DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Collegiate cheer and dance teams from across the country competed on the national stage this past weekend in Daytona Beach.   

What You Need To Know

  • The NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance championship was held in Daytona Beach over the weekend

  •  It was the 25th year the event was held in the city

  • The competition was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic

The NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance championship celebrated the 25th anniversary of being hosted in Daytona Beach, and also the return of the competition to the area after a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. 

"It feels so good. We were very disappointed last year when it got canceled," said Kayla Clary, president of the University of Florida Club Cheerleading Team. "So we were super excited to come here to compete at all and just do our very best, even with all the trials and tribulations of this year." 

The cheerleaders weren't the only ones flying high over the competition. Duane Winjum, general manager at the Plaza Resort and Spa, said the event caused them to be fully booked.  

"We are surprised really to see the turnout, but it’s been a phenomenal time so far," Winjum said. "Since Wednesday, we’ve been sold out and we’ll be sold out through the weekend with 90% of our rooms going to this group so we’re really pleased with it."

With part of the event being held virtually this year, some hotels didn't see as many cheerleaders staying with them. But at the Shores Resort and Spa, general manager Rob Burnetti said they still operated near capacity.

"With half the teams in town, most of the cheerleading folks are by the core by the Ocean Center," Burnetti said. "But it really worked out well for us because other business has us sold out and we’ve been running over 95% for the last 14 days. So it’s great to have them in town to supplement what else is going on, but even with that drop in the block of cheerleaders this year, other demand has made up for it."

They weren't the only ones seeing a welcomed boost to their bottom line. According to the U.S. Census Bureau​, 13.2% of U.S. small businesses experienced an increase in operating revenues in late March. 

"Every indication is that there’s a strong desire to travel and people are ready to travel, especially with the number of vaccinations that are being done," Winjum said.  

And these resorts hope it’s a sign of a big rebound to flip into this summer. 

"Anything that shows signs of recovery for us is fantastic, and that’s the position we’re in," Burnetti said.