Contact:
Ken Vandruff Susan Burchill
Director of Communications Director of Marketing
Go Wichita Wichita Festivals, Inc.
kvandruff@gowichita.com susan@wichitafestivals.com
316.660.6305 316. 267.2817
Sept. 7, 2010
For immediate release
RIVERFEST ON ABA'S TOP 100 EVENTS
IN NORTH AMERICA FOR 2011
(Wichita, Kan.) - Riverfest has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2011 by the American Bus Association (ABA). It is the seventh time the festival has been recognized since the ABA started the list in 1982.
Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of "Destinations" magazine, indicates that Riverfest offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
"The fact that Riverfest has achieved this recognition a total of seven times is a testament to the great value that the festival brings to Wichita each year," said John Rolfe, Go Wichita president and CEO. "The festival is truly one of Wichita's signature events and one that draws visitors to our city."
The ABA started the program as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries. It has grown to be one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.
"We are very excited to know Riverfest has been selected again by the American Bus Association as a Top 100 event," stated Janet Wright, President/CEO of Wichita Festivals, Inc. "We continually try to make the festival bigger and better every year and it's great to receive national recognition for our efforts."
According to studies completed by researchers at The George Washington University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from $5,000 to more than $13,000 in a local destination's economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.
"The real news here is that Riverfest has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy," said Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA's president and CEO. "The honor gives Wichita an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners."
ABA's 2011 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected Riverfest from among a record number of more than 650 event nominations submitted by ABA members. Judges considered the event's broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.
The mission of the Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau is to market the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state.
Wichita Festivals, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with the purpose of creating diverse community celebration within the Wichita community. The primary events produced by Wichita Festivals, Inc. are Riverfest and Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair. Creating an economic impact of approximately $22 million, Riverfest annually attracts more than 250,000 visitors.
The Top 100 Events list is available online at http://www.buses.org/top100.
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