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Fort Worth Named Host City for Religious Conference Management Association's Annual Meeting in 2010


Date: 02/08/2007

FORT WORTH, Texas ? Furthering its reputation as a top-tier, world-class destination, Fort Worth has been named the host city for the Religious Conference Management Association?s (RCMA) annual international meeting in 2010. The announcement was made during RCMA?s 2007 annual meeting held last week in Louisville, Ky.

To be held in the Fort Worth Convention Center, the RCMA annual meeting represents 4,700 room nights and approximately $3.9 million in economic impact for Fort Worth, as well as the benefits of meetings RCMA members will book before and after the 2010 annual meeting.

"Fort Worth?s distinctive blend of cowboys and culture continues to wield great influence with meeting professionals on an international scale,? said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. ?For meetings of all types and sizes, our city is a first-rate destination. Our vibrant downtown ? with its high-tech convention center, quality hotel properties and wide variety of restaurants and entertainment options ? continues to attract the attention of meeting professionals worldwide. They are impressed with the city?s pedestrian-friendly, safe downtown, our array of attractions, and quick access to DFW International Airport. All of these qualities make our city worth every minute for visitors.?

According to RCMA Executive Director DeWayne Woodring, delegates who attend RCMA?s international annual meeting book an estimated 17,000 conferences and meetings for 13 million attendees each year. Hosting an annual meeting has been shown to generate 175,000 room nights for the host city. Additionally, just four of RCMA?s members each recently booked four separate conferences that had a combined totaled of more than $150 million in economic impact.

?Fort Worth was our choice for 2010 for three reasons: it can easily and comfortably accommodate our meeting, it offers a variety of things to do and see in downtown, and most importantly, they have a proven track record for hosting successful religious conventions. It?s already proving to be a rewarding partnership,? Woodring said.

Founded in 1972, RCMA is a professional, nonprofit, interfaith organization with nearly 3,400 members who plan and manage meetings, conferences, conventions or assemblies for religious organizations.

?This was a highly competitive process. When we originally bid for the 2010 meeting, we were competing against many other cities,? DuBois said. ?The success of securing this meeting didn?t just happen; it required an enormous amount of work on the part of our entire staff, city leaders and community partners. We are extremely gratified that the payoff for our efforts resulted in RCMA choosing Fort Worth for 2010.?

About the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of the 19th- largest city in the United States. It?s dedicated to promoting and selling Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination, with thriving centers of culture and commerce. For more information, visit www.fortworth.com.

Contact Information
Kelly Campbell, Vice President of Marketing Communications
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phone: 817-698-7841 (direct) or 800-433-5747, ext. 232
Email: kellycampbell@fortworth.com