NEWS RELEASE
Anchorage, Alaska - May 13, 2003
ANCHORAGE WINS DUCKS UNLIMITED 2007 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) convention sales team has landed the Ducks Unlimited (DU) 2007 Annual Conference bid. The 70th annual five-day conference will have an estimated economic impact of $1,343,248 with 1,600 participating delegates.
DU is a returning convention to the Anchorage area. The group's 1995 Annual Conference with more than 1,500 delegates had an estimated economic impact of $1,259,295. The 1995 conference was deemed as one of the organizations' most successful conferences and holds the company-wide record for spouses attending.
"Anchorage is such a unique location, it is the perfect fit for groups of this size. We will see an even greater return for pre and post season tours," said Mark Eliason, general manager for USTravel and ACVB board member.
Julie Dodds, ACVB convention sales manager, has been working diligently for eight years with Cliff Schultz, Ducks Unlimited director of meetings and conferences, to bring this prestigious group back to Anchorage. "This is a tremendous success for Anchorage to have Ducks Unlimited return because the event not only hosts convention delegates but also features trade show exhibitions." said Dodds.
Because of space limitations, the 2007 DU convention is one of the largest conventions Anchorage is capable of hosting. The citywide convention is possible due to the cooperative efforts of ACVB member business partners and through utilizing various properties in Anchorage. The convention will be held at the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center and the Evangeline Atwood Concert Hall at the Alaska Center for Performing Arts. The opening and closing ceremonies and several of the general sessions will be held at the Evangeline Atwood Concert Hall.
DU is the world's largest private, non-profit, waterfowl and wetland conservation organizations in the world with more than 1 million supporters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats benefit other wildlife and people. Ducks Unlimited is fully supported by its unique grassroots event system. An estimated 50,000 volunteers conduct more than 5,000 events annually to raise funds for conservation. Since its inception in 1937, DU has conserved more than 9.4 million acres of waterfowl habitat in North America.
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 hotels. The other half goes to the Municipality's general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, see www.anchorage.net.
CONTACTS:
Erika Biringer, Public Relations Manager
(907) 257-2331
ebiringer@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
Nance Larsen, Director of Communications
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
