this was in the CO forum, but it's a big deal so i decided to put it here, too. so long, las vegas.
Denver lands biggest multi-year convention in its history
DENVER - On
Monday, Governor Bill Ritter joined Mayor John Hickenlooper in
welcoming a convention to Denver that's expected to add $30 million
annually to the area.
The
Snowsports Industries of America Conference and Tradeshow is being
called the biggest convention booking in Denver history. Ritter and
Hickenlooper made the announcement of the 10-year deal from the
Colorado Convention Center.
"It's no secret that Colorado is
regarded around the world as the snow sports capital of America, so it
is a great natural fit for us to host the premiere snow sports industry
trade show," Ritter stated in a press release. "This event will bring
great economic benefit to Denver, and it will also generate tremendous
interest in snow sports in general, boosting winter tourism throughout
Colorado."
The tourism industry is expecting the tradeshow will pump $30 million into the area annually for the next decade.
"This
will be one of the largest conventions held in Denver every year and
even better, it comes in January, traditionally the slowest month of
the year," stated Convention Bureau President & CEO Richard Scharf,
in a press release.
"The ten year agreement makes this the
largest convention booking in Denver's history. With the growth that is
expected in the show, SIA SnowSports Trade Show delegates will spend
more money in Denver over the next decade than the original $350
million cost of expanding the Colorado Convention Center," Scharf said.
The tradeshow will come to Denver beginning in 2010.
The
Snowsports Industries of America Conference and Tradeshow is an annual
convention that attracts about 20,000 ski and snow sport retailers and
manufacturers. It includes shows and exhibits which include brands
ranging from Burton to Nike.
For the past 35 years, Las Vegas
has been the home for the tradeshow. According Las Vegas tourism
leaders, the tradeshow this year had an economic impact of more than
$25 million.
The '08 convention will take place in Las Vegas from January 28 through February 1.
According
to Scharf, Denver has been trying to book the show for the past four
years, but it wasn't until the Colorado Convention Center was expanded
in 2004 that it became capable of hosting the event.
That,
along with the new Hyatt Regency and other hotel development, Scharf
says Denver was able to put together a very attractive package.
Full story here:
http://www.9news.com/news/top-article.aspx?storyid=79996
