http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=2866429
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=2866429
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TOLEDO -- The Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau has booked the largest convention in Toledo's history. For eight weekends this summer, nearly 7,000 visitors will descend upon the SeaGate Convention Centre for the annual convention of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah?s Witnesses.
Toledo?s selection to host the event was announced Thursday. While the convention proceedings will take place at the SeaGate Convention Centre, the impact of the visitors will be felt throughout the community, as guests enjoy the region?s attractions, hotels, restaurants and festivals and spend their money here.
The direct economic impact from this event is expected to be more than $8 million and generate nearly 30,000 room nights over the event?s eight weeks. Thursday?s announcement was the culmination of more than a year of work for the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau, which worked with the SeaGate Convention Centre, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah?s Witnesses and a wide variety of agencies and downtown landowners to ensure that everything was in place to make the event a success.
"This is a huge economic development success and a perfect example of the SeaGate Convention Centre functioning as an economic magnet," said Jim Donnelly, president and CEO of the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitor Bureau. "Bringing the event to the SeaGate Convention Centre at break even costs generates opportunities for the local economy and accomplishes exactly the kind of thing the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau and the SeaGate Convention Centre were set up to do."
The Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau is the umbrella organization that works with hotels, convention centers and other area agencies to draw events like this to the area. In 2003, the CVB confirmed 378 conventions with more than 84,000 room nights in Greater Toledo. Overall, tourism makes an approximately $1 billion annual impact on the local economy.
"We were thrilled at the reception we received from the people we have worked with in Toledo. Both the SeaGate Convention Centre and the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau worked long and hard to help us have a successful event in Toledo. All our members look forward to a great summer in Lucas County," said David Dunn, of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah?s Witnesses. "It is our desire that each weekend, 7,000 Jehovah?s Witnesses leave Toledo spiritually refreshed, and return to their home cities to assist the local residents in their communities."
Donnelly said that much of the credit for the convention choosing the SeaGate Convention belongs to the people of the community. "Perhaps it is most important to note that this organization has visited Toledo before, and chose to come back again. I believe that speaks volumes about the hospitality of our people and the quality of our community as a destination," Donnelly said.
The convention will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of eight weekends in June, July and August. Visitors from the Ohio, Indiana and Michigan tri-state area are expected to attend the conference this summer, which is typically a downtime in the convention calendar.