Fall Conventions Attract 8,000 In October
Anchorage, Alaska – Oct. 12, 2005 – This fall is shaping up to be banner season for Anchorage convention bookings. The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting more than 8,000 visitors this month for conventions and trade shows. Forty-nine conventions and six trade shows are scheduled for Anchorage, with an estimated economic impact (EEI) of $8.6 million. Last month, 43 conventions and seven trade shows were held with a total attendance of more than 10,000 people and an EEI of $10.4 million.
Attendance at several larger meetings in September turned out even better than what was originally planned. The American Fisheries Society Annual Convention, Sept. 11 - 15, ended up with more than 2,200 delegates instead of the 1,800 that were expected. The International Association of Assessing Officers Annual Conference, Sept. 18 - 23, also drew 200 more people than the 1,800 planned. More than 1,200 delegates attended the 8th World Wilderness Congress, Sept. 30 - Oct. 6.
“We continue to see a trend of convention delegates choosing to come to Anchorage for a meeting, and coming early or staying late to experience Alaska,” said Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) President and CEO Bruce Bustamante.“We believe the popularity of Alaska as a visitor destination is resulting in record attendance to many groups’ annual convention and meetings.”
This month, many ACVB members are participating in AlaskaFEST, two weeks of festivities and retail events to celebrate the turn of the season. Special tours and retail bargains, as well as attractions such as the Nye Frontier Classic hockey tournament (Oct. 14 – 15), Information and Technology Expo (Oct. 18 – 19), NAMMY winners Showcase (Oct. 22) and the City of Lights Lighting Ceremony (Oct. 28 at 5:45 p.m. in Anchorage, Girdwood and Eagle River) are some of the AlaskaFEST offerings.
Larger meetings planned for October include the Alaska Travel Industry Association Annual Convention with 600 delegates (October 4 - 6) at Alyeska Prince Hotel, the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Meeting with 150 delegates (October 6 - 9) at the Hilton Anchorage, the State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Summit with 800 delegates (Oct. 31 – Nov. 3) at the Egan Civic and Convention Center and the Alaska Miners Association Annual Conference and Trade Show with 750 delegates (Oct. 31 - Nov. 5) at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel.
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 to the Municipality’s general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net.
# # #
Laura Tanis
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
ltanis@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
nlarsen@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118 direct
