ALBANY, NY - The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACCVB) welcomed members of the North American Society on Bat Research (NASBR) to Albany this October 22-25 as part of their annual symposium, which brought an estimated $305,000 in spending to the area.
More than 300 people attended the conference, generating about 550 room nights at the Hilton Albany. Education and mentoring of college students is a large part of this conference and about half of the attendees are students who traveled from institutions throughout the United States. There were also a number of international registrants from countries including Great Britain, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Israel, Canada, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, France, and Ireland.
According to the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Event Impact Calculator, a tool that measures the economic value of an event and calculates its return to local taxes, this event accounted for about:
- 550 room nights at area hotels throughout Albany County;
- $185,000 in direct spending at hotels, conference facilities, etc.;
- $120,000 in indirect spending at gas stations, restaurants, etc.;
- $23,000 in local tax revenue for Albany County.
"This conference brought hundreds of attendees into downtown Albany who were able to experience our attractions and restaurants while expanding their education on very important research topics, especially to our local bat population," states Michele Vennard, President/CEO of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, referring to White Nose Syndrome, a fungus that was affecting brown bat populations throughout Albany County soon after it was first discovered in neighboring Schoharie County.
"We were thrilled to be hosting the conference in our home community of Albany this year," said Emily Davis, Conference Chair for the NASBR. "We are so appreciative of the welcome our attendees received and of the assistance provided by the ACCVB and local hospitality community."
In addition to the conference sessions, attendees were also able to take guided walking tours of downtown Albany, visit the New York State Museum, and patronize a number of downtown restaurants.
Throughout the year, the Albany area will welcome more than 245 meetings and events to area hotels and conference centers.
About the ACCVB:
The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. was established in 1976 to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community through increased development of conventions and tourism. ACCVB currently represents more than 300 member businesses and assists each year in hundreds of regional meetings. ACCVB also operates the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, Henry Hudson Planetarium, and the Albany International Airport Information Center. For more information, call 518-434-1217 or 800-258-3582 or visit www.albany.org.