(Minneapolis) April 26, 2011 2011 has kicked off positively for the Minneapolis Convention Center, with the five largest public consumer shows seeing increases in attendance from the previous year. The shows ranged from a 6 percent increase all the way to a 26 percent increase in attendance. The shows (in order of occurrence): Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis RV, Vacation & Camping Show, Minneapolis Home and Garden Show, Twin Cities Auto Show and Northwest Sportshow. These numbers mark a turn in the recreation-related economy; aside from increased attendance, show attendees also spent more on purchases at the shows. Indications are that consumers felt more confident about their personal financial situations and came to these shows to make purchases that they had perhaps been delaying for the past few years.

Boat dealers at the Minneapolis Boat Show saw sales at the show that they hadnt seen in years, said Jennifer Thompson, show manager of the Minneapolis Boat Show and Northwest Sportshow. At our recent Northwest Sportshow, attendees were booking trips with resort owners again, the fishing tackle retailers had one of their best shows in years and boats and RVs continued to sell.

After two to three years of staying in and saving, Minnesotans are ready to get out and DO things, said Katie Smith, director of Sales and Marketing at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Consumer confidence is up, and attendance and sales numbers only reinforced this trend.

The Minneapolis Convention Center also saw increases in retail sales, with sales up 11 to 38 percent from last year. These sales occurred in stores located within the Minneapolis Convention Center like Kelber Catering service and Dunn Bros. café. This increase in revenue among MCC retail areas brings positive expectations for the MCC for the duration of the year. ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS: Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes the Minneapolis area as a venue for conventions and meetings and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to bring a positive economic impact to the greater Minneapolis area. Visit us online at www.minneapolis.org.