Q: Do people really come to Waco for conventions? Why?

A:Yes! The Waco Convention Center hosts an average of 337 events each year. Our central location is a big selling point, along with hotels close in proximity, ample free parking, an entertainment district across the street, and a location only six blocks from I-35. One recent conference planner who held his organization’s event in the Waco Convention Center said that 98% of the people who came to the convention were from out of town, and that most arrived on Tuesday and stayed through Sunday, even though the convention was only on Friday and Saturday. Many visitors expand their time here to make a vacation out of a trip to Waco, and that means more money for local businesses, hotels and other hospitality services, as well as additional taxes for the local community.

Q: How extensive are the planned renovations of the Convention Center?

A: The Convention Center renovations will include complete finish renovations of the lower and upper levels including new walls, floors, ceilings, and lighting. On the lower level, the construction crew will finish out the current parking garage to include more than 10,000 sq ft of new, small breakout rooms and will add a new full kitchen. In addition, 9,000 sq ft of pre-function lobby space will be added, and the current public hallways will be converted to service corridors for more efficient room setup and catering service.

Q: Is there a return on investment for the Convention Center?

A: Absolutely. For every new dollar spent on the Convention Center, Waco will gain $3.72. Currently, for every dollar the City spends on the Convention Center, Waco gains $65.40. These new renovations will bump that up to a hefty ROI of $69.12.

Q: Is the City of Waco losing any business because we don’t have an updated Convention Center?

A: Yes. In 2006, we were unable to book the Texas Veterinary Medical Association because we were unable to meet their need for a high number of breakout rooms. There is strong local support to bring this high dollar group to Waco, but we need the facility improvements to make it work. The fact that they did not come to Waco cost our local economy $798,000 of direct, incoming money (with no multiplier effect added).

Q: What do conference planners consider Waco for their event have to say about the Convention Center?

A: Recently, an employee was showing our facility to a representative from Mr. Electric, who wanted to book a meeting for a corporate seminar. When our staff showed him the Texas Room, he shook his head and said, “This won’t do for us. This room is in bad shape. We are used to hotel meeting space.”

Similarly, another booking company was looking for a location to hold corporate training and when their representative saw the Convention Center he remarked, “This just won’t work for us. It’s not nice enough.”

In addition, even those who choose to use our facility are wary about its appearance. Last fall, one professional society held a convention at our center. During the entire planning process, the local planners expressed continuous anxiety over the condition of the building because their colleagues were accustomed to something nicer.

Q: Why should I, as a Waco resident, care what happens to our Convention Center?

A:  While many Waco residents don’t step foot in the Convention Center, its presence drastically improves our lives. Conventioneers pour millions into the Waco economy each year. The average convention of 400 attendees brings in about $50,000 in revenue for the hotels alone — hotels that pay local property and school taxes. Other areas in our economy benefit as well. Local caterers earn about $500,000 each year in direct revenue for providing meals to conventions. In addition, the conventioneers generate business for our floral shops, retail stores, decorating companies, DJs and musicians, A/V suppliers, electricians, and rental companies among other things. Most attendees dine in our restaurants, pumping more money into our community and creating more jobs. Finally, spending by conference visitors generates hotel and sales taxes for local government.

Q: How will the renovations of the Hilton Hotel affect the Convention Center?

A: Many of our conventioneers stay at the Hilton Hotel, which is connected to the Convention Center. In the past, the two main reasons conventions have steered away from Waco have been the condition of the Hilton and the condition of the Convention Center. Now that the Hilton is being remodeled, the Convention Center renovations are holding us back from competing in the Texas convention market.

Charles Brizius, Convention Chairman for the Dr Pepper Collector’s Club, which recently used the Waco Convention Center for its annual convention told a convention center employee that his organization used to meet at a hotel and convention center in Dallas, but that the group permanently left that facility because the city allowed it to become run down and outdated. When the hotel was remodeled, the convention center was not, and Mr. Brizius said that his group will never return because of the condition of the convention center.

Q: How does the Waco Convention Center measure up to other Texas Convention Centers?

A: Texas has a growing pool of convention centers, which means that competition is tough. A comparative look at the state convention centers indicates that the Waco Convention Center is a moderate-sized facility, but more dated than comparable facilities in Wichita Falls, Killeen, and Austin.