Business leaders gathered on Thursday, October 29, in the ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel for the PRCC Sports Business Summit, an initiative of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce to expand the island’s tourism offerings and prioritize the development of future athletes with private-sector support. Participants discussed how the private and government sectors can work together to attract major sporting events to Puerto Rico, improve sports-related infrastructure and give young athletes tools to stand out and open future opportunities.
Another key topic was the economy around the venues hosting such events, including spectator experiences, entertainment and dining. Chamber president José Julio "Che" Aparicio Laspina said organizational work is now needed, including an administrative structure for the private enterprise and a vision and mission document defining where it wants to go. He said that encouraging sports in Puerto Rico requires better conditions for young people so they can use sports as a vehicle toward a better future, whether as high-performance athletes or by earning university scholarships.
He said one main goal is the socioeconomic growth of athletes, so they not only become professionals but also get a good education. Former professional volleyball player Aury Cruz, a former member of the national volleyball team who is now a businesswoman, told Metro the impact on youth will be large, giving them visibility and tools to look after their health as they develop.
The Chamber has previously backed projects to move the economy through sports, such as sports betting. This time it aims to build on Puerto Rico’s growing popularity to attract world-class events and focus on young people developing on the island.