4/22/04 - Record Number of Conventions Held First
News Release
ANCHORAGE, AK - April 22, 2004
RECORD NUMBERS OF CONVENTIONS AND MEETINGS HELD IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2004
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) reports a record breaking number of meetings held during the first quarter of 2004. International meetings held were up 147 percent, national meetings held were up 179 percent and 166 conventions were booked for future dates.
"The economy is having a slow but steady recovery and all indications point toward continued growth in meetings and conventions. During the first three months of this year, Anchorage has had record numbers of meetings held and have booked large groups to come to Anchorage as far out as 2010," said Bruce Bustamante, ACVB president and CEO.
Meetings held in January had an estimated economic impact (EEI) of more than $3.8 million (compared to $719,359 in 2003 and $2.2 million in 2002). In February, EEI of meetings exceeded $8.1 million (compared to $4.1 million in 2003 and $7.1 million in 2002). Meetings held in March had an EEI of $8.9 million (compared to $4.3 million in 2003 and $6.9 million in 2002).
Anchorage continues to become an international destination for meetings and conventions, recently hosting the World Airlines Ski Championships with 500 delegates in February/March and the Winter Cities Conference with 300 delegates in February. National meetings rose in part because of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association competition in March with 600 attendees and the U.S. Chevrolet Alpine Championships with 100 attendees in March.
The three largest meetings booked in the first quarter are the Alaska Federation of Natives conference with 3,500 delegates for October 2004; the United Transportation Union with 1,100 delegates for June 2005; and, the Association of Moving Image Archivists with 700 delegates for October 2006.
During the first quarter, ACVB also serviced 172 conventions and responded to 69 requests for proposals. The Convention and Meeting Sales & Service staff gave two bid presentations, held two attendance promoters and conducted five site inspections.
In May, a total of 9,545 delegates are expected to visit Anchorage to attend a meeting or convention, with a total EEI of $7,210,263. Some of the larger meetings scheduled include; the Aerospace Medical Association 2004 Annual Conference on May 2 - 6, 2004, at the Hilton Anchorage with 1,600 delegates; the National Environmental Health Association Annual Education Conference from May 9 - 12, 2004, at the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center with 1,200 delegates; and the Alaska Airmen's Association Aviation Conference & Tradeshow on May 15 - 16, 2004, with 1,450 delegates.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau's mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB's marketing functions are funded by half of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. The other half goes the Municipality's general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.anchorage.net.
Contacts:
Erika Siegel, Public Relations Manager
(907) 257-2331
esiegel@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
Nance Larsen, Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
