Study: Biker Rally Means Up To $80 Million in Economic Impact

The nonprofit organization Bikes, Blues & BBQ Inc. announced Monday the results of a new research study showing the economic impact of the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally based in Fayetteville.

The study, found here, was conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas. It showed the total economic impact of the 2013 rally on the Northwest Arkansas region was between $69 million and $80 million dollars. 

Data was gathered based on 991 surveys taken at the 2013 rally, as well as tax collection information. The total number of people represented in the survey was 3,241.

Based on motorcycle industry attendance estimates from the 2005 rally, and comparisons of merchandise and beverage sales between the two years (2005 and 2013), organizers conservatively estimate a regional attendance of between 300,000 and 350,000 with almost 60 percent of those attending from outside of Northwest Arkansas.

The study also showed the average spending of each rally attendee was an estimated $401.86, and that spending generated at least $36.17 in state and local sales tax per person. 

Those figures translate to a range between $4,164,692 and $4,858,808 in state sales taxes generated, as well as between $2,082,346 and $2,429,404 in local city and county sales taxes generated.

According to a news release, the organization’s last economic impact study was conducted in 2005. At that stage in the rally’s life, there was only one venue with between 200,000 and 250,000 attendees and an economic impact of between $30 and $50 million.

In 2013, the rally spread across five total venues and attendance substantially increased.