March 26, 2008
SEATTLE TO HOST 2013 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE
SEATTLE - Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) announced today that it has received an official letter of intent from the National League of Cities (NLC), naming Seattle as the host city for the organization's annual meeting, November 12-17, 2013. The NCL conference is the first convention booked resulting from the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Annual Meeting in Seattle in January 2008.
"PCMA was such an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Seattle, with the combined buying power of PCMA members being more than $18 billion annually in potential meetings," said Don Welsh, President & CEO of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Prior to the convention starting, we set a goal of more than $50 million in future convention business bookings as a direct result of hosting the convention industry's most prestigious group. The timing worked out perfectly since Mayor Nickels had the opportunity to meet with the Director of Meetings for PCMA after he spoke at their conference. It is extremely satisfying to have our PCMA efforts pay off with a group as prestigious as NLC."
The Seattle meeting is expected to draw 8,000-10,000 mayors, city council members and other government officials to the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and will require the use of many hotels in the downtown Seattle area. The convention will have a projected economic impact of $19 million.
"Seattle is an incredible city that is taking the lead on many fronts," said Mayor Greg Nickels. "We've shown how one city can turn the tide on global warming and create jobs and opportunities by protecting our environment. We look forward to hosting the nation's local elected leaders and sharing the inspiring Seattle story."
NLC is the oldest and largest national organization to represent municipal governments across the United States. The organization works in tandem with the 49 state municipal leagues, serving as a resource and an advocate to 19,000 cities, villages and towns, through training, educational programs, information, publications and conferences.
"Seattle has much to offer and showcase. The cities of America and Seattle belong together," said Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin. "We're a city of innovation, and we look forward to sharing our ideas and hearing what other cities are doing."
Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit economic development agency responsible for competitively marketing Seattle as a destination for meeting and convention groups and leisure travelers. Some 9.4 million visitors spend $4.75 billion in Seattle and King County annually, contributing $419 million in state and local tax revenues. Direct visitor spending benefits hotels, retailers, restaurants, attractions, transportation services and other businesses, and supports jobs for nearly 60,000 people in the Seattle region.
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