Columbia To Host The 2008 South Carolina Governor’s Conference On Tourism And Travel

COLUMBIA, SC – December 19, 2007 – Columbia has been selected as the host city for the 2008 South Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel scheduled for February 11 – 13, 2008 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (CMCC).  The S.C. Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel is the state’s premiere travel industry event which brings more than 500 professionals from the state’s hotels/motels, destination marketing organizations, attractions, restaurants, and resorts to hear motivational talks from national speakers and to exchange ideas on improving the business of tourism.

Mack Stone, vice president and general manager for the CMCC said, “We are extremely delighted to have been selected as the host site for the upcoming conference.  It is a great honor to service our fellow industry partners.”  The facility recently celebrated its third anniversary with over $6.4 million region-wide economic impact dollars generated into the local economy from guests that attended events at the center within its three years of existence.

In South Carolina, tourism is recognized as an economic driver which contributes more than $16 billion annually in total economic demand and over $1 billion in state and local taxes.  More than 11 percent of the state’s employment is generated directly and indirectly by travel and tourism.

The mission of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is to provide a first-class venue offering superior operations management and state-of-the-science amenities for the successful coordination of meetings, conventions, tradeshows, entertainment and other special events utilizing the facility; enhancing the economic viability and image of the Columbia Riverbanks Region. For more information, please visit www.columbiaconventioncenter.com .