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Tourism Industry & BACVA News

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2007

Media Contacts Only:
Sara Hisamoto
Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association
410-659-7071
shisamoto@baltimore.org

BACVA BOOKS FOUR-YEAR CONVENTION DEAL WORTH $48 MILLION

Pet Industry Spring Tradeshow Leaves Atlantic City for Baltimore

(BALTIMORE) - The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) is pleased to announce that a four-year deal has been secured with the Backer Pet Industry Spring Tradeshow for 2008-2011. The tradeshow, which has been held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the past 19 years, will bring an estimated 12,000 attendees to Baltimore, utilize 4,000 hotel room nights and generate an estimated $12 million in direct visitor spending, each of the four years the group meets in Baltimore.

The booking comes on the heels of a March luncheon BACVA hosted in Chicago for H.H. Backer Associates and several other convention customers. During that lunch, BACVA showcased Baltimore's competitive convention package, including the city's ease and accessibility and the availability of all major hotel brands within walking distance of the Baltimore Convention Center.

"We are very excited to bring the spring tradeshow to Baltimore," said Colette Fairchild, CEM, CMP, tradeshow director for H.H. Backer Associates. "The easier and more economical travel options were a major draw for us as was the walkability and convenience of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Baltimore offers our attendees a wider selection of activities, dining options, shopping and entertainment right outside of their hotels and the Baltimore Convention Center."

The three-day tradeshow is open to pet trade representatives only and will feature approximately 600 pet industry exhibitors, drawing pet industry executives from pet stores, groomers, kennel operators, distributors and pet industry catalogues from throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

"This is a big win for Baltimore in terms of attendance and economic impact from delegate spending," said Tom Noonan, president and CEO of BACVA. "This booking is another example of the multi-year business opportunities the Hilton is helping to draw to Baltimore. The Hilton adds inventory and a central hotel location that appeals to larger groups that may have bypassed the city in the past. With an ever-growing list of new attractions, restaurants and entertainment options for attendees, we are confident that Baltimore will be able to assist the Pet Industry spring show in growing show attendance and creating a long-term partnership."

The 2008 Backer Pet Industry Spring Tradeshow will meet in Baltimore for the first time May 16-18, 2008. Specific dates have not yet been announced for 2009-2011.

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), a membership-based organization, is the official destination development and marketing leader for Greater Baltimore, responsible for generating incremental economic benefits to the community through the attraction of convention and leisure visits.