The marketing efforts of Butler County officials has lead a national wakeboard competition to be held in the state of Ohio next week.

Butler County’s Voice of America MetroPark will play host to hundreds of the nation’s best wakeboard athletes next week when the 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships are held Aug. 2-5.

In its 23-year history, the World Wakeboard Association’s competition has never been held in the state of Ohio. The competition — with professional and amateur wakeboarders — will feature more than 20 divisions with competitors ranging from seven-years-old to 55.

In the top two divisions — Pro Men and Pro Women — participants will also compete in the King of Wake and Queen of Wake series. The Aug. 2-5 competition will determine who represents the United States Aug. 16-19 at the 2012 Rockstar WWA Wakeboard World Championships in Pleasant Prairie, Wisc.

Tara Meier, marketing director for Butler County Visitors Bureau, said the visitors bureau has a team of staff dedicated to promoting Butler County as a sporting destination. She said the team identifies sporting event opportunities for the county and prepares bids to sports organizations.

“The WWA Wakeboard Nationals was a result of our sporting department’s hard work,” Meier said. “It was a very competitive selection process and many sites across the country were considered and we are thrilled to have VOA Park chosen for this event.”

Meier said in recent months, the visitors bureau has had a direct hand in bringing four other national sporting events to Butler County — adding up to more than $4.5 million in economic impact — including the 128th National Target Championship and 2012 Easton Junior Olympic Archery Development National Championship; the Amateur Athletic Union’s 7th Grade Girl’s Basketball National Championships; and 2012 Synchronized Swimming Championships.

Jason Williams, senior sales manager of sports and events for the visitors bureau, said the estimated economic impact for the wakeboard nationals is $500,000. Also upcoming in August, the 2012 USA Triathlon Junior & Youth Nationals will be held Aug. 11-12 at VOA Park with an anticipated $700,000 in economic impact.

“The park has the layout, vibe and local support we’re looking for to host an event of this magnitude,” said Chris Bischoff, wakeboard tournament director.

Tickets are required for Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 and are available for purchase at the VOA Park gate.