More meetings and conventions on P.E.I. in 2016

2016 is shaping up to be a strong year for meetings and conventions, according toMeetings and Conventions P.E.I.

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There areabout seven per cent more bookings than last year, which was also a good year, said AnnWorth, itsexecutivedirector.

I believe that people want to have that coastal convention experience. Ann Worth, Meetings and ConventionsP.E.I.

"So that's really good news. And we're seeing really strong numbers with delegate engagement," she added.

About 100 meetings and events are taking place on the Island this year, Worth said varying in size from small to about 500. Most are in the range of 100 to 150 delegates.

"And of course those meeting delegates convert, often, to vacationing visitors, so we're really happy about that volume of activity that is happening, because it really helps drive leisure tourism as well."

Over the past three years, P.E.I. has hosted more than 400 meetings with about 55,000 delegates equating $60 million in economic activity.

"I think P.E.I. as a meeting destination is authentically appealing to meeting planners. I believe that people want to have that coastal convention experience. And, I think our marketing is effectively working," said Worth, noting the group promotes P.E.I. across Canada, and asks Islanders to do the same as "ambassadors and champions" for meetings.

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