Happy New Year!
The convention business is on a nice growth curve after a five-year lull due to recent economic turbulence. As of later December, 111 events have been booked, which should bring the San Diego Convention Center more than a half-million visitors, officials at the San Diego Convention Center Corp. said in a recent news release. Meetings and conventions scheduled for 2014 could generate as much $1.4 billion in economic benefit to the region, including $607 million coming directly from out-of-towners, officials said. Total attendance could be as high as 858,000, compared with 952,000 in 2008 before the economic turmoil hit. Of note, officials said the 15 medical gatherings booked for 2014 will generate $426 million for the region. Such meetings include the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Thoracic Society, Society for Experimental Biology and the American Academy of Pediatrics. In case you missed the announcement, the 770-foot-long Cabrillo Bridge over state Route 163 in Balboa Park will be closed to vehicular traffic for a couple of months. Caltrans officials said bridge access via Laurel Street will be available to pedestrians only starting Jan. 2 and running through April. Businesses, museums and other attractions at Balboa Park will remain open for normal hours during construction, which is part of a larger project slated for completion by summer 2014. Crews are working to bring the bridge up to safety standards and make other improvements. The $38 million project will prepare the landmark structure for the hoopla that will surround the Balboa Park centennial celebration in 2015. … Mission Valley Mall now includes Chilly Ribbons, an Orlando, Fla.-based frozen desert franchise featuring shaved “snow” in assorted flavors. The store is the first of three planned for the San Diego region. Cygnet Theatre will launch its new season with the Southern California premiere of “Maple and Vine,” which was a hit in New York’s Off-Broadway theater district. The comedy features the story of a couple who moves into a community of 1950s re-enactors who have abandoned cellphones and sushi for poodle skirts, milkmen and Tupperware parties. Performances run Jan. 16 through Feb. 16. Details and tickets are at cygnettheater.com. … And for those who plan ahead, this is an event not to be missed. The San Diego Opera will stage a special one-night-only performance of the “Verdi Requiem” on March 20 with an international all-star singing crew. For information and to buy tickets, visit sdopera.com. … Till next week.
Contributing Editor Tom York writes the SDBJ Insider. You can reach him via email at tyork@sdbj.com or tom.york@gmail.com.