Florida city looks for more conventions
The city of Jacksonville, Florida has enough convention space and hotel rooms to attract far more meeting business, says a new study.
The study said its strengths include the airport, easy access by auto, a strong corporate base and affordability. Another selling point: the area’s many beaches, resorts and golf courses.
Its weaknesses: A lack of identity, not enough activities near the convention center, a location too close to better convention cities and a limited amount of convention-quality hotels.
The study, done by convention industry consultant CSL International, reports that it is “conceivable” that building more convention space near existing hotels or more hotels near the Prime Osborn Convention Center would generate an economic return for the First Coast.
“But it’ll take time and cost millions,” says the Jacksonville Times Union.
The city is exploring options such as using public funds to develop land the city owns near the Hyatt Regency hotel where additional convention space could be added. The Hyatt there is the largest hotel in Northeast Florida. Building more convention space would make the city more competitive for regional, state and some national convention markets.
“In my opinion, Jacksonville is a phenomenal destination for conventions, but you have some marketing to do. And, before you do that, you have a product issue,” said John Kaatz, vice president of CSL International.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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