Bay City's new hotel-conference center, the Hilton Doubletree, awaits opening in June and a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event showcasing Bay City.

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The Bay Area on the Go! Will Be First Major Event at New Hilton Doubletree

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Hears Positive Reports on Local Economy

February 15, 2004
By: Dave Rogers

      Gov. Jennifer Granholm, top leaders of Dow Corning and other major businesses in Bay County, local and state developers, venture capitalists -- all will be invited to the first major event in the new Hilton Doubletree Hotel-Conference Center.

      Mike Seward, president of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, is planning an event called "The Bay Area on the Go" to showcase Bay County as well as the new facility.

      "This will be the first major event in the center," said the enthusiastic Seward, adding: "We want to show the excellent things happening in Bay County and point out to the state and nation that this is a great place to consider making an investment."

      The event will probably be held the first or second week in June, soon after the opening of the new hotel-conference center, Seward said.

      He noted that Dow Corning leaders will be prominent on the program since the firm is about to open a new plant in Bay County. "Local developers who have made positive investments and improvements in the community also will be recognized at this event," said Seward.

      According to the City of Bay City: "The strong growth in our local economy has created an increased need for expanded lodging, meeting and conference facilities in the area. These facilities will help meet the needs of this growth.

§ "The Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center - Bay City is projected to create 164 direct new jobs and 376 indirect new jobs.

§ "The Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center - Bay City will generate new business in Bay City and the Bay County area.

§ "The Conference Center will increase convention and meeting business to Bay City. The economic impact of the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center - Bay City could exceed $21 million annually by the Year 2006."

      Patrick Hixson, general manager of the Doubletree, said conference sales for the new facility are coming in steadily.

      Tim Shelton, Doubletree marketing manager, will detail progress on the facility and upcoming conferences in a Feb. 24 presentation to the Bay City Rotary Club.