OKC lands another major convention

[betts]

I don't think it's the size of the convention that is so important in our eyes, but rather the implication of hosting the mayors' convention. Recent cities hosting the conference include Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago. The President usually attends. It's more about gaining national recognition for OKC from an important group than it is numbers of people eating in Bricktown and staying in local hotels.

[soonerguru]

Some of you folks would be negative about anything. This is indeed a major conference that will attract media and policy makers from coast to coast.

Sure, there are more people at the square dancing convention, but this has national prestige and implications.

[ljbab728]

I don't think it's the size of the convention that is so important in our eyes, but rather the implication of hosting the mayors' convention. Recent cities hosting the conference include Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago. The President usually attends. It's more about gaining national recognition for OKC from an important group than it is numbers of people eating in Bricktown and staying in local hotels.

Agreed, Betts. Sometimes the national attention and recognition is much more important in the long run than the number of hotel rooms booked during a convention.

[HOT ROD]

it is major because it is mayors and staff and press from around the nation. It is unusual for a city with a metro less than 3 million (let alone 1.5 million) to host a 'national' convention of this prestigue.

there are more mayors in america than governors (to Larry) and governors don't have as much clout or influence on a level that counts. Imagine mayor daly (from Chicago) coming to Oklahoma City, he is bigger than ANY politician in Illinois, save Barak Obama himself.

Nobody is blowing this out of proportion, not at all. People are just realizing that OKC landed it's first legitimate 'big one' and the city needs to go all out in order to stay on people's list. Those mayors WILL go back to their city and report how things went in OKC and it WILL have a bearing on what OKC lands next in terms of conventions and retail. ....

Think about it on those lines, relax the sphincter police a bit and go enjoy Oklahoma City's moment in the spotlight.

[Larry OKC]

Hot Rod, I was AGREEING that it is a big deal but most in the City are probably looking at it in the "so what" way...those same people would be more impressed by a Governors convention etc because of the PERCEIVED higher ranking of power. prestige etc. You are correct, there are many more mayors than governors but that is part of the perception isn't it? Kind of goes back to big fish small pond. Can have a great minor league team but everyone wants the pro-team and the perceived elite status that it brings (you are 1 of only 30 other cities...) Yeah a mayor might have more power/influence in some ways but would you rather see Gov Henry or Mayor Cornett (ok, maybe a bad example...LOL). Don't know what the breakdown is but even our Mayor is a "weak" one, one of nine voices on the Council. Any power he has is symbolic for the most part. And power that others let him have. That is where personalities come into play with that type of set up.

[barnold]

Little fish in a stinky pond! Numbers bring in the bucks and put cash in the pockets of retailers. I've watched all of you post in the other forums and tout how Okc needs to bring in revenues to boost our economy. Prestige and popularity contests don't help the working stiff unless the numbers can accompany them. Otherwise this will just be another photo op for career politicians just like we get to see with the elitist in the DOK. I'm not negative about this as I've said before, just a realist. 400-600 TOTAL attendees does not make a major convention. It's a high school prom with blue bloods from around the country that will piss and moan if they aren't catered to at every corner. How much revenue do you think this will actually bring in to our city?

[betts]

Numbers bring in the bucks and put cash in the pockets of retailers. How much revenue do you think this will actually bring in to our city?

Of course numbers bring in the bucks and put cash in the pockets of retailers. But, we've got a too small, aging convention center. We're not going to get anything big in terms of numbers until we have our new CC.

Perhaps the title of this thread is misleading. The "major" in this convention is the opportunity to showcase our city to people who are actually interested in the city. It's a completely different type of population than you usually get at a convention. And its point is not to make money for OKC, but rather to show what we're doing and how the populace has consistently over the last 15 years voted to improve our city. It's the kind of thing that gets you an article in the NYT, USA Today, the Boston Globe, etc rather than guides for conventioneers. This is the big time version of the neighborhood home tour. If you don't think that has value, then you don't. I don't think anyone posting here has implied that it's value is in how much money it's going to make for merchants in Bricktown.

[barnold]

Betts, perhaps you're correct. Maybe the title should read something more along the lines of "major political convention" lands in Okc for 2010. Do you know whether this event is booked for the next several years; or is this a one time event?

[kevinpate]

Little fish, big fish, stinky pond, sweet pond. bah humbug.

It's a convention that is going to be held in some city every year. As it's not typically held in a metro the size of OKC, something caught someone's eye.

Whether it's local $ effect to the city is 200, 2,000 or 100,000, its effect of not being held at OKC would be:
a lack of exposure for the city, as somewhere else would be the focus;
a few busloads and/or rental cars of visitors who book rooms, meals, and entertainment would all be in some other location, and not talking about being impressed with X Y or Z in OKC after they go back home. That's a fair piece of completely optional business to just meh away from the local traveler service providers.

You're correct it won't drop as many towns into the coffers as something bigger. Near as I can tell though, it's not knocked anything bigger out of the starting blocks, and given the city's apparent financial shape, something that generates both exposure and some coin, and which could easily have gone to any of 25+ other locations to garner impressions and drop coin, ought to find a very warm welcome.

[ljbab728]

Betts, perhaps you're correct. Maybe the title should read something more along the lines of "major political convention" lands in Okc for 2010. Do you know whether this event is booked for the next several years; or is this a one time event?

This event routinely moves aroung the country instead of being held in the same city for multiple years. That's why getting it here for the first time is important. It gets more national notice for Oklahoma City. It's possible that it could be held here again, but don't expect that for quite a few years. You have to take advantage of your opportunities when you have them.

[metro]

Little fish in a stinky pond! Numbers bring in the bucks and put cash in the pockets of retailers. I've watched all of you post in the other forums and tout how Okc needs to bring in revenues to boost our economy. Prestige and popularity contests don't help the working stiff unless the numbers can accompany them. Otherwise this will just be another photo op for career politicians just like we get to see with the elitist in the DOK. I'm not negative about this as I've said before, just a realist. 400-600 TOTAL attendees does not make a major convention. It's a high school prom with blue bloods from around the country that will piss and moan if they aren't catered to at every corner. How much revenue do you think this will actually bring in to our city?

Negative Nancy

[Larry OKC]

400-600 TOTAL attendees does not make a major convention.

The Mayor stated there would be 1,000+ total attendees if that helps any.

[soonerguru]

The Mayor stated there would be 1,000+ total attendees if that helps any.

That is correct.

[ljbab728]

The Mayor stated there would be 1,000+ total attendees if that helps any.

And keep in mind that the number of attendees don't necessarily represent the total number of visitors.

[fuzzytoad]

The Mayor stated there would be 1,000+ total attendees if that helps any.

does that include prostitutes and "other" entertainment?


oh... I see ljbab728 already asked the same question...

[ljbab728]

does that include prostitutes and "other" entertainment?


oh... I see ljbab728 already asked the same question...

I think we have enough of those here already without having to import any "out of towners", Fuzzy.

[Larry OKC]

And keep in mind that the number of attendees don't necessarily represent the total number of visitors.

does that include prostitutes and "other" entertainment?

oh... I see ljbab728 already asked the same question...

Well, the Mayor didn't specify and in the article I have bookmarked (editorial piece by the Mayor) he said there will be 175 attendees (mayors) but when you add their families, staff, national figures etc, the number is higher. Can't find the 1,000 plus in this article...

[Larry OKC]

That is correct.

Do you have a link? The article I had bookmarked, I couldn't find the 1,000 figure I know I read somewhere

[barnold]

Larry, you are correct on the 175 number of mayors. City staff has told us to plan on 400 to a max of 600 attending the event we must attend. 1000 is not going to happen.

[barnold]

Also just saw one of our local news stations that reported this will bring in more than 1 million in revenues........where do they get this stuff from? Some people will believe anything if it's in print or on the TV.

[soonerguru]

Larry, you are correct on the 175 number of mayors. City staff has told us to plan on 400 to a max of 600 attending the event we must attend. 1000 is not going to happen.

This is not consistent with the information I've received. There will be several hundred mayors, plus media, spouses, entourages, etc. 1000 is very possible, if not likely. I suspect this makes you bitter to hear, as it means you can't continue to publicly slag an event that is making OKC look very good.

[barnold]

Sooner, I'll do a head count for you. But if it's not in the paper, would you believe an eyewitness account? Probably not, but I'll do it just for you.
Where are you getting your information from anyway? The Mayors have to pre-register for this event so that number is pretty easy to estimate. Yes 175 is really close to a couple hundred. The only media that will be covering this event are local and already here. The 600 count covers spouses and whatever entourages may accompany- (do you think, they're some kind of rockstars?).
Bitter- never! Realistic and skeptical of hype and rhetoric- Yes!
I'm more of the "show me" type, but can't claim that slogan since I'm a lifelong OKC resident.

[betts]

Also just saw one of our local news stations that reported this will bring in more than 1 million in revenues........where do they get this stuff from? Some people will believe anything if it's in print or on the TV.

If there really are 1,000 people coming to OKC for the conference 1 million would be easy to generate. Ever tried to go anywhere for under $1,000? Especially if you're a mayor or staff person with an expense account. I'm no more likely to believe your numbers because you've posted them on the gold standard for accuracy....a message board.

[soonerguru]

Sooner, I'll do a head count for you. But if it's not in the paper, would you believe an eyewitness account? Probably not, but I'll do it just for you.
Where are you getting your information from anyway? The Mayors have to pre-register for this event so that number is pretty easy to estimate. Yes 175 is really close to a couple hundred. The only media that will be covering this event are local and already here. The 600 count covers spouses and whatever entourages may accompany- (do you think, they're some kind of rockstars?).
Bitter- never! Realistic and skeptical of hype and rhetoric- Yes!
I'm more of the "show me" type, but can't claim that slogan since I'm a lifelong OKC resident.

My info has come from the Chamber, which is essentially hosting the event.

I don't doubt that one of the events you're working has 175 or whatever, but there are multiple events happening all over the place, and all of the conference guests will never be at one event at the same time. Mayors will pick and choose the events they will attend, and may even be arriving and leaving at different times.

I've been told specifically there will be 600 mayors. Perhaps it's somewhat less than that, but my guess is it's much closer to 600 than to 175.

[mmonroe]

Do newspaper reporters not travel anymore?