Gained arena, lost event

Photo: File photo

Vernon may have gained a new arena, but Kamloops is getting one of the biggest conventions of the year.

For several years, the Interior Logging Association held its annual convention in Vernon, but with the addition of Kal Tire Place North, officials said there is no longer enough room in the parking lot to house the outside displays that features millions of dollars worth of equipment.

More than 40 outside displays feature the latest in logging technology and equipment. There are also 30 indoor displays.

Wayne Lintott, with the ILA, said the convention has been moved to the Kamloops Pow-Wow Grounds, and he sees no reason for that to change in the future.

While the economic impact of hosting the convention is not known, it does attract thousands of people to the region.

“The convention was held in Vernon for three or four years. We used the pow-wow grounds last year and I can't see any reason to change in the future because it's a good area with lots of room to expand on the inside and outside,” said Lintott.

“It's a very large convention. I would say this one in Kamloops is the largest I have done in 20 years.”

Lintott organized his first convention in 1974, but the 2019 event will be his last as he plans on retiring at the end of July.