3/4/04 - 11,243 Delegates Attend March Conventions
News Release
Anchorage, Alaska – March 4, 2004
11,243 DELEGATES ATTEND ANCHORAGE MARCH CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS
More than 11,000 people will visit Anchorage this month to attend conventions, trade shows and sporting events, with an estimated economic impact (EEI) of $9,416,399.
“Early numbers continue to support that the 2004 convention season looks very strong, with Anchorage preparing to host the greatest number of pre-booked conventions ever,” said Bruce Bustamante, president and CEO of Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).
Four national, four regional and six state conventions are scheduled this month including the Four-H Western Region Leaders Forum, March 3 - 6, 2004, at the Hilton Anchorage with 550 delegates; the Wilderness Medical Society International Conference on Cold Weather Medicine, March 6 – 11, 2004, at Alyeska Prince Hotel with 100 delegates; the National Audubon Society Alaska Bird Conference, March 16 - 18, 2004, at the Hilton Anchorage with 200 delegates; the 24th Annual Alaska Governor’s Safety and Health Conference, March 15 – 1 7, 2004, at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center with 450 delegates and the Learning 24-7 Education Conference, March 18 - 20, 2004, also at the Egan Center, with 500 delegates. Together, the 14 conventions in March will bring 2,865 delegates and EEI of $1,908,207.
Four trade shows including the Alaska Hospitality & Foodservice Expo (March 9, 2004), the Alaska Motorcycle Dealers Association Motorcycle Show (March 20 – 21, 2004), The AHBA Home & Remodeling Show (March 26 – 28, 2004) and the Alaska Gun Collectors Association Spring Gun Show (March 27 – 28, 2004) will have an EEI of $2,313,200.
Another 8,378 people are expected to visit Anchorage to attend a variety of sporting events, with the Iditarod being the largest, attracting 3,200 visitors. Other March sporting events include the USSA Junior Olympics Ski Jump & Nordic Combined Nationals (March 3 – 6, 2004), the 2004 Chevrolet U.S. Alpine Championships (March 16 – 21, 2004) and the Alaska School Activities Association 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A Basketball Championships (March 18 – 20, 2004, and March 25 – 27, 2004). Total EEI for the nine sporting events is $5,194,992.
ACVB booked 35 conventions in February that will bring 6,690 people to the city between now and 2007 with an EEI of $5,911,359. The largest convention booked is the National Association for Search and Rescue, Inc. Other groups booked include the American Rock Mechanics Association and the Alaska Nurses Association.
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 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, Director of Communications
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
