A survey by the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce reveals the Grand Slam of Curling significantly boosted local spending and community pride in Steinbach, Manitoba. Nearly all respondents support hosting more such events, with businesses reporting increased revenue and hotels selling out.
The Grand Slam of Curling, held at the Southeast Event Centre (SEC) in Steinbach, generated increased local spending, sold-out hotels, and a renewed sense of community pride. To gauge the event's impact, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce distributed a voluntary survey to local businesses and the community afterward, receiving more than 100 responses.
'We wanted to reach out to the community and find out what was some of the economic impact that came from this fabulous event,' said Tessa Masi, executive director of the chamber. Nearly all respondents—98 percent—said they support Steinbach hosting more large-scale events like the Grand Slam of Curling. According to the survey, 60 percent of attendees reported spending more money locally than they normally would in a typical week. An additional 20 percent said they hosted visitors from out of town, even as local hotels reached capacity during the event.
Local businesses also felt the impact. Forty percent of businesses that responded said they experienced an increase in business during the tournament, with benefits extending beyond the immediate area surrounding the SEC. 'People were exploring Steinbach a little bit. So that was really fun,' Masi said. Respondents rated the overall impact of the event on the community at an average of 92 percent on a scale of one to 100.
From the Southeast Event Centre's perspective, Melanie Hiebert, general manager of the SEC, highlighted community pride as a major standout. 'That was really evident in the feedback and even just the atmosphere in the building,' Hiebert said. She noted that pride was evident among staff, volunteers, and visitors alike, with many out-of-town guests commenting positively on both the facility and the city itself.
The event also delivered historic attendance numbers, marking the second-highest ticket-selling Grand Slam of Curling event in the tour's history and the largest event to date at the SEC. Restaurants and food services across the city benefited, with some reporting repeat visits from curling teams throughout the week.
While feedback was largely positive, the chamber noted one key takeaway for future events: businesses would appreciate earlier notice about the scale of upcoming tournaments to prepare staffing and inventory accordingly. 'This is one way we can be even more prepared for future events,' Masi noted. The success of the tournament has sparked broader conversations about what Steinbach can host next.
