Convention centers have emerged as a focal point in the intense competition
among cities for a share of the economically vital meetings and exhibition
market. Although the unremitting push for additional space and amenities has
sparked local debates about public costs and benefits, larger and larger centers
have continued to be built at a furious pace. In the decade between 1992 and
2002, existing convention centers increased total exhibition space by 16 million
square feet, to 72.4 million square feet, and 14 new facilities were opened
in the year between August 2001 and July 2002 (Andrews, 2002). Once sponsored
by civic efforts and financed mainly with private dollars, convention
centers have become products of an alliance between local advocates for convention
centers and the professionals, associations, publications, and consultants
that make up a highly complex convention and meetings industry. As a
consequence, convention center politics has been moved from the arena of
democratic institutions and public debate into a closed policy system dominated
by professionals and specialists who share an interest in promoting the
construction and expansion of convention centers, irrespective of local needs.