Cincinnati Prepares for a Robust Convention Year

February 9, 2012

The year ahead looks to be a promising one for the city of Cincinnati, which is anticipating a busy convention schedule, consisting of national and international events, as well as repeat and new group business.

In fact, according to the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Queen City is preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region this year.

“We’re welcoming thousands of visitors in 2012 who represent repeat convention business – people who came to Cincinnati, loved it and wanted to come back,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

He added, “We’re also bringing new groups to the region for events like the 2012 World Choir Games, which will bring in thousands of international visitors. And we trust they’ll have such a great experience that they’ll keep coming back time after time.”

What better way to kick off the city’s historic lineup of conventions than with its longest-running show in the history of the Cincinnati CVB?

Held Feb. 2-4 at the Duke Energy Convention Center, the 12th Annual V-Twin Expo experienced one of its best shows ever, attracting more than 8,000 attendees and 230-plus exhibitors spanning 52,000 square feet, according to Darcy Betlach, public relations and marketing communications manager of Paisano Publications, producers of the show.

“We were ecstatic about our attendance and our exhibitors were over the moon with the dealer traffic,” Betlach said. “There was a real positive energy and outlook and everybody was getting down to business.”

Sponsored by Easyriders Magazine, the event is the only exclusive V-Twin motorcycle trade show in the world and draws a specialized audience consisting of V-Twin dealers, retailers and manufacturers.

“Being here in Cincinnati for the 12th consecutive year is quite a statement about our exhibitors and attending dealers, especially in this trying economy,” said Jim Betlach, Paisano vice president of business relations.

He added, “It is also a testament to what Cincinnati has to offer as a convention destination in terms of geographic location, service and attractions.”

In its 12-year run in the city, the show has delivered $7.6 million in economic impact to the region and plans to stay in the city through 2016, according to Cincinnati USA representatives.

Besides V-Twin Expo, the Queen City will host 94 meetings and 142,000 attendees in 2012, with an expected economic impact of $50.7 million, they added.

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