Chattanooga Convention Center officials have lured a group of professional sports anglers and hooked one of the city's biggest meetings in 2011.
"They're excited about coming here," said the center's executive director, Mike Shuford, on Wednesday about the FLW Sports Committee.
The sports fishing group will bring about 3,000 people, including anglers, family members and others, to the city April 12-16 and hold a tournament at Chickamauga Lake, Mr. Shuford said.
The last two days the group would set off-lake tournament finals activities at the Convention Center with television coverage, he said.
"They come and weigh in on stage with the crowd watching," Mr. Shuford said.
He said it has been at least 15 years since the Convention Center hosted such a sports fishing meeting.
Mr. Shuford said the group likes the facility's proximity to the lake.
Forrest Lee Wood in 1968 founded Ranger Boats, which is one of the largest manufacturers of bass boats in the nation. FLW Outdoors bills itself as the world's largest fishing tournament organization, offering anglers the opportunity to compete for millions of dollars over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010.
In other Convention Center business:
* The board agreed to look at a merit pay plan for employees.
TOURNAMENTFLW Sports Committee expects to bring about 3,000 people, including anglers, family members and others, to the city April 12-16.
Panel member Hicks Armor said the idea is to set up a pool of money and let employees receive merit pay based on performance.
If put into place, the plan could be put into effect in the next year, he said.
The board agreed to develop the idea in a committee.