Cabarrus expands its marketing

With a long-desired convention center set to open in January, local tourism officials agreed this week to spend $100,000 on marketing initiatives revolving around the center and the area.

The Cabarrus County Tourism Authority unanimously approved the expense at a meeting last week.

Lynne Priestley, interim director of the county's Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the board the plan will compliment marketing for The Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord and Concord Convention Center from Missouri developer John Q. Hammons.

"We want to take advantage of this opportunity and make a big splash," Priestley said.

If that project succeeds, there will be spillover for hotel rooms near the center at Exit 49 of Interstate 85 as well as for hotels at exits 58 and 60, authority board member Doug Stafford said.

Also at its meeting, the agency unanimously approved a $15,000 grant for the Mid-Atlantic Farm Show, which is coming to the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in November.

The group previously had held its show for many years in Wilson, but was looking to reach a bigger market, according to the tourism board.