Cedar Rapids to host American Association of Airport Executives conference

The Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CRACVB) is pleased to announce the American Association of Airport Executives – Great Lakes Chapter has selected Cedar Rapids as the site for its 2015 Annual Conference.

“We are excited at the opportunity to show our airport peers and their families the outstanding facility we have in Cedar Rapids and it gives us the chance to introduce them to the wonderful assets this region has to offer,” said Sara Freese, AAE, Eastern Iowa Airport director of operations and current president of the Great Lakes Chapter.

The Cedar Rapids Marriott will host the conference. Representatives from the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Cedar Rapids Marriott presented to the organization's board of directors in February. Other communities competing for this event were Minot, ND and Springfield, IL.

This family-oriented conference will attract 250 attendees utilizing 300 total hotel overnights and generating an estimated $77,250 in direct spending. Cedar Rapids has not hosted this event since 1983.

“It is exciting to see the renewed interest meeting planners have in Cedar Rapids,” said Marilee Fowler, CRACVB president and CEO.

The CRACVB continues to market all area meeting space and hotel properties and is asking the local community to “Show Off CR”. Show Off CR!, is a campaign encouraging local residents to tell the CRACVB about the conferences and events they attend across the state or nation. The CRACVB will research the events and, if it is a good fit for area facilities, will pursue the chance to host it in Cedar Rapids. It's easy to submit event suggestions by filling out a brief form at www.Cedar-Rapids.com.