Overview The Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association runs two of its biggest weekends of the year at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland: the MAWA South Regional Championships and, three weeks later, the Eastern National Championships. MAWA is an AAU wrestling organization serving folkstyle wrestlers in 17 states from Maine to South Carolina, and the Eastern Nationals are the final stop of its district and regional ladder. Wicomico County hosts both events and sells the sponsorships. On site Up to 15 mats cover the Civic Center floor with seating on all sides. Wrestlers weigh in on Friday night in the Flanders Room, then compete through Saturday and Sunday, with a girls-only division opening the Eastern Nationals weekend. Placewinners take the numbered awards stand, where a professional photographer shoots every podium. Sponsors can put their logo on the podium and the mat numbers, hang banners in the arena and meet families face to face at weigh-ins. FloWrestling streams the action. Audience More than 2,500 wrestlers from 17 states over the two weekends, from Bantam kids up to adults in the Open division, plus four girls' divisions. Most arrive with parents, siblings and coaches and stay two or three nights, so the events draw about 20,000 visitors to Salisbury. Talent and Influencers The Eastern Nationals bring together the top four finishers from each of MAWA's four regionals. MAWA has produced future NCAA champions and Olympians, and its all-star teams have won multiple AAU Junior Olympic titles. Two-time NCAA champion Aaron Brooks of Penn State has run a clinic at the Civic Center during Eastern Nationals weekend. Track record MAWA has run its tournament ladder since the 1970s, and the Eastern Nationals have been held in Wicomico County for more than 30 years. County figures put the two weekends' combined economic impact at more than $4 million a year. The Eastern Nationals recently added a third day to make room for the growing Elite Girls division. Brand presence No brand currently holds a MAWA sponsorship in Salisbury, so every package is open. The Championship package carries four arena banners, the podium logo, logos on the arena mat numbers, e-blasts to participants and vendor space. Smaller packages cover the weigh-ins, volunteer T-shirts and vendor tables, and Local Champion money goes to volunteer meals and donations to local clubs.