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Convention Center FactsThere is no doubt that Oklahoma City has come a long way since the initial MAPS initiative. Visitor numbers show that Oklahoma City’s investment in our tourism industry has created jobs and increased city revenue. But it is becoming increasingly difficult for Oklahoma City to compete in this industry. The fact is our city is unable to land conventions and meetings that want to come here and bring all of their tourist dollars with them because our current convention facilities cannot accommodate their needs. A new convention center will address this issue and ensure that this important industry continues to grow. Myth: The proposed convention center would not be fully funded by this MAPS. Ward 5 City Councilor Brian Walters said at a November 13 press conference that MAPS 3 is only "the first phase" in funding for a new convention center and that taxpayers would possibly be forced to pay "another quarter-of-a-billion dollars" to finish the project after MAPS 3 expires. (1) Fact: This MAPS will provide all necessary funds for the completion of the proposed convention center. The statement made by Councilman Walters is just flat not true. Each of the proposed projects within this MAPS package have been fully budgeted for completion. Since 1993, the City has on every occasion done exactly what it said it would do regarding MAPS. This MAPS is no different. Last year, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber initiated a study of Oklahoma City’s competitive position within the convention and meetings industry. The study, prepared by Conventions, Sports and Leisure International, looked at the current facilities, what the trends are in the industry; and what the competitive environment looks like. From their findings, they proposed a building plan based on meeting the demand currently supported in the market. The study also went on to suggest an expanded convention center development scenario that could also be pursued. The City Council chose the more conservative plan, which is the plan included in this MAPS proposal. Myth: A new convention center isn't necessary. Fact: To remain competitive, Oklahoma City will need a new convention center. To understand the importance of a new convention center, it is important to first understand the economic impact of tourism in our city, the positive effects of previous MAPS initiatives, and what we stand to lose if we do not remain competitive in this industry. Let’s start with a simple comparison of the numbers in a recent study from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department: Pre-MAPS: 1990 The MAPS impact: 2008 All of this dramatic growth coincides directly with the 1993 approval and subsequent investment projects implemented by the original MAPS. This study shows that tourism is a vital industry that supports more than30,000 jobs with a gross payroll in excess of $785 million and provides almost $57 million in local taxes, money that is paid by non-residents to support the daily operation of our community. Unfortunately, we are rapidly losing our ability to compete with other cities in the region and across the U.S. for these tourism dollars because of a need for better convention facilities. A recent study by Conventions, Sports and Leisure International found that the Cox Convention Center is no longer competitive. Oklahoma City is losing business year after year to cities with convention centers that are newer, larger and with a wider array of amenities and conveniences. The Cox Convention Center is not of the size or quality necessary to compete on a national level, leaving Oklahoma City to fall into the “Regional Center” category. Oklahoma City offers less than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, ranking Oklahoma City 142nd in size among convention centers in the U.S. That puts Oklahoma City behind cities such as Tulsa; Fayetteville, N.C.; Rapid City, S.D.; and Wichita, Kan. Having a quality convention center does more than attract visitors. It attracts investment in visitor and quality of life amenities. In fact, more than $750 million in investment downtown since MAPS I passed is visitor-related. More than $1.8 billion visitor dollars come to Oklahoma City every year. These dollars are an important contributor to the health of our museums, attractions and restaurants. They pay tax dollars that support our city services. And the money visitors bring to Oklahoma City pays more than $570 million in wages. More significantly, these are new dollars that would not otherwise be spent in Oklahoma City. A quality convention center, in addition to providing a place to attract visitors, is an important gathering place for residents. From proms and graduations, to celebration banquets and weddings, these facilities represent a vital community space. Bottom LineOklahoma City is at a crossroads. Today, we rank 142nd in size among convention centers in the U.S., and that ranking will continue to fall as other cities adapt to accommodate industry demand. It is time to take the steps necessary to be competitive with other cities by voting Yes for MAPS on December 8. (1) "Not This MAPS Press Conference" NewsOK.com. The Oklahoman, 13 Nov. 2009. Web. <http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/50148760001> (2) "Convention Center." Yes For Maps. Web. 16 Nov. 2009. <http://www.yesformaps.com/convention.html> |
