Docklands witnesses a huge event

Docklands was abuzz during the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Etihad Stadium last month.

With 70,000 delegates travelling from 60 countries to attend the three-day convention, local businesses were some of the main beneficiaries of the major event.

The city circle tram was jam-packed, hotels and serviced apartment were booked out and local restaurants were buzzing.

Hotel rooms across the CBD and Docklands were booked out throughout the convention and Lyn Kelly from Docklands Private Collection of Apartments said they had “huge numbers” of guests.

“All the guests stayed with us for five days or more,” Ms Kelly said. “They were lovely people and wonderful guests.”

Many of Docklands restaurants and cafes also experienced an increase in trade.

Docklands Chamber of Commerce president Joh Maxwell said it appeared the visitors had a great time in Docklands.

“Many stayed in Docklands and our cafes, restaurants and shops had a great buzz,” Mrs Maxwell said.

The three-day convention was held from October 17 to October 19 and featured sermons, theatrical productions and a mass baptism involving 695 people.

According to Etihad Stadium communications co-ordinator Alicia Sabato, the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses broke two attendance records for the stadium.

The previous single event record of 70,000 people was set in 2000 at the Catholic Jubilee Mass and was broken on the third day of the convention, when 70,059 people attended.

The event also substantially broke the record for attendance across a three-day event, with a 201,039 attendance figure over the convention, breaking the previous record of 181,495 people, set by AC/DC for its three concerts in 2010.