The Lions 2021 convention could bring up to 18,000 attendees using more than 30,000 hotel room nights and delivering more than $9 million in visitor spending to the region. It would represent one of the largest conventions booked in Cincinnati since the 2012 World Choir Games and one of the largest meetings booked in the past decade.
The goal of the site visit will be to showcase Cincinnati as a global city and highlight the region’s recent urban renewal, accessibility, and hospitality. Cincinnati is one of three finalists for the 2021 event bid. The host city decision will be made by March 1, 2016.
“Securing the Lions International Convention is about so much more than hotel room nights," said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It's the global-mindedness of the Lions and their dedication to community service which parallels our community's charitable, welcoming nature. And Cincinnati's strong international ties create the perfect backdrop for such an important global event."
On February 1, two Lions convention representatives will begin their visit to the Cincinnati region: Wing-Kun Tam (of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Past International President of The Lions Clubs International, and Gloria Geske (of the United States), Manager of the Convention Division.
While in Cincinnati, Tam and Geske will visit downtown hotels and take a driving tour of the region before meeting local civic and business leaders at a special event hosted at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Monday evening, February 1, 2016.
About the Lions Club International
The world's largest service club association, Lions Clubs International has 1.4 million members in more than 44,500 clubs in approximately 185 countries and geographical areas. Lions are men and women who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes. Founded in 1917, the association's motto is "We Serve."
The Lions Club International Mission Statement is “To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.”