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KYW Newsradio 1060 - News
Expanded Convention Center Nets First Gathering
By KYW's Mike Dunn
February 2006
Plans to expand the Pennsylvania Convention Center have already paid off with the first booking of an international convention that would not fit into the current facility.
Narcotics Anonymous -– a group of recovering drug addicts –- has decided to book its 2013 International convention here in what will be an expanded convention center.
Michael Polin, director of conventions for Narcotics Anonymous, says coming to Philly is only possible because the Center is expanding.
And Polin is not worried that the construction has yet to begin.
"We feel confident based on the information that we have that we’re going to have an expanded center," he said, "which is what we would need in order to hold the event here."
Philadelphia City Councilman Michael Nutter is chairman of the center, and said "booking this particular convention demonstrates the need for expansion."
"There are many others in the wings who want to be in Philadelphia. We just need a bigger building to accommodate them."
Thirty-thousand attendees are expected, and local officials expect they will spend an estimated $17-million while here.
The expansion is due to be complete by 2009 -- a full four years before the Narcotics Anonymous gathering