Convention centers have emerged as a focal point in an intense
competition among cities for a share of the economically important
meetings and exhibition market. In this paper, we present abundant evidence
to show that cities can substantially benefit by capturing a share of
this market. However, the cost and size of the meetings facilities that are
appropriate for particular cities will vary with local circumstances. We argue
that such local considerations are ignored because of the political influence
that the meetings industry now exerts when cities make decisions
about building or expanding convention centers.