MIDDLETOWN CVB ANNOUNCES FALL AND WINTER EXHIBIT CENTER SCHEDULE

Six events are slated to use the Middletown Exhibit Center this fall and winter with others in the decision making stage.

A portion of the Middfest International exhibits will be housed in the building October 1, 2 and 3.  The Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton will again hold the Business Expo at the Exhibit Center October 28.

Middletown Antioch Shrine club will hold a brand new event, The Market Place the weekend of November 13-14. Admission will be free to the showcase of antiques, crafts and flea market vendors expected to sell their items during the event.

Three events will be presented by PRO-Gun Shows on December 4 and 5, 2004, January 29 and 30, and March 5 and 6, 2005. The shows will offer new, used and antique firearms and accessories.

Middletown Exhibit Center, the former Swallen’s building in downtown Middletown at the corners of Manchester Avenue, Broad Street and Verity Parkway, has become an opportunity instead of an empty building waiting to be sold. The Middletown City Council agreed to allow the Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau to market the building as an exhibit center to those planning events that bring people to Middletown, particularly those who bring people from outside the immediate area to an event.

The economic impact of events has been well documented as a significant source of revenue for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations and retail stores.

Late in 2003, The Chamber of Commerce used the building for its 2003 Business Expo and proved the viability of the space as an exhibit center. Since that beginning, and the City Council’s decision, the CVB has been telling potential users about the benefits of using the 40,000 square foot first floor of the building as display space for arts and crafts fairs, home and garden shows, car shows and other such events.

These first few events are benefiting from very attractive “rental” agreements so that the viability of the Exhibit Center is established before a very reasonable rental fee is instituted in mid 2005. Any groups wishing to use the space should contact the CVB at 513-422-3030 or email to info@visitMiddletown.org.  For more information about upcoming events in Middletown, visit the community calendar page at www.visitMiddletown.org.