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Event to attract over 40,000 people from around the world

São Paulo's business tourism industry has reason to celebrate. Brazil 's largest city has been chosen to host the Rotary Club International Convention in 2015, an event expected to attract over 40,000 people. São Paulo was elected unanimously with 13 votes, beating out Houston and Phoenix .

This achievement is the result of a joint effort between the São Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau (SPCVB), São Paulo Turismo (SPTuris) and the City of São Paulo , with support from the Rotary International Pre-Convention Executive Board - chaired by José Alfredo Pretoni and led by Rotary International director Themistocles A.C. Pinho. "The mobilization and commitment of those involved were fundamental in the process of securing this important event for the city," says Annie Morrissey, President of SPCVB.

Other groups taking part in the effort included the Brazilian Hotel Operators Forum (FOHB), the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH-SP), the Tourism Charter Transport Union (Transfretur), and Embratur.

The Rotary International convention further strengthens São Paulo 's role as a major destination for events in Latin America , underlined by its International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) ranking. The Association ranked São Paulo 12th in the world for holding international events, in addition to being the america's best city overall. "In 2015 the city will be even better because of the urban transport projects that are being undertaken by the city and state governments for the 2014 Soccer World Cup," says Caio Luiz de Carvalho, President of SPTuris.

The last time São Paulo hosted the Rotary International convention was in 1981, when it welcomed 17,000 people from 94 countries. The event has not been held in South America since then. This time around the event will take place in Anhembi Park , the largest convention and exhibition center on the continent.

Last year the Rotary Club International Convention occurred in Los Angeles , while this year it will be in Birmingham , England . Subsequent events will be in Montreal (2010), New Orleans (2011), Bangkok (2012), Lisbon (2013) and Sydney (2014).