Since 2004, Placer Valley Tourism (PVT) has been serving South Placer County and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln to promote everything the area offers, from recreation to wineries, shopping centers and fine dining.
PVT also generates room-night stays in hotels within the region’s geographic footprint through various conferences and youth and amateur sports events. Recently-appointed CEO Kim Summers has been with PVT since 2008. A previous collegiate athlete, she is excited to see the area’s youth sports tourism grow.
“The project of a lifetime was seeing the Roebbelen Center come to life,” she says. As part of the 61-acre @the Grounds venue, the $34 million Roebbelen Center is a 160,000-square-foot event center that can accommodate major amateur sports competitions, large meetings, trade shows and concerts.
In 2022, the center produced more than 12,000 room nights for area hotels. “If the facility wasn’t there, that is a loss of room nights for our economy,” Summers says.
Since 2017, the center has attracted more than 550,000 visitors. Visitor spending affects more than just hotels. The average out-of-town visitor spends nearly $100 daily on dining and other local amenities.
“PVT aims to coordinate community and sports events with the best hospitality options in the region.” — Kim Summers CEO
Summers says the aphorism “If you build it, they will come” is truly embodied in Placer County. “The facilities attract visitors for the first time and it’s the world-class hotels, amenities and a safe and clean environment that keep them coming back,” she adds.
As for the success of PVT, Summers says she owes it all to her diverse team and the partnerships that have formed over the years. “We are fortunate to have a great business community and wonderful residents. We couldn’t do this without them.”
PVT provides a variety of grants, from corporate to sports and performing arts. Recently, the City of Rocklin was awarded $400,000 for pickleball courts, a popular attraction for both competition and recreation.
“I am excited to see sports tourism grow in Placer Valley,” Summers says.
