QUAD CITIES - The Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau says it has attracted about 13 new events to the area this year.
Those events will hopefully add another $4 million to the area economy and 18,000 visitors to the Quad Cities. The Convention and Visitors Bureau says that tourism has been on the increase since 2008.
"Those visitors need places to stay, places to eat," Convention and Visitors Bureau President Joe Taylor said. "People need to buy services to have a good time, so they're reaching into their wallets and pockets for dollars that they'll spend in our community."
In March, the Iowa State Square and Round Dance will be coming to the area. The Mississippi River Parkway Commission will be coming to the Quad Cities in April. The Midwest Small Business Government Contracting Symposium will be coming in May. In June, the Antique Automobile Association of American Grand National event will come to the Quad Cities. The Verein Duetsch Drahthaar Group Membership Meeting will be coming to the Quad Cities as well.
In July, the USA BMX Nationals will come to East Moline, and in August, the International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournament will come to Moline again. 40 percent of the ISC teams are expected to come from Canada.
"A lot of Canadians come into town just to watch the tournament," softball coach Ron Foster said. "There will be several teams from Canada here."
The Midwest Master Gardeners Conference is set for September while the Society of American Military Engineers event will take place in October. The Midwest Social Workers Association will also hold one of its events in the Quad Cities this year. That will take place in November. To see more events that are coming to the Quad Cities, click here.