IPSC World Shoot Proves To Be A Resounding Success

International Practical Shooting Confederation World Shoot XVII
International Practical Shooting Confederation World Shoot XVII

Auburndale, Fla. – -(Ammoland.com)- The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) World Shoot XVII Closing Ceremonies has concluded, and the more than 1,400 competitors, range officers and IPSC officials have returned to their homes across the globe, the accolades and economic benefits are being realized throughout Polk County.

WSXVII 2014 IPSC World Shoot Results

While the cities that hosted the major World Shoot events such as Lakeland (Parade of Nations, Opening Ceremonies, Match Registration, Closing Ceremonies) and Frostproof (World Shoot Main Match and Pre-Match) saw the largest numbers of competitors during the event, the economic benefits were felt in hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail stores throughout Polk County.

Some key economic impacts to the region include:

  • More than 17,000 room nights booked at area hotels and vacation rental homes
  • 70% of competitors stayed in hotels stayed in Polk County hotels (9,185 Room Nights)
  • 79% of competitors staying in vacation rental homes stayed in Polk County vacation rental homes (4,060 Room Nights)
  • Estimated economic impact of $7,173,000

In addition, Polk County has benefitted by the increased events being brought to the area since the county was named the host of World Shoot XVII in 2011 including:

  • Increase of 22 shooting competitions over a five year period (2012 – 2016).
  • Economic impact of $8.9 million from those events held in Polk County from 2012 up to the World Shoot.
  • Estimated economic impact of an additional $8.6 million is expected from shooting events to be held in Polk County through 2016.

Economically the event has been lauded as a success, but the accolades do not end there. It was evident early on that Polk County was rolling out the red carpet and providing a warm welcome to the competitors, match officials and their guests, who came from more than 80 countries from around the world for the competition. Competitors raved about the friendliness and helpful attitudes of area residents. The cheers and wide smiles were very hard to hide during the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremonies that kicked off the event, and the fact that no one wanted to leave the Lakeland Center at the conclusion of the Closing Ceremonies expressed everyone’s approval of their time spent in Polk County. In his address at the Closing Ceremonies IPSC President Nick Alexakos declared “The Match Organizers spared no effort and completely raised the bar to bring us the very best World Shoot ever held, they have set a new World Shoot benchmark for the future!”

Interesting IPSC World Shoot XVII Facts:

  • This was the largest IPSC World Shoot held in its history with 1,380 competitors. In comparison the last IPSC World Shoot held in Greece in 2011 had 1,209 competitors and in 1986, the last time the United States hosted the IPSC World Shoot, only 220 participants competed.
  • More than 1,170,000 rounds of ammunition shot during the competition
  • Oldest Competitor – 80 – Albert Rieber from Germany
  • Youngest Competitor – 11 – Vladamir Novikov – Russia
  • Largest Delegation – 78 USA; 70 Russia
  • Smallest Delegation – 1 – Bolivia, China, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guam, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and Taiwan.
  • Range Officers logged more than 20,000 man/hours in officiating the competition.

Polk County continues to reap the benefits of the coverage of World Shoot XVII, even after the event’s conclusion. Video coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, held in Lakeland, continue to be viewed by competitors, family members by visiting www.VisitCentralFlorida.com/worldshoot. As of October 31 the Opening Ceremonies received 3,937 views with the top countries for viewership being the United States, Philippines, Italy, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Slovenia, Taiwan, Argentina and Finland. The World Shoot XVII Closing Ceremony vide has been viewed 262 times, with the top countries for viewership being the United States, Canada, Philippines, Finland, Italy, Greece Denmark, Australia, Norway and South Africa. The IPSC World Shoot competition will also be featured on an upcoming episode of Shooting USA which airs throughout North American on the Outdoor Channel and a wrap up story will appear in IPSC World Magazine which is distributed to all 250,000 members of the International Practical Shooting Confederation