Kait Pedigo Joins Roanoke Outside as Events Manager

Kait Pedigo has been selected as the new events manager of the Roanoke Outside Foundation, a non-profit created by the Partnership in 2010. Pedigo has worked the last three years as the special events supervisor for the City of Roanoke where she became very familiar with the Foundation’s events and played an integral role on the Anthem Go Outside Festival committee. 

Kait comes to Roanoke Outside with nearly a decade of experience working within the Roanoke Region’s outdoor community. She holds a degree in theatre and English from the University of Vermont where her experience with directing and stage management developed and was later leveraged to produce large-scale events with precision and expertise. In her role with Roanoke City Parks and Recreation, Kait supervised races, festivals, concerts and permitting for every event within the city’s purview. Kait was also a member of the GO Fest planning committee, and facilitated park use for the Blue Ridge Marathon and Go Cross.

“Kait has been a valuable assets to our organization for years as a member of the GO Fest committee and as City liaison for the Marathon and Go Cross. She is organized, creative, thoughtful and hard-working, all traits that will serve our organization well as we continue to build relationships throughout the Roanoke Region,” said Pete Eshelman, director of the Roanoke Outside Foundation. “I am pleased to welcome Kait to the Roanoke Outside team and feel confident she will quickly become an integral part of our organization.”

Roanoke Outside has the capacity to move mountains. I’ve witnessed the Foundation’s events draw people from all over the world and find success by whatever metric you use, such as attendance, notoriety, national brand participation, and livability,” said Pedigo. “The thing that attracts me the most to working for Roanoke Outside is that success comes by forming relationships and really caring for the businesses and community. I knew I had to be a part of this team.”

Prior to working for Parks and Rec, Pedigo worked in the outdoor industry as a program director, guiding adventure excursions, planning outdoor-related events and coordinating weddings. If you want to learn more check out Five Questions with Kait Pedigo, Roanoke Outside’s New Event Manager

The Roanoke Regional Partnership, founded in 1983, is the public-private economic development marketing and strategy organization supported by Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke Counties, the Cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem, and the Town of Vinton as well as more than 200 businesses. The organization has worked with its partners to create more than 19,000 primary jobs and $19 billion in investment by attracting companies such as Orvis, Altec, McAirlaids, Bimbo Bakeries, Cardinal Glass, Balchem, Eldor, Mack Trucks, Traditional Medicinals, Constellation Brands and others to the region.

Down by Downtown Is a Showcase of Live Music

The Down by Downtown Music Festival presented by Wells Fargo is more than just a good time. (Although you will have a lot of fun with all the music options.)

It’s a way to support live, local music and contribute to the vibrancy of the region.

Read more >

Blue Ridge Marathon Impact Continues to Grow, Tops $2.6 Million Over 6 Years

Blue Ridge Marathon impactMore racers brought more money into the Roanoke Region’s economy during the sixth annual Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, half marathon, and Anthem Star 10K. “America’s Toughest Road Marathon” hosted 1,677 runners who generated more than $556,000 in economic impact, according to a new study. Over the past six years, the event has contributed more than $2.6 million to the local economy.

A post-race survey determined the April 18 races created $340,693 in direct new sales activity, plus an additional $215,482 in indirect and induced spending for a total of $556,175 – up 6.7 percent over 2014. Activity surrounding the event will also support 6.2 jobs in the regional economy over the period of one year.

The economic impact is larger this year as a result of increased number of registrations as well as increases in average amount spent by travelers and average length of stay for those coming into the Roanoke Region for the races. The race drew runners from 37 states – in addition to the District of Columbia – and six countries: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Haiti, and the United Kingdom. The number of runners participating from outside the region accounted for more than half of race participants; and while average spending for extra-regional runners was down slightly, the number of additional participants more than accounted for the difference.

“The study shows that this race is steadily becoming a destination event, counting dollars brought to the region from outside the area. In addition, the race helps more people experience the Roanoke Region’s outdoor amenities,” said Pete Eshelman, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “That awareness helps reaffirm our reputation as an outdoor destination leading to economic development.”
 
The Partnership and Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission prepared a participant survey to measure the event’s economic impact. Respondents were asked to report the amount spent on fuel, meals, lodging, miscellaneous retail purchases and admissions while in the study area.

Along with national interest in the race, local participation continues to grow as well. The 10K race option, post-race festival and concert in conjunction with the Down by Downtown Music Festival, brought the community out to Elmwood Park. The race was again broadcast live by WDBJ7, who reported large viewership throughout the race.

“Every year, the Blue Ridge Marathon gets better,” said WDBJ7 General Manager Jeffrey Marks. “It’s an exciting race to cover because it’s the toughest course in America.  Roanoke pulls out all the stops for this event and we are proud to be a part of it.”

More than 43 percent of all survey respondents reported staying in town for at least one night. Approximately 37 percent stayed between one and two nights. The average length of stay among overnight visitors was 1.9 nights.

About 46 percent of all respondents reported traveling with family or friends, with an average of 2 additional people in the travel party among overnight visitors. Day-trip visitors traveled with an average of 0.5 others per participant.

The race course started in downtown Roanoke and climbed to the top of Mill Mountain and Roanoke Mountain along sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway for a total elevation change of 7,430 feet, making it America’s toughest road marathon.

“The event is more than the bucket-list race it is earning a reputation for; it’s a great way to engage a healthy and active community right here at home. More than 30 organizations and sponsors, 475 volunteers, and countless spectators come together for the Blue Ridge Marathon each spring, welcoming people from all over the nation and world to our community,” Eshelman said.

“As the title sponsor, it’s satisfying to see the positive economic and cultural impact the weekend has on the Roanoke community, and even more to see the year-over-year growth,” said Dawn Galbraith, senior vice president of Foot Levelers. “In our mission to promote healthy and active lifestyles, the partnership with the Blue Ridge Marathon has been a tremendous success.”
The 2016 races are set for April 16.

View the full economic impact report.