CONCORD, N.C.,None — The Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau is relocating its office in September.
The office is currently located on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard in Kannapolis. It will move to Weddington Road Extended off Bruton Smith Boulevard in a few weeks.
The new site is nestled between the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills. The shopping mall is the No.1 tourist attraction in the state, with 17 million visitors a year.
"That particular exit sees millions of people each year and that's something we really want to tap into," said Cabarrus CVB communications manager Melissa McGill.
McGill said the bureau hopes to use the higher visibility to encourage visitors to check out other attractions and businesses across the county, like historic downtown Concord. That's where Hunter Huss owns the Cabarrus Creamery and 21 Union Art Gallery.
"We would benefit a great deal," Huss said.
He said he is excited about the CVB's move and what it could mean for his bottom line, especially in this tough economy.
"It's one of the few organizations that's out here to strictly promote the local economy, and if you can get that promotion in an area where a lot of visitors come, which Speedway Boulevard does, I think it's a win-win for everybody," he said.
McGill said, "In 2010, the economic impact from tourism was $313 million, and that's something we're trying to boost and to spread throughout the county."
The Cabarrus CVB reports it saw about 4,500 people walk in for information last year. Once the office moves to the new location near the speedway, leaders expect those numbers to increase by 50 percent. The office is expected to open in September -- in time for the October race weekend.