The 2011 Big East Women’s Basketball Championship presented by American Eagle Outfitters is Friday, March 4 to Tuesday, March 8.

All 16 Big East teams will play in the championship, with 15 games being played over five days.

The projected economic impact to the Greater Hartford region is more than $2 million.

The official site for information is www.bigeast.org/wbb for games, event programming, fan events, and housing.

Members of the Hartford Hospitality Task Force, which includes the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Hartford Arts Council, MetroHartford Alliance, the BID, the Hartford Parking Authority, and businesses, are working on a variety of activities and promotions for fans and visitors.

Efforts include a Big East Fan Guide with shuttle map, event locations/details (available at the XL Center, the Greater Hartford Welcome Center at 100 Pearl Street in Hartford, and participating hotels throughout the city); a daily newsletter distributed by the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau at hotels and Information Nation, detailing daily events, provide brackets and scheduling information. A supplemental newsletter, “Big East Eat” for restaurant specials. In addition, restaurants and shops will offer extended hours and promotions.

Comcast Coliseum Club in the XL Center open to those with a ticket stub. Reservations strongly recommended by calling (860) 241-4319. Also, most downtown parking garages and lots will offer special event parking rates. Hartford’s Star Shuttle buses will extend hours as follows: Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Monday, 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.
To welcome visitors, the Greater Hartford Welcome Center at 100 Pearl Street will be open Friday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau will host a satellite welcome center inside the XL Center on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hartford Hospitality Task Force is comprised of more than 40 representatives from: the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau; AEG Management CT, LLC., XL Center, the City of Hartford; the Central Regional Tourism District; The MetroHartford Alliance; Business for Downtown Hartford; Hartford Business Improvement District; the Capital City Economic Development Authority (CCEDA); the Connecticut Convention Center; the Connecticut Expo Center; the Greater Hartford Arts Council; CT Transit; the Hartford Parking Authority; the Hartford Police; Riverfront Recapture; and Hartford restaurants, attractions, hotels, businesses, arts and community organizations, and event organizers.