Help Show Off Cedar Rapids

By Roy Nowers

----

Conventions, trade shows, meetings, corporate events, political campaigns, and sporting events in the Cedar Rapids area create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars of economic impact for our community each year. These events employ carpenters, electricians, hotel employees, restaurant workers, policemen, truck drivers, florists, caterers, special event experts and many more of you, your family members, and your Cedar Rapids neighbors.

In 2011, travel and tourism had a $440 million impact on Linn County, $274 million through direct expenditure and $165.9 million through the ripple effect as the direct expenditures passed through our local economy. The local tourism industry supported 5,600 jobs and brought in millions of dollars of tax revenues to our local governments.

The key to capturing more of this positive economic impact is to Show Off Cedar Rapids and get the message out.

We have made such progress since the flood. During the last several years, Cedar Rapids has seen CSPS Hall, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Orchestra Iowa, the Paramount Theatre, and others come back online.

We continue to move forward. The U.S. Cellular Center Convention Center and upgraded arena, including the largest full-service hotel in Cedar Rapids, are about to open. These venues, along with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, and the NewBo City Market, make Cedar Rapids a great place to visit.

The Cedar Rapids economy and employees have missed the full positive financial contribution of these venues along with many others.

How do we ensure that these new venues succeed? Use them and have them used often. This is where you can help. If you live in the area and belong to a state ornational association, a labor union, a club, or group; if you have attended meetings, trade shows, amateur sporting events or conventions in other cities, ask, “Why can't we have the next event in Cedar Rapids?”

The time is now. Let's Show Off Cedar Rapids.

The Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is ready to assist in your next event planning opportunity. What do you get? Well, besides assisting your community and having a successful Show Off Cedar Rapids event, when you submit a lead to the CVB that results in booked business of more than 100 room nights within one year, you will receive an airline voucher for $500 to a destination of your choice. Go to www.cedar-rapids.com and click on the “Show Off CR” link.

Let's work together to Show Off Cedar Rapids and all of the great things Eastern Iowa have to offer.

l Roy Nowers is chair of the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and executive director of Hawkeye Downs. Comments: roynowers@aol.com