Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY - The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau and The Hospitality Council will celebrate 2006 National Tourism Week, May 15-20. A variety of events will be held throughout the week with the aim to promote greater public awareness of local hospitality service providers in the Alachua County community.

National Tourism Week is an annual event where hundreds of cities and towns across the nation promote greater public awareness of the powerful economic, social, and cultural impacts of travel and tourism through local events and celebrations.

Year after year, one of the most highlighted events in of Alachua County’s celebration is the Annual Bed Making Contest at Wayne’s Bedding, 3265 SW 34th St, Gainesville. This year marks the 14th Annual Bed Making Contest, which will be broadcast live via KISS 105.3 remote on May 15, 2005. The Bed Making Contest affords local accommodations the opportunity to showcase some of their most talented staff who compete in a fast and furious contest that challenges the contestant to be the fastest bed maker for prizes.

The event schedule for 2006 National Tourism Week is as follows:

Monday, May 15

9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – 14th Annual Bed Making Contest at Wayne’s Bedding, 3265 SW 34th St., Gainesville

Wednesday, May 17

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Hospitality Council Luncheon and TDC Meeting at the Santa Fe Community College Zoo, 3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville

Thursday, May 18

2:00 p.m. – Server’s Contest in the Gainesville Downtown Community Plaza

6:30 p.m. – UF Baseball vs. LSU at McKethan Stadium, UF Campus

Friday, May 19

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Tourist Development Open House at 30 E University Ave.

6:30 p.m. – UF Baseball vs. LSU at McKethan Stadium, UF Campus

Saturday, May 20

4:00 p.m. – UF Baseball vs. LSU at McKethan Stadium, UF Campus

For more information please contact the staff at the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau at (352) 374-5260.