Media Release

 10:45 a.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY - The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau, the University of Florida, and the Stephen C. O'Connell Center,  will be hosting the Christian Congregative of Jehovah's Witnesses the weekend starting Friday June 29, 2007 - July 1, 2007 and again on the weekend of July 27 - July 29. Based on attendance figures from last year, some 7,500 people per day will attend the convention. 

Hosting the Christian Congregative of Jehovah's Witnesses has a significant economic impact on our community. The convention will generate approximately $2.2 million dollars into the local area economy during these typically slow weekends. Patience and understanding from UF faculty, staff, students as well as the general public, is requested as we welcome these guests to our community.  Traffic will be particularly heavy during the morning rush hour between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 29, and Friday, July 27.  As in the past, intersections to avoid if possible are SW 34th Street and University Avenue, as well as 13th Street and University Avenue.   

In speaking of this type of event Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau Director Roland Loog said, "We want to extend a special thank you to the Board of County Commissioners, Alachua County Legal Department and the Tourist Development Council for the development of a county-wide convention grant that assists us in our negotiations to bring events like the Jehovah's Witnesses Convention to our community."  

For information on the Christian Congregative of Jehovah's Witnesses Convention, call the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau at (352) 374-5231.

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