News Release
July 5, 2011
Lions Host Seattle’s Largest Parade Today
Mayor McGinn Proclaims Tuesday, July 5 “Lions Clubs International Day in Seattle”
SEATTLE – Between 10,000 and 12,000 Lions Club members from around the world will parade down 5th Avenue from Seattle Center to the Washington State Convention Center today. The International Parade of Nations is a highlight of Seattle’s largest convention in two decades and features 100 marching delegations, bands, floats and participants from more than 100 countries.
Mayor McGinn proclaimed today “Lions Clubs International Day in Seattle” in honor of the Lions Clubs International 94th Convention, which opened yesterday and runs through July 8. The convention brings between 15,000 and 20,000 attendees from 118 countries to Seattle and surrounding areas this week and will create an estimated $40 million in economic impact – more than any other convention since the American Dental Academy annual meeting in 1991.
The Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band will lead today’s parade which honors Seattle as the 2011 convention host city and showcases the Lions’ renowned service values and contributions. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service organization, responsible for some $660 million in grants to humanitarian projects around the world during the past 40 years. Lions Clubs conduct vision screenings, help equip hospitals and clinics, distribute medicines, support local children and schools through scholarships, mentoring and reading programs. During the Seattle convention, Lions attendees will donate hundreds of seedlings to local parks, conduct reading programs and book drives and much more.
City, county and state transportation agencies have issued traffic advisories related to the large parade during the past week. Commuters should plan for traffic delays, road detours and some schedule and route changes of the city’s public transportation today.
The city’s tourism leaders are asking Seattleites to cheer the colourful parade, welcome thousands of visitors from around the world and help showcase their city as an international visitor destination during its summer best.
The convention group offers enormous economic benefit for the city and region. Nearly 40 Seattle area hotels will benefit from more than 28,000 total room nights during the 4th of July week, a period that has traditionally experienced dips in Seattle’s otherwise strong summer occupancy. Restaurants, retail and other businesses should be prepared for heavy customer volumes throughout the convention. And a wide range of visitor attractions and tour companies will benefit from the Lions’ active itinerary throughout the city.
Seattle was chosen as the site of the 2011 Lions Clubs International convention in 2005, despite several highly competitive bids from other U.S. cities. The final decision was made between Honolulu and Seattle. Lions Club officials indicated an edge for Seattle because of its reputation as a highly desirable meeting destination and one that had not previously hosted the group’s annual convention. Additionally, the 2001 expansion of the Washington State Convention Center and the current expansion of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel (which became the city’s first 1,000-room hotel with the opening of its second tower expansion in 2007) contributed to Seattle’s winning bid.
“Our city really won this convention based on our shear enthusiasm and an incredible partnership throughout our hospitality community and regional Lions Clubs,” said Tom Norwalk, SCVB President & CEO.
SCVB began an aggressive bid process targeting the 2011 meeting in December 2003. In addition to the commitment of the Washington State Convention Center and competitive rates and generous room blocks offered by Seattle area hotels, a wide range of venues, attractions, transportation suppliers and the City of Seattle played critical roles in addressing the complex logistical needs of Lions Clubs International. SCVB also identified food and beverage options and created a complete conference itinerary. The convention bureau highlighted the city’s typically superb July weather, making statistical comparisons with competing cities, and positioned Seattle’s unique meeting venues and downtown walkability as competitive advantages.
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of these marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region.
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