2013 OBF Economic Impact statement released

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

A survey of 748 attendees at the 26^th annual Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) was administered by Jeff Dense, Professor of Political Science, and students in Eastern Oregon University’s POLS 316 Politics and Beer class, from July 24 to 27, 2013. OBF patrons were asked a range of questions, including demographics (age, gender, residence), along with inquires as to expenditure patterns attributable to their attendance at the festival. The results of the survey and ensuing economic impact analysis indicate:

 

• The 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival generated an estimated economic impact of $31.2 Million, a 3.5% increase from 2012. The total estimated economic impact consists of Direct ($21.9 Million) and Indirect ($9.3 Million) outputs. The lodging ($ 9.5 Million) and food and drink ($7.3 Million) industries were the primary drivers of the direct economic impact of the OBF.
• The $9.3 Million indirect economic impact of the Oregon Brewers Festival affects a significant number of local industry sectors. Real estate ($1.05 Million) was the primary industry sector benefitting from the indirect economic impact generated by the OBF. Twenty-five industries benefited indirectly from the festival in excess of $100,000, while another 65 industries received indirect economic impacts of $10,000-$99,999.
• The 2012 OBF generated a total added value of $12 Million. Employee compensation ($7.2 Million) and indirect business taxes ($1.5 Million) further contributed to the direct economic impact of the Oregon Brewers Festival.
• Visiting OBF patrons spent an average of $587. Southwest Washington visitors spend a similar amount ($205) as non-Portland based Oregon residents ($276), while out-of-state patrons ($714) spend a comparable amount to international visitors ($749).
• Accommodations ($11.08 Million) accounted for the largest share of OBF visitor expenditures a 19% increase from 2012.  Food and drink ($9.42 Million) expenditures were the other primary expenditure category for Oregon Brewers Festival. attendee
• The majority of OBF patrons were out-of-town visitors. 52.5% of OBF attendees came from beyond Portland, including Southwest Washington (4.3%), Oregon residents (10.7%), out-of-state (31.7%), and international visitors (5.9%).
• OBF attendees came from 33 states and 11 foreign countries. Washington (12.3%) and California (11.1%) were the leading sources of out-of-state OBF patrons, while Canada (3.7%) was the primary source for international visitors. In sum, Washington, California and Canada accounted for over a quarter (27.1%) of OBF attendees.
• Women accounted for a significant percentage (36%) of OBF attendees, a 10% increase from 2012. 21-29 year old females constituted a higher percentage of overall female attendance (33.5%) than their young male counterparts (26.1%).
• Nearly half (45.9%) of OBF patrons utilized mass transit to attend the festival. A majority (57.1%) of Portland area attendees used mass transit to visit the OBF.
• 40.2% of OBF patrons were attending the festival for the first time. A majority (51.4%) of Oregon Brewers Festival patrons have attended the festival two years or less, while 32.7% had attended 5 or more years.
• While 21-29 year old attendees constitute the largest age demographic (28.7%) of OBF patrons, the 50+ crowd has a significant presence (25%). In sum, the 40-49 (18.5%), 50-59 (14.7%) and 60+ (10.3%) age groups accounted for 43.5% of attendees.
• Over 300 jobs were created as a result of the OBF. 286 and 62 people were employed as a result of the direct and indirect economic impact of the OBF, respectively.