What:
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner Leads Rally Supporting Spokane Meeting Industry as an Economic Accelerator
When:
Friday, March 6, 1:30pm
Where:
River Park Square Atrium
808 W Main
Who:
Mayor Mary Verner, City of Spokane
Kevin Twohig, Spokane Public Facilities District
Deena Caruso, Owner of Finders Keepers II
Harry Sladich, Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hundreds of Millions at Stake in Spokane (Spokane, Washington, March 5, 2009) - All across the nation, the meeting and convention industry is under attack, an assault which could cost the Spokane Region hundreds of millions of dollars in business and thousands of jobs.
Compelling Campaign
Want to lose one million more jobs? Just keep talking.
The U.S. Travel Association used this headline to kick off Meetings Mean Business, a national ad campaign that began this week in USA Today.
Rally for Economic Health
In Spokane County, the meeting industry contributes nearly $200 million in economic impact every year. In addition, about 10,100 jobs are directly related to the travel industry here. Our region cannot afford nor tolerate the national effort to vilify meeting planners who are conducting legitimate convention business.
Join Spokane Mayor Mary Verner, the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Spokane Public Facilities District, elected officials, local business owners and front line hospitality employees in a public outcry to protect a vital industry that impacts every single business throughout the Spokane Region.
About Spokane Regional CVB
The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau generates economic growth for Spokane County by successfully marketing the Spokane Region as the destination for conventions and leisure travelers from around the world. The proof is in: Visitors to Spokane County spent an estimated $805.1 million in 2007, providing jobs for nearly 10,100 residents and generating $60.3 million in non-resident tax dollars collected in Spokane County.* *Figures provided by the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development Tourism Office in the October 2008 Dean Runyan Associates report for the year ending 2007.
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