This week’s State of Hospitality broke some big news scoring two big victories. Starting in 2027, we have the return of the GoldenSky Country Music Festival, and the California International Marathon will double in size to 20,000 runners.This is a massive boost for our local economy. The music festival is a three-year commitment, drawing about 75,000 music fans from around the world each year. All those visitors – plus their families and marathon support teams – will also run around the city, visiting hotels, restaurants, and local shops. That’s where these events benefit every one of us. To give you an idea of how much all those tourists will spend, “Visit Sacramento” says three big events in October will generate close to $70 million in economic impact. At a time when the city is trying to dig out of a deficit, these events will bring in tax money for our parks, libraries, streets and services. They also show off our region to a global audience. The best part of living in a city that hosts major events like these is how it brings communities together, encourages people to volunteer, and creates a shared sense of identity and celebration. I mean, when’s the last time you looked at the person sitting next to you at a Kings game and asked them about politics? You probably didn’t – and that’s nice, right?As music fans pack the parks, and runners race through the streets, Sacramento is proving it has the momentum, the vision, and the passion to thrive on the national stage. When you have an organization like Visit Sacramento working with our city leaders and event organizers – big dreams can become reality. When we all lean in and support these events, we all share in the success.Ariel Roblin is the president and general manager of KCRA 3 and My58. See more of her editorials here.

This week’s State of Hospitality broke some big news scoring two big victories.

Starting in 2027, we have the return of the GoldenSky Country Music Festival, and the California International Marathon will double in size to 20,000 runners.

This is a massive boost for our local economy.

The music festival is a three-year commitment, drawing about 75,000 music fans from around the world each year.

All those visitors – plus their families and marathon support teams – will also run around the city, visiting hotels, restaurants, and local shops.

That’s where these events benefit every one of us.

To give you an idea of how much all those tourists will spend, “Visit Sacramento” says three big events in October will generate close to $70 million in economic impact.

At a time when the city is trying to dig out of a deficit, these events will bring in tax money for our parks, libraries, streets and services. They also show off our region to a global audience.

The best part of living in a city that hosts major events like these is how it brings communities together, encourages people to volunteer, and creates a shared sense of identity and celebration.

I mean, when’s the last time you looked at the person sitting next to you at a Kings game and asked them about politics?

You probably didn’t – and that’s nice, right?

As music fans pack the parks, and runners race through the streets, Sacramento is proving it has the momentum, the vision, and the passion to thrive on the national stage.

When you have an organization like Visit Sacramento working with our city leaders and event organizers – big dreams can become reality.

When we all lean in and support these events, we all share in the success.

Ariel Roblin is the president and general manager of KCRA 3 and My58. See more of her editorials here.