NKCVB Sets All-Time Record Forconvention/Visitor Spending

. October 14, 2008

COVINGTON, KY, MARCH 23, 2007. Guests to Northern Kentucky spent an all-time record of $263 million in 2006, stated leaders of the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau (NKY CVB) during the Bureau's 2007 annual meeting held Thursday evening at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

The $263 million figures surpassed the previous record of $255 for 2005 and accounts for visitor spending in Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties. Industry segments that directly benefited most from the figures included:

.Lodging $137 million

.Restaurants $57.2 million

.Shopping $30.4 million

.Entertainment $18 million

.Transporation $13.9 million

The theme of the annual meeting was Seize the Future, which Bureau President & CEO Tom Caradonio says was appropriate. "The theme is symbolic in many of the positive signs we have seen in the meetings market as well as promising initiatives that should further fuel growth." Caradonio pointed to plans that have the Bureau focusing on new market segments and the formation of two new committees. One would look at new tourism attraction possibilities. The other would create and manage an annual expo show to be housed at the NKY Convention Center.

Other statistics released by the Bureau:

---|The total economic impact to the community as a result of 2006 Bureau initiatives was $40.8 million dollars, up slightly from $40.1 million in 2005;

---|The return on investment in Bureau 2006 marketing programs was up 10.4 percent to $10.31. In other words, for every dollar spent by the Bureau on marketing efforts, $10.31 in visitor spending was returned to the area;

---|Corporate travelers continue to lead the market segment category at 41 percent, followed by Leisure (35 percent), Meetings & Conventions 21 and Government 3 percent.

The Bureau also announced the 2006 Champions Club honorees. These are community leaders who through their professional and personal contacts help secure Convention Center business to the tune of $668,802 last year:

---|Judy Torrey, Pam Martin and Marilyn McCauley (National Conference of the American Business Women's Association, October 2008);

---|Rob Keller with Bayer and Becker and Ron Lovan of the Northern Kentucky Water District (Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers Meeting, April 2006);

---|Ron and Emily Henry (Southwestern Ohio Square Dance Federation, May 2009).

The Star Award recognizing outstanding achievement by industry stakeholders were presented to Jay Mackey and Karen Lynch of MKT, Inc., the Bureau's former marketing agency for 13 years that propelled the CVB into the position of an industry leader in marketing. BB Riverboats and owner Alan Bernstein were also honored with a Star Award for their unflagging support of and partnership with the Bureau during BBs 27 years of existence.

Norma Huff, room attendant, with Cincinnati Airport Marriott was named the Bureau Hero of the Year for her honesty in finding and returning $1,600 in cash a guest left in his room after checking out. The Bureau Hero Award honors front-line hospitality and attraction staff who go above and beyond the call of duty in serving guests.

The mission of the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau is that of an aggressive sales, marketing, service and informational organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact the Northern Kentucky economy through conventions, meetings and visitor expenditures. The direct economic impact of visitors' spending in Campbell, Kenton and Boone Counties in 2006 was $263 million.

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