I had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) this past week. With Star Wars music in the background and a theme of looking towards the future, I was pleasantly surprised to see the degree in which the SCVB is doing just that.

            Under the leadership of its executive director Jaime Riggs, the SCVB has secured a number of conventions set to come to Statesboro in the next year. First on the list is the Prince Hall Masons scheduled to be in town on September 7, 8, and 9th.

            “We aren’t exactly sure how many will be here,” Riggs said. “It could be as many as 3000.”

            Next will be the Georgia Botanical Society in April followed by the Georgia Young Peoples Council of Alcoholics Anonymous in July. The “biggie” however, is going to the Georgia statewide Special Olympics to be held here in September 2008.

            Riggs was especially proud of bringing the Special Olympics to Statesboro because it is a three year commitment with the organization. “They are holding their 2008, 2009, and 2010 Olympics here. It took the whole community coming together to win this bid. It is a tremendous accomplishment.”

            Riggs said the recent success the SCVB has had with bringing conventions and meetings to Statesboro is two-fold.

            “First, we have been trying to educate people within our own community about the resources that are available here for large scale meetings,” she said. “Most people aren’t really aware of the meeting facilities, catering opportunities, and accommodations that we have. We want people to bring their industry meetings to Statesboro.”

            In addition, the SCVB has developed a meeting planner that it has mailed out to people across the state of Georgia who are in charge of planning large scale meetings for their organizations.

            Riggs said over 700 were mailed just two weeks ago and interested planners have already begun to call.

            “We are very encouraged by the response that we have already had,” Riggs said. “People are beginning to realize that they can bring their organizations to Statesboro and we will help with registration, name tags, gift bags, and marketing of the meeting to local merchants. We are a free service for those that bring their meetings here.”

            Right now Riggs and her team are preparing bids for conventions looking for sites in 2009 and 2010. I say, go get em!

            Until next week, I bid you au revoir.

            Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or e-mail her at jmoore@statesboroherald.net