Lawrence CVB announces 2004 direct spending figures

March 14, 2005 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lawrence, Kan. – The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau has released its annual figures regarding direct spending by visitors to Lawrence. During 2004, spending by visitors totaled approximately $41.4 million.

That spending was generated by an estimated 725,574 visitors and produced $828,725 in local sales tax. Of those visitors, approximately 406,322 were overnight guests and 319,253 are estimated to be daytrip visitors.

Other 2004 highlights include:

MEETINGS/CONVENTIONS/SPORTING EVENTS
• Economic impact from conventions and meetings of $2.2 million
• 121 conventions and meetings held in Lawrence with a total of 27,890 attendees
* as reported to the LCVB

• 34 bid proposals for future conferences generated by the LCVB

LAWRENCE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
• 11,869 registered guests at the Lawrence Visitor Information Center, with 43% of those from out-of-state
• 2,770 calls received seeking Visitor Information

MARKETING
• 184,259 user sessions on visitlawrence.com, an increase of 67.9% over last year
• 5,887 requests for information were generated by LCVB-placed advertising
• 708 households reached with LCVB e-newsletters promoting Lawrence as an overnight destination
• $502,407 of earned editorial coverage generated about Lawrence

The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to: Improving the local economy by attracting visitors, meetings, conventions and events to the city; encouraging economic growth by providing quality services to visitors; responsibly managing transient guest tax funds; and maintaining productive working relationships with partners in the business community.

Additional information about the LCVB’s 2004 Economic Impact summary including tourism spending calculations are available upon request.