San Diego Center Breaks Records

The San Diego Convention Center announced record-breaking numbers for the 2008 fiscal year, which ended June 30. According to its Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report, the convention center generated an economic impact of $1.8 billion, up 15.4 percent from $1.56 billion in fiscal year 2007, and $32 million in tax revenues for the city, up 27 percent from $25.2 million a year earlier.

The SDCC did so with 234 events – 67 of which were tradeshows – that covered more than 616,363 square feet and attracted 996,226 attendees. By comparison, in fiscal year 2007, there were 220 events – again, 67 of which were tradeshows – with 983,706 attendees.

Steven Johnson, vice president of public affairs for the San Diego Convention Center Corp., said the center's positive results for the 2008 fiscal year were influenced by high occupancy rates and the caliber of events the city attracts on a year-to-year basis.

“Obviously, we're thrilled with the facility's performance last fiscal year,” he added. “We're holding our own, and I think it's a testament to the destination as a whole and to the facility.”

It may not hurt much either as the center plans for an expansion.

“It's exactly why I think the mayor (Jerry Sanders) has asked city leaders to consider an expansion of the facility,” Johnson said, “so that this kind of success can continue as we move into the next decade.”

Of the attendees at events in San Diego during the last fiscal year, 648,159 were from out of town, accounting for an accumulated 729,696 room nights, a decrease of 1.3 percent from 738,758 in fiscal year 2007.

Some of the highest revenue- and attendance-generating events held at the SDCC in the last fiscal year were the Society of Neuroscience's annual meeting, Neuroscience, Nov. 3-7, 2007, which generated $133 million in economic impact and had 32,000 attendees; Siggraph Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Technologies, Aug. 7-9, 2007, $99.9 million in economic impact and 24,043 attendees; and Biotechnology Industry Organization Intl. Convention, June 17-20, $84.8 million in economic impact and 20,408 attendees.

Other notable shows included the Winter Fancy Food Show, Jan. 13-15, 2008, with an economic impact of $66.5 million and 16,000 attendees; Comic Con Intl., July 26-29, 2007, $41.6 million and 125,000 attendees; and Global Pet Expo, Feb. 14-16, 2008, $41.4 million and 9,963 attendees.

“We're seeing a pretty solid year this year, as well,” Johnson added. “We anticipate it to be our second-best year on record, and that's not bad given the economic climate out there right now.”