Friday, December 17, 1999

22 who brought conventions to Northern Ky. to be honored

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BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        COVINGTON — Twenty-two people who have helped bring convention business to Northern Kentucky will be honored today in ceremonies at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

        At the 4 p.m. ribbon cutting, the Champions Wall of Fame will be dedicated, and individuals who have persuaded groups to bring at least 125 people to Northern Kentucky for two nights will receive custom-made blazers.

        During its first year of operation, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center has found its primary niche to be small to midsized meetings, said Sheree Allgood, spokeswoman for the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Center Bureau.

        “You see a lot of cities going after the same sort of business that we are,” Ms. Allgood said. Northern Kentucky, how ever, can offer first-class amenities, such as state-of-the-art technology, to visiting groups, she said.

        The Northern Kentucky Convention Center also offers a unique guarantee, Ms. Allgood said. Groups that aren't happy with any part of their Northern Kentucky stay can get reim bursed for three days' rental at the convention center. So far, none has sought a refund.

        Frank Sommerkamp, who helped organize the Champions Club 3¹/₂ years ago, hopes to recruit Northern Kentucky's corporate community more aggressively for the program next year.

        His sales pitch for the program notes that inviting a group or business to meet here has the same effect as writing a $147,000 check to the Northern Kentucky community.

        That amount is what a typical convention generates for the community in new dollars, Mr. Sommerkamp said.

       

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22 who brought conventions to Northern Ky. to be honored