Build it in Anchorage … and they'll come to the Valley

Build it, and they will come … to the Mat-Su Valley. That's right, an effort to build a new larger Anchorage downtown convention center would bring more visitors to the Valley.

But we're not talking about businessmen in suits and ties, but rather their spouses and family. That's because business travel and family travel are being combined more and more these days. When a delegate from the Lower 48 registers for a convention in Anchorage it is an opportunity to add a leisure vacation before or after the meeting.

On Feb. 23, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich announced at a press conference the release of a Request for Proposal for a new and larger civic and convention center for Anchorage.

The RFP asks for the developer to design a facility that would include at least 50,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit hall space, identify a site in the downtown area and provide a finance plan to pay for the project, with an increase to the hotel bed tax considered as an option. If use of the current Egan Center is not part of the new expanded facility, the developer is to identify an alternate use.

Currently the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau is forced to turn away convention business.

The Egan Center is booked to capacity through 2004, with limited space in 2005, and selling as far out as 2010. A lack of combined meeting and exhibit space severely limits Anchorage when hosting medium to large-sized groups. The ACVB has identified more than 450 qualified meeting leads with 2,500 to 5,000 delegates that could be pursued immediately if adequate exhibit space was available.

The significant advantage Anchorage has over other cities competing for convention business is that the city is a "destination." That means, Anchorage and Alaska are already recognized as a popular visitor destination. When national associations are deciding on locations for their annual conventions, a major factor is selecting a destination that would increase attendance to the event.

Las Vegas, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. are popular convention locations because of the attractions and visitor opportunities when not in meetings.

Since their travel and lodging is paid by the employer, delegates are more likely to stay beyond the meeting and go sightseeing.

No city can compete with Anchorage and Alaska for beautiful scenery, wildlife and glaciers. And the ACVB convention sales department can name many groups who would commit today to hold their meeting in Anchorage but the Egan Center doesn't provide enough space for large tradeshows, which is a huge revenue generator for conventions.

How does this benefit the Valley? Convention visitors travel north of Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley to hike, fish, golf, whitewater raft, glacier trek, flightsee and visit Denali. These independent travelers stay in local bed and breakfasts and visit museums, the Iditarod Headquarters and the Musk Ox Farm. They frequent local restaurants and art galleries. They have a significant impact on tourism in the Valley.

A new, larger convention center in Anchorage is an investment. The potential for growing the Southcentral economy including the Valley. Research reveals Alaska has the highest visitor return rate. If someone comes here for a convention and only gets a small taste of Alaska.

You can be sure they will be back as a visitor again.