The Coronavirus. Conference cancellation in some gatherings are beginning to take place in states where the Coronavirus has been confirmed. This will affect our convention center's future if the clamps aren't put on this virus where there's some evidence that they don't know the possible origin of the virus in some of the latest cases.

Oklahoma officials plan for coronavirus outbreak: https://okcfox.com/news/local/oklahoma-medicalplans-for-coronavirus-outbreak

Facebook cancels its annual developer conference amid coronavirus outbreak: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/27/facebook-cancels-its-annual-developer-conference-amid-coronavirus-outbreak.html

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When I see the photo angle from above, I like trying to gauge the difference in size of the old convention center and the new one.

So, I know the area south of the fairmont is currently workspace, but will it belong to the city/convention center afterward or can it be redeveloped?

So, I know the area south of the fairmont is currently workspace, but will it belong to the city/convention center afterward or can it be redeveloped?

IIRC the area south of the FairField Inn is available options for convention center expansion.

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So, I know the area south of the fairmont is currently workspace, but will it belong to the city/convention center afterward or can it be redeveloped?

The city owns that land and I'm sure they'll eventually put out an RFP for development.

Do you think that will happen shortly after the new CC opens or further down the road?

Do you think that will happen shortly after the new CC opens or further down the road?

I think it will be awhile.

They'll probably want the area to mature a bit before they can get some decent responses.

I think it will be awhile.

They'll probably want the area to mature a bit before they can get some decent responses.

And I would guess they would want to hold on to the land to make sure they don't need it for the convention center for a reason they didnt expect yet.

There is tons of land all around there.

I don't think there will be demand for a while, especially because it's not a great parcel and you can bet they don't want another hotel there because of the Omni. They reluctantly allowed Farifield only because they owned land the city needed.

Gotta say, nothing you can do about it, but the city could have picked a better time to be opening this thing.

Gotta say, nothing you can do about it, but the city could have picked a better time to be opening this thing.

I think you talk about the OK contemporary,

Gotta say, nothing you can do about it, but the city could have picked a better time to be opening this thing.
Pretty sure they didn’t factor in a pandemic in the construction schedule.

Hopefully, we'll be completely past this by when this place opens.

The timing could indeed be worse if they had *just* opened.

This could be a good thing. So many meetings, conventions, and conferences have been canceled that when this is over there will be a shortage of space. Conventions that were booked elsewhere may look at other venues. This could bring in some new names that haven't been here before and if they like it may rebook future years.

This could be a good thing. So many meetings, conventions, and conferences have been canceled that when this is over there will be a shortage of space. Conventions that were booked elsewhere may look at other venues. This could bring in some new names that haven't been here before and if they like it may rebook future years.

I started posting something to twitter earlier about usually being busy and how would we fit in all the rescheduled things once life got back to normal, but I didn't want to jinx it.

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This is what we'll have to live with for those canceled events. Agree with Catch 22, some of the cancellations in other cities could make their way to our convention center.

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Show that first picture to any Okie expat and they would not be able to tell you it's OKC. It's crazy how much the core has transformed in just a few years!

I hope there isnt a fear against conventions for years to come after this crisis is over with.

I hope there isnt a fear against conventions for years to come after this crisis is over with.

There will not be enough death with this thing for that kind of reaction. Assuming, though, that we do lose close to 1% of the world population and a lot of people are going to lose loved ones to Coronavirus or lack of care for another severe issue because of Coronavirus, I think political leaders are actually going to start taking science a bit more seriously knowing that their economies cannot overcome mother nature.

Show that first picture to any Okie expat and they would not be able to tell you it's OKC. It's crazy how much the core has transformed in just a few years!
Just imagine Strawberry Fields, Ford Lot, CooP, Lower Park area, and Wheeler Park fully developed. All in the pipeline.

We still have the Boulevard and several projects in the Strawberry fields development which are scheduled to begin soon(less an economic collapse).

I hope there isnt a fear against conventions for years to come after this crisis is over with.

I'd say the next 18 months are going to be challenging, but how long of a lag will there be after that? Will come conferences go to videoconferences and not realize that conferences aren't all that necessary? I've been arguing that to some degree in my field.

I'd say the next 18 months are going to be challenging, but how long of a lag will there be after that? Will come conferences go to videoconferences and not realize that conferences aren't all that necessary? I've been arguing that to some degree in my field.

This is mostly what I am afraid of, in terms of long-term impacts.

Human interaction will continue to dictate the need for conventions. Same as the interaction with fans and their favorite teams & players. Imagine an NBA game in Oklahoma City without fans, a trade show without actual products.

Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Soda, full course meals--those factors that elevate the senses. Getting away from the every day stress involved in the job. Cabin fever (stir crazy) will diminish productivity.

Conventions are here to stay.

You really want to open a Pandora's box for scams--do away with conventions.

Human interaction will continue to dictate the need for conventions. Same as the interaction with fans and their favorite teams & players. Imagine an NBA game in Oklahoma City without fans, a trade show without actual products.

Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Soda, full course meals--those factors that elevate the senses. Getting away from the every day stress involved in the job. Cabin fever (stir crazy) will diminish productivity.

Conventions are here to stay.

You really want to open a Pandora's box for scams--do away with conventions.


Agreed. Plus, at least t the legal seminars I go to.....it is the tips you learn after hours at the bar from other attendees as well as the networking that make the seminar/convention valuable

Agreed. Plus, at least t the legal seminars I go to.....it is the tips you learn after hours at the bar from other attendees as well as the networking that make the seminar/convention valuable

Ding ding ding!!

Show that first picture to any Okie expat and they would not be able to tell you it's OKC. It's crazy how much the core has transformed in just a few years!

Absolutely! I used to see it about once a quarter but will now be less. Even at once a quarter, it changes sgnificantly each time. I look forward to Scissortale park leafed out even a little, the new First National Bank (by the way, is there a name for the hotel/apartments yet?), Midtown, etc.

This place is just massive; pictures don't do it justice.

Starting to look super cool from the park.

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Agreed. Plus, at least t the legal seminars I go to.....it is the tips you learn after hours at the bar from other attendees as well as the networking that make the seminar/convention valuable

I find most of normal convention meetings are just filler and the main course is the bar networking where the real work gets done.

Since there are very few of them around anymore, l propose the erection of one of those old-time oil derricks in that area just as artwork. It could have lights outlining it at night.

Is construction continuing or have their been halts?

Is construction continuing or have their been halts?

They were working today.

I haven't noticed any of the construction projects stopping.

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Starting to look really sharp:

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Have you changed a setting on your camera...the sky in your pictures of the last several days has really stood out!

Starting to look really sharp:

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Wow what a fantastic transformation of this area! Simply awesome.

FYI, the city needs to use your picture in ads or brochures. What a great view

It will be great when the trees are fuller and the park is full of people again.

Is the air more clear because we aren't driving?

Mug - yes. It’s happening the world over.

Mug - yes. It’s happening the world over.
Wait... that can’t be true. We know man doesn’t contribute to environmental problems.

15943

This structure is much more impressive than I had imagined. Such a big presence from the park and when the light features are installed, it's going to be stunning.

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Totally agree Pete! What do you know about the two vacant surface parking lots across from ST park. Development of those two spaces would enhance the density and vibrancy of the entire area.

I honestly super love that our new facility has such a big park frontage, it is pretty unique among the dozen or so Convention Centers I have been to. I foresee a lot of spillover park usage from con attendees on breaks between sessions and the like.

I honestly super love that our new facility has such a big park frontage, it is pretty unique among the dozen or so Convention Centers I have been to. I foresee a lot of spillover park usage from con attendees on breaks between sessions and the like.
Yep, every time I see it I think of someone from Anywhere, USA coming to Oklahoma for the first time to attend a convention, and how impressive this whole area will look.

Totally agree Pete! What do you know about the two vacant surface parking lots across from ST park. Development of those two spaces would enhance the density and vibrancy of the entire area.

Are you talking about the REHCO property between Scissortail and the Myriad Gardens? If so, those are owned by Midtown Renaissance.

You have to wonder about future bookings/conventions at the Convention Center. If we're seeing a trend through this virus to work from home, avoiding large gatherings, etc. could we see a major decrease in convention bookings? Yikes? Or not so much?

You have to wonder about future bookings/conventions at the Convention Center. If we're seeing a trend through this virus to work from home, avoiding large gatherings, etc. could we see a major decrease in convention bookings? Yikes? Or not so much?

see, my experience is the opposite. when i worked at a job that was mostly remote, they encouraged me to go to more conventions, because that is where i met my fellow peers and even some co-workers. they seemed much more apt to the idea of going to conventions and conferences regularly, as opposed to my experience where i worked in office all the time, and conferences and conventions were not as common for everyone.

You have to wonder about future bookings/conventions at the Convention Center. If we're seeing a trend through this virus to work from home, avoiding large gatherings, etc. could we see a major decrease in convention bookings? Yikes? Or not so much?

Yes, I do think (just my guess) this is going to result in some permanent downturn. I attend a lot of conferences and many of the organizations are experimenting with online conferences this year. I don't think there's any doubt that we'll see a few stick with online conferences who have been financially harmed and some will likely introduce hybrid conferences allowing more people (e.g., parents of young children, graduate students with limited funds) to participate online. Most organizations I work with hadn't seriously tried doing anything online before, but now they're introduced to the possibilities. For example, online conferences allows organizations to potentially move from one conference a year to mini-conferences online throughout the year... which has advantages. And, honestly, while I think there are benefits to in-person conferences it's sometimes hard to justify the trade-off for some participants. I love to go to conferences because I'm very social, but I know others who are in and out of town as quickly as possible... those people would love an online option. I think some of the online conferences will stick.

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Great shot Pete. Really demonstrates the scale of this structure

Is the air more clear because we aren't driving?

I'm over 60. I haven't left my basement for a month.

In the last photo you can see they have started to build the big surface lot to the south of the center.

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Wow Pete, those photos are beautiful. They really capture the synergy there will be between the park, the hotel and the convention center.

Work will soon start on a $4 million project to completely rework Robinson between OKC Boulevard and I-40.

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Thanks for the posting of the project timeline for the streets.

Don't think there's a great demand to get the convention center & surface parking completed with the unknowns about potential bookings.

Thanks for the posting of the project timeline for the streets.

Don't think there's a great demand to get the convention center & surface parking completed with the unknowns about potential bookings.

But the sooner we get it open the better. If OKC is one of the first open for business cities before others in the region then we might pick up a few bookings. Sure its a gamble and it might not come, but it would be better to be ready when the lock down lifts and travel opens up.

Closed companies in closed regions don't book anything.

Closed companies in closed regions don't book anything.

Large conventions becoming passe already. This will be a white elephant and even larger budget deficit than it was going to be.