Some of you may have figured out who I am... that I am sort of undercover right now with these people. I just will be posting more of these things as they come, but get a load of this... the article itself is of no real interest... It is THEIR proud reaction to it I am getting at. They are passing this article around the whole State of virginia. IN the long run... it is all about the money. Notice the "relationship" mentioned here... hmmm "no part of the world"???? Jehovah's Witness convention a $10 million boost to Johnson City Friday, June 27, 2003
By Matthew Lane
Times-News
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JOHNSON CITY - The average person in Johnson City probably doesn't realize that the Jehovah's Witness convention, to be held at Freedom Hall next month, has an economic impact of more than $10 million.
"They just know that there's a lot more traffic those weekends," said Brenda Whitson, executive director of the Johnson City Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "There's more folks out in the mall and the restaurants. They probably don't think about the economic impact in having that number of people in town.
"It's a busy two weekends. Don't try and find a hotel room, it won't happen."
The 2003 Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses District Convention will be held at Freedom Hall on July 11-13 and 18-20.
Whitson said the city anticipates that between 9,000 and 10,000 delegates from Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia will attend the convention.
"It is a great economic boon for our area for two weekends in a row," Whitson said. "In Johnson City alone they will bring in more than 4,300 room nights for both combined weekends. Room nights in the region, as far as Kingsport and Bristol are concerned, will be around 1,200 to 1,500 room nights."
Whitson said the goal of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau is to work with the Jehovah's Witnesses as effectively as it can in order to maintain a long-term relationship.
To help accommodate the Jehovah's Witnesses, Johnson City provides no charge on parking at Freedom Hall, alternate routes to the facility and maps and visitor's guides of the region, Whitson said.
"We have created an experience for them here that they feel very comfortable with. It's a great partnership," Whitson said. "They saw that we were willing to go the extra mile for this convention, and each year we look at ways to improve the service."
Craig Clark, news service representative for the July 18-20 convention, agreed that Johnson City is very cooperative with the Jehovah's Witnesses.
"The city is very receptive, and we appreciate their cooperation very much," Clark said.
The Johnson City convention is one of 200 being held in 60 cities throughout the United States. The delegates will convene in unison with an estimated 11 million of their associates on six continents.
The theme of the convention is "Give God Glory."
Clark said many people look forward all year long to the annual convention.
"It's the highlight of the year and many use their vacation time to come to the convention," Clark said. "It's a time for people to build themselves spiritually."
For information on the July 11-13 convention, contact Robert Burpitt at 341-0924; for information on the July 18-20 convention, contact Clark at 895-0164.
- By Matthew Lane