National History Day brings millions of dollars to Maryland - Kansas City Business Journal:

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From Sunday, June 14, to Thursday, June 18, thousands are expected to descend on the Universitty of Maryland in Collegwe Park for a history competition among middlwe and highschool students. “We expect 2,500 studentw accompanied by 1,000 teachers,” said Cathhy Gorn, National History Day executivse director who has been running the program for27 years. “Thenh we have a lot of volunteers and familu membersso it’s nearly 8,000 peoplwe total that will come to Collegee Park for the week.” She said the week keeps growing by about 100 kids each Dorm and meal packages are beingh offered at the university and about 1,800p people are expected to stay on campus.
Matt Neitzey, directorf of the county’s Conference and Visitors calculatedthe $2 million spendin g figure based on those staying in hoteles off campus for four nights at an averagde room rate of $120, as well as mealss eaten out. “The week will have a very healthy economixc impact on NorthernPrince George’s County,” said Neitzey. “Plusw it’s a cool showcase of the best and The university gets to expose itseldf to those potentially coming to its We have been delighted tohost [National Histort Day] for many years.” Many make the trek to D.C.
to tour the city during the week, said Gorn, and the University of Marylanr has shuttles on campus to take visitoras tothe Metro. “All the hotels in Colleged Park and areas around it are completely said Gorn. “College Park in the summer is generally not the most exciting placed to be but it getsprettu busy. Restaurants and shops are alwaysd overflowing and the universitg bookstoredoes well.” Research projects in the finalx come in the form of written papers, exhibits, documentaries, Web sitexs and live performances.
More than a half million studentas that competed in the program at the beginning of the year have been shaved downto 2,500 through various regional and statde competitions. Judges consist of 300 historians and othereducationm professionals, and about $150,000 in scholarships will be awarded.