2-23-05 - Winter Sports Competitions, Conventions
News Release
Anchorage, Alaska – Feb. 23, 2005
Winter Sports Competitions, Conventions Attract Thousands In March
From snowshoeing and sled dog racing to physicians and Forest Service meetings, Anchorage will play host to more than 15,000 visitors in March who will attend a sporting competition or a convention. A total of 29 conventions, seven sporting competitions or special events and six trade shows will keep businesses across Anchorage busy next month, resulting in a more than $10 million in Estimated Economic Impact (EEI) to the local economy.
The highlight of the month is the 5th Annual Nike ACG U.S. National Snowshoe, which will bring 250 athletes, their coaches and families to Anchorage March 4 – 6, 2005. A total of 153 competitors, representing 22 U.S. states have qualified to compete in 5 and 10 K races at Kincaid Park, which will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2005.
In addition to the Snowshoe Championships, Anchorage will host the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (March 5, 2005), the Tour of Anchorage (March 6, 2005), the Alaska School Activities Association 1A/ 2A Basketball Championships (March 17 – 19, 2005) and the 3A/4A Basketball Championships (March 31 – April 2, 2005).
A total of 29 conventions will be held in March, bringing more than 6,200 people to Anchorage, with an EEI of more than $3.5 million. The larger meetings include the 20th Annual GCI Alaska Academic Decathlon with 300 delegates (March 2 – 5, 2005) at the Hilton Anchorage, the 10th Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Literature & Rhetoric with 400 delegates (March 3 – 5, 2005) at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), the 50th Alaska Science & Engineering Fair with 550 delegates (March 11 – 13, 2005) at East High School and the Alaska 25th Annual Governor’s Safety & Health Conference with 450 delegates (March14 – 16, 2005) at the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center.
Trade shows planned in March include the Anchorage City-Wide Career/Job Fair (March 12, 2005) at UAA, the 12th Arctic Instrument Society of America Tradeshow & Symposium (March 16 – 17, 2005) at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, the Anchorage Home Builders Association (AHBA) Home & Remodeling Show (March 18 – 20, 2005) at Sullivan Arena and the Alaska Motorcycles Dealers Association 12th Annual Motorcycle Show (March 19 – 20, 2005) at Egan Civic and Convention Center.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) 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 to the Municipality’s general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net.
Media Contacts:
Erika Siegel
Public Relations Manager
toll free: (800) 446-5352 x 331
direct: (907) 257-2331
esiegel@anchorage.net
Nance Larsen, APR
Director of Communications
toll free: (800) 446-5352 x 310
direct: (907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
