Convention brings 3,000 to Penticton

[Guest Nicole]

Hotels in Penticton are looking forward this June to the return of one of the biggest annual conventions hosted at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

This will be the fourth of five Jehovah's Witnesses conventions scheduled for the SOEC, drawing more than 3,000 church members to the South Okanagan. The annual conventions are a spiritual highlight for Jehovah’s Witnesses, focusing on bible education. Annually, seven million Jehovah’s Witnesses meet in 236 countries.

In 2013, the South Okanagan Events Centre announced the signing of a five-year contract with the Jehovah’s Witnesses of Canada. This year, the convention takes place June 10-12 with the program beginning at 9:20 a.m. each day. The theme this year is Remain Loyal to Jehovah and the church welcomes all to attend any of the 49 convention sessions over the course of the three-day event.

“Traditional values such as the quality of loyalty is something we appreciate in other people. Loyalty touches on all aspects of life,” said convention spokesman Peter Matkovich in a press release.

The release also states Jehovah's Witnesses have appreciated the welcome they receive in Penticton, a feeling returned by local hotel operators.

“Our staff and I have always found the convention delegates to be wonderful guests. It’s a weekend that we all look forward to,” it quotes Steve Taylor, assistant GM for the Days Inn.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses of Canada have more information available online in the form of video trailers and a free program at jw.org.

Source: http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/380427491.html