A self-help convention is helping to generate a $4.5 million economic impact for the Quad Cities economy this weekend.
Some 8,500 participants with Life Leadership are selling out hotels and booking up restaurants.
As hundreds of folks stream into the Waterfront Convention Center on Friday, it demonstrates the success and popularity of the group.
The faith-based Michigan enterprise started just four years ago.
It now has more than 400,000 members.
Participants pay a membership fee to sell the motivational materials.
"It's the message that we have information that can help people live the lives they always wanted to live," said CEO Chris Brady.
Speakers are showing how they improve families with its research.
Subjects of DVD's, CD's and other sources deal with topics like faith, families and fitness.
This weekend session will focus on financial leadership.
"It helps them build a great defense, and get out of debt," Brady continued. "It helps them build a great offense, and make other streams of income."
Life Leadership picked the Quad Cities for its safety and convenience.
After nearly a year of planning, the three-day session is underway. The winter conference is proving to be a big boost to local tourism.
"It's evolved into something huge," said Joan Kranovich, Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Even our hotels were a little bit skeptical at first when they started calling and renting the whole hotel instead of 20 rooms at a time."
With messages filled with values and principles, it's also good for local businesses.
"We have information that helps people solve the problems that conflict them in their everyday life," Brady concluded.
Events continue at the iWireless Center through Sunday.