Marking 25 years since its first Cincinnati, Ohio, meeting in 1992, the National Square Dance Convention (NSDC) will return to the city in 2017 for its 66th National Convention, June 21-24.
The event is expected to attract more than 4,000 square dancers from around the U.S. and the world, with key foreign delegations coming from Japan, Sweden and Germany. Attendees will account for 5,500 hotel room nights at the downtown Hyatt Regency, Hilton Netherland Plaza, Garfield Suites and Millenium Hotel, meaning an economic impact of approximately $1.6 million for the region.
“Square dancing is an integral part of the daily lives of our delegates, and traveling for our annual convention is the perfect way to meet other dancers while discovering a new city,” said Steve Stoehr, general chairman, 2017 National Square Dance Convention. “I am looking forward to bringing our convention back to Cincinnati to showcase square dancing in a city that appreciates music and the arts.”
To be held primarily at the Duke Energy Convention Center (DECC), the convention will include panels, seminars, performances, exhibitions and a fashion show, among other events. It continues to be the world’s largest square dance convention and is expected to attract square dancers, cloggers, contra dancers and country western dancers from around the world.
“The region has experienced an unprecedented level of cultural growth and economic development in the years since the National Square Dance Convention was first held here,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With our region’s passion for the arts, the vibrancy of our downtown and our many new entertainment and dining options, I look forward to welcoming the National Square Dance Convention back to Cincinnati USA to experience the change for themselves.”
The 1992 Square Dance Convention was the largest event ever hosted by the region until the 2012 World Choir Games. Cincinnati won the right to host the 2017 National Convention by a majority vote of 30 member delegates in summer 2013. The 2017 convention will be preceded by Springfield, Mass., in 2015 and Des Moines, Iowa, in 2016.
See related article: Cincinnati USA to unveil major convention arriving in 2017.
