Conference and conventions enjoy 'incredible year' on P.E.I.
Number of delegates already up by more than 3,000 over last year, says Meetings and Conventions PEI
As P.E.I.'s tourism industry enjoys a record year, it may come as no surprise the number of meetings and convention are also up on the Island.
"We've had an incredible year to date," said Ann Worth, executive director of Meetings and Conventions PEI.
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Almost 25,000 delegates have attended conferences on P.E.I. so far this year, Worth said, compared with about 21,500 for all of 2015. The biggest gains were in June — with 29 conferences, up from 23 — and September — with 15, up from 11.
When P.E.I. is an option to go to, we're seeing that people are saying, "Hey that's the conference I want to go to."– Ann Worth
Delegates usually stay between two to five days, she said, and longer if they add a vacation on to the beginning or end.
P.E.I. is getting an international reputation as a conference destination because of its "beyond professional" meeting facilities, great accommodations and authentic Island experiences, Worth said.
"Sometimes conferences and meetings rotate across Canada, maybe even across North America, but when P.E.I. is an option to go to, we're seeing that people are saying, 'Hey that's the conference I want to go to.'"
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With files from Stephanie Kelly