DAYTON, Ohio — Hotels are booked, restaurants are ready to showcase their unique cuisines and tourist hot spots are ready to shine as the countdown is on for the NATO PA Spring Session in Dayton.
It all officially kicks off Thursday with possibly 2,000 people coming to the heart of downtown.
In terms of economic impacts, the city is expecting a boost.
The event is featuring many ties to Dayton, like the Welcome flags that were printed locally.
Many local businesses outside of the NATO footprint are gearing up for crowds.
“We’re absolutely hoping and prepared for more to come down here, more people in general and different kinds of people that aren’t from around here. It’s exciting,” said Lily’s Dayton Assistant GM Sara Roseberry.
Like any other major event, this is an opportunity for business.
“I think the Oregon District specifically would be a good spot to get away from more of the business side of that and have a little bit more fun,” Roseberry said.
“We’re actually shuttling them to some of the different neighborhoods around downtown so they can experience the local culture,” said Dayton area Chamber of Commerce Executive VP Stephanie Keinath.
Keinath said getting the delegates out and about is critical.
“All of this sort of web of cool things that we really get to highlight really does impact our community for good,” she said.
All around Dayton, the delegates will be able to see local influences, like the Dayton Peace Sign art piece that was installed last week.
“My whole team had a fantastic time being a part of this, being able to stretch a little bit outside of just selling burritos and sneakers to actually creating a piece of public art,” said Real Art Design Group Director Chris Wire.
It’s all been carefully curated.
Keinath said while it’s very different, in a way, hosting the First Four basketball games helped with the planning.
“For that, partially the First Four, it’s tens of thousands of people for two days. So on a scale, this isn’t quite the same thing, but what we are learning is just the complexity of this event has been really interesting and the opportunity to really put Dayton on the world stage,” she said.
The First Four brings in about $6 million.
The NATO session brings in less people, but lasts almost a week and the guests are getting out and about.
“At this point, we are 50-plus partners that have been around the table for over a year to make this happen and it’s going to be a great opportunity,” Keinath said.
