Mobile to Host Marine Corps Convention

The multi-million dollar convention will bring between 4,000 and 5,000 Marine Corps League and Auxiliary members and guests from throughout the nation to Mobile for the weeklong event.

It is scheduled for August 12-18, 2012, and will be hosted by the Mobile based P.L. Wilson Detachment #447 of the Marine Corps League.

“It is a tremendous opportunity and privilege to be able to host the 2012 National Convention in the great city of Mobile,” commented Cal Walters, Chairman of the Local Convention Bid Committee. “This is a first not only for Mobile, but the entire State of Alabama, and we are excited to show off all that the Mobile area has to offer in 2012.”

With an estimated economic impact of between $17 and $18 million, this convention has been on the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau’s radar for quite some time.

Leon Maisel, President and CEO of the MBCVB, remarked “This is the perfect example of the ideal convention and meetings business that we go after. Hosting a convention of this size in what is typically one of our slower months for both business and leisure visitors translates into a tremendous opportunity for many businesses throughout our city to experience a marked increase in sales and activity.”

Mobile was selected to host the 2012 Convention during the recent convention held in Greensboro, NC, winning the event over rival bids from Irving, Texas (Dallas area) and Charleston, South Carolina.

Members of the local Detachment were joined by representatives from the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Renaissance Riverview and Battle House Hotels, and Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean to promote Mobile’s bid during the course of the week. Voting was conducted on the Thursday of the convention and Mobile won with an overwhelming majority.

Commissioner Dean stated, “We went up against some stiff competition to get the Marine Corps League here. Not only is this the first time the Marine Corps League will hold its convention in Mobile, but it’s the first major veterans organization to have a convention here. When you think about it, the Marine Corps convention ties in with Mobile’s long military history going back to the War of 1812 and the Battle of Mobile Bay. There’s a great amount of interest in our history. Add to that the USS ALABAMA battleship, a new maritime museum, a veteran’s memorial and a taste of Mobile Mardi Gras and you have an invitation that’s hard to resist.”

On a personal note, Commissioner Dean added, “I am very proud to host these great patriots here and look forward to their landing in August of 2012.”

Attendees will be treated to numerous excursions and activities throughout Mobile County and the surrounding area. "We're certainly pleased that the Marine Corps League has selected Mobile for its upcoming convention," Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said. "The city is a perfect site to host this convention, which highlights the value and importance of the men and women in the Marines. We welcome their visit and applaud their decision to be in Mobile."