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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
METROPOLITAN TUCSON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Kimberly Schmitz
MTCVB Director of Communications & PR
kschmitz@visitTucson.org
520.638.8350
Chris Leighton
Park Wise
110 E. Pennington St., Ste. 150
Tucson, AZ 85726
chris.leighton@Tucsonaz.gov
520-791-5071
FREE GEM SHOW SHUTTLE SERVICE RETURNS IN 2009
TUCSON, Ariz., January 2009. GemRideTM, the free shuttle service between sites of the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase, will return in 2009 to provide service to most show locations. The GemRide Shuttle makes 26 stops and provides access to 29 shows.
Managed by Park Wise, a self-funded division of the city of Tucson, the shuttle will run three different routes daily during the Show, from Jan. 31 - Feb. 15, 2009. For information on where to catch the shuttle or questions on which route to take, call, toll-free: 866-PARKGEM or 866-727-5436. Operators will be available Jan. 31-Feb. 15, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Or visit http://www.visittucson.org/includes/media/docs/GemRideMapForWebsite.pdf for a downloadable .PDF file of the shuttle route map.
GemRide maps and Show guides will be available at the Tucson International Airport, the Visitor Center in La Placita Center at 110 S. Church Avenue, and at all shuttle stops by Jan. 31, 2009. Official Show Guides and detailed shuttle maps* will be distributed at all shuttle stops. The shuttle maps will also be printed in the Colored Stone Guide, EZ Guide, and Metaphysical Guide.
Parking Hubs
- Congress & I-10 Parking Hub - 1000 spaces
- 22nd Street & I-10 Parking Hub - 1000 spaces
- Tucson Expo Center at Irvington & I-10 - 1000 spaces
- Additional parking will be available at the City State Garage at 498 W. Congress, which is within easy walking distance of the Downtown/Frontage Road Shows.
GemRideTM Routes
- The Citrine/Tanzanite Route will make stops at the Congress St./I-10 and 22nd St./I-10 parking hubs, and take riders to the following shows: AGTA GemFair Tucson; Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (TGMS); Manning House Bead Show; Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show @ InnSuites Hotel; Fine Minerals International Gem & Mineral Forum; Granada Ave. Mineral Show; Gem, Rock & Lapidary Show; GMI; Executive Inn Mineral & Fossil Show; Arizona Mineral & Fossil Marketplace; American Indian Exposition @ Flamingo Hotel; 1820 Oracle Wholesale Show (Tom-Gem); Madagascar Minerals Gem Show; Mineral & Fossil Co-Op; Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers (G&LW) @ Quality Inn; Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show @ Ramada Ltd.; and Create Your Style with Swarovski @ YWCA.
- The Ruby/Emerald Route will make stops at the Tucson Expo Center, 22nd St./I-10, and Congress St./I-10 parking hubs, and take riders to the following shows: JG&M Expo Simpson St.; AGTA GemFair Tucson; TGMS; GJX; Globe X (Days Inn); Rapa River Gem & Mineral Show; Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show (Riverpark Inn); AKS Tucson Show (La Quinta Inn); SKA Tucson Show (Howard Johnson Inn); Tucson Showplace; African Art Village; AZ Mineral & Fossil Show (Quality Inn Benson Hwy.); and JOGS International Exhibits.
- The Copper/Amber Route will make stops at Tucson Expo Center and 22nd St./I-10 parking hubs, and take riders to the following shows: AGTA GemFair Tucson; TGMS; Tucson Electric Park; Gem Mall; and JOGS International Exhibits.
Fast Facts
- The 2009 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase will feature 45 shows in 42 locations.
- Approximately 50,000 people are expected to attend.
- The estimated economic impact is $100 million.
Parking hubs will be serviced by GemRide, the free City of Tucson Gem Show Shuttle from Jan. 31 - Feb. 15, 2009. Parking lots are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The cost at most of the lots is $5.00 per day.
The most accurate and updated Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase schedule is available at the MTCVB website at www.visitTucson.org/gemshow.
The MTCVB is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Tucson area as a convention, visitor and film production destination. It is financially supported by the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Town of Oro Valley and its nearly 800 individual and business members.
Visit the MTCVB website at http://www.visittucson.org/ or call 1.800.638.8350 for further information.
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