CT Targets Convention & Sports Business with New Organization

Connecticut  state government will be dedicating $1.3 million of its tourism budget to create an organization focused on attracting large events to the state.  The Connecticut Convention and Sports Bureau will be a public-private partnership between the Department of Economic and Community Development and what is now the former Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau. In addition to the $1.3 million, the organization will be funded through dues by member organizations, most of whom were members of the GHCVB, the Hartford Business Journal reported. CTCSB will intensify outreach and marketing efforts previously undertaken by the GHCVB to bring new revenue into the state from meeting planners and sports promoters. The types of events range from televised events such as the USA Gymnastics Championship - held in 2010 and described as the organization's most successful event ever - to lesser notable but equally as important events such as youth soccer and youth hockey tournaments.