Harrison Square To Bring Cities And Towns

Projects lure conference dollars
Hotel, housing, Harrison Square cited by Henry
Link (JG)

"Fort Wayne’s efforts to redevelop itself, including the Harrison Square project, are already bringing people – and their wallets – into town, according to the mayor.

Citing the downtown development – and especially its new hotel – Mayor Tom Henry said the city’s efforts at redevelopment helped lure the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns annual conference back to Fort Wayne in 2010."

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"The conference is tentatively scheduled for October 2010, which is after the Fort Wayne Wizards season. Henry said the conference dates are typically the same every year.

Dan O’Connell, president and CEO of the Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the new Courtyard played a large part in luring the convention back to Fort Wayne for the first time since 2005.

“It was a very big improvement to the package,” he said.

Grand Wayne officials have said for years that a third downtown hotel, to complement the Hilton and Fort Wayne Inn, formerly the Holiday Inn, was needed to attract larger conventions to the city. Michael Coffeen, director of sales and marketing for the convention hall, said he expects to make several more positive announcements regarding conventions as Harrison Square progresses.

The convention is estimated to bring more than 800 local government delegates from around the state, along with 100 vendors and several guests."