Two more 2009 Covention Center Bookings in March;Brings total to twelve

Director of Sales and Marketing for the Convention Center Josh Nowak announced Thursday that two new bookings were achieved during the month of March.

This brings the total number of bookings so far for 2009 to 12, reflecting $163,600 in revenue.
The goal for 2009 is 58 bookings, reflecting $506,077 in revenue.

Of the twelve booked events, seven are consumer shows, two are trade shows, and three are other events.

In response to a question from board member R.B. Campbell about the busy season for hotels, Chris Barrett of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention Visitors Bureau revealed that countywide hotel occupancy averaged 56.1% in 2007, a 2.9% increase over 2006.

"We're not at 100% occupancy at any time of the year," he said.

A NewsLanc contributor publicly accused Lancaster Newspapers of publishing "propaganda," referring to the recent series of articles on the preparations for the Convention Center opening.

Public Relations and Marketing Committee Chair Kevin Fry responded that he believes promotion of the project is important "even though they have a financial stake in it."