahead.”

This is the ninth time since 2016 the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships has been named a Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by SDM, placing the event in their prestigious “Hall of Fame” category. The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships was the only event in this year’s Hall of Fame category.

The AAU was also recognized as one of SDM’s Large Market Champions for the 59th AAU Junior Olympic Games, held in Houston, Texas this past summer. All of this year’s SDM winners are responsible for contributing more than $1.4 billion to the national economy over the past year. You can read all about the winners in the November/December special edition of Sports Destination Management.

ABOUT AAU:
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is the largest, non-profit, event-driven multi-sports organizations in the country. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by nearly 1,000,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts annually. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.

About Sports Destination Management:
Sports Destination Management is written for the largest audience of sports event managers and tournament directors in the sports tourism market and maintains a focus on the important issues surrounding event location decisions and event management. With content from experts and thought leaders, SDM provides in-depth coverage of sports event planning and execution through incisive and relevant articles as well as insightful, real-world case studies showcasing best practices and successful event production.

In addition to the publication, SDM offers extensive digital resources through www.sportsdestinations.com and the e-newsletter SDM Blitz, both providing decision support tools for organizers to ensure successful events at all levels of play.

About Due North Media
For over 20 years, Due North Media has embraced the definition of growth by evolving from a traditional publishing company to a dynamic marketing organization utilizing best practices that ensure engagement.

The company’s desire to look at things from all sides, combined with our thirst for knowledge allows us to embrace the ever-changing world of content creation, marketing technology & consumer engagement. While the company is at the forefront of innovation, its staff takes great strides to remember its roots, ensuring the message reaches the desired audience in ways they consume media.

Whether serving clients in the business-to-business sector, delivering e-commerce solutions for merchants in a direct-to-consumer environment, or working with organizations trying to engage buyers, Due North Media realizes that the end goal shouldn’t be just about numbers. It should be about creating a dialogue and interaction that leads to a fulfilling relationship. Work with Due North Media to develop marketing strategies that go beyond the click to deliver the conversation.

Founded in 2001, Due North Media has helped marketers obtain their goals while adapting to new generations of media consumption. It has been the company’s mission to serve its clients and employees with integrity and humility, and a continuing quest for the achievement of excellence.

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Media Contact:
Troy MacNeill, AAU Marketing Manager
o: 407-828-3055 | troy@aausports.org