Visits increase to Akron’s convention center

AKRON (AP) — Despite the economic downturn, tourism planners in this city hope bookings and visits at the city’s John S. Knight Center will continue to grow.

Attracting events takes some imagination in Akron, because it no longer has a brand-name hotel downtown.

One of several new events this year is the Ohio Summer Classic Car Auction.

The number of Knight Center events has climbed from 132 in 2003 to 220 last year.

Two years ago, Summit County boosted its share of the hotel bed tax by 1 percent for 10 years to help the convention center with capital improvements. The facility opened in 1994.