This conference will draw 10,000 and $4M to Tri-Cities. It’s been held +30 years
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- Organizers expect over 10,000 attendees and about $4 million to enter the Tri‑Cities.
- The convention will run for four weekends starting July 3 at the Toyota Center.
- Visit Tri-Cities estimates each convention weekend will generate $670,000 to $1,000,000.
Roughly $4 million is hitting the Tri-Cities economy this month as thousands of churchgoers return for their 31st year.
For the next four weekends, starting July 3, Jehovah’s Witnesses are hosting their annual global convention at the Toyota Center at 7000 W. Grandridge Blvd.
The gatherings are considered to be one of the largest repeating events in the Tri-Cities.
Organizers said they are anticipating more than 10,000 attendees over the course of the convention, bringing millions in revenue into the region.
Hector Cruz, vice president of Development and Community Engagement at Visit Tri-Cities, said each weekend visitor will spend thousands at local businesses.
“We anticipate about $670,000 to $1 million for each of these weekends that the Jehovah’s Witness conventions take place,” Cruz said. “Every attendee contributes to our local economy by staying in the hotels, dining in restaurants, shopping and exploring all the attractions that Tri-Cities has to offer.”
People are traveling from all across the Northwest to attend the convention, causing hotels in the area to reserve blocks specifically for the event.
Cruz said the blocks are completely full across the Tri-Cities, though most accommodations are within walking distance of the convention site near Columbia Center mall.
Cruz estimated 3,000 to 5,000 will be at the convention every weekend, averaging over 16,000 additional visitors for the Tri-Cities, and 6,000 more than organizers originally anticipated.
“Events like this really demonstrate the important role that meetings and conventions play in our local economy,” Cruz said. “It’s these type of events that really help generate more impact for our hotels, the local businesses, local restaurants, retailers and attractions.”
The convention itself features bible-based talks, video presentations and interviews focused on various religious topics surround their theme “Eternal Happiness.”
They are considered the largest nonprofit organization in the world, and will go on to present at 19 international conventions in countries like Portugal, South Africa and Thailand.
The convention is free for the public to attend.
More information on the sessions and times is available on their website.