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Despite concerns that high gas prices may drive down tourist spending, attendees arriving for summer events at the San Diego Convention Center are expected to pump millions into the local economy, helping to bolster business in local hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions. From June 1 through August 31, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation projects more than $159 million in direct spending will come from 17 conventions hosted at the facility, generating nearly $390 million in economic impact and $6.8 million in tax revenues.
“Our success in attracting conventions of this caliber is a testament to our world-class facility, outstanding staff and the transformation of San Diego as a premier meetings and conventions destination,” said Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
Three key conventions are the 2008 BIO International Convention, June 17-20; San Diego Comic-Con International, July 24-27; and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership’s Annual Meeting & Exposition, Aug. 16-19. The following is a summary of the economic activity for each event:
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and related organizations across the U.S. and in more than 30 other nations. The 2008 BIO International Convention features numerous educational sessions, networking opportunities and the world’s largest biotechnology exhibition. Keynote speakers include Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ret. Gen. Colin Powell. For more information, visit www.bio2008.org.
- Estimated economic impact: $83.1 million
- Estimated taxes revenues: $1.4 million
- Estimated attendance: 20,000
- Estimated hotel rooms: 36,970
Celebrating its 39th year in San Diego, Comic-Con is the largest comic book and pop culture event in North America. With nearly 400 events in four days, Comic-Con uses the entire San Diego Convention Center and features all major comic book publishers, major toy and gaming companies and movie studios. For more information, visit www.comic-con.org.
- Estimated economic impact: $41.5 million
- Estimated total taxes: $734,095
- Estimated attendance: 123,000
- Estimated hotel rooms: 20,310
The annual meeting and exposition for ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership brings together over 7,000 association executives and meeting and convention decision-makers for educational and networking opportunities. Approximately 20 percent of executives attending the annual meeting will book their own meetings in the host city over the next five years, resulting in an estimated $2.2 billion in future convention business. For more information, visit www.asaeannualmeeting.org.
- Estimated economic impact: $31.1 million
- Estimated total taxes: $550,572
- Estimated attendance: 7,500
- Estimated hotel rooms: 20,700
Other conventions of note this summer include the 2008 National Council of La Raza Annual Conference, July 12-15, which is the largest gathering of those addressing critical issues in the Hispanic community, and the Environmental Systems Research Institute International User Conference, August 4-8, which will attract geographic information systems (GIS) professionals from more than 120 countries. For more events, visit www.visitsandiego.com/eventscalendar.
The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the City of San Diego. The Corporation is exclusively responsible for marketing, managing and operating the Convention Center. In its 19-year history, the Center has generated nearly $15.2 billion in economic impact, over $309.8 million in tax revenues and continues to serve as San Diego’s premier gathering place.
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