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USA Weightlifting officials changed the dates for the 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships, which will be held at the Cincinnati Marriott North in West Chester. The event will be held Aug. 2-4, instead of the previously scheduled dates of July 25-28.

USA Weightlifting provided photo.

In September, The Butler County Visitors Bureau announced that West Chester would be hosting the event.

“We are excited that Butler County has been selected to host the 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships,” Michael Massik, USA Weightlifting’s CEO said in September. “The great location, the ease of travel and the many interesting entertainment opportunities were influential in the final decision.”

The National Championships are USA weightlifting’s premier weightlifting event and are the primary qualifier for teams representing the U.S. at the World Championships in 2013, according to the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

The event will also feature several local competitors from the Cincinnati Weightlifting Club.

“It is a privilege for Butler County to host the USA Weightlifting National Championships,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau, “We look forward to welcoming the athletes and their families.”

Over the course of the three-day event, the USA Weightlifting National Championships are expected to draw 150 competitors from across the nation and to have an estimated economic impact of $300,000.

The event will be free and open to the public.

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Tags: Tags: 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships, 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Mark Hecquet, USA Weightlifting National Championships, USA Weightlifting National Championships West Chester Ohio, Weightlifting National Championships, Weightlifting National Championships West Chester

USA Weightlifting provided photo.

“We are excited that Butler County has been selected to host the 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships,” said Michael Massik, USA Weightlifting’s CEO. “The great location, the ease of travel and the many interesting entertainment opportunities were influential in the final decision.”

The National Championships are USA weightlifting’s premier weightlifting event and are the primary qualifier for teams representing the U.S. at the World Championships in 2013, according to the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

The event will also feature several local competitors from the Cincinnati Weightlifting Club.

“It is a privilege for Butler County to host the USA Weightlifting National Championships,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau, “We look forward to welcoming the athletes and their families next year.”

Over the course of the three-day event, the USA Weightlifting National Championships are expected to draw 150 competitors from across the nation and to have an estimated economic impact of $300,000.

The event will be free and open to the public.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships, 2013 USA Weightlifting National Championships West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Mark Hecquet, USA Weightlifting National Championships, USA Weightlifting National Championships West Chester Ohio, Weightlifting National Championships, Weightlifting National Championships West Chester

Triathletes from across the country ran, swam and biked at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this past weekend at the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships.

Overall, according to USA Triathlon officials, the event featured a record field with nearly 700 triathletes.

“West Chester is a great location for this event,” said Jeff Dyrek, USA Triathlon’s national events director. “We’ve had great support from the community and all of the groups we’ve been working with. The athletes, their parents, the spectators and coaches have helped us make this event a success.”

On Sunday, Matthew Marquardt of Cincinnati won the male 13-to-15-year-old division – finishing the 200-meter swim, 10k bike and 2k run in 29:03 minutes. Thomas Carney of Liberty Township finished 15th in the same competition with a time of 32:46 minutes.

On Saturday, the Youth Elite and Junior Elite races featured some of nation’s best triathletes. The 16-to-19-year-old Junior Elites covered a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run while the 13-15-year-old Youth Elites did a 375m swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run.

For complete results and additional information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

Triathletes from across the country will convene on Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this weekend for the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. Some have been training in hopes to earn automatic nominations to the Junior Worlds team, while some beginners just hope to finish.

Among the event’s group of beginners are Maggie and Jonny Mize of Liberty Township. Both saw the event as interesting and challenging, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness for Kids Against Hunger, a charity they are both passionate about.

Maggie and Jonny Mize of Liberty Township are participating in the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships at Voice of America Park in West Chester Aug. 11-12. Photo provided.

In the past, both Maggie, 14, and Jonny, 13, have participated in several local food-packaging efforts and recently they authored an e-book called “Mariella, the Cheerful, Helpful Hamster” from which they donate a portion of the proceeds to Kids Against Hunger.

Throughout their several months of training, Maggie and Jonny have become more fit and increased their stamina. The experience has also gotten their parents out to the park for runs and bike exercise.

You can cheer them on this weekend – they’ll be wearing “Kids Against Hunger” t-shirts – and the more than 700 triathletes, ages 7 to 19, competing in the Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories at the USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

For the second straight weekend, West Chester’s Voice of America Park will host a national championship competition.

This past weekend it was the WWA Wakeboard National Championships and beginning this Saturday and concluding on Sunday, VOA Park will host the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships.

Photo provided by USA Triathlon.

According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB), the event is expected to draw more than 1,600 visitors and bring in an estimated $500,000.

“We are excited to be a part of this prestigious youth sporting event,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “To have a sporting event of this magnitude come to our county will be a great boost for the local economy.”

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. It is free and open to the public.

Due to the nature of the event, which includes running, swimming and cycling, there will be some road closures in the vicinity of VOA Park.

Cox Road between Liberty Way and the northern most entrance to the VOA Retail Centre will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days of the event. In addition, Liberty Way between Cox Road and Butler Warren Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each day. Emergency traffic only will be permitted during these times.

Access to all businesses will be maintained from Tylersville and Cox Road (south of VOA Park Drive). Motorists are encouraged to follow all posted detours while driving and to allow extra time to reach their destinations.

USA Triathlon is seeking volunteers, who will receive a free USA Triathlon volunteer t-shirt, meals and beverages, to help with the event. To sign up, visit http://usatriathlon.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=958.

For more information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.

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Tags: Tags: 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

Photos taken by Tony Jones of The Enquirer during Media Day Wednesday

The 2012 WWA Wakeboard National Championships will begin Thursday morning and last through Sunday afternoon at Voice of America Park in West Chester.

Below is the schedule for the first day of the event:

THURSDAY, Aug. 2

8:30 am                         Amateur Women Semifinals -(210)
8:45 am                         Amateur Wakeskate Semifinals- (210)
9:30 am                         Jr. BOYS BEGINNER Semifinals- (210)
10:00 am                       Jr. Boys Semifinals- (210)
10:30 am                       Girls Semifinals- (210)
11:00 am                        Boys BEGINNER Semifinals- (210)
11:30 am                        Masters Women Semifinals- (210)
11:45 am                        Veterans Women Semifinals- (210)
12:00 pm                       Adaptive Standing Semifinals- (210)
12:15 pm                        Masters Semifinals- (G23)
1:15 pm                          Veterans Semifinals- (G23)
1:45 pm                          Pro VETERANS Semifinals- (G23)
2:00 pm                         Jr. Men Semifinals- (G23)
3:30 pm                         Men I Semifinals- (G23)
4:30 pm- 5:30 pm          Men II Semifinals-  (G23)

The event will mark the first time in the 23-year history of the WWA Wakeboard National Championships that it will be held in the state of Ohio.

The event is also expected to draw more than 200 competitive riders, professional and amateur, from across the United States, who will compete in 22 skill-level divisions for national titles.

Results will establish the athletes to represent the United States at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Aug. 16-19.

For the entire four-day schedule, visit wakeboardingmag.com/nationals.

Tickets at the gate are $13 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12, while children ages under 5 are free. All military personal with I.D. receive free admission for themselves and for three friends.

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Tags: Tags: 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Mark Hecquet, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard National Championships West Chester

The 2012 WWA Wakeboard National Championships will begin Thursday and last through Sunday at Voice of America Park in West Chester.

The event will mark the first time in the 23-year history of the WWA Wakeboard National Championships that it will be held in the state of Ohio.

Photo provided by the World Wakeboard Association.

Results will establish the athletes to represent the United States at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Aug. 16-19.

The national championships is expected to have an economic impact of $500,000 and is set to attract roughly 5,000 visitors to the West Chester area, according to the Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB).

“We are excited to host this prestigious professional event,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “To have West Chester serve as a host for a such exceptional event will have a tremendous economic impact for the venue, local businesses, hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops.”

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on the 2012 WWA National Championships, visit KingofWake.com. Tickets can be purchased online for $7 per day or for $13 on the day of the event, according to the website. Tickets at the gate for children ages 6-12 are $5, while children ages under 5 are free. All military personal with I.D. receive free admission for themselves and three friends.

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Tags: Tags: 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Mark Hecquet, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard National Championships West Chester

The Butler County Visitors Bureau cited a statewide study when it recently announced that the county’s tourism industry generated $900 million in sales for local businesses in 2011.

“Visitor spending is an integral part of both our county and our state’s economy,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB). “In Butler County, tourism supports one in every 12 salaried jobs.”

The research study was organized by the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Tourism Ohio and conducted by Longwoods International and Tourism Economics, according BCVB officials.

The study also showed that county tourism industry contributed to more than $21 million in local taxes and sustained more than 11,700 local jobs in 2011.

According to the release from the BCVB, tourism sales in Butler County increased 10.5 percent in 2010 and 5.7 percent in 2011.

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Tags: Tags: Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Liberty Township tourism, Mark Hecquet, West Chester Tourism

The 2012 WWA Wakeboard National Championships are scheduled to begin next week Aug. 2-5 at Voice of American Park in West Chester.

The event will mark the first time in the 23-year history of the WWA Wakeboard National Championships that it will be held in the state of Ohio.

Photo provided by the World Wakeboard Association.

Results will establish the athletes to represent the United States at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Aug. 16-19.

For more information on the 2012 WWA National Championships, visit KingofWake.com. Tickets can be purchased online for $7 per day or for $13 on the day of the event, according to the website. Discounted and free tickets are also available for children and members of the military.

The Butler County Visitor’s Bureau is still offering its wakeboard giveaway promotion, which ends Friday.

For the opportunity to win, participants can register on the BCVB Facebook page by clicking on the Giveaways tab.

During the promotion, the BCVB will give away two tickets for the WWA Wakeboard National Championships twice each week (Mondays and Wednesdays). Meanwhile, the ultimate wakeboarding weekend package will be awarded once a week (Fridays).

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Mark Hecquet, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard National Championships West Chester

With the recent completion of some significant construction work, the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting is ready to reopen its doors for regularly scheduled monthly tours beginning this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Future tours will take place every third Saturday of each month.

The recent renovations included installation of a new roof and block maintenance on the rear of the building. West Chester Township will be reimbursed for the work through a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission.

As well as the recent grant, the township also received a $1 million grant in 2008 to repair the exterior facade, windows and entry doors, as well as some electrical. During the 2008 restoration, the township had to pay an additional $731,653. Overall, West Chester has spent around $1.68 million from its own budget on utilities and improvements since 2004.

With construction completed, it will soon be up to the VOA Museum board to raise approximately $12 million to make it a revenue-generating landmark.

“It would certainly be a real asset to West Chester and draw people all over the country and the world,” Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau, said in an interview with WestChesterBuzz in February.

“Hopefully it comes to fruition because it is a one of a kind thing and we should do all we can to make it a reality.”

According to board chairman Ken Rieser, the group hopes to kick off its fundraising efforts this year. However, the process is contingent on getting a working agreement in place with the township. Rieser said that the board is “in the final stages of the process.”

If and when the fundraising is completed, it is expected to attract 25,000 visitors, bring in $475,000 in out of area direct spending and provide an overall economic impact in excess of $1.7 million annually, according to estimates by museum design firm Jack Rouse Associates.

The National VOA Museum of Broadcasting consists of exhibits featuring the Voice of America at the VOA-Bethany station; Media Heritage’s Greater Cincinnati Museum of Broadcast History; the Gray History of Wireless Museum; and the West Chester Amateur Radio Assn.

For more information about VOA museums, go to www.voamuseum.org.

The museum is located at 8070 Tylersville Road in West Chester.

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Tags: Tags: Butler County Visitor's Bureau, David Snyder, Ken Riser, Mark Hecquet, National VOA Museum of Broadcasting, National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, VOA Museum, VOA Museum of Broadcasting, Voice of America Museum