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San Diego’s hospitality community is rolling out the red carpet Jan. 8-11, 2012, when thousands of convention and meeting industry professionals gather at the San Diego Convention Center for one of the year’s most significant conventions, the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) 2012 Convening Leaders.
The event is considered a golden marketing opportunity to showcase San Diego as a premier destination to corporate and independent meeting professionals attending. Initial attendance estimates from PCMA were 3,300, however, early registration has surpassed goals and organizers say as many as 4,000 attendees may come to the San Diego event.
The economic ripple effects of the group's meeting are usually felt for years in the host city because planners often return to the area for their own meetings. According to PCMA, cities that host the meeting have the potential to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in future business. As the host city, San Diego can also expect an immediate return of $11.8 million in economic impact, $167,300 in tax revenues and 10,500 hotel room nights, based upon PCMA’s initial attendance estimates.
“Hosting Convening Leaders is a tremendous honor for San Diego. We’re very much aware that PCMA’s leadership had many other choices and are thrilled they chose to come back to San Diego,” said Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. “Our city has been through quite a transformation since PCMA were last here in 1996, but one thing remains the same – our commitment to make 2012 their most successful annual gathering ever.”
“San Diego is committed to the convention and meetings industry, and our local tourism community is looking forward to showcasing our world-class destination and its many offerings to PCMA attendees from around the world,” said Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This important opportunity allows our community to do what we do best, and that is to come together and work in a collaborative spirit to create unique, memorable and effective experiences.”
The San Diego Convention Center, the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and representatives from the city’s hospitality community formed the San Diego PCMA Host Committee more than a year ago to begin preparing for this much anticipated event. San Diego’s Tourism Marketing District, whose purpose is to promote tourism in San Diego, is the Title Sponsor helping to underwrite events and marketing. The Committee worked closely with PCMA to ensure their members receive the warm San Diego welcome visitors to America’s Finest City have come to expect and associate with the destination. During their visit, delegates will experience first-hand all of the unique attractions, venues, accommodations and activities that San Diego has to offer.
There are three major networking events planned for PCMA attendees:
Opening Reception – Emergence of the Senses:
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Panoramic views of the San Diego Bay serve as a stunning backdrop for guests as they sample our diverse and delicious regional cuisine at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. The world-renowned Mass Ensemble performance group, known for their exotic mix of sculpture, music, dance and visual arts, will be the featured entertainment.
Party with a Purpose:
Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 from 9 p.m. – Midnight
The USS Midway Museum, the longest serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history and one of San Diego’s most unique special event venues, will be showcased for guests during this PCMA annual fund-raiser. Party with a Purpose has raised more than $1.8 million in charitable donations since 1994. Proceeds from the 2012 event will benefit San Diego’s Reality Changers, providing city youths from disadvantaged backgrounds with the resources they need to become first-generation college students.
Urban Convergence Networking Reception:
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
A high-energy block party under the stars in the historic Gaslamp Quarter is the perfect way for guests to complete their San Diego experience. More than 20 diverse restaurants, shops and galleries will open their doors for PCMA’s enjoyment. Live music featuring Kool and the Gang, fine wines, global culinary delights and street performers are all a part of this exciting and uniquely San Diego event.
In the 16 years since PCMA was last in San Diego, two new headquarter hotels have been built just steps away from the Convention Center; the historic Gaslamp Quarter has become one of the top entertainment, shopping and dining districts in the nation; and several unique special event venues have been added including the 42,445-seat PETCO Park, the USS Midway Museum, and The New Children’s Museum. The Convention Center itself has doubled in size since 1996, and is working towards an expansion that would give the award-winning facility the largest contiguous exhibit hall on the West Coast and add 33% more space overall.
Notable development and growth has occurred throughout the region. Newer and renovated hotel and resort properties like The Grand Del Mar, the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla and Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay have opened since 1996 and now make up the county’s nearly 556 hotel and motel properties, with approximately 130 incorporating conference and convention facilities. These properties are complemented by new attractions like LEGOLAND California and Sea Life Aquarium along with the region’s dynamic culinary, cultural and recreational offerings. Today, San Diego is recognized as one of the premier meetings and vacation destinations in North America.
Now celebrating more than 20 years of success, the San Diego Convention Center has generated $20.8 billion in regional economic impact, $399.6 million in tax revenues for the City of San Diego and supports 12,500 jobs countywide. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the city to exclusively market, manage and operate the 2.6 million sf waterfront facility.
The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 1,100 member organizations, businesses, local governments and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau markets and sells the greater San Diego region as a premier meeting and vacation destination.
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