Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Once again the University of Florida, the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, and VisitGainesville, the official tourism office for Alachua County, will be hosting the Christian Congregative of Jehovah’s Witnesses starting on this Friday, June 29, through July 1, 2012. Based on last year’s attendance figures, approximately 6,000 people will attend over the three day period.

“Hosting the Jehovah’s Witnesses has a significant economic impact for the Gainesville community”, said Roland Loog, Director of VisitGainesville. “Patience and understanding from faculty, staff, students as well as the general public, particularly during the morning rush hour on Friday, June 29th, is encouraged as we welcome them back to our community. With an increase in visitors to the Gainesville/Alachua County area many businesses will feel the positive economic impact of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention attendees.”

As in the past, intersections to avoid during the Friday morning rush hour are SW 34th Street and University Avenue as well as 13th Street and University Avenue.

“VisitGainesville wants 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 assisted us in our negotiations with the O’Connell Center,” said Loog. “We also would like to thank the City of Gainesville for their contribution in bringing this prestigious Convention to the University and our community.”

For more information, contact Anna Mikell, Tourism Marketing Manager for VisitGainesville at 352-374-5260 or amikell@visitgainesville.com, or Nancy Fischer, Director of Sales for VisitGainesville at nfischer@visitgainesville.com.