(San Diego) – July 7, 2006 -- In the fiscal year closing June 30, 2006,
the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC) booked a
record-breaking 88 future conventions representing 1,066,297 hotel room
nights. This is the highest number of future room nights booked in a
single year since the expansion opened in 2001. The conventions are
booked through 2020 and will attract a record number 632,160 out-of-town
delegates. More importantly, the future business translates into a
projected $1.9 billion in regional economic impact and $40.6 million in
tax revenues for the City of San Diego. These and other fiscal year end
results were announced by Mayor Jerry Sanders at a joint news conference
held at the Convention Center today.
“This is great news and it speaks volumes about the Corporation’s
efforts to market the Convention Center and to maximize the return on
investment back to the City of San Diego. A large part of our success is
attributable to our partnership with the City and the support we receive
from the Mayor who continues to champion our facility,” said Kevin
Tilden, SDCCC Board Chair.
The tax revenues generated by SDCCC events helps the City pay for
important services such as police protection, libraries, park and beach
maintenance, and other services that improve the quality of life for all
San Diegans.
The one million room nights booked in FY06 surpassed last year’s 915,000
room nights by 16.5% and the year’s prior, 685,000 room nights, by
55.6%. Future room nights are booked against an annual goal of 850,000.
“Today’s convention market is incredibly competitive. This
accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of the
City of San Diego, our hotel and destination partners, and our own
incredible staff who continue to set the industry standard for
excellence,” said Carol Wallace, SDCCC President and CEO.
Another strong benchmark is repeat business. Sixty-seven of the 88
events are repeat customers. This is attributable to the facility’s
nationwide reputation for outstanding service levels and innovative
marketing initiatives.
Two long-term return clients are Environmental Systems Research
Institute (ESRI) and San Diego Comic-Con International. On Aug. 7 – 11,
ESRI is celebrating their 10th anniversary at the Convention Center, and
this year, signed a contract to return annually through 2015. The August
2006 event alone is expected to generate $46.5 million in regional
economic impact and over $1 million in tax revenues for the City.
Comic-Con will hold its annual event July 20 – 23. They have been a
repeat customer since the building opened 17 years ago and recently
signed to return to San Diego through 2009. Their event is expected to
generate $32.1 million in regional economic impact, $690,000 in tax
revenues for the City and upward of 100,000 attendees.
In FY06, the facility hosted 283 events; 71 were conventions and trade
shows that generated $1.1 billion in regional economic impact, $23.2
million in tax revenues for the City and attracted an all time high
510,800 out-of-town delegates. Total attendance in FY06 was also the
highest in the facility’s history, 949,000.
Occupancy levels for the 2.6 million square foot facility also increased
in FY06. This year’s building occupancy reached a hearty 65.9%,
exceeding last year’s 63.2%. The industry standard range for optimal
building occupancy is 60%.
The San Diego Convention Center Corporation was created by the City of
San Diego to manage, market and operate the Convention Center. Since
opening in 1989, the Convention Center has generated $12.8 billion in
regional economic impact, $270.3 million in tax revenues for the City of
San Diego and welcomed over 12.4 million guests through its doors. For
more information, download the
fact sheet.
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