Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney and Councillor Colly Kelly outside the Millennium Forum which will be the main venues for the Ard Fheis in Derry.
Sinn Fein is to hold its Ard Fheis in Derry for the first time next year, boosting the local economy by an estimated £1 million.
Over 1,500 party delegates will travel from around the country to attend the weekend conference expected to be held in March, with the main venue being the Millennium Forum.
It is only the second time the event has been staged in the North, having being held in Belfast several years ago.
Derry Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney said staging the event in Derry was an “historic” occasion, not only for republicans in city, but also the neighbouring counties of Donegal and Tyrone.
He added: “It should be seen in the context of the ever growing support for Sinn Féin across Ireland and the recent European and Council elections when the party got nearly half a million votes and had its biggest numbers of councillors ever elected.
“And for the first time had four MEP representatives elected representing the entire 32 Counties of Ireland.
“Locally, this will be a major undertaking for us it’s expected that over 1,500 party delegates and members will gather for this conference. That’s not taking into account all the guests who attend the Ard Fheis and international media coverage its gets.”
Mr McCartney concluded: “Last year, media outlets in Wexford estimated it was worth a million pound boost for local economy we hope businesses in Derry get a similar spin off.”
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