Successful Meetings - February 2008 - (Page 18)

News & Analysis > Suppliers 750,000 sf already available at Javits. It also included a significant increase in the number of meeting rooms and ballrooms. The cost of the plan was to be covered, in part, by a $1.50 per night hotel room surcharge that was levied in 2005. After Foye’s review and meetings with key trade show operators, however, even the 300,000-sf increase in exhibit space seemed too paltry to meet exhibitors’ needs. Foye has presented alternative options that range from $1.7 billion to $2.7 billion and would add more exhibit space. These alternatives are still under review by state officials, but would require additional contributions from city and state governments, as well as from city hotels. The Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), which was firmly set on getting additional meeting rooms to accommodate the education sessions and events of association and corporate groups, refused to support a plan that diminished their meeting room expectations while at the same time increasing the $1.50 per night lodging surcharge to $4.50 to pay for the additional exhibit space. Joseph E. Spinnato, president of the association, told The New York Times, “The hotel association has decided that the project has become too expensive, and any further contributions from the hotel industry would, in our judgment, be counterproductive. The association would rather that the money already budgeted be used to repair and renovate the existing center.” Shrinking Plans for NYC’s Javits Center The expansion plan for the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, already spanning five New York City blocks just west of Times Square, may be looking at a downsize before construction even begins. After a review of former Governor Pataki’s plan, Patrick J. Foye, the downstate chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, who was appointed by current Governor Eliot Spitzer, has made it clear to government officials and corporate stakeholders that the $1.7 billion price tag pegged to the expansion is unrealistic. Foye estimates that the original expansion plan approved by the administration would actually run the state $3.1 billion. The original plan called for 300,000 sf of exhibit space to be added to the current Infinite Possibilites • Worlds connect at Zagat’s #1 rated Tampa International Airport • Tampa Convention Center: Good business; endless waterfront views • More delectable dining, dancing and “downtime” venues than you could choose • Celebrate success • Find out how your meeting can be inﬁnitely better in Tampa Bay www.VisitTampa Bay.com | 1-800-826-8358 Tampa Convention Center • 200,000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall • 36,000 sq. ft. Ballroom 36 Breakout Rooms • Waterfront Views tbcvb13737SUCmeetAD_M.indd 1 1/4/08 3:31:55 PM http://www.VisitTampaBay.com http://www.VisitTampaBay.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - February 2008

Successful Meetings - February 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Trade Shows
Events
Research
On the Record
Suppliers
Associations
Planner's Spotlight
Websites of the Month
Technology Talk
Personal Success
Food & Beverage
Pre-Event
On Site
Tools of the Trade
Pre-Event
The Rainbow Connection
The CVB in Your Backyard
Welcome to the Webolution
The Rail Deal
Spas with a Sense of Place
Places & Spaces
Mystic, CT.
Barcelona
Hong Kong
Florida’s East Coast
Atlantic City
Maui, Kauai, & Lanai
Aruba
Houston
Gurus

Successful Meetings - February 2008