Rochester businesses excited by the return of the 2024 Jehovah’s Witness Convention | News [Video]

ROCHESTER, Minn.- Around 18,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses are coming to town this week for a five week convention series at the Mayo Civic Center starting Friday, July 5.

The civic center says the convention brought around $6 million to the Rochester community in the summer of 2023.

Will Forsman, co-owner of Cafe Steam, says conventions of its size can boost sales by 15 to 20 percent for downtown businesses like his.

“Naturally we’re going to be seeing a huge increase in business because we’re seeing a huge population that’s not normally downtown,” Forsman said.

Barb Philip, site manager at Rochester-Marion KOA, says the convention brings in a lot of customers to the city’s campgrounds and hotels.

“It fills the park, and you know they’re real good people to be here,” Philip said.

The main purpose of the convection is to celebrate congregations efforts at biblical education, but convention volunteers like Grace …