Progress Matters: The Case for a New Convention Centre

Guest Blog Post by Cheryl Stewart and Level Chan, FUSION Halifax

 At FUSION Halifax, we recognize that attracting bright, young talent depends on developing a culture of progressive excellence. Young people want to live in cities that are vibrant, celebrate history and embrace the future. They want cities brimming with optimism – cities that know their own strengths and leverage them to attract people and business.

Simply put, world-class cities attract world-class talent.

Halifax can be this city for young professionals. But doing so takes more than talk and debate. We need to show a commitment to growth and a willingness to invest in smart opportunities – things that enhance the value we offer young people while showcasing the unlimited potential of our city. The reward for such investments? A vibrant, engaged and proud community whose energy will continue to help Halifax succeed in a globally competitive market.

The new proposed convention centre is exactly this kind of opportunity. Just like our incredible potential to attract young people, our convention industry is on the cusp of something great. But with only 55,000 square feet of space in the current facility, Halifax is unable to fulfill the requirements of today’s global convention market. The missed opportunities are staggering.

In the past three years alone, it is estimated that more than 70 conferences, each with up to 2,000 delegates, have passed our city by, taking up to $80 million in lost revenue elsewhere.

While the numbers speak for themselves, recent discussions around the proposed centre seem to always fall back to two points. On the one hand, investing in the resilient and lucrative convention industry is a safe opportunity to enhance the global appeal of our city and inject undeniable new energy into our economy. On the other hand, now may not be the time to make such an investment.

It’s true – timing is everything. And the time is now. We need to move forward as a city. We need to see the convention centre as not only an investment in the long-term business potential of the global convention market, but also an investment in our community.

With a proposed 120,000 square feet of space, more than double our current capacity, the new convention centre will easily accommodate the large conferences our city has been missing – the kind that come with immediate economic spinoffs for our entire region. The business case is clear, but so is the broader case for our community. Expanding our convention industry will open the doors to a thriving global market, enhance our economy and contribute to the urban revitalization that we desperately need to remain relevant.

But we need to act now. There has never been a more important time to invest in our city. We need grow or be left behind. Halifax won’t attract young people by telling them that progress and change will come eventually. Neither will conference organizers line up for the chance to bring millions of dollars into our economy. We need to step up.

The good news is that Halifax is more than ready to take this next step. We offer a great overall package. A central and accessible location, friendly business and political climate, and appealing culture and history continue to drive our competitive edge as a leading convention city. That is, of course, why the large conferences want to come here in the first place. That’s our value proposition for attracting and keeping young people, too.

Halifax, it’s time we rolled out the welcome mat for this opportunity and for progress in general. It’s also high time we stood up for the things that will really showcase our region and drive us forward. Our future depends on it. 

Cheryl Stewart is chair and Level Chan is vice-chair of Fusion Halifax. Fusion is not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization representing young people in Halifax. Visit them online at www.fusionhalifax.ca . 

Comments

[Waye Mason]

As Laura Penny wrote in this weekends Community Herald, it does not make sense to invest $100 million in a P3 SIP to make $80 million in additional tourism dollars. What we have - a demand for a bigger convention space. What we do not have - a business plan, an actual architectural plan, a clear understanding of how the deal with Mr. Ramia will work, an understanding of whether our airport can handle this capacity, that our hotels can handle it. We have just enough hotel rooms to handle a full WTCC2, so at that point nothing else can happen, and lots of other stuff DOES happen in Halifax already.

Let alone the fact that more convention facilities are built now than there is demand for, and that there are more failed convention centres than successful ones. Just look at what has happened in Vancouver.

I am glad Fusion supports an bigger facility. We need something, but this? I wonder why Fusion supports THIS proposal, when we have not actually even seen this proposal in any particular.

[Howard Harawitz]

Buildings alone do not a great city make. Why is a convention centre the only proposed alternative for the Herald site?

Why not have a really open discussion about what to do with that new hole-in-the-ground and the $100 million it will cost to build the Convention Centre?

[Allan Robertson]

Your sentiments are spot on, but your facts aren't, unfortunately. You say "The new proposed convention centre is exactly this kind of opportunity." Opinion isn't fact, however.

You say "...our convention industry is on the cusp of something great." But the convention and trade show business all over North America has been on a downturn since about 1999. An unfortunate fact, but nonetheless a fact. And with air travel getting more expensive and time-consuming (and unsafe?), with high speed online links, and a rising Canadian dollar, it doesn't look good for the Canadian conventon industry in general.

You say '...but with only 55,000 square feet of space in the current facility, Halifax is unable to fulfill the requirements of today’s global convention market." Wrong again. We have 100,000 square feet of space. Check the WTCC website.

You say "...in the past three years alone, it is estimated that more than 70 conferences, each with up to 2,000 delegates, have passed our city by, taking up to $80 million in lost revenue elsewhere." But the average number of delegates at the WTCC over the past few years has been less than 200 per event - nowhere near 2,000.

The 'official' figures being quoted by sources supportive of a new convention centre cite 56,000 new visitors from the 70 'lost' conventions. But your figures suggest 140,000 new visitors (20 times 2,000). Inconsistent, and intellectually questionable.

I'm a strong supporter of our tourism industry, but not at the cost of investing $100 million of our money on a facility to supply a declining market. Show me an honest return on investment analysis using reasonable figures that indicates it's a good investment of OUR OWN money, and I'm for it.

Allan Robertson

[ian jones]

I am surprised that a go-ahead business oriented group would advocate the citizens of Halifax and NS take on a $100 million new debt for a project whose business case is so lamentably weak.

Any undergrad. could punch holes in the figures given for present attendees (how many out of province?); for the supposed numbers of excluded conferences "turned away"; that the conference business has been going down long before 2008 recession, etc.

[Dave finlayson]

Cheryl and Level
Another great piece by Fusion. It is important that everyone speaks out and that politicians understand all the reasons for or against building this. I am sure that we have lost more than 70 conferences over the years and that more importantly, many other events or opportunities have passed us by. I for one, fully support the project, and as a Haligonian for over 20 years, can count the number of times on two hands when I stopped at Citadel to stare at the water. That is what the waterfront is for. Build this centre, build it green (like shaw centre in edmonton) and lets get this city cracking with enthusiasm and support for business and community.
Dave Finlayson
HRSB Board Member District 7

[John S.]

As someone who had to leave the region in the late 80's to begin my career (because 1st world consumer packagaged goods marketing jobs were in Toronto, not here), I could not agree more. We need to grow and diversify as a city so we can retain and attact the next generation of community and business leaders. And as you've stated, those individuals are looking for vibrant and inspiring cities.

I believe a modern & targeted convention facility will be one piece of Halifax's commpetitive edge in the future. It's not everything we need, be it's a start and it will begin the process of revitalizing our downtown core. And as this happens, the best & brightest will want to be here.

But it's unfortunate in debates like this that the voice of the 'next' generation doesn't carry more weight. After all, isn't it their future, more than ours, that we're talking about? Let's let them have it.