Greater Boston tourism officials "sharply increased
their estimate of the impact of the [MLB] All-Star Game on
the local economy," citing the "unanticipated" success of
the John Hancock FanFest and evidence of "higher-than-
expected retail sales in and near Fenway Park on Tuesday,"
according to Gregg Krupa of the BOSTON GLOBE. MLB had
estimated that the game and ancillary events from Friday
through Tuesday would result in $62M in local spending,
while local execs had put the financial impact at about $50-
54M. But "much of the reason for the strong performance in
Boston is the increasing popularity" of FanFest, as about
110,000 attended the event, about 38% more than
"anticipated." The event also set records for sales of
licensed goods -- more than $500,000 -- and concessions --
more than $450,000. Stephen Burgay, VP/Advertising & Public
Affairs at event sponsor John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance,
said, "I honestly thought we'd never get more than 80,000 to
85,000 at FanFest." Greater Boston Convention & Visitors
Bureau President & CEO Patrick Moscaritolo: "We're hearing
that $700,000 was spent on souvenirs inside the park itself"
(BOSTON GLOBE, 7/15). Moscaritolo: "FanFest was huge, more
successful than anyone anticipated" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/15).
