MERRILLVILLE | Fifty local businesses, including hoteliers from three counties, received a preview of conventions and sporting events that will descend on Northwest Indiana this year.
Those who attended the Partnership Summit on Thursday at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza also learned about marketing initiatives and technology strategies and were able to participate in round-table discussions.
The event was hosted by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.
Katie Holderby, the tourism bureau's executive vice president, said the authority is ahead of last year's pace for conventions in which it is involved. A $2.6 million estimated economic impact is expected as a result of this year's conventions compared to $1.99 million a year ago.
Some of the larger conventions include the Indiana Challenge in February, with 1,000 attendees; the Crusaders I.M.P.A.C.T. Network Apostolic in June, bringing 1,800 attendees; and The Salvation Army, also in June, with 3,000 attendees.
Jason Sands, the tourism bureau's director of sports development, said the group is expecting "big numbers" when the National Softball Association Girls Fast Pitch World Series comes to the region in July. At least 275 teams and 10,000 visitors are expected to visit the region during the series.
Sands also said 750 participants are expected for this year's Leon's Triathlon in Hammond — an increase of 500 from two years ago. "Eventually we want to grow the event to include over 2,000 participants who make a weekend out of it in Northwest Indiana," he said.
Visitors authority President and CEO Speros Batistatos said the summit is important because businesses in the region have to work together and smarter to be competitive and have the same assets of Indianapolis, which is hosting the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.
"We want to get there, and it starts by working with our partners by bringing up issues and making sure they know what we're doing for them and that they're exploiting the technology and assets we have for their benefit," he said.
The tourism bureau is a nonprofit destination management organization based in Lake County.
