The arrival of SnowSports Industries America’s annual trade show in Denver in 2010 adds to the momentum in a city already revved by the Rockies’ World Series run and next summer’s Democratic National Convention, officials said Tuesday.
“This is exactly the reason we expanded the convention center, to bring groups like this to Denver,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “These events provide a foundation for what our economy is based on.”
The 10-year contract with SIA, a McLean, Va.-based trade association, was announced Tuesday. It is expected to bring in $30 million annually in revenue. It is the largest booking ever for the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
SIA conventions, which attract more than 20,000 people, have been held in Las Vegas for decades and will continue there in 2008 and 2009.
“We are in snow sports. Winter is our time. We wanted to leave the sand; we wanted to be in the snow,” said David Ingemie, president of SIA. “This is big business. We will fill the space in the convention center to the edges.”
Colorado, with 26 snow resorts and 12.5 million skier visits annually, is the perfect spot for SIA, said Gov. Bill Ritter.
Elizabeth Aguilera: 303-954-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com
