Although perennial convention favorites Orlando, Las Vegas and Chicago get all the attention, Detroit proved to be a winner for the latest ASAE convention, held Aug. 8-11:
The association of folks who plan conventions for a living is having its big annual gathering in Detroit, and the city is getting mostly upbeat reviews three days into what some have dubbed the "Super Bowl of trade shows." It's a gigantic dose of exposure, and the positive attention could mean $500 million in convention business for the Motor City over the next five years, said John Graham IV, president and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives. He said the event, the first held in Detroit by the group during its 95-year history, has attracted more than 5,300 attendees; 86 percent have not visited Detroit in the past 15 years. Graham said the four-day convention at Cobo Center will bring $16 million in revenue to Detroit by the time it ends today — and 20 percent of the attendees are expected to book a meeting in Detroit over the next five years … Detroit Free Press
