Meetings, Conventions and Sports Events Meant Big Business
in Wake County During October

Raleigh, NC -- In a report released today, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
announced a significant increase in Occupancy Rates for October.

In October, Wake County's hotels had an occupancy rate of 70.9 percent, a 14.2 percent
increase over October 2009. Year to date, occupancy is 60 percent, compared to 57.2 percent
for the previous year to date. Wake County's figures are well above the 61.8 percent average
for North Carolina and 61.3 percent average for the country for the same month. These figures
were reported by Smith Travel Research, an independent research company serving the
hospitality industry.

"While occupancy numbers for October were promising, we still have a long way to go to return
to pre-recession levels," said Denny Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Raleigh
Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Meetings, conventions and sporting events which contributed to a rise in October Occupancy
figures included:

• Great American Cross Country Festival (Oct. 1-2); Total Visitors: 3,500; Estimated
  Economic Impact: $580,000
• North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (Oct. 6-9); Total
  Attendees: 2,500; Estimated Economic Impact: $1,117,800
• Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (Oct. 17-21); Total
  Attendees: 2000; Estimated Economic Impact: $1,899,075