Springfield delegates check out Gold Wing Riders event

Six Springfield representatives traveled to Huntsville, Ala., over the Fourth of July weekend to get an idea of just how big the Gold Wing Road Riders Association Wing Ding really is.

The conclusion? It's really big, according to a news release from the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The 1999 Wing Ding will be held in Springfield June 30-July 3. Springfield representatives distributed more than 4,000 pre-registration packets and received more than 1,000 room night reservations for next year at this year's four-day event, according to the CVB release.

CVB Executive Director Tracy Kimberlin stated, "The Gold Wing director said that the group has never been more excited about a convention location" than it is about the 1999 Springfield event.

In Huntsville, the event was overwhelming for some local restaurants, which ran out of food.

"The Gold Wing Riders Association might also be known as the 'Gold Wing Restaurant Review Association.' These people eat a lot and eat often," stated Lisa Johnson, events coordinator for the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, site of the 1999 Wing Ding.

Johnson and other members of the Springfield delegation are excited about next year's event. "The impact on Springfield will be tremendous. We have an opportunity to show Ozarks hospitality to 13,000-plus people from across the United States and Canada," Johnson said in the release.[[In-content Ad]]