The local economy will take another hit in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as what has become an annual summer convention in the city had to been canceled.
Every year for over a decade, thousands of faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses and their guests have descended on downtown Toledo for an annual convention at the SeaGate Convention Centre.
This year, the convention was scheduled to be held on the weekends of July 24-26 and July 31 – August 2.
Organizers were expecting 7,000 people to attend.
The convention has given a boost to businesses downtown as attendees explored what the area had to offer.
Governor Mike DeWine’s shutdown order, stringent requirements for reopening to dine-in patrons, and the recent cancellation of the Mud Hens season has already hit businesses in the area hard.
Instead, of live conventions this year, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have decided to hold a virtual convention for adherents to the religion.
The virtual convention will take place between July 11 and August 30.
The Witnesses say they made the decision out of “respect for the sanctity of life and love of neighbor.”
The convention can be viewed by visiting jw.org and clicking on the ‘Library’ tab.
