JOHNSTOWN - The annual Jehovah's Witnesses convention draws thousands of visitors to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena each year.

"All the hotels in Johnstown are all sold out, thanks to the Jehovah's Witnesses convention," said Melissa Radovanic, director at Crown American Hotels.

"The Holiday Inn, as well as hotels in Richland Township, Ebensburg, Altoona and Somerset are sold out."

This is the fourth year the convention has been held in the city.

More than 12,000 people are expected during the three-weekend event.

Radovanic said the event is a huge economic boost to Cambria County.

"The economic impact from the Jehovah's Witnesses convention is just incredible for Johnstown and Cambria County, " she said. "They will sell out the hotels for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night for three weekends straight.

"They also have free time so they will be in the restaurants and will be shopping."

Organizers said Johnstown is a great host for the event because it is a small town that is welcoming and friendly.

"The venue here is wonderful. We've really enjoyed coming to Johnstown. The people here accept us. They are very nice," said Clayton Durham, who works in media services for Jehovah's Witnesses.

"I think Johnstown reminds us of home because it's a small town and we are from a small town as well," Terez Howard said.

The Howard family traveled in from Ohio and said the city has welcomed them with open arms.

"People are very friendly and we feel very welcomed. We are staying at the dorms at Pitt-Johnstown and we really like it there," Ethan Howard said.

Each year there's a different theme and this year's event focuses around loyalty.

"This information will help us be loyal to other people that makes families stronger the community stronger and makes us happier," Ethan Howard said.

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