Convention Bookings in Arizona at Standstill

Bookers blame immigration stance

Published : Tuesday, 31 Aug 2010, 5:49 PM MST

PHOENIX - Polls show that Arizona's immigration law is popular with the majority of Americans -- but apparently not with people who book big conventions.

Convention bookers are staying away from Arizona in efforts to stay away from the controversy, which could end up costing the state big bucks in lost business.

Conventions mean thousands of visitors, hotel stays and restaurant dining, which pumps millions into the valley's economy.

Planners book conventions four years out, but are taking their business someplace other than Phoenix -- where a state-of-the-art downtown convention center was recently built.

Phoenix and oil spill-affected Gulf Coast cities are being dismissed as 'undesirable locations.' Convention planners are simply taking Phoenix/Scottsdale off their list of sites.

"Well what we are hearing out of our Arizona chapter, like our Gulf States chapter, is that it is tough right now to fight perception," says Theresa Davis from Meeting Professionals Int. The perception being -- a meeting held in Phoenix could come with controversy.

Attorney General Terry Goddard is running for governor. He blames Republican Governor Jan Brewer.

"The bottom line is many organizations are steering away. They can go to Vegas, San Diego, Albuquerque," says Goddard.

A spokesperson for Brewer's campaign blames the unions. "It is the Service Employees International Union and the United Food Commercial Workers Union together that are funding the national boycott of Arizona," says Doug Cole.

And since the court fight over SB 1070 may go on for some time, it creates an air of uncertainty. If there's anything convention planners don't like -- it's uncertainty.

Earlier this month, the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association said the state lost about 40 conventions due to SB 1070. The loss was at least $15 million.

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Convention Bookings in Arizona at Standstill

Bookers blame immigration stance

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