Venue ranks in the Top 20 in Texas, attracting 724,000 visits and $20.6 million in sales
By Dannie Oliveaux | dannieoliveaux@theexaminer.com
Doggett Ford Park recently presented the findings of their 2024 Economic Impact Report to the Jefferson County Commissioners Court, showcasing the complex’s substantial contribution to the local and regional economy during the 2024 calendar year, according to announcement by Oak View Group, the facility manager.
The study was a collaborative effort between the Jefferson County Tourism Committee and Oak View Group, and was designed to measure the economic impact of events hosted at Doggett Ford Park and Doggett Fields throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding region. The report was approved by Jefferson County Commissioners Court in October 2024.
The analysis was conducted by Impact Datasource of Austin, the same firm that completed the park’s original 2004 economic impact study, allowing for meaningful long-term comparisons over a 20-year period. The 2024 study was further enhanced with real-time event analytics from Placer.ai, providing deeper insight into visitor behavior, travel patterns, and regional draw.
Funding for the study was provided through a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Grant administered by the Jefferson County Tourism Committee.
Some of the 2024 economic impact highlights include more than 160 event days across Doggett Ford Park, including two sold-out shows at Doggett Ford Park Arena, and more than 25 weekend tournaments hosted at Doggett Fields.
The economic impact was total county taxable sales was $19,268,093, hotel room sales was $1,375,255, total sales generated in Jefferson County was $20,643,348 and 14,476 hotel room nights were generated.
Compared to the state's Top 20 ranking, Doggett Ford Park and Doggett Fields ranked No. 19 among comparable venues in 2024. They had 423,777 in paid attendance to the complex, 724,073 total visits and 45,791 out-of-town visitors.
“These results reinforce the crucial role that Doggett Ford Park and Doggett Fields play as a regional economic driver,” said OVG’s Claudio Oliveira, general manager at Doggett Ford Park. The data shows the impact extends well beyond the venue, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and filling local hotels, restaurants and retailers throughout Jefferson County.”
The inclusion of Placer.ai data provided enhanced visibility into visitor origin, dwell time, and spending behavior, allowing stakeholders to better understand how events translate into real economic activity throughout the county.
Oak View Group and the Jefferson County Tourism Committee will continue to use these insights to guide future event strategy, strengthen partnerships, and maximize economic benefits for the community.
For more information about Doggett Ford Park or the 2024 Economic Impact Report, contact Richard Doss, director of Sales and Marketing, at (409) 499-8794 or Richard.Doss@oakviewgroup.com.
