Meeting News - February 16, 2009 - (Page 13)

By William Ng william.ng@nielsen.com CVBs three-year options included in the extension potentially takes the arrangement up to 2019. Team San Jose, whose existing contract was to have expired on July 1, also manages the California Theatre, Montgomery Theatre, Civic Auditorium, and Center for the Performing Arts. In 2004, the McEnery Center was city-operated and running at a significant budget deficit, when the council decided to put the facility up for private management. The SJCVB formed a “public benefit” subsidiary with local partners in order to bid on the management contract, subsequently winning control of the convention center. According to figures released by Team San Jose, the public-private partnership has increased convention center revenue by 83.4 percent and has cut costs by 53 percent. “This is a great testimonial to [the] organization,” said Dan Fenton, president and CEO of the SJCVB, and Team San Jose’s CEO. The convention center, cultural facilities, and SJCVB operate on funds from the city’s 10-percent bed tax, independent of San Jose’s general fund money. Also, Team San Jose reported more than 255,000 room nights consumed at downtown hotels for fiscal year 2007-08 as a result of its efforts. The performance has given the city some confidence despite the recession, as it is looking into a $300 million expansion of the McEnery Center, to be funded through a combination of bond issues and a 4-percent bed tax increase. H San Jose Lets CVB Keep Running McEnery Convention Center A public-private cooperative that includes the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau will continue to operate the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and other city facilities for the next five years following a contract extension. San Jose’s city council renewed its contract with Team San Jose— composed of local hoteliers, labor unions, arts organizations, and the SJCVB—through 2013. A pair of NYC Goes on Internet Offensive, Tackles Recent Broadway Slump New York City, fighting the recession and answering other major destinations’ online marketing efforts, pulled out its big guns with the launch of a massive, one-stopshop tourism website, nycgo.com. A new microsite for Broadway theater (nycgo.com/broadway), meanwhile, is an effort to staunch the theater district’s bleeding lately, as ticket sales have slowed and 15 shows ended production between December and January (albeit some were limited run). “Despite economic challenges this year in the hospitality and leisure sectors, New York City continues to be the number-one U.S. destination for tourism spending,” noted deputy mayor Robert C. Lieber. “It is incumbent to offer visitors and residents tools to stimulate travel.” As should be expected, the new megasite has information on hotels, dining, and attractions; calendars of events; special offers; and maps. But there are dedicated sections www.meetingnews.com focusing on the city’s somewhat forgotten outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) and sections by lifestyle (including eco-conscious). The site is also available in nine languages. As well, the city has tapped Google, Travelocity, Open Table, and consumer magazine Time Out New York for advanced mapping and booking capabilities and web content. And, since groups in the Big Apple are likely interested in experiencing Broadway, the latest theater-district information is being put on the new microsite. The web initiative was launched in conjunction with a new techladen information center on Seventh Avenue between 52nd and 53rd streets, staffed with multilingual aides. “Our goal with the new center and nycgo.com is to help maximize the New York City experience,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the city’s tourism agency. A Perfect Portfolio Makes St. Charles the NaturalChoice for Meetings ADVANCED CENTER FOR TRAINING . DUPAGE EXPO HOTEL BAKER . PHEASANT RUN RESORT . Q CENTER • Contemporary Essentials • IACC-Approved Venues • 2400 Hotel Rooms • Groups to 3500 • Charming Off-site Events • 40 Miles west of Chicago • An Hour from Chicago’s Airports • Halfway between Interstates 90 and 88 St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau 800-777-4373 sales@visitstcharles.com www.stcharlesilmeetings.com February 16, 2009 MeetingNews 13 http://www.nycgo.com http://www.nycgo.com/broadway http://www.stcharlesilmeetings.com http://www.nycgo.com http://www.stcharlesilmeetings.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - February 16, 2009

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