Media Contact:

Ally Dorrough, APR • Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events
[email protected] • alabamasbeaches.com/sports
1-800-745-SAND • 251-968-9327 (direct) • 334-391-7745 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2025 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism, including the NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing a more-than-welcome boost of more than $1.4 billion to the national economy over the past year.

The 2025 championship, produced in cooperation with the city of Gulf Shores, host institution University of Alabama at Birmingham,  Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events and The Hangout Hospitality Group, stood out for its resiliency, being executed in less than 100 days. When Huntington Beach, CA, was unable to host due to West Coast wildfires, AB Sports & Events and UAB stepped in to ensure the event’s success. The host destination and institution are confirmed to hold the tournament through at least 2031.

“We are honored to receive this award alongside our fantastic partners at Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events and the University of Alabama Birmingham,” noted Kristin Fasbender, director of championships and alliances with the NCAA. “Without their hard work and dedication to the NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship every year, this event wouldn’t be the unique and successful event it is today. Every year is a chance for us to come up with ways to be even bigger and better, and that is reflected in the enthusiasm from fans and participating teams. Gulf Shores has been an incredible host city to all those who travel, both near and far, to attend this championship.”

All winners of awards have been recognized in a special feature published in the November/December 2025 issue of Sports Destination Management. The entire article with full details on the winners listed below can also be found online.

Read Now: Article on Champions of Economic Impact 

For information on upcoming athletic and major leisure events along Alabama’s Beaches and to book accommodations, visit alabamasbeaches.com/sports. 

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Photo & Logo:

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Caption: The NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship, in conjunction with Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events, was named a 2025 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management.
Credit: Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events

About Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events:

Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events (AB Sports & Events) is a partnership among Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Gulf State Park and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, the organization became a department within GSOBT. In this role, AB Sports & Events – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality athletic and leisure events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To learn more about sports and events along Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, please visit alabamasbeaches.com/sports.

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.