Press Release

ONTARIO, CA (June 7, 2004) -The Ontario Convention Center announces today that the Greek Orthodox Festival has renewed its contract to return to Ontario in 2005, 2007 and 2009 for its annual folk dance and choral celebration. The three events will utilize 8,046 hotel rooms and bring in $4.2 million in economic impact for the city of Ontario.
 
"The Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival is one of our more popular events at the Convention Center," stated Amita Patel, OCVB's director of sales and marketing. "This last year, more than 5,000 were in attendance to catch a glimpse of the Greek heritage."
 
Three Greek Orthodox Dance Festivals have been held at the Ontario Convention Center – in 1998, 1999 and 2004. Results from the 2004 Greek event brought in approximately $1.42 million in revenue for Ontario. Hotel revenues generated more than $265,000 while hotel catering earned $223,000. Concessions and catering at the Ontario Convention Center brought in more than $130,000.
 
The Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival Ministry is dedicated, through Orthodox Christian Fellowship and committed leadership, to promoting, encouraging and perpetuating Greek heritage and culture among individuals, families and communities expressed in folk dance, folk art, music and language. The event will include more than 120 dance and choral teams from seven states including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and Florida. For more information, please visit their website at www.gofdf.org or call 888-FDF-YOUTH.