The convention will be held July 16 through July 18, 2020.
Officials expect the convention will attract more than 1,000 people to Broome County. Visit Binghamton estimates the economic impact to be $875,000.
It’s not the first time that the county has hosted the event, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said in a news release.
“It is incredibly important that we support our veterans, therefore, I consider it such an honor that Broome County has been selected for the 7th time to host the American Legion Department of New York state convention in 2020,” said Garnar.
Broome County last hosted the convention in 2016.
The American Legion Department of New York selected the 2020 location during this year’s conference that Rochester hosted in July. Staff from Visit Binghamton attended along with representatives from local hotels to make a formal presentation to become the host site. Westchester County also was vying to host the 2020 convention.
“Visit Binghamton is so proud of our team who won the bid to host the 2020 American Legion State Convention. 2020 will mark the group’s 7th convention in Binghamton since their inception in 1919,” Judi Hess, director of Visit Binghamton, said in the release.
Legionnaire Robert (Bob) Gardner from American Legion Post 974 in Whitney Point will be the convention chair for the Broome County event in 2020. He was presented with the “Legionnaire of the Year” award at the annual convention in Rochester.
Broome County noted that the American Legion will use the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena for the opening session at the 2020 convention.
The organization will use the Holiday Inn Binghamton, DoubleTree by Hilton, the Best Western Plus of Johnson City, and LaQuinta as headquarters hotels. Overflow attendants will be directed to additional hotels, per the release.
New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D–Endwell) contends the economic impact of this event will be “substantial, adding to the overall revitalization of the city.” “As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, post 1700, Endicott, I am especially proud to welcome these Legion members and their families,” Lupardo said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
IMAGE CREDIT: American Legion of New York Twitter page
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