Jefferson: Lehigh Valley Classic to generate $50–$100M, benefit local charities

A Conversation With: Nick Ragone, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer for Jefferson 

 LVB: The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic is expected to be a huge event for the region. How did this come about? 

Ragone: As Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network came together, we began thinking about ways to show our long-term commitment to the Lehigh Valley region, as well as bring the Jefferson brand to life, and we felt that a PGA TOUR Champions event called the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic was the perfect way to do this.  

We saw the enthusiasm around the Truist Championship last year and the excitement around the PGA Championship at Aronimink and wanted to establish an annual event that would highlight the region year after year.  

What makes this event particularly special is all of the proceeds go to our three charitable partners – Valley Youth House, the Eagles Autism Foundation, and Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation.  

As I like to say, we don’t yet know who is going to win the inaugural tournament, but we already know our charities are the real champions. 

 LVB:  When an event of this size comes to the area, what is the expected impact economically on the Lehigh Valley? 

 Ragone: The economic impact will be significant – somewhere between $50–$100 million, all told. We believe the event will pull fans from a wide radius, from New York down to Maryland, and generate all the economic activity that comes from that.  

There will also be a windfall effect. Coverage of the event, which will be broadcast on the Golf Channel, will highlight the area, local businesses, and the people.  

The impact will go beyond the tournament week and help drive continued interest in the region. 

 LVB: The region will also get a lot of attention. Who is expected to attend and cover the event? 

 Ragone: What’s wonderful about the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic is that it will be covered live on the Golf Channel for nine hours over three days, as well as repeated for another nine hours.  

With legends of the game traveling from all over the world, we expect golf fans to travel to the Lehigh Valley. This tournament is the only PGA Champions TOUR event in the mid-Atlantic region, allowing up-close interactions with the participants.  

It’s going to showcase the Lehigh Valley to a national audience with 18 hours of coverage, reminding the country why the Lehigh Valley is a great place to live, work, and visit. 

LVB: With Jefferson still being a fairly new name in the Lehigh Valley, do you think this will help bring name recognition? 

Ragone: The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic will further familiarize the Lehigh Valley with Jefferson as we continue to find ways to be more visible, accessible, and beneficial to the region.  

While the name may be newer, it’s the same level of quality care that the community has always received from their family and neighbors guided by a mission to improve lives. 

 LVB: What kinds of financial benefits, fundraising-wise and reputation-wise, will this event bring to the health network? 

 Ragone: It’s really about giving back. Over the initial five-year run of this event, we’re going to give back millions of dollars to our charities, drive economic growth and visibility for the region, provide a world-class sporting event that our region can be proud of, and grow our presence in the region. All proceeds will go back to the community through charity.