Four years might seem like a long-enough planning window for the 2010 convention of the North America Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association. The convention, scheduled for July 11 to 18 of that year, will be based at the Four Points Sheraton in Marshall Township, Allegheny County — just south of Cranberry Township.

But Butler County officials should make good use of the time leading up to the convention, identifying the best ways to promote this county when the estimated 1,000 wildlife and conservation officers are in the area.

Aggressively showcasing one's area when a sizable convention delegation is in town not only can reap the benefits of some of the money convention goers will spend in the local economy. There's also the benefits to be derived from positive word of mouth — in terms of future vacations spent here and even possible future business prospects.

Butler County must not fail to capitalize on the opportunities that the 2010 convention will present.

The 2010 convention will be only the second time that the wildlife officers association, which was formed in 1980, will be holding its annual convention in Pennsylvania. The first time was in 1995 in Camp Hill, Cumberland County — far removed from Western Pennsylvania.

It is estimated that the 2010 convention will pump about $1 million into the area economy. However, judging from the projected number of attendees, that number could understate the potential impact.

It was an area contingent of wildlife conservation officers that was the basis for the upcoming convention being awarded to Western Pennsylvania. When Jack Cohen, director of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, learned about the conservation officers' effort about a year ago, he offered the bureau's assistance and a tour of area facilities such as Moraine State Park for the organizers.

That tour became an important element of the area's successful invitation to the wildlife officers association.

The association has come a long way from that time in 1980 in Great Falls, Mont., when the group was launched by 16 wildlife officers from the United States and Canada. Today the group boasts a membership of 8,000.

This year's convention was held in Quebec, Canada; next year's will be in St. Paul, Minn.

Many areas of the country or state would work for the 2010 convention, so this area must consider itself fortunate to have landed the event.

Between now and 2010, efforts must be geared at proving to the association and its membership that the decision in 2006 to bring the convention to this area was correct in all aspects of what the group was seeking.

Cohen's early involvement provides an advantage toward achieving that result.