The Jehovah’s Witnesses are bringing their annual convention back to Victoria for the first time in five years this month.
Between 5,000 and 6,000 people will fill Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre from June 16 to 18, marking the first mass annual gathering of the religious group since the pandemic.
It’s one of the largest conventions of the year for the region, and economic spinoffs are expected to be high, said Jeremy Bradley, a spokesman for Victoria Jehovah’s Witnesses.
He said 1,500 hotel room nights are booked over the three-day event, and businesses such as restaurants, shops and attractions are expected to benefit from delegates.
Bradley said the convention is bringing together Jehovah’s Witnesses from 33 congregations on Vancouver Island and Powell River, and several will extend their trips as vacations or to do shopping.
“It’s a significant event, especially coming out of COVID,” said Bradley.
He said the theme of this year’s gathering is “exercise patience,” a timely message after the effects of the pandemic have left people feeling stressed.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding conferences in Greater Victoria since 1956, usually at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood, and the last time in 2018 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre as delegate attendance has grown.
About 6,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses conventions will be held worldwide this month, including 51 across Canada.
Destination Greater Victoria chief executive Paul Nursey said the tourism marketing group has been working with the religious group for several years, and their convention is an important economic driver to the region.
He said while the group spends less per delegate than corporate conventions, their sheer numbers and potential for repeat visitation is high.
Destination Greater Victoria said its conference business is on the rebound after a near shutdown during the pandemic. The agency said 82,000 delegate days are forecast for this year through 19 “citywide” conferences, which are described as major conventions requiring the simultaneous use of many hotels, restaurants and other venues. There are also 30 other smaller conferences booked at the Victoria Conference Centre.
Before the pandemic in 2018, the Victoria Conference Centre hosted 120,000 delegate days, generating $1.3 million in revenue.
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