Alaska: a premier meeting destination.

• Author: Bustamante, Bruce

In a recent report provided by the Convention Industry Council, it stated more than $1.2 billion was spent on meetings and conventions in the United States in 2001. The expenditures included those made by delegates, associations, exhibitors, and corporate and incentive travel. Information provided by the Domestic Travel Market Report for the same year stated that one out of eight business trips in the U.S. are connected to attendance or participation in a meeting or convention.

Delegates straddle the line between business traveler and tourist especially when visiting an exotic and attractive destination like Alaska. After three or four days of doing business, attending seminars, dining out and attending hosted functions, the meeting delegates, and in many cases their families, are free to venture out and see more of a destination and the surrounding area. Anchorage is a location unique in its ability to offer such a wide variety of activities, such as shopping, dining, rafting, glacier cruises, fishing, flight-seeing-the list goes on.

Direct revenue from visitors immediately impacts a host of businesses throughout the community, while the ripple effect to others may be less obvious--such as dry cleaners or theaters. Hotel room rentals contribute to the community through a local bed tax. Many visitors rent cars and those rentals are assessed a tax as well. In Anchorage alone, there is approximately $11 million collected annually in bed tax and an additional $3.5 million collected in car rental tax. In the case of the Egan Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, bed tax revenue offsets the operating deficit of the center. As a matter of fact, the Municipality of Anchorage contributes $730,000 in bed tax revenue to the operation of the Egan Center. In 2002, $580,000 was returned to the MOA. That money is channeled into a capital improvement fund that covers the cost of building improvements and maintenance to the Egan Center.

During the past few years, the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau has been very successful in attracting conventions during the fall, winter and spring time periods. Now, there is an added focus to pursue summer conventions. Can you imagine the draw for associations and businesses to schedule meetings in Anchorage during the summer? The opportunity for pre- and post-convention activity will be tremendous.

Recently the ACVB has locked in some large meetings for the future. Included in the list of "wins" are The...