NKY CVB ANNUAL

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Pat Frew, Director of Communications
(859) 655-4163
E-Mail:  Pressroom@nkycvb.com | www.nkycvb.com

NKY CVB ANNUAL MEETING DATE ANNOUNCED

Covington, KY/January 22, 2007 —The Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2007, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

The meeting, scheduled for 5:30-6:00 p.m., provides an opportunity for the Bureau to report to stakeholders the results of its 2006 efforts and to project where the conventions and meetings market is headed, according to Bureau President & CEO Tom Caradonio.

"Our organization takes our mission seriously, and that mission is to improve the Northern Kentucky economy through the hosting of meetings and conventions.  The information provided at the meeting in our 2006 year-end report maintains the accountability for our efforts."

The annual meeting will recount final industry numbers for last year for hotel supply, demand and occupancy and will also relate:

• Economic impact as a result of CVB marketing initiatives as well as total economic impact to Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties
• Impact by industry such as restaurants, shopping, entertainment and lodging
• Breakdowns for market segments such as corporate travelers, meetings/conventions and leisure

In addition, an update will be provided on the work of the Regional Tourism Network, which for the past two years has undertaken the responsibility of marketing the Greater Cincinnati region as a tourist destination.  The RTN is principally funded by tax dollars from the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureaus.

In the past, tourism officials from the state of Kentucky have offered information on the part Northern Kentucky plays in the state's overall plans.

The Bureau uses the meeting to recognize individuals  (known as Champions) who help bring meetings and/or conventions to Northern Kentucky.  A front-line hospitality employee or employees will be honored as the annual Bureau Hero for serving beyond the call of duty in the industry.  So-called Star Awards are also awarded for contributions by industry leaders to the conventions and meetings industry.

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 2005 was $255 million.