Packers Training Camp has meant big business in past years...but what about this year?



GREEN BAY (WITI) -- Green Bay Packers Training Camp is a draw for people all across the country -- and the world! The flock of fans to Green Bay for Training Camp has a multi-million dollar impact on the Green Bay area.

It's one of the things the "railbirds" look forward to every summer.

"I'm a big Packers fan, so it's fun to come and watch them," Terry Kohlhepp from Eau Claire said.

More than 90,000 tourists are expected to visit the Green Bay area during this year's Training Camp.

"That will have about a $9 million impact on our local economy," Brad Toll with the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau said.

Toll says with fewer open practices, the impact could take a million dollar hit.

"But we could very easily see that number stay the same with more people coming to practices that there are," Toll said.

In 2010 there were 24 open practices for fans. From 2011 to 2013 there were 20 open practices. This year there 17 open practices for fans.

"I like the concept of more open practices. Anytime you can give the fans access to the players, I think that's great," Kohlhepp said.

"I understand that it's a toll on their bodies. I'd rather have a player know his playbook than practice something he's been practicing since he was 10 years old," John Parlow from Green Bay said.

"I think there should be more. Obviously it brings the fans together," Chase Morrison from Green Bay said.

"It would help to have more to keep the people interested if you had more open practices but if they have something they want to keep private and don't want anybody to know, they should do it," Tim Holochwost from Bark River, Michigan said.

With fewer open practices, some business owners say it could mean less business going in and out of the door.

"When they aren't at practice, they're going elsewhere to eat," Jerry Watson said.

Watson owns Stadium Bar and Grill and he says during last year's training camp, business tripled.

"If you look up the street, it's a mob of people right now and when they get done they come mostly one way, this way," Watson said.

When Mike Sherman was Packers Head Coach, the Packers had 51 open practices. Sometimes those practices were twice a day, but the 2011 collective bargaining agreement prohibits two-a-day practices.