Jehovah's Witnesses sign for '13

http://www.news-journalonline.com/business/local-business/2012/08/27/jehovahs-witnesses-sign-for-13.html

 

August 27,

 

DAYTONA BEACH -- More than 7,000 Jehovah's Witnesses will likely provide a tourism boost during one of the slowest times of the year for hotels and businesses that thrive on visitors.

 

The Halifax Area Advertising Authority board approved a contract last week with the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for the group's 2013 and 2014 conventions, which would be held over three weekends in August.

 

"They are filling a time frame when we truly need the business," said Linda McMahon, director of sales for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

The contract is pending final approval by the county and the Jehovah's Witnesses. McMahon said she's confident the deal will be sealed.

 

The convention, which would be held at the Ocean Center, carries an estimated daily attendance of 7,000 to 7,800 people and an economic impact of about $1 million per year. That number is calculated using a formula that estimates how much a typical visitor will spend on lodging, food, entertainment and other goods.

 

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is offering $38,700 in incentives to lure the group to Daytona Beach. The money will mostly be used to pay for the group's parking. The county is pitching in $29,700.

 

The tentative dates for the convention in 2013 are Aug. 8-11, Aug. 22-29 and Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Dates for the convention the following year would be Aug. 7-10, Aug. 21-24 and Aug. 28-31. The Jehovah's Witnesses have the option of holding the conference in Daytona Beach again in 2015 if they choose.

 

The contract includes a provision for the convention dates to be moved if the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau lands another opportunity.

 

The last two weeks of August can be a tough time for tourism-related businesses, McMahon said. Children are back in school, and the summer vacation season is winding down then, she said.

 

Host hotels include The Plaza Resort & Spa, The Plaza Ocean Club, Wyndham Ocean Walk, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Best Western Aku Tiki, Bahama House and the Daytona Beach Hilton Oceanfront Resort.