International Pow Wow expected to boost L.A. tourism
Tourism is already a booming industry in Los Angeles and should be even bigger in two weeks.
The city is gearing up to host one of the nation’s largest trade shows for the travel industry, a gathering at the Los Angeles Convention Center April 21-25 that is expected to generate at least $10 million in spending.
The trade show, known as the 2012 International Pow Wow, is not open to the public, but city tourism leaders say the show gives them an opportunity to promote Los Angeles to more than 1,500 travel business operators throughout the world who deal in travel packages. It was held in San Francisco last year.
“We are anxious to showcase the outstanding new products that our city has to offer,” said Mark Liberman, president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.
The trade show alone is expected to generate $9.7 million in spending by trade show delegates on hotel rooms, food and entertainment. Organizers say the show could generate an additional $350 million in the next two to four years from the national and international tourists it will draw to the city.
The last time the trade show was held in Los Angeles was in 2004, long before construction began for L.A. Live, the downtown entertainment complex that draws thousands of visitors and tourists annually to its theaters, concert venues, restaurants and bars.
“If you haven’t seen L.A. recently, you haven’t seen L.A.,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a video message to Pow Wow participants.
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