Written by:
10/20/2011 3:47 PM 

In this era of moneyball, how seriously should you take estimates of the economic impact that the World Series will have on St. Louis?

Whether it's playoffs or an All-Star Game or a political convention or a major golf championship, whenever St. Louis lands a high-profile event, forecasters are always quick to issue their prediction of how the area will grow richer from all the money brought to town by visitors flocking to be part of the big show. And that is separate from the image boost that goes with winning the first game of the World Series.





Beacon file photo

A long way from opening day ...

This week's numbers from the Regional Chamber and Growth Association: a $24.4 million boost for the area from the World Series, adding to a total impact of $52 million from the Cardinals' unexpected run in post-season play.

But what do those estimates mean? Has anyone taken past predictions and compared them against reality? Should decision-makers use the projected impact as a basis for future action?

Ruth Sergenian, chief economist for the RCGA, says the group's forecast is based on solid methodology, but she acknowledges that past predictions haven't been tested, and the numbers are designed as much to measure excitement and prestige as they are to gauge precise effects on the region.

Full article at http://stlbeacon.org/issues-politics/172-Economy/113662-economic-impact-of-2011-world-series

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Tags: event , Ambrose , world series , St. Louis , sports , team

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