HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967 Convention Center AssessmentTHE CONVENTION CITY OF
AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
LUIS OBISPO
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A RESEARCH
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A BSTRACT
This Report is a study of the feasibility of the city of San Luis Obispo as a convention city.
The study was approached from three separate and distinct directions.
The first approach explored the needs and attitudes of orgarizations who meet in convention and presents
research, analysis, and conclusions relating to the factors considered in selecting convention cities.
Approach two led into an assessment of the experience of other cities in an attempt to discover what their
physical resources are, what their community attitude is, how they got started as convention hosts, and
how they each compare with the city of San Luis Obispo.
A final direction carried the investigators through assessments of the city of San Luis Obispo and its
peripheral areas both from the standpoint of the status of its physical rrplantil and from the view of the
attitudes of the people as reflected by its leaders and businessmen.
The collection of pertinent data involved the following:
1-. Survey of the various types of organizations that hold conventions.
2. Survey of factors infl"uencing the selection of aparticular city as a convention city
3. Survey of convention cities of size similar to San Luis Obispo.
4. Survey of convention facilities.
5. Survey of convention programs.
6. Survey of conventions and meetings held in San Luis Obispo to date.
7. Survey of distinctive features of San Luis Obispo.
All conclusions are summ arized in the opening section.
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INTRODUCTION
This study was undertaken to gather and to present data from which objective assessments can be made of
the strengths andweaknesses of San Luis Obispo and, hence, the feasibility of San Luis Obispo as acon-
vention city.
For the purposes of this study, the word ?TCONVENTIONTT means:
An organized lq-geflggor conference of representatives most of which are not residents
of San Luis Obispo County.
Data has been collected from Library resourses and trade literature; several original research surveys
were undertaken, and interviews and correspondence with community leadelrs and representatives of
convention oriented groups were conducted both locally and in other cities.
The investigators have analyzed this data and have presented certain conclusions. However, this subject,
by its very nature, does not lend itself to simple, clean-cut conclusions; therefore, much of the raw data
collected has been made an integral part of this report so that individual readers may make their own
evaluations.
This study dIl not undertake, p€r se, to make determinations regarding the financial feasibility of a
convention center nor did it undertake to determine a location for such a center within the community.
These investigations, by thetr very nature, should follow conclusions and programs established as a
result of evaluations made of the data presented in this study.
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summary and conclusions
Conventions and conventioneering are well imbedded into the warp and woof of the fabric of modern-day
America. Conventions have become revered institutions and an essential part of American life. Robert
A. Schoettler, Executive Director of the Fresno Convention Bureau, estimates that there are 2,800
organizations in California which meet in convention. Reasons for holding conventions are many and
varied, but basically conventions promote and give vent to the exchange of ideas. They most often
represent a studied interplay between very serious business and light social activity.
A number of cities have discovered that hosting conventions represents profitable enterprise, ffid some
cities have gone to great lengths to promote themselves as convention cities. Studies conducted by the
International Association of Convention Bureaus, show that the average daily expenditure per delegate
to state and regional conventions was $22,78 in 1-948, and $28. 14 in 1gb?. Robert E. Tremaine of the
Riverside Chamber of Commerce states that the average convention delegate of 196? stays 3.1 days and
spends $l-31, or $42. 25 per dav. Convention money can be an extremely important stimulant to the
economic well-being of a community as these monies represent new dollars flowing into the local econ-
omy; dollars which will turn over an average of 3.3 times before being dissipated to the outside.
The question here is, can San Luis Obispo be reasonably assured of success if it were to promote itself
as a convention city? In the final analysis, the question of feasibility is relative. Unqualified yes or
no answers are virtually impossible. Feasibility decisions must take into account the resources of the
community, the rrinvestmbnttr choices available, and the type of return e4pected. Few communities are
capable of doing everything at once, and San Luis Obispo is no exception.
For an answer, qualified as it might be, it was necessary to approach the basic question from three
directions:
1. What of the organizations who meet in conventions?
a. What do they do in their conventions?
b. What do they look for in selecting a convention city?
c. How does San Luis Obispo correlate with their criteria?d. What do conventioning organizations think of San Luis Obispo as it stands ?
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2. What of other cities who promote themselves as convention cities?
a. What do they have?
b. What have been their e><periences ?
c. What are the attitudes of these sitids?
d. How do these cities compare with San Luis Obispo?
3. What about San Luis Obispo itself ?
a. What experience has it had to date?
b. What does it have which would make il attractive to organizations who meet in convention?
c. What are the attitudes of the community towards conventions?
An analysis of the data collected to answer these questions has led us to determine that San Luis Obispo
can be a convention city. It is feasible, . . . but. . . San Luis Obispo does not now have a convention city
image, nor has it actively worked with any consistency to establish such an image. The city has
averaged less than one rtconventionrr per month for the last two and a half years. Cal PoIy has recorded
an additional 59 rrconventionsrf in the last 54 months.. There undoubtedly have been meetings of small
groups which have not made their presence known to the Chamber of Commerce, but this record, never-
theless, is not very impressive.
There are several very important reasons why San Luis Obispo has not been more successful to date as
a convention city; these are:
L. Limitations of existing meeting places.
2. Lack of a direct commercial air connection.
3. Lack of things to do for the conventioneer and especially his spouse.
4. Lack of a large one-complex housing-meeting facility.
5. Lack of a strong promotional program.
6. Lack of a convention center per se.
7. Lack of a coehesive and positive community attitude towards eonventions and tourists as well.
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There are several reasons whySan Luis Obispo shouldwantto attract conventions; these reasons are
L. Conventions will bring new money into the community and stimulate its economy.
2, Conventions will acquaint new people with San Luis Obispo; people who may choose to return as
tourists or who may choose to settle and to m-ake investments in the community at a future date.
3. Development of new jobs, particularly for people with few skills and who represent a critical un-
employment problem to the community.
4. Improvement of the cityts commercial and recreation sectors which in turn will offer towns-
people greater choice of goods and services and entertainment.
5. Conventions will not add materially to demands made on public services such as police, fire,
parks, libraries, and schools.
There are several reasons why San Lui.s Obispo would be attractive to conventions:
1. The cityrs location, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, would appeal to those
organizations looking for a halfway point provided those organizations are willing to travel by
auto, train. or bus.
2. San Luis Obispo is blessed with a very benevolent climate.
3. Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities exist in the areas surrounding San Luis Obispo.
4. San Luis Obispots small-town character has definite appeal to certain groups.
To improve its convention city image, San Luis Obispo will have to take positive steps to overcome its
present limitations and to strengthen its advantages. An action program must be undertaken, the first
steps of which are very, very basic:
1. CONVENTION ELEIVIENTS NIUST UNITE
First and foremost, those elements of the community which most directly serve the convention
must qgmt to develop a convention business. Specifically, the Chamber of Commerce, hotel,
motel and restaurant operators, operators of related service establishments, the downtown
merchant group, and those govemmental and fraternal groups which regulate the use of the
cityrs public and private meeting places must be willing to cooperate and display a united spirit
of hospitality and concern for the conventioneer. It is absolutely necessary that such a spirit
exist if conventions are to be attracted, are to be successful, and if repeat business is desired.
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2. COMIVIUNITY SUPPORT VIUST BE ]VIARSHALLED
Aneducationalpublicre1ationSprogramshou1dbeundertaken@toacquaint
the citizenery in dollars and cents terms what the advantages of promoting San Luis Obispo as a
convention city are to the city at large and to the citizen individually. Quite frequently, the
average cilizen believes that the businessmen operating the motels, hotels, restaurants, and
service facilities are the only ones who profit from conventions.
3. PROMOTION OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY AND COUNTY NIUST BE INITIATED
San Luis Obispo is virtually unknown to the outside world (and some residents believe it should
remain unknown). If a convention business is to be established, people must first be made a\/are
of the general locale. Tourists can be the first link in a successful convention chain; people in-
troduced to the attractions of the city and county as tourists become a reservoir of potential
convention site selectors. lVlajor events such as "La Fietsa" should be staged annually with great
fanfare and gusto. These events must be 'tdifferenflr; they must be imparted with a unique flavor
which makes them distinctively San Luis Obispo in order that they will appeal to and attract people
from the large cities beyond the county limits.
4. AWARENESS OF SAN LUIS OBTSPO, THE CONVENTION CITY, IVrUST BE STIMULATED
A promotional program to acquaint the many conventioning organizations with San Luis Obispo and
what it can offer their organizations rig.ht now should be instituted and must be continued. To be
sure, existing facilities are not ideal. IVleeting, housing, and eating facilities are unfortunately
scattered. Nevertheless, San Luis Obispo has facilities which many cities of comparable size
would be envious of. The Veterans lVlemorial is a versatile building which could be much more
intensely used; modifications could be made to overcome some of its alleged defects. The
Anderson Hotel, the Madonna Inn, the Sands Motel, and the Nlotel Inn do offer one-complex
housing, meeting and eating facilities to very limited degrees. Other motels in combination with
off-site meeting and eating places can also serve some types of conventions. Within the framework
of existing facilities , there is the capacity to handle maJry more conventions than San Luis Obispo
hosts today.
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5. COIVINIUNICATION SYSTEIVIS NIUST BE ESTABLISHED
Systems of communication must be devised and maintained between all elements serving the conven-
tion guest. Evervone who comes in contact with the conventioneer must be able to quicklv and
authoritatively answer the typical questions: I'Whatts going on in town?rt, t?Whatf s there to see
and do?tr Not only management, but all levels of help--waitresses, hotel clerks, motel maids, and
service station attendants, to name but a few--rqust be impressed with the fact that their very jobs
depend on their attitudes and their up-to-date knowledge of community activities.
6. COOPERATION WITH OTHER COMIVIUNITIES MUST OCCUR
San Luis Obispo must work in every way possible with sister cities and county authorities to
develop a more favorable countywide image for the conventioneer. The limited size of the county
makes it necessary that all segments work together, each involving itself in the tasks that it can
best perform in the interests of the total economic benefit of all. Development of recreationaf
facilities in adjacent areas should be especially encouraged.
7. COIUNIERCIAL AIR CONNECTION MUST BE OBTAINED
San Luis Obispo must continue to work to obtain a commercial air line connection at San Luis Obispo.
Data collected in this study pointedly emphasizes the importance of air accessibility to the convention
cit5r. A11 things equal, a Los Angeles delegate can fly to San Francisco and be at hi's convention
headquarters in less time than it would take him to drive to San Luis Obispo. For the business and
professional man, time is of the essence, and it must be remembered that this is the man who most
frequently attends conventions.
8. CONVENTION SUPPORT SERVICES AND FACILITIES NIUST BE DEVELOPED
All sectors of the community must undertake to furnish new services and/or facilities to better
serve the conventioneer and his spouse. To overcome the lack of Itthings to dot', improvements
need to be made in the downtown area to develop Itdistinctivett qualities both in merchandising and
in atmosphere. Completion of Ulission Plaza would be a giant step in this direction. Develop-
ments such as Rose Alley and the Garden Street A1ley should receive every encouragement. The
city must not construe ttmodernizationrrwith itimprovemenfl'. Historical elements as well as those
buildings of architectural note which lend the city its character and charm must be preserved.
Art, music and theatrical activities should be promoted and expanded. lVlore rrdistinctiverr restau-
rants would be desirable. Housing units should be added as convention activity increases. The
majority of conventioning organizations search out cities which can offer housing, meeting space
and banquet facilities under "one roofr'. Operators of sizeable hotels or motels should be encour-
aged to add rooms of various sizes which would serve for meetings and/or banquets in order that
they might accommodate convention activities solely within their own facilities. Shuttle or tour
buses are needed to carry community guests to surrounding recreational activities and to introduce
them to the t'sights'r of the county. Many things taken for granted by iocal residents would be of
g'reat interest to convention guests from large urban areas, andwith enterprise could be turned to
profit. If conducted properly, tours of agricultural and ranching activities could be as interesting
to many as is llearst Castle; dune buggy rides on the open beaches and dunes would be a very
unusual experience for big city cousins.
9. LOCAL ENTERPRISE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED
The ideal convention center from an organizationts point of view, is made up of housing units,
banquet facilities, avariety of large and small meeting spaces, and exhibition space all under one
roof. Based on experiences of other comparable cities, it is unlikely that San Luis Obispo (pri-
marily because of size) could interest private venture capital in building such a facility in the
forseeable future. It is also probable that political opposition based on conflict of public and
private interests would develop if the city itself were to undertake building the ideal convention
center. First priority should, therefore, be given to existing local businesses who can modify and,/
or add to their existing facilities to make them work as one-complex convention centers even
though their scale may be limited. Very real possibilities exist for the lVladonna Inn to expand.
With ingenuity, the Anderson Hotel could e4pand into a full-blown center of considerable merit.
10. IVIULTI-PURPOSE CO]UIVIUNITY CENTER COULD BE USED
The Civj.c and Fine Arts Association has proposed the development of a "Public Auditorium, Rec-
reation, and Convention Center'1. If such af.acilify were: (1) well_located within the commgqilv
with respect to housing and activjtv U:eas. and (2) designed to permit use by groups for meeting
and exhibit purposes, such a facility would indeed be useful in making San Luis Obispo more
attractive as a convention city.
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Programs of 100 organizations who held conventions in Bakersfield, Fresno, PaIm Springs, Palo Alto,
Sacramento, Salinas, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Monica, Stockton and Yosemite were evaluated in order
to determine the type of activities various organizations engaged in during their conventions. This sam-
pling was random except that programs of orgarizations meeting in Los Angeles or San Francisco were
eliminated because of the tremendous size differential behveen those cities and San Luis Obispo. Even so,
the cities included are all larger than San Luis Obispo, Yosemite being the lone exception.
While this survey was particularly concerned with obtaining data relative to activities, it was also helpful
in further identifying the prevalent type of convention and the length of the average convention.
rrncllysis
The programs analyzed represented organizations meeting in National, Regional, State and District types
of conventions. frStatetr conventions were the prevalent type; 47 out of the 92 which could be classified fell
into this category.
Duration of these programs ranged from 1 day to 6 days. Three days was both the mean and the most prev-
alent convention length represented in this sarnple.
The predominate convention activity is communication--communication seemingly required to be conducted
on a face-to-face basis. This activity is sometimes handled in very large groups where communication is
basically one way; sometimes in small groups where communication is multi-directional. Oftentimes this
communication takes place during a formal meal which may be brealdast although more frequently it is
lunch and/or dinner. Talk and listen are the meat and potatoes of conventions.
Second rank activities are social in nature and are primarily recreational, yet these activities permit
exchanges of ideas and information to be carried on in less formal circumstances. Tours, dances, golf,
cocktail parties, and fashion shows rate. high in this atea.
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Activities and their relative importance as determined by this survey are shown in the following ranking:
RANK ACTIVITY NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS
PR OGRAIVIIVIING AC TIVIT Y
(1OO POSSIRLE)i-l
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
General meetings with speakers
Registration
Luncheons
Banquets
Group meetings, seminars, etc.
Breakfasts
Receptions
Tours
Board Meetings
Dances
Displays and exhibits
Golf
Cocktail parties
Coffee. breaks
Fashion shows
Church services
Installations (separate from meetings)
Cruises
Sports events (other than golf)
Card parties
Films (not in combination with meetings)
Concert
Fun night
Parade
88
86
76
75
59
43
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35
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19
20
33
27
27
27
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15
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influence factors
150 organizations which had either held a convention in California within the last year or were planning to
hold one within the ensuing yealr were contacted and asked to complete a questionnaire indicating their
reasons for selecting a particular city for their convention.
Convention announcements appearing in the January l-96? issue of WORLD CONVENTION DATES served
as a list from which the 150 organizations were chosen.
The selection of organizations was made at random with three exceptions:
1. The organizahon must have met or would meet within ayeat of the poll date.
2. Organizations who stated their attendance in exeess of 1000 were not considered.
3. An effort was made to have as many California convention cities represented as possible.
99 or 67Vo of the 150 organizations polled responded with usable information. This response to a mailed
questionnaire is considered excellent.
a n a ly sis
Size of meeting space and location of the convention city go hand in hand in importance as primary decision
factors.
Of considerable interest is the f.act that air transport access to the convention location was considered
more irnlrortant than ease of auto access. Concern for bus or train connections to the convention city
was negligible.
Close relationship of lodgings to convention meeting space was repeadediy stressed as a prime considera-
tion. The results from a second questionnaire, included in this report also, point up the desirability of
integrated housing and meeting facilities.
Many organizations are motivated by their own previous experience in selecting convention cities. If their
experience is favorable, they are quite apt to return. On the other hand, recommendations made by other
organizations appear to have little influence.
Availability of a banquet facility capable of seating the entire convention is very important to most organi-
zations. Cost of the use of convention facilities--while important--was not a prime concern iri the
selection of a convention city.
Climate and sight-seeing characteristics of the locale were of only moderate concern. Of even less
concem were attractions of the city or area which might stimulate delegates to come early or stay after
the convention.
Contrary to the popular image of conventions, little concern was expressed for t'nighttlifet' activities.
Convention planning assistance by the convention city was only of moderate concern; a number of organi-
zations expressed a ve4/ definite need for help, others seemingly could handle things on their own.
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TAILS YOU LOSE
I GET TO SETECT
THE COI{VE1{TION
CITY.
A number of organizations select their convention city
on the basis of that city being I'pushed" by a member
or section of that organization. Bidding by delegates
to have their city selected was frequently reported.
Several organizations noted that their selection was
based on a yotational system; i. e. , north one year,
souththe next year. Two organizations reported
provisions in their constitutions which required that
their meetings be held in specific cities.
THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS RESPONDED: Agricultural Aircraft Association. . . American Dairy Association of California. . . AmericanInstitute of Planners, California Chapter. . . American Water Works Association, California Section. . . Arson & Fire Investigation Seminar ofCalifornia. : . Cabrillo Civic Club (California). . . California Association of Airport Executives. . California Association for Childhood Education. .California Association of County Agrictrltural Commissioners. . . California Association of County Treasurers. . California Association of CountyVeteran Service Officers. . . Catifornia Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters, Inc. California Association of Nurserymen. . . . . .,California Association of Personnel Directors. . . California Association of Public School Business Officials. . . California Association ofSanitarians...CaliforniaBankers Association...California Beet Growers Association, Ltd...CaliforniaCertified Boiler & Elevator Inspectors.California City Managers Department. . . Catifornia Council of Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors. . . California Council for Retarded Children. .,California Exchange Clubs. . . California Federation Retired Civil E.mployees. . . California Fertilizer Association. . . California HistoryFoundationlns.titute...CaliforniaJuniorColtegeAssociation...CaliforniaJuvenileOfficersAssociation...CaliforniaLandTitleAssociation...
California Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association. . . California Laundry & Linen Supply Association. . . California League of City
Employees Association, Inc. . . California Medical Assistants Association. . . California Municipal Treasurers Association.. . California NewspaperPublishersAssociation...CaliforniaOliveAssgciation...Califor:riaPeaceOfficersAssociation...CaliforniaphysicalTherapistsAssociation...
California Probation, Parole & Correctional Association. . . California Retail Jewelers Association. . . California Retired Teachers Association. . .California School Nurses Organization. . . California Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc.. . California Society of Internal Medicine. . . California
Society of Professional Engineers. . . California Society of Radiologic Technologists. . . California Society Sons of American Revolution. . .Cal-State Civil Defense & Disaster Association. . . California State Council of Retail Clerks Union. . . California State Dental Society ofAnesthesiology...Catifornia State Fraternal Congress...California State Horsements Association...California State pyschological Association..California Ta:< Collectors Association. . . California Ta:cpayers Association. . . California Water Pollution Control Association. . . California WeedConference...CaliforniaWoolGrowersAssociation...CaliforniaYoungFarmersAssociation...CouncilofCaliforniaGrowers...County
Recorders Association of California. , . County Welfare Directors Association of California. . . Delta Kappa Gamma Society of California. . .Disabled American Veterans Department of California. . . Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children & Adults. . . Engineering C GradingContractorsAssociation...FarmerslnsuranceCompany...FederatedFireFightersofCalifornia...FutureBusinessLeadersofAmerica...
Independent Order Odd Fellows Grand Enc. of California...International Association for ldentification... Laryngological, Rhinological &OtologicalWest...MarineCorpsLeagueDepartmentofCatifornia...MarshalsAssociationofCalifornia...MilitaryOrderofpurpleHeart...
Music Teachers Association of California. . . Northern California Pharmaceutical Association. . . Pacific Coast Gas Association. . . pacific Coast
Gas-Customer Service Conference. . . Pacific Coast Shippers Advisory Board.. . Pacific Coast Surgical Association. . . pacific Southwest Area
Council of YMCA. . . Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. . . Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of California. . . Reserve Officers Association
of U. S. Department of California. . . Society of California Accountants. . . Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War. . . Western Agricultural ChemicalsAssociation...WesternClassifiedAdvertisingAssociation...WesternCollegeAssociation...WesternFairsAssociation...WesternGas
Processors & Oil Refiners Association...Western Pharmacology Society...Western Podiatry Congress APA...Western Radio-Television
Association. . . Western Region of American Association of Advertising Agencies. . . Wine Institute.
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THESE 99 ORGANIZATIONS CLASSIFIED THEMSELVES BY TYPE .\S FOLLOWS:
49 Business/Professional
l-8 Educational
LL Governmental
4 Trade
3 Business/Educational
Duration in days: 1
Number of Organizations: 4
3 Fraternal
3 Veteran
2 Labor
I- Civic
1 Health
L Hobby
L Patriotic
1 Service
L Youth
CONVENTIONS WERE TYPES AS FOLLOWS: 2 National; 21 Regional; ?5 State; 1 District.
Note: For the purposes of this poll, Regional means several States and District refers to
subdivisions within the State. -T
DURATION OF CONVENTIONS REPRESENTED:
Lu22u33u4445546
267402L711 1
ATTENDANCE:
In order to keep within what was felt to be the scale of conventions practical for San Luis Obispo in the
foreseeable future, the polI purposefully eliminated those organizations which indicated their attendance
would exceed 1000. The proponderance of replies came from organizations with a convention attendance
ranging from 100 to 600. The mean convention size of this poll was 300; that is, for every organization
reporting their size to be less than 300, there was another organization reporting their size to be greater
than 300. Coincidentally, more organizations reported their convention attendance to be 300 than any
other figure.
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ESTIMATED PERCENTAGE OF DELEGATES BRINGING SPOUSES:
This percentage varied from 1 to 10070. Of 9? reporting org,anizations, not one reported that no one
brought his spouse. The mean percentage of spouses present was 50V0, and 5070 was also the percentage
reported more frequently than any other. This high percentage suggests that a convention to be completely
successful must give careful consideration to the city which will be attraetive to spouses and/or provide
an adjunct program for the spouses.
ESTIIVIATED PERCENTAGE OF DELEGATES BRINGING FAMILIES:
This percentage proves to be very small. Of 97 organizations reporting on this item, 34 reported none
of their delegates bring their families. Variation ranged from zero to a mucimum estimate of 50Vo; the
mean percentage of those 63 organizations reporting families present was \Vo.
-..7
ir
THE MAIN BODY OF THE QUESTIONNATRE WAS DESIGNED TO SOLTCIT ANSWERS WHrCH WOULD
INDICATE THOSE ITEIVIS WHICH INFLUENCED EACH ORGANIZATION IN ITS SELECTION OF A
PARTICULAR CITY IN WHICH TO HOLD ITS CONVENTION.
19 convention site selection factors were Iisted and each organization was requested to rank by importance
only those factors which influenced them. Space was provided for organizations to list trothertr factors.
Unfortunately, not all organizations followed directions in answering. Replies fell into three categories,
each of which was tabulated:
(A) Those who ranked the factors as per instructions, giving each factor its proper
chronogical order, L, 2, 3, 4, etc.
(B) Those who ranked several factors at the same weight, evidently not being able to make
a clear distinction as to which of two or three factors was actually the most important;
hence several factors were judged Rank 1, several Rank 2, several Rank 3, etc.
(C) Those who did not assign Rank weight at all.
As a result of the three approaches taken in answering the questionnaire, each factor was consequently
analyzed three times;
(A) Those t'votesr properly ranked according to instructions were weighted, i. e. , first
importance, 20 points; second importance 19 points; third importance, 18 points; etc.
A weighted total was thereby obtained for each factor.
(B) Those rrvotesttwhich placed several factors at the same rank were also weighted, but
on a different scale. No organization ranking factors in this fashion exceeded a rank
listing of 10, hence a scaLe of 10 was used: i. e. , first importance, 10 points; second
importance, 9 points; etc. A weighted total was also obtained for each factor by this
analysis.
(C) Every I'votetr received by a factor whether that vote was t'weightedrt or not was counted.
A total vote (unweighted) was thereby obtained for each factor.
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*Each analysis produced a separate ranking of selection factors. Interestingly, the rankings of each of
the 3 analyses turn out to be remarkably close.
RANKING OF INFITUENCE FACTORS
RANK
(A) Each Factor Weighted By
Different VaLue Vote.
(As Per Instructions)
20 Point ScaLe
(B) Several- Factors I'Ieighted
By Same VaLue Vote.
l-0 Point ScaLe
(C) TotaL Vote
95 PossibLe Votes
t
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
L0
L1_
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
L7
L8
L9
20
544
472
425
390
382
348
333
307
233
1B7
180
160
L57
L4L
L26
100
75
6L
20
3
Location
Size Meeting Space
Air AccessibiLity
House/Meet Proximity
Previous Experience
Cost of Facillties
Auto AccessibiLity
Size Banquet Space
Other Factors
Size Exhibit SpaceItPushedtr by.Member
Convention Assistance
CLimate
Slght-seeing
Reputation of CitytrNight-Lifetl
Reconrnendation
Pre/Post Conv. Activities
Train AccessibiLity
Bus Accesslbil-ity
Size Meeting Space
Location
House/Meet Proximity
Size Banquet Space
Air AccessibiLity
Auto Accessibility
Cost of Facillties
Convention Assistance
Previous Experience
Sight-seeing
Size Exhibit Space
Reputation of CityItPushedrt by Member
CLimate
Pre/Post Conv. Activitiest'Night-Life"
Bus AccessiblLity
Other Factors
Reconunendation
Train Accessibility
Location
Size Meeting Space
Air Accessibillty
Auto AccessibiLity
Ilouse/Meet Proximity
Previous Experience
Size Banquet Space
Cost of FaciLitles
Convention Assistance
Size Exhibit Space
Slght-seeing
Climate
trPushedrt by Member
Reputation of City
Other Factors
Pre/Post Conv. Activities
'rNight-Lifetl
Recormnendation
Bus AccessibiLity
Traln Accessibil-lty
372
36s
359
335
324
32L
304
265
263
2L5
209
204
198
L94
1B1
136
LL4
92
87
78
75
74
69
65
63
6L
60
55
45
39
3B
36
33
33
3L
30
27
1_8
L7
L4
Under |tOther Factorsrr a definite concern was expressed for pleasant accommodations and good food and
service.
Unsolicited comments by respondents were felt to be important enough in establishing the tenor of concern
that they have been included in this report and follow:
rrConvention kept on adult level.tt
'r lVlust have 10,000 square feet of exhibit space.'?
tt Ulust have suitable hotel facilities and air line connections. r'
f' Air transport required; time is the all-important item for the man.rl
I' Location in middle of State is important and helpful. "
tt AIl meetings in headquarters hotel or motel. t'
It Like resort hotel large enough to house entire group. tt
tr Cool climate.tt
It Convention and sleeping rooms under one roof headquarters hotel.r'
tt Have 8 hour day of panels, speakers, discussions."
" Quatity! Hotel management ability important."
t'Chamber of Commerce must assist in planning.rr
ttSince we are a branch of government, we remain quite conservative.tt
ttConvention site onrbidr by member Association. t?
ItWe must have l-50 or 200 rooms in one facility.'l
trCost is a big factor, we always get a convention site that provides meeting rooms gratis.rr
ttGood press coverage desirable. I'
ttWe are not necessarily seeking large cities if we can find facilities that meet our needs."
" Locations must be acceptable to chairman; must be accessible by air and have adequate housing
and meeting space combined.rr
I'Housing and meeting in one complex is most important factor. tr
ttOur group insists on a tbig cityr. tr
trRequire combined meeting and housing facilities. . . each year fewer locations can accommodate
us as our attendancg grows. rr
t'Facilities must be able to house all of our delegates. We have considerable free time at our
convention; therefore, sites are selected where our delegates will have considerable
entertainment, shopping and sight-seeing activities. Our membership is not made up of
young people. . . we are not interested in roughing it. rl
rWe met in Sacramento only because we wanted to meet newly elected legislators.rt
t'Delegates must be under one roof. rr
f'It is my feeling (after considerable experience) that many convention managers wish to control
their delegates. Control is lost when they can stay at several inns, hotels, or motels. lVlore
business can be accomplished in 3 days with everyone under one roof than in 5 days at a
convention where people are scattered. tl
reoction to City'X'
To test ahypothesis, afictitious city and a special type of convention program were invented. A descrip-
tion of this city--City rrxtt--and its proposed convention program was set down and a questionnaire to test
reaction to City rrX" and its program was distributed along with the questionnaire dealing with the factors
which influence the selection of convention cities. As in the case of the Latter questionnaire, 99 or 67To
of the 1-50 organizations polled responded with usable answers.
The location and characteristics of City trX" were, of course, very, very close to those of San Luis
Obispo. The only thing added of significant note was a convention center capable of seating 800 in
meetings and 400 in.banquets. The convention program presented was referred to as an trupside-downtl
program. This program proposed to reverse the traditional I'meet-ail-day, Iive-it-up-a11-nightrr routine
of many conventions and would lean heavily upon involving some of the local ranches into a convention
support activity that would make San Luis Obispo unique by simply capitalizing on assets which already
exist or which could be developed at comparatively little cost. The I'upside-down" idea proposed that the
usual daytime meetings take place in the evening. Such a procedure would permit the fun and social
activities along with the necessary small casual meetings to take place in the daytime and thereby com-
pensate for the factthat San Luis Obispors night life is quite limited.
The questiormaire solicited responses which would indicate the appeal of: (1) City rxtstr location, (2) its
basic physical characteristics, (3) the 'tupside-down?r idea, and (4) family oriented activities. This
questionnaire also asked within the context of the description of City rrxrr and its facilities, what might
be done to make the city more attractive.
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If certain characteristics of City rrXtr (San Luis Obispo) could be changed then the attractiveness of the city
was altered in the view of several organizations. Two points were made with special emphasis:
1. If commercial air connections were available, 68 of 91 organizations would find the
city more attractive.
2. If a one-complex housing and meeting facility were available, 84 out of 97 organizations
would find the city more attractive. This was the strongest reaction to any question
asked in the course of this study.
A convention facility which would seat only 800 in meetings and 400 for banquets would be inadequate for
42Vo of those orsanizations responding.
It must be noted that the respondents to this questionnaire were either convention managers or committee-
men charged by their respective organizations with the responsibility of selecting convention sites. Their
answers are therefore significant.
Less than one out of every two of these people thought City tt;qtt (San Luis Obispo) had a desirable location.
For every organization reporting that they would consider this City as it was described, there were two
organizations who would not.
The ttupside-downil idea received several spontaneous comments which suggest a degree of enthusiasm,
but the vast majority rejected the idea and noted very serious, no-time-for-fun types of meetings.
Family oriented activities were of concern to but lLVo of the organizations reporting.
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a. DO YOU FIND CITY rrxrs" LOCATION DESIRABLE?
A. Of 93 responses, 46 found City 'tXtsr' (San Luis Obispo) Iocation desirable and 4? did not.
A. WOULD YOUR ORGANIZATION CONSIDER CITY 'IXI' AS DESCRIBED FOR A CONVENTION?
A. Only 29 orgarizations out of 89 would consider City tlqtt (San Luis Obispo) as a possible convention
city.
A. DO YOU BELIEVE THE '?UPSIDE.DOWN'' PROGRANI WOULD HAVE APPEAL TO YOUR ORGANIZA-
TION ?
A. The t'upside-downrr convention program idea found appeal to only 1-5 of 89 organizations responding
to this question.
A. ARE FA1VIILY ORIENTED ACTIVITIES IIVIPORTANT?
A. Only 1 out of every 9 responding organizations (88) considered family activities important to their
conventions.
a" REGARDLESS OF ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOVE, WOULD CITY 'lX" BE MOBE ATTRACTIVE TO
YOU:
(A) IF commercial air connections were available?
A. Of 91 responses, 68 organizations noted that they would find City rrXrt more attractive if
commercial air connections were available.
(B) _U' convention facilities were larger?
A. The size of the convention facilities described (800 for meetings; 400 for banquets) was
considered adequate by 47 out of 85 respondents; 38 organizations would find City rrXrr
more attractive if these facilities were larger.
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i (C) IF housing and meeting facilities were in one complex?
A. 84 out of 97 organizations said they would find City rXtr more attractive if a one-complex
housing and meeting facility could be provided.
(D) IF the convention facility was a health resort-spa?
A. Only 14 of the 76 organizations answering stated they could find City rX'r more attraotive
under these circumstances.
The following general comments regarding the ttupside-downrf convention idea were received:
f rNo time for outdoor pleasures. tl
ttUpside-down program best for social-fellowship type meeting rather than a professional one.rr
I'The upside-down program might be a little hard to explain to ta:<payers.rt
"Upside-down convention approach is very interesting although I feel it would not apply to this
particular group (Business/Professional). "
"Upside-downprogram is a refreshing idea...however, would not sell to our membership.ft
"Upside-down program is a possibility; it would be a new idea for us.tr
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SURVEY OI THE CHARACTER.ISTICS AND CONVENTION
F'ACILITIES OF THE CITIES OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
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In order to learn of the relative success other cities have had as I'convention cities,rr eight cities of cen-
tral California were studied. Fietd trips were made and interviews were condueted with staff members
of the local Cha^mbers of Commerce, with convention facility managers, with local realtors, and with
staff members of the city planning departments of Bakersfield, El Paso de Robles, Fresno, lVlonterey
Peninsula (Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove), Pismo Beach, Salinas, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria.
Every effort was made to appreciate each individual point of view and to summarize these points of
view in a professional manner.
The investigations sought out information on the following topics:
l. The type of convention facilities available.
2. The size of each city and the role of population as a single factor related to their
convention facilities.
3. The effectiveness of the convention facllity operation.
4. The location of the convention facility relative to other community elements.
5. The effectiveness of Chamber of Commerce and/or Convention Bureau operation.
6. The effect of the convention facility on real property values and development in
the immediate area.
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Convention facilities seldom operate in the black. The public should recognize that some degree of
subsidy is required. Degree is a determinent of each individual city, but the subsidy should reflect
(L) the direct use the general public receives from the facility, ffid (2) the amount of financial support
it wishes to give to entice conventions.
The ideal location for the convention facility would be as close to.the ammenities of a city as possible.
According to the Stanford Research Institute, rtThe best site for any facility is that one which, above
all others, encourages the optimum operation of the structure.tr Since a convention facility must be
utilized by the people jn the city as well as those coqing to the city if it is to be financially successful,
a geographically central location is recommended. Accessibility to housing, eating, entertainment and
shopping facilities; proximity to major forms of transportation; the possibility of facility and parking
expansion; and land acquisition costs are important considerations in site selection. Satisfying all of
these requirements is difficult. Fresno and Bakersfield selected sites on the periphery of their core
areas because of the mutual economic benefit the facility and the core had for the other. Monterey and
Santa Barbara are exceptions because of their fairground facilities.
Automobile access cannot be overstressed. Local patrons and the air passenger conventioneer
alike, will usually arrive at the site in an automobile. As the conventioneer makes only one trip to
and from an airport, train or bus station, and will probably make many auto trips within the city, the
relationship of the convention center to transportation centers is relatively unimportant.
The distance between meeting facilities and housing facilities was the major location deficiency noted
in this survey; Fresno being the outstanding exception.
Of thecitiespolled, thesuccessorlackof successof aChamberof Commerceand/or Convention
Bureau was directly attributable to: (1) the amount of monetary allocation received from its member-
ship and/or city; (2) the qualifications of the Chamber or Bureau staff; (3) the quality of promotional
materials; (4) the existance of a headquarters; and (5) most important of all, the wholehearted, con-
tinuous support of local business and the eitizenry.
Land values adjacent to newly constructed convention facilities were found to increase appreciably.
This, however, is what happens tq values of land adjacent to any type of major improvement. The
survey noted that newly constructed convention facilities had not fostered additional construction
in their vicinity as of this date. Reasons for this appeared to be: (1-) inflated land values; (2) tight
zoning regulations; and (3) tight money (easing slightly as of this writing).
analysis
A very definite correlation exists between city size and type of convention facility. Of the eight cities
studied, qr\'Bakersfield and Fresnowhose metropolitanpopulations are each greater than 180,000
have facilities which were designed as trOonvention Centers,rt and which approach the t'idealtr facilitlr.
As these centers have been built with public funds, they were built with a functional capacity beyond the
usual convention requirements to allow local use for cultural, extribition, ffid spectator sport activities.
Monterey, Salinas, and Santa Barbara have privately owned inns, hotels or motels which have been de-
signed to accommodate small scale conventions; population of these cities or metropolitan areas are
65,000 , 52,000 and 130,000 respectively. Most of the cities studied have been blessed with some type
of public facility which has been adapted into convention use; as exarnples, El Paso de Robles, Monterey
and Santa Maria utilize county fair grounds which happen to be in their cities. At best, these facilities
are make-shift; nevertheless, with varying degrees of success, the cities have shown ingenunity in tak-
ing advantage of these elements and are promoting themselves as convention cities.
The exlrerience of Salinas should be especially noted. Salinas, whose population is double that of San Luis
Obispo, recently completed some intensive studies for arrCivic Auditoriumrt. Proposals by a citizensr
study group and two major architectural firms recommended that an auditorium be built as a first incre-
ment of a complex which would ultimately include separate structures for conventions and community
recreation. At this writing, Salinas has set aside their plans for a new structure and are working to
convert a local armory into a multi-purpose facility. The armoryts central location played an important
role in this decision.
Convention Bureau staff members believe voters should rrprime the pumpil by voting bonds to construct
convention facilities.
A wide range in physical plant was noted during this research, and a valid assessment of the effective-
ness of convention operation could not be made. However, it was observed that the newest, most ver-
satile and well maintained buildings with plenty of easily accessible parking had the edge in attracting
conventions. IVleasurements of operation effectiveness are to a degree dependent upon the type of con-
vention facility, but more directly, they bear on the ability and personality of the facility management
and staff.
Suryey Of Eight Centrql Coliforniq Cities
CITY FACILITY POPUT.ATION
(METRO. ARIA)
BAKERSFIELD CIVIO AUDITOR.IIIM L88,750
SAIr{ LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
FAIRGROUNDS
CWIC AUDITORITIM
EL PASO DE
ROBLES 7 ,375
FRESNO CIVIC CENTER 200,000
MONTEREY
PENINSULA
CITIES
MONTEREY COT]NTY FAIRGROUNDS
ASILOMAR
MARK THOMAS INN
HOLIDAY INN
65,000
PISMO BEACH VETERAI{S MEMORIAL 5,700
SALINAS HYATT HOUSE 52,207
SAI{TA BARBANA EARL WARREN PARK 138,000
SA1{TA MARIA
SANTA BARBARA COI]NTY
FAIRGROUNDS 33, o0o
SITUATION
Recently constructed (L962) at a cost of
approximatel"y $5, 000 r000. 00.
Marimum capacity 7 ,250 "
No proposaLs
Recently constructed (l-966) at a cost of
approximateLy $8 r000, 000
" 00.
Maxlnrum capacity 7, 500.
State owned AsiLomar conference center very
active. Adaptation of fairgrounds and private
enterprise facil-ities have negated the need for
convention center per se.
No proposaLs
Civic audltorium planned, but pLans set aside
in favor of converting locaL armory into a
muLti-purpose faciLity.
Earl tr{arren Park capacity 5r000"
SeveraL large hotels and motel-s offer Limited
facilities, notably the Santa Barbara BiLtmore
and the Mira Mar.
Convention haLL recently constructed (L966) on
fairgrounds at a cost of approximaEel-y $350r000.00:
maximum capacity 11800. Other fairgrounds
facilities previously existed"
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SOWCES F ITfORMATION
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tlLL AOAI{8, mAr.ACER, OOI{VERTIOX BUREAU
CREATEN TAXERSF I ELO EHAMIEI OF OOilEROE
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tlATlrle. xArrOi II.OOOR IPOiTILC EYErTlt CxllllltlONt
(186 ro6rxr - 8r a 8f), tAHeuGT tEAttr.o ror 11850.
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C0NCERT HALL .E^rtte oAPAolrv 3r0lt0l Protoerlrer 8tAo.t
FULLY Alr-OOtlOl?lOrCo. AiEtlA Aro OOI.OETT HALL OAr
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oApA€rrv or olvto AuottoRlurr lt 81120.
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CLIilATE OOOL rtx?Eia Atto HOT atffiEit, rAiI SlrrltCi EYEt{lxO!.
RECREATIU{ ilontAL iAJtcE o? tPtOTA?ol sPOiTt Atlo lCclEAllot{
FAO|LltlEa lxol.uDlro eoLFr toATlllor oAllPll{o.
CtLTtfiAL ACTIVIf IEB xEiil tltlt-]tArrorro oRoxs.tiAr Air
AlaOOlAT lOlllr oorttnllv ?l{lAtlEo
TRAN$PQRTATIO'f . txrEitrAtc Hlat{rAv oorilcorloxi rrc? AliPoitf
?fo ?iA?llooxTlxEx?AL rAlLtoAotf lt TCiarA?t lulo
EVENINC ENTERTAIt{llENT Ltxtrco.
R0Ot ACOCffi|OOAT|OI{S AoGQUATE lil ruttgrr lut xo oErriAL
HSAOqUAnTEit rAO I Ll?V.iJ
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AT{D HOTEL LOCATIOI|S
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CENTRAL AREA
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FEESNo CONVENT r9N CEITER
THEATER ssATtNc oAFActrY 2ri60 coNTIHENTAL srYLEt
PRO8OEHIUM ETACE TITH FULL FLY GALLERV.
EXHIBITION HALL 32rOO0 BeuARE FEEri 165 - l0r x lOf loorxeS
BANquET cAPAolrv 3300; THEATER eTYLE EeATlrlc FoR
41580; cAN BE otvloEo luro 14 MEETINo RoonE.
ARENA ARENA FLooR EpAoE 27rOO0 oQUARE FEET; BABKETBALL
ssATr xor 6rlt5l3 fiREsrL txc:. 5r32?i toE HooKEv: 51800t
orRcuBl J1400i coNvENTloN AssEuBLlEs! 6rJ99.
FRESNO'S CI{ARACTER IgT ICS
CLII4ATE oool trrrrrERg Aro Hor guiritERsr tARr, BUMIEi EYEN|NcS.
RECREATION NoRsAL RAroE oF gpEorAToR BpoRTg AND REoREATIoN
FAOILITIES. NATIONAL PANXS ARE NEARBY.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIEg FRESNo ARrB oENTER, pHtLHARMoNtot
FINE ARTS FESTIVAL, MUEEUMT l{IETORIOAL SOOIETV.
TRANSPORTATI0N TNTERSTATE HtcHwAy ooNNEortoHS dET AIRPoRTi
TWO YRANEOONTINEi{TAL RAILROAOSi INTERSTATE BUSo
EVENING ENTERTAINilIENT LrurrEo..
R00M ACCS,ij0DAT I ONS ooxvEirr I oN tiorEL NEARSY
SPECIAL FEATURES rHE FRElxo MALL
SOURCES F ITiFORMAT I ON
oouqLAS I, lEEXEr 8ALES MANAeER
HUeH6ON AnO EWETTT REALTORE
ROBERT A. SOHOETTLER, EXEOUTIVE DIRECTOR
FRESHO OONVEHTION BUREAU
RO9ERT OY€R, PLANNINO ASEOCIATET AOV. PLANNINC 8ECT.
FRESNO PLANNINO OEP.AETT'EilT
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MONTEREY PENINSULA ION FACILITIES
ASILOITIAR CChFERENCE GROUNOSI .TATE OTNEO,
LEA8ES TO clTV OF pAclFlO erOYE At{D 8Ut-L:AtED
TO A FRIVATE OORPORATION. TOTAL OAPAOITV FOR
coHvExTloNl 31000; LlYlr{c AoooililooATlons Fot
688. eAFEIERTA tryLE HEAL tERvtcE oAN QUloxLY
HAflELt ALL OOI{FERENOEa OI'l ll{E eiouNoS.
M0NTEREY COUNTY FAIRGROUNOS: ARENA FLooR lEArt
710001 lareuEt AcsffioolTlot{8 roR 900. HorELs
ARE AOJAGEIII ro OtogNo!. ALL tulLOlNeS Ai:
tut?AILE For Exl{l!lTloilr
MARK THOIiIAS lNNr lltO rooru wlrt{ I HEErlNo
Roora ;rrH A mAxtmuu oAPAollY E 425.
MONTEREY PENIN CI.IARACTER I STICS
CLIIIATE wARu ttltrEilr ooot. 8urilER oAvt AND
N I CXT8.
RECREATI0N ExoELLExr vARtETv oF a?Ec?A?oR Axo
PARTIOIPAXT IPORTE.
CULTIfiAL AeTlVlTlEg VERV HteH LGvEL oF
AOlllEvEHErTt lt{ AR?r Hutlc Axo DRAllAr
TRANSPORTATI0N arATE HtcHiAy ooNNEorloN To
II{TERITATE !Y3?EHr FEEOER AtIPOR?t
ITTERETATE TUSC
EVENINe ENTERTAINI'€NT HAI*IY FtxE FAolLlrlEt.
R0Cni ACCS,il4O0ATlONS llr000 uxtr! AvAILAELE Ar
A YARIETY OF PRIOES.
SPECIAL FEATURE rHE iloRTEREy pEHtrsrrLA
EilrrOY3 A I{A?IONAL REPlrTATlOlt At A
HIETORIOALT OULfSRAL Aro vAoATlox
CE!{TER. IHIt REPUTATIOIII IT TELL
FOUNOEOO
SorRcEs s IiFORMAT ION
n^xLv oouelASa, GrM.B.
?EilIi8ULA REALTV OOUPAI.Y
PAOIFTC CROVE
JAlr ROEEnt8Ox, oooRotNAToF
vIttToiE AxD ooxvExTIot BUi:At'
HOXTSREY PENIX'ULA EHANB:R OF
OMTCRCE
TOXTEREY
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IPI$JIO BEACH C TION FACILITIES
FISMO TEAOH HA8 NO FAOILITY WHICH 18 T'8EO 8P
IFIGALLY FOR CONYENTIOHE. THE COUN?Y OW'{EO
TiANAESD VE?ERANS MEMORIAL BUILOINC WILL SEAT
600 exo oARE FoR A oATEREo BANQuET ron 400.
PI9TO BEACH IS CMRACTERISTICg
CLIMATE cooL TINTERB, wARM eumirERs vrtrH oooL
EVENINES. OOCASSIOHAL FOCO
RECREATI0N LtMtrEo ExeEpr FoR ocEAN oRtENTEo
TIPORTSO NOTEO FOR OLAM DIGOING.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HoRMAL FoF corrruNtry oF
51700 PoPULArloN.
TRANSPORTATI0N tNTEBsTATE Ht oHrAv ooNNEcrtoN,
TNTERETATE BU8, OOUi{TV 8r{ALL CRAFT
AIRPoRT 10 mtNurEg ArAye RAILRoAD
LINE PA88E8 THROUEH CITY WTTHOUT
BTOP.
EVENING ENTERTAINIvENT LtMtrEo.
R00M ACCOi,illODATlONS AoEeuATE yo rERVE cor-
YENTtoN oF 500, ruo HEAoeuAR?ERs
HOTEL OR fi'OTEL.
SPECIAL FEATURE prcruREseuE gEAsoApE.
SOURCES 0F tNFORfi/rAT I ON
oFl, A. .r. MADSON, MANAOER
PI SMO BEACH OHAMBER OF COi,TI,ERCE
I{ENRY MEYSRS, SECRETARV
PI St'O BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMEROE
BESEIE ESLlCK, SECRETARY TO THE PREStDENT
FISMO BEACI.I CHAMBER OF OOT'MEROE
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PISMO BEACH
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PASO CONVENT IT IES
A8O ROBLEA HA8 NO FAOILITY I|HICX 18 USEO
SPECIFICALLY FOR CONVENTIONg. THE MUNIOI-
PAL AUOITORIUM 8EAT8 4OO INO OAN SERVE
50 tr.l BANQUET ETVLE. THE 8AN LUIS oBlSPo
COUNTY FAIROROUNOS BLEAOHERE CAN HANOLE
DAv CROwDT OF 31000; eenxtNc FOR I 1000
OMOBILES I8 AOJACENT.
CLIMATE Hor suHtERa ivlrH;ARM EvElllxcot
OOOL WINTERS.
RECREATI0N LtMlrso LooALLYi wATER sPoRrg
AT NAOIETSNTO LAKE ANO OCEA'{ 20
MINUTES AWAY BY AU?OT'OBILE.
CULTURAL ACT lV lT IES NoRMAL FoR corerruNlrv
oF 7r4O0 PoPULATIoN.
TRANSPORTATION tNTERSrATE'llGHllAY cox-
NEOTIoN; TURBO-rIET FEEoER AIR-
POR?; INTERSTATE BUBi RAILROAD'
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT LlmlrEo.
R00M ACC0IA4ODATIONS AoEQUATE ro sERvE
ooNvENTloN oF 300; xo HEAO-
QUARTERS HOTEL OR MOTELT
I tvF TION
JOYCE ROBINSONT SECRETARV
OHA TBEFI OF OOTT'EROE
LOU BROrlr, MANAOER
OIVIC AUDITORIUH
LARRY LEtlN, MANAOER
8Ail LUIA OBISPO COUI{TY FAIROROUNDB
;89
5FohF<
8ANTA MARIA CONVENTION HALL
FAOILITY LOGATEO AT TIIE EANTA MARIA FAIiCROUNDS
(aenre 3ARaARA oourrrv), tlrH THE ooNvEttlTloN HALL
|?8ELF Oor{"AtiltrO 361000 sQsARA FEE? OF HULTI-
PURPOTE SPrtGEe THE FAIRCiOUiIOE ROOEO ARENA Al{O
ExHlBlT tulLoll{c8 oAil EE utEo ltl ooNduNctloN
WITH ?I.IE HALLr
SANTA MARIAIS CHARACTERI 8T ICS
CLIMATE rrARn grl'ltEtc rvlTt{ oooL EvEl{lt{e8r ooot.
wl NTEn8.
RECREATI0N LtMtreo LooALLYT ooeAx sPoRTs 20
MITTUTES ORIVE.
CULTffiAL ACTIVITIES roiMAL FoR oorilruNlrv oF
321000 PoFULATlotr.
TRANSP0RTAT l0N TNTERsTATE xtot{ttAv coi{NEorl ont
TURIO-rIET FEEOET AIRPORTt IHTERSTA?E
BU!e
EVENING ENTERTAINI€NT LIMITEA.
R00M ACC0fttODAT|ONS AoEQUATE ?o sERvE GoN-
VENTlotl oF 1500-18003 convENtloN
HOTEL AVAILABLE.
SouRcEs cF lt€oRlnATloN
dEAN W, ABRAHAMT OIRECTOR OF COmtUNltv
DEVELOPMSNTT OITY OF 8ANTA ftARlA
TOm lr. HART, DIREATon oF PuBLlotTvr PRoMOTIOI{8I
AHO OOi{VEI{TlONt
SANTA UARIA VALLEY OHAMBER OF OOilltlEROE
ROTERT EANERT eONVErtlOt{ CEHTER MAilAeERT OOtt'lTV
FAIROROUXDST SANTA MARIA
.^.l\l loornoir oF HEADouARTERg HorEL-ifii:..',i+
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SANTA BARBARA CONVENTION FACILITIES
SANTA BARBARA HAE NO FACII.ITV IIHIOH IT
UEEO SPEOIFIOALLY FOR OONVSNTIONS. THE
FACILITIEB AT Tl{E STATE-OU}JEO EARL WARREI{
PARX AOOOMilOOATE THE LARCEST OROSPAT THE
FLOIIER EXHIBITION BUILDINO HA' A GAPACITV
oF 21000 FoR BANqUETB oR MEETINcB. Tl{E
ARENA HA8 A OAPAO|TY OF 31000 OR lT OAN
BE SUBDIVIDEO I}ITO 8IX MEETINC I{ALL8.
eRoups oF 125 - ?00 cAN FlxD FAolLlrlEE
AT SEVERAL HOTELS ANO i'OTELg.
SANTA B{RBARA!g CHARACTERI STICS
CLIMATE ExoELLENT .ALL vEARr
RECREATI0N iloRMAL RANcE oF cFEorAToR
EFORTO IITH EPEEIAL ETFHASIS
UPOIII IYATER ORIENTSO AOTIYITIES.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES eREATER lrrtrElcEr tll
OULTUBAL AOTIVITIEB THAN NORMAL-
LY FOSNO Ii' A COi'fIIUHITY OF LESA
THAN 1001000, venv t{loH LEYSL.
TRANSP0RTATI0N tNIEReTATE HIGHITAV cox-
NEGTIONT dET AIRPORTT PAAEENCER
RAILROAOT INTERSTATE BUEr YACHT
l{AR8OR.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT soMErvHAr REFINEo.
R00M ACCOfiil,lODAT I ONS MoRE rHAN AoEQUATE
lN NUMBER' NOT ONE HOTEL OR
IIOTEL CAN l?ORl( A8 I{EAOQUAFTERET
SPECIAL FEATURES uNlQuE IpANt!H Aruos-
PHERS; FltrE NA?URAL SETllNGo
SOURCE OF INFORMAT I ON
eRACE OtV6LYe MANAcER
coNFgRfhrsE A$s ooHvqH?lor. euREAg
.^.N\
LOOATIOX OF TAJOR I{OTELs AilO XOTELSIT ADOITIOII TO TI{O3E III OORE AREA!ffi
SANTA BARBARA
OITY LIIITS
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SALINAS CONVENT I S{ FACILI TIES
8ALINAE }IAE NO FACILI?Y ;HICH Ig USEO
TPEOIFIOALLY FOR OONVENTIONEI THE HVATT
HOtrgE GAit SUFPLV gPAOE rOR ll00 I }, OOX-
VENTIO}I OR
'AilQUET
gEATI}I€. THE OITV OF
SALIXAE l! PLAtttXlt{e TO ACQUIRE THE }lA"-
IOXAL OUARO ARMORY At{O OONVERT IT TO A
ll9LTI-FURPOCE FAOILITV lr il{lGH OON-
VE!|TIOXS HAY BE HELOO
SALI NAS' CI{ARACTERI ST ICS
CLIMATE oool ruMrERr AND rtrtEig
RECREATIOI{ Lrmr?Eo LooALLY
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES roinlL FoR o!?v oF
531000 FopuLAtfor.
TRANSPORTATI0N tNtErsrA"E Htoxtly ooil-
trcOTlOtlr tUttO-rlCT ?g:OCt LliE
AIRPORT, PAt3ENCER RAILROAO,
EVENING ENTERTAINITfiNT LrgrtEo.
R0Oil ACCO,ilIOOATIONS AoEerrArE to 3ERvE
oolrvExTroN onouPs uxoen l}00.
IIYATT HOU8E aERVEB AB HEAD-
QUARTERS XOTEL.
SFECIAL FEATHE Fnoxtntty ro MoITEREY
PENITSULA SEATIOE AOTIYITIES.
SOURCES G IIfORMATION
-
ROYCE OAYIDSOF, tiArAeERr VlSlToRE ANO
OOI|VEN?IOrl EUREAU
SALINAS OHAT'IER OF COI*IERCE
.^rNSALINAS
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onolysis
San Luis Obispo has the physical characteristics which could make it an attractive convention city. It
does have, at the moment, several serious liabilities.
The city has no convention center per se; it does have one facility, the Veterans Memorial Buildlng,
which is used for convention purposes, but not nearly to the degree that it could be used. Complaints
have been registered regarding the building itself, but there is reason to believe that comparatively
inextrlensive modifications and/or remodeling could overcome shortcomings.
Approximatety L650 motel/hotel units exist which adequately serve medium-sized conventions; however,
these accommodations are scattered in four principal areas of the city, and the city is without public
conveyance except for taris.
The city is not directly served by commercial airline which is a very serious defect in the eyes of many
organizations.
There are few I'things to don in San Luis Obispo proper. Many of the activity areas lay outside the city,
are not extensively developed, and cannot be reached by public conveyance. The downtown retail core
does not offer a distinctive shopping etperience for outsiders. Historical and cultural acfivities are still
underdeveloped.
That segment of the city that most directly deals with conventioneers--the hotel and motel segment, is
not of one mind about the merits of a convention center. Some feel it would be an advantage to have a
center now; some say tourism should be promoted first and that the city should make better use of the
convention facilities it now has before building a new facility. A11 would like to see stronger prcmotion
of the city utilizing bed tax monies.
Attitudes within the community are also mixed. Several community leaders are skeptical of the success
a convention center would have at this time. A11 recognize the benefits that new dollars brought in by
conventions could mealr for the city, and most were aware of the cityrs limitations to serve conventioneers.
Most agreed that if the city had to build a facility, it would have to undertake a first-rate public relations
program to convince the citizenry of need.
Business and professional people e>qrressed interest and indicated a willingness to work to get their
respective otganizations to consider San Luis Obispo as a meeting place. Most felt a convention center
would be helpful to the cityts economy. This segment also expressed concern with whether San Luis
Obispo was "ready", noting that'rthings to dort in the city are very limited.
SURVEY OF THE CONVENTIONS AND MEETINOS HE tD
IN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TO DATE
Conventions held in San Luis Obispo to date fall into hvo major categories: (1) those conventions which
use the various meeting facilities within the city; and (2) those which use the meeting facililies of Cal Poly.
Only those organizations whose meetings are educational in nature may use the Cal Poly facilities. Many
organizations which use campus meeting facilities; however, choose to stay in off-campus housing and/or
take their meals in the city.
Unforfunately, the only records available from the Chamber of Commerce listing conventions which use
meeting facilities of the city, commence vrith 1"965 and run to date:
March
April
April
September
September
September
November
November
November
January
February
August
September
October
October
October
November
February
March
April
April
May
1965
1966
Steam Automobile Association Convention
National Conference of United Volunteer Services
San Luis Obispo Lighting Seminar
Central Coast Square Danee Convention
American Legion District Convention
Association of Buddhist Women
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Conference
District Rotary Convention
Tri-County DeMolay Convention
State Association of County Assessors, South. Sect.
San Luis Obispo County Planning Conference
Northern California State Babe Ruth League Tournament
Central Coast Square Dance Convention
Soroptimist District 11 Convention
First Annual Kennel Club Show
W. C. T. U. Convention
Veterans of World War I - Joint Conference American
Legion Post #66 and V. F.W. Post #1766
Business and Professional Womenrs Winter Conference
San Luis Obispo County Blind Association
Southern Typographical Conference
C alifornia Bankers Association
Dale Carnegie A1umni Association
1967
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Ca1 Poly records the following meetings held on the campus during the last five years:
(Note: these meetings do not involve bollege credit)
MONTH ORGANIZATION l_963 1964 l_965 1966 L967 ATTEND.
l1ri
January
Frebruary
March
NIay
lVIay
June
June
June
June
June
July
July
July
August
August
November
Calif. Assoc. of Refrig.
Service Engineers Society
Calif. Grain and Feed
Dealers Association
California Grange Youth Conf.
F. F. A. Convention
F. F. A. State-wide Judging
Contests
Nurser5rmenr s Refresher
Course
Agriculture Teachers
Skills Week
Apprenticeship Plumbing
State-wide Contests
Calif. Agriculture
Teachers Association
American Institute of.
Floral Designers
Calif. Farm Bureau
Federation Board Meetings
Calif. Farm Bureau
Federation Staff Institute
Calif. Chapter of National
Institute of Farm and Land
Brokers
C alifornia Field Ironworkers
Apprenticeship Training
Society of California Accountants
Audubon Society
x x
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
s*
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x 500
150
75
600
300
250
150
100
600
100
40
L75
200
50
150
100
S
s
S
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
s
S
S
x
x
x
x
Note: In addition to the meetings listed above, college credit workshops have been held in the summers
for a number of years. The most notable of these is the Physical Education Workshop which runs for bwo
weeks and attracts about 600 participants.
I
*S = Scheduled
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SURVEY OF THE DTSTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
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onctlysis
San Luis Obispo is a potentially beautiful city with an ideal physical setting and a climate which permits
agreat variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees to be grown inprofusion. However, the cityrs streets--
especially those in the commercial sections--are neither distinctive nor unique, and they hold litUe
appeal for tourists. Streets need to be visually improved, particularily those streets in the downtown
and trmotel rowrr areas. Clutter should be removed and the streets should be filled with floral color and
trees to make them more attractive.to tourists and citizens alike. The civic pride thus engenderedwould
be good for tourism, convention attraction, and business.
Retail business would most likely improve with corresponding improvements in merchandising. Retailers
should work to provide greater selection, larger stocks, and prices more competitive with nearby larger
cities.
It is difficult for tourists to get to San Luis Obispo if they are not traveling by private automobile. Better
scheduling of buses and trains would help improve this situation. Scheduling of a commercial air line
into the local airport would be a great boost to the ability of the city to attract convention groups and
tourists.
The historical, educational, recreational and cultural aspects of the city are abundant, but are either
inaccessible or unattractive. They generally suffer from a lack of civic concern and they needtrfreshen'
ingrt--more attractive and consistent signing and better advertising. Regular tours should be inaugurated.
Local hotels and motels should be encouraged to include bus excursions to nearby cultural and recreational
activities as part of their services.
Motel accommodations are of good quality and the lVladonna Inn, of course, is unique. The city needs more
restaurants of the good quality-'medium price variety. Of the meeting halls available for possible conven-
tion use, the county owned and managed Veterans Memorial Building is best equipped. The variety of
smaller halls available in the city has meant that the Memorial Building is seldom used for greup meetings.
Other cities interviewed would eye the Veterans Memorial as a rrblessingtt and would use it extensively.
It is obviously an excellent choice for use an an interim convention center and merely needs publicity.
CI. IlllATE
LTTERALLY SPRINGTIME THE
VEAR AROUNO, CLIMATE lg
A PRIME 8AN LUIS OBIEPO
RESOURCE.
PREOOMINANTLY ORY;
TOTAL RAINFALL OCCURS
BETWEEN DECEMBER AND
MAV.
300f laovE gEA LEvEL.
TEMPERATURE
PERrog mrx o
.rAN. l+1 .3APR. 46.3ruLY 52.5ocr. 50.5
YEAR Av. 47.8
*rtx o
61.6
6?.8
?6.9
70. I
70.1
RAIiFALL (lHcxes)
aTANUARY 4138APRIL I,60.rULY .0llocroBER .83
YEAR AVERAcE ZZ.L*
RELATIVE HUMIOITY
JOf rveeece
UII ND
A POTENTTALLV LU8H, FLORALLY AOCENTEO AlrE ElrUATEt,
BETTEEN ?uro HILL RAreES EQOIOISTANT TO THE PACIFIC
OCEAN FROM NORTI{ AND 8OUTH llrlTH ttULTl-OIRECTIONAL
ACOE88 TO UNTOUCHEO I.IILLA ANO BACK COUNTRY.
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FOR ITB SlzEr 8AN LU|S OBtgFO FIA! MANY FOINTS oF HIATORICAL lNTERegTo
THEY INOLUDE! THE MlSglON 8AN LUtS OBtSpO DE TOLOSA ANO MUSEUH, THE
GOUNTV HISTORICAL HUEEUM, THE DALLTOET AOOBE, TltE AH LOU|g 8TORE, THE
aINSHEIXER BROTHERS 8TORE, THE SAUER ADOBE AND ANNEX, THE KLUVER CIcAR
FAOTORV (ruOW e RESTAURANT), er.rO EEVERAL pRtvATE ADOBE REE|DENeEE.
OUTSIOE THE OITY LII{IT8 GAN BE FOUNOT THE HEARST CASILE STATE MONUMENT
AT 8AN glMEONr THE oANA AOOBE AT NIPOMOT THE YORX MOUNTAIi ANO PESENTI
tllNE€lE8 iIEAR TEMPLETON, MtASION 8AN MICUEL ARCANGEL AT 8AN HI€UEL,
itlSSloN LA PuRltlitA coreEPeloN ttrEAR Lompoc, AND orHER EAgtLy AccESSlELEPOlNTSr HOET OF THE8E ATTRACIlOilE ARE EITHER NOT HAOE A?TRACTIVE oR
OBVIOUS TO THE TOUNIET ON CITIZEH OF THE AREAO
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)IO GOLLEEE AXO
ouESTA eOLLEeEt TUO OONTINUALLY eRoflNC
lNSTlruTloNS, PREPRE8ENT Tl{E OlTVtS PRlttrE
EOUOAIIONAL RESOUROES. TI'EY PROHISE ETROTTC
OONVEHTION ANO MEETING .POTENTTALO ASIDE
ROr THE OOLLECES, THE COUilrY HISTORIGAL
SEUX AilD TI{E GIIV ANO GOUNTY LIERARIEA
ARE Tt{E ONLY EgtABLlSHEg oULTURAL ANO EO-
UOA?IONAL 8OI'ROE8. THERE ARE NO ESTAILISHEO
ARt EALLERIE8T TKE LITTLE THEATTS OROUF
ANO ?1{E AR' ASBOGIATION ARE BOTH TEMPORARILY
HOUSEO AXO OFTER POOR ENVIR AL IMAOEA.
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POLY|ECHNIC COLLEGE
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REOREATIONAL pOSStBlLlTlES tr,r 8Ar,r LulE oBlSPo ARE NUMEROUET BUT iIEARLV
ALL OF THESE ARE TO BE FOUNO OUTSIOS OF TI.IE OITV LIMITEO THEY ARE
EASILV AOOEEEIBLE By AUTOMOBTLE, |{O;EVERO HEARST OAgtLE CAN 8E REAOHED
Bv CHARTER EV8 SERV|CE, BUT lT lg IHE oNLv AGTIVIIY SPoT 80 SERVICEO,
THs RECREA?|ONAL eAMUT |HOLUDES 22 eUeuc PARXS AHD FEACllESr l+ LAxEEt
6 pust-to coLr couRgEgr 2 puautc gtrlrrmlNc PooLgr oEEP aEA ANo FRESH
WATER FlSl.f lNe, BOATING, RlDlNer wATER 8Kl lNGr HUNTINGT IIOUNTAIT CLImB-
lNe CAHPINOT AHO SIQHT-EEEINGI AYILA BEACHT IO-OALLEE Tl{E SAFEBT
SWlrrclNe BEAoH lN oALIFoRNIA l8 APFRoXIMATELY l5 mtNUTEa AWAY.
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SAN LUISOBISfu 6UNff
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DUE TO 8AN LUtS OBtSFotS |SoLATED LOCA?IOH, tT8 RETATL
COi,tlUNl.fV l{AB EXPERIENCEO Ll?tLE OOilPETITIvE pREatURE TO
OATEO RETAIL SHOPPINO AND SERVIEES WITI{IN ?HE OITY ARE
LlnlTEo. LARC€ !?OOK8 OF SlNeLE lTEfrg AtE RARE, ANo MANV
ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE TI{ROUOH OATALOG ORDSN ONLY. OIECOUNT
STOREA OO NOT EXIET AND LOCAL RETAILERS ''LIST PRIOE|i
'TOETI'EH8. ['{ANV LOOAL PEOFLE IILL OOOASSIOilALLV ?RAVEL TO A
LAROET OltV FOi A OAV OF tHOPPltlg. iEB|ITAIIOE TO ENVIRON-
I,E'ITAL OI{ANOS 18 EYIDEHT. AtSEIITEE OWNEISHIP OF rANY
OOrniEiOlAL tnOPEitlEt HA! ttAOE IMPtOYEmEilT DIFFIOULI.
AT?EMPT! TO MArE THE OGTITRAL BUSITEES OItTiIGT MORE
ATTRAOTIVE THROUOH A TTREET-TREE PLAH?lNC PROCRAM, AN
oRDINA|OE TO RECULATE 81efl8, AND A pROORAtil TO OEVELOP A
'rlttlota pLAzAlf HAvE rET wl?H yERv LtMt?Eo luccEtt. AT
T}llt wRlTlXe, T}lE FIRST E€RIOUB OOutETl?tOlt tx THE FORm
OT A PEiIF}IEiIAL 3}IOPPIiIC OETTET It HATERIALIZIHC.
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BASEMTI{T PFLOOR AREA s
"oTAL 22rg/t Ee. Fr.
MAtx HALL 71900 8Q. FTrLOUNGE 1,200 te. FT.
BANQUET ROOM 5,900 8Q. FT.KtroHEN 900 eQ. rr.
CHARACTERISTICS
BU|LT tN 1950i couN?v orNEo
ANO MANACEO. ATTRACTIVE, IN
oooo ooNOlTlON, AraD WELL
LANDEOAPED. LIMITED ON-BITE
PARKITTICO OONTAINS STAGE AND
ANCILLARV AREA8.
WELL LOOATEO OLOSE TO MOTEL
COMPLEX ANO FREETAY. tylTHltt,
ONE MILE FROM CITY CORE AND
FROM CAL poLY.
REMOOELINC POSSIBLET
OF INF ORMAT I ON
DAN OlxoN, COUNTY otvlsloN
OF FARXS AilD AEAOHEE.
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AppnoxrMAreuv 1650 noorrrs Nou ExrsT rN BAN LUIB oBrEpora rwo
HoTELB eno 29 MorELeo 18 or IHESE egrABLlSrlMENTg HAVE EEeN
OLAEgIFIEO AB GOOO ?O EXOELLENT BY TI{E REAL EATAIE RESEAREH
coRpoRATroN rN THE|R 1964 nepoRT, rAxALvsts oF Eooxouto
po?ENTIAL - gAN LUtg oalgpo.r MorELg ARE BtruATEo oHIEFLV
NEAR THE MARSH ATREET INTERCHANCET THE l{!OHWAY ONE INYER-
eE, ANO ON UPPER MONTEREY STREET' SEVERAL OLOER MOTELT
LooATEo oN oLo xtcxwlv 101. THE ?wo r{orELg ARE LocATEo
!N TI{E CORE AREA.
^
THE oI{AMBER oF coMMERoE Llgrg 4J rnleoeg To EAT.r THE
FOPULARITV OF AIX RESTAURAN?3 AT?E8T TO THEIR I{ICI{ QUALITVS
THEBE ARES THE oleAR FAoroRv, coRcoRlxra, THE uAooNNA lNN,
THE MOTEL tNN, RANOHOTEL, AXD THIA OLE HOUSEo aEVSnAL
FORTGN rOOD RESTAURANTS EXt8T, BUT THESE ARE FAU|Ly
ORIENTEO ANO OAN NOT BE OONEIDEREO OISTINOTIYE.
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motel /notel survey
In order to test reaction of that segment of the community who have been and/or will be directly associated
with convention guests, a survey was conducted amongst the operators of 14 of the cityts 31 hotels and
motels.
Personal interviews were held and data was collected regarding the physical facility, types of guests, rates
charged, seasonal fluctuations, expansion plans, affiliations, and promotional activities. The survey also
collected opinions of the operators of these establishments regarding a convention facility for San Luis
Obispo.
snqlysis
San Luis Obispo's hotel and motel facilities appear to be adequate. Seasonal variations place a heavy
demand on lodgings during the surnmer months hnd a low demand occurs during the winter. Those
facilities located in the prime highway access areas are generdly atftactive and well maintained. Rates
are comparable to other communities for similar facilities.
No unanimity of opinion exists amongst hotel and motel operators with respect to the desirability of a
convention center. Some say a convention center would mean more people and, hence, more business,
and would be good. Some think the town is too small to support a facility (to the point'of it being an
economic liability), ffid the lackof things to do is cited as adeterentto attracting conventions. A11 agree
that a convention center would probably help their businesses, but are concerned about the location of such
a facitity. Laguna Lake, which has been discussed by the City Council as a possible site, is looked upon
with alarm. The prospect of very large motels/hotels moving in around a convention center so located
has created much anxiety amongst established businesses who are concerned with the effect this might
have on their investments.
More promotional work was felt to be needed. Some are disenchanted with the Chamber of Commerce to
the point of cancelling membership. Use of bed ta>r monies is a hot issue. IVIany feel bed ta>r money should
be spent to promote tourism. Based on their assessments of San Luis Obispo and its ability to handle
conventions, many believe that the city should: (1) concentrate on tourism first; (2) promote those conven-
tion facilities which already exist; and (3) if this promotion meets with success, @build a convention
center.
r(
The fourteen hotels and motels surveyed contained 493 units; twenty-one of these units have been con-
structed since l-965 and 276 units have been remodeled or redecorated within the last eight years.
Rates range from $7.00 to $18. 00. Two of the fourteen establishments do not have seasonal rate changes.
Thirteen of the fourteen give commercial rates.
Eight of the fourteen made special mention that many guests were related to Cal poly--visiting parents
in particular; otherwise guests were typically salesmen, businessmen, and tourists.
The peak season was noted as ranging from June through September; and slow season was delineated from
November through March. Newer facilities well related to the freeway had the least fluctuation in seasonal
occupancy.
Ten of the fourteen establishments belong to the Chamber of Commerce; hvelve of the fourteen belong to
the Nlotel/Hotel Association; four belong to the Mission Traits Association; and none belong to the Highway
One Association.
Thirteen engaged in advertising, but not extensively. lVledia used was quite varied and ranged from guide
books of various associations, through newspapers (local, Cal Poly and large cities), to post cards and
matchbooks.
All establishments distribute community information literature. Charnber of Commerce material was
used extensively (some felt material needs to be improved).
To the question, ItWhen people ask, tWhatrs there to do in this town?r, what do you suggest?tt, operators
replied that they distributed pharnphlets and maps on which they noted points of interest. The following
aspects of the community and its environs were repeatedly noted: historical buildings; the Madonna.Inn;
the Cigar Factory; Cal Poly; bowling, golfing and fishing sports; the movies; and Morro Bay and Avila
Beach.
Regarding a San Luis Obispo convention facility, the following data and opinion was specific:
Only three of the fourteen establishments noted ever receiving inquiries from their guests
regarding convention facilities in San Luis Obispo, and two of these inquiries related specifically
to their facility.
1
'j
2 Eleven thought a convention facility would be an asset to San Luis Obispo and gave the following
reasons:
rrYes, if it wasntt too large (500-600). Small size would discourage conventions which would
become rowdy. rr
rrYes, to get more people into San Luis Obispo, but there arenrt too many towns of 25,000
that can support a convention center.rr
f tYes, if it were located properly--not Laguna Lake area; right now San Llis Obispo suffers
from a lack of entertainment facilities.tr
ttYes, small conventions. ft
ttWe need a facility other than Madonna ttn.rf
The three who thought a convention facility would not be an asset were unanimous in their feeling
that the town was still too small for such a facility.
As to how a convention facility might effect their businesses, all agreed that$fte facility were
f tproperlyrr located, they would profit to some degree.
3
4 The strongest assets of San Luis Obispo as far as promoting the city as a convention city were
enumerated as follows:
ttlocation--people enjoy beaches, Morro Bay and Hearst Castle.tt
I rClimate--scenic beauty. t I
"Half way point betvveen L. A. and S. F. ; lots of people donrt want to go to the big city. tt
I'Affords a place to get away from the big city. t'
t t C ros s roads --f ishing- -water spo rts --outdoor activities. t t
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5 Only six thought San Luis Obispo was ready for a convention facility now, and four of these six
qualified their yes answers. Six were definitely against a facility now. Two were undecided.
The following reasons were typical:
rrYes, if it were small. Would have to encourage the building of more places to eat.rt
'rYes, but will need more Chamber of Commerce advertising--San Luis Obispo is off the
beaten track.tt
trYes, for a small one.tt
I'Yes, conventions want to come here, but have to go to a big city because we donrt have the
facilities.rt
rrls the city and surrounding area ready?"
f rDonrt believe conventions are really the answer; tourism should be promoted. f '
'tNo, San Luis Obispo is not well enough known to support a convention center.t?
ItNo, the town is too small. ?'
"No, a convention center would financially kill San Luis Obispo; it would be a burden on the
city. r?
rrNo, harrenrt seen too great a number of small conventions for the faeilities that we already
have.tt
Regarding the number of accommodations which exist in San Luis Obispo, four felt there is
presently a surplus, four felt things were rrjust right,rt three complained of seasonal shortages
and surpluses, and no one thought there was an outright shortage of accommodations, although
one stated there was a shortage of f'good ones.rr Two had no opinion on this question.
Remarks made by operators of these establishments during the course of the interviews indicate a
variety of attitudes on the question of a convention facility. A few of these remarks follow:
6
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ttletrs first try to book up a lot of small conventions in the winter then, if the present facilities cantt
handle it, build a convention center.tr
trMoney would be better spent promoting winter tourism.rl
ItNot enough night life in San Luis Obispo. t'
I'San Luis Obispo is neither an entertainment nor a resort center.r,
rrWhy not a civic center auditorium instead?tt
frWould encourage private enterprise to build this facility rather than the city."
"Business clique (old-timers) againstprogress; expansion of college would help our business.rr
rrTown has little or no social activity. "
?rThe city should forget the idea of trying to build a convention center!"
'?Its the women that spend the money and therets not enough here for them to do while their husbands
are attending meetings. "
"If not properly placed, could divide city. t'
ItWouId rather like to see this town cater to the tourist trade. Letf s make this a GOOD tourist town
first! !'r
trSan Luis Obispo has no public transportation and inadequate air service. r'
rrWhere would it be located? There is a lot of local money invested in motels on the tstrip. t Outof-
town money will reap the benefits if a convention center is located in the Laguna Lake area. t'
ttBed ta>r money could be used for a convention center.tl
I'Lots of guests are interested in this area. They view San Luis Obispo as virgin territory. Want to
get out of the big city rat-race.rr
"We need a sign at the entry to San Luis Obispo stating the advantages of the community.rr
attitudes:ctvrc leaders
In order to test reaction to the idea of San Luis Obispo as a convention city, interviews were held with
the following individuals whose special knowledge and/or position within the community were adjudged
by the investigators to have given them comprehensive overviews of the city with respect to the conven-
tion feasibility question:
CLELL W. WHELCHELL
Owner Dennis Transfer Company and lVlayor of the City of San Luis Obispo
RICHARD D. MILLER
City Administrator, San Luis Obispo
JAMES KT]VTBALL
Owner Kimball Motor Company and President of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of
Commerce
NIEL H. IVICDONALD
Manager San Luis Obispo Branch Crocker-Citizens Bank and Immediate Past Chairman
of the Economic Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce
FRAN WALLACE
Executive iVlanager, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
GEORGE BRAND
Editor San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune
ALEX MADONNA
Owner Madonna Inn
FRANCIS MCNAIVIARA
Realtor and Chairman of the ReaI Estate Board Subcommittee Which Selected fhis
Research Topic
HOWARD FRANKLIN
Realtor and Chairman, San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission. Represents
Supervisorial District 3 (San Luis Obispo City) on the County Planning Commission
NED ROGOWAY
Director San Luis Obispo County Planning Department
:, l
analysis
Only four of the ten interviewees gave unqualified yes answers to the basic question of the merit
of San Luis Obispo as a Convention City. Another four qualified their answers suggesting time
and change would have to occur before the idea could become reality. Two answers were
basically negative.
Qualified and negative views indicated concern with (1) a lack of a convention facility, (21 a
questionable willingness on the part of the community to meet convention competition, (3) a
feeling that San Luis Obispo would not be attractive to the convention goer due primarily to a
lack of trthings to dor?, and (4) a lack of cohesiveness amongst the factions of the community
which must necessarily work together if success in promoting and hosting conventions were to
be achieved.
From a positive standpoint, economic benefit was recognized as going beyond the hotel/motel,
restaurant, and service station levels and the effect of new dollars in the community upon
all facets of community life was stressed, such as development of jobs for unskilled and semi-
skilled people. The public relations value of conventions for attracting future tourists and
developers was cited repeatedly.
San Luis Obispo was deemed attractive to conventions because of central location, climate,
natural beauty, and local and nearby attractions--primarily recreational.
The City has not been more attractive in the past, in the opinion of the interviewees, because
the community hasnrt really promoted what is already here, and secondly, because of a lack
of a facility that would be attractive to larger groups. The lack of rrthings to doil was felt
to be hurtful.
Improved promotion was the principle suggestion made for improving San Luis Obispo conven-
tionwise; several specified that bed ta;r funds should be used for promotional purposes. Local
government was seen taking a leadership role, specifically by developing a comprehensive plan
delineating those areas best handled by private business and those areas which local government
can best effectuate and carry through. Private interest in a Convention Center was deemed
doubtful; construction of such a center would probably have to be done by Government with
possible help from schools and the Civic and Fine Arts group if the Center were multi-purpose
in design.
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A. IF THE IDEA OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AS A CONVENTION CITY DOES NOT HAVE MERIT, WI{Y NOT ?
A. rf Lack of facility.f t
trThe convention business is ruggedly competitive; San Luis Obispo is not prepared to tgive awayr
the necessary meeting spaces (free) to meet competition. t'
'rLeadership is lacking--factions necessary to make town attractive are not pulling together
rfSan Luis Obispors location is not terribly good; most organizations want a centralized unit and as a
result Los Angeles and San Francisco will control most conventions.tr
rrWomen need something to do; what have we here really?tl
'rWe would have a difficult time competing with areas like Nlonterey - Carmel which have had
tremendous publicity over the years playing up their attractiveness. They have caphrred peoplesl
imagination--people want to go there.tt
"Not all conventions are good; some cause more headaches than they are worth.rf
nDoubt if people would find San Luis Obispo exciting. f'
rrNo shopping or cultural things to do.tr
f rWe just might have a rwhite elephanil on our hands if we go out and build a first class convention
facility. (If we do, it should be first class. )
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The following response was typical of that received to the basic question:
IF THE IDEA OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AS A CONVENTION CITY DOES HAVE NIERIT, WHy ?
A. I'WHAT DO YOU FEEL WOULD BE THE BENEFITS TO SAN LUIS OBISPO IT IT WERE TO PROMOTE
ITSELF AS A CONVENTION CITY?I'
A. rf The most important benefit would be income that the city would receive from people attending the
convention during the year. t?
Itlike any other industry, but better in that schools do not need to be provided. Little effect on
police, fire, and other public services and utilities. t'
ItConventions will make city known to potential outside investors.f f
frAcquaint people with area for future tourism and eventual re-settlement. I'
I'Jobs developed (maids, bus boys, waitresses, etc. ) for people with less than good skills or
knowledge (such as high school kids) for which the community presently has a difficult emplo5rment
problem.rt
trlVloney new to the communit5r, even though it is taken in primarily by hotels, motels, restaurants,
service stations, etc. , nevertheless revolves through the community many many times and effects all
residents in some positive way; for every dollar taken in, there would be a $7.00 volume benefit. "
rrNationwide publicity would be received as a result of all who visit city as conventioneers and talk
about us at home. "
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A. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE TO BE THE ASSETS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO WHICH WOULD MAKE IT
ATTRACTryE TO CONVENTIONS ?
A. 'rCentral location - draw from Los Angeles and San Francisco. rr
ttClimate - lack of fog and frost and number of cloud-free days.rt
ItBeautiful setting of city.tl
t'Nearby attractions such as Hearstrs Castle, beaches, golf, fishing, etc.tr
rrlocation - Central California on the Coast.Coastal exposure within a few minutes is rare and we
have it. rl
ftCal Poly is an important convention drawing card for San Luis Obispo.tt
a. IN PAST YEARS, SAN LUIS OBISPO HAS HOSTED A FEW SNIALL CONVENTIONS: WHY IN YOUR
OPINION, HAS SAN LUIS OBISPO NOT BEEN SELECTED BY MORE OF THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS
LOOKING FOR CONVENTION SITES ?
A. trl,ack of promotion; we have no public relations worth the note. tt
rrOur facilities are not adequate:
1. We do not have a Center to care for large meetings.
2. In the past, we have not had enough overnight facilities. "
"The Veterans lVlemorial, Elks Club, ffid the Madonna Inn are all we have in the way of moderately-
sized facilities.fr
ItWe havenrt exerted ourselves. tr
ItLack of many small meeting rooms which are as essential to many conventions as a large meeting
space. Except for Cal Poly, we do not have a grouping of many small meeting spaces in any one
place. tt
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r?City subsidy of Chamber of Commerce important; Chamber is best equipped to do city's public
relations work.??
?rl,ocal government should cooperate very closely with Chamber of Commerce and all local businesses
in setting rp one plan to sell San Luis Obispo for conventions.rr
"Government has to take financial responsibility; private capital not interested in developing a large
convention center. "
'rCity must develop a comprehensive plan and stop thinking of nickels and dimes; it must settle on a
plan for the entire Central Business District not just the lVlission PIaza, piecemeal development is
doomed to failure. I'
"City govemment couid act as an annealing force to get merchants and owners together.r?
'rSan Luis Obispo must work with neighboring cities; area is too small for this city to be attractive
as a convention center by itself. I'
A. WHAT STEPS IVIIGHT LOGICALLY BE TAKEN TO IIVIPROVE THE INIAGE OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AS
A CONVENTION CENTER BY QUASI-PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE CHAIVIBER OF
COM1VIERCE ?
A. 'rProper body to promote conventions is the Chamber of Commerce. t'
"Chamber of Commerce can provide booking service:rr
trPublic schools could assist in financing facilities (if multi-purpose) in return for partial use.rr
I'Civic and Fine Arts Association, likewise, could promote and help finance a multi-purpose type
facility in return for partial use. t'
'"Chamber of Commerce could serve as catalyst in promoting public understanding of benefits of
conventions to the economic welfare of the city and hence the need for proper facilities. t'
A. WHAT STEPS IVIIGHT LOGICALLY BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE INIAGE oF SAN LUIS
OBISPO AS A CONVENTION CITY BY VARIOUS TYPES OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES ?
A. rrDevelop private facilities of a scale that would permit several small conventions
to go on at same time.rr
frlndividuals should I'talk-up" San Luis Obispo in their own organizations and knock them-
selves outrr when guests are here in order to make them feel at home.r'
rrPrivate business should definitely look to its long-term future and shun the temptation
to make the trfast buckrt.tr
I'Individual businessmen could build many adjunct facilities such as night clubs, bowling
alleys, golf courses, dance halls, restaurants, motels, etc.r?
r?Private business could provide an entire convention facility, but it is doubtful whether
such an undertaking could be profitably capitalized in a city as small as San Luis Obispol'
A. WHAT IS YOUR INTERPRETATION OF LOCAL INTEREST AND ATTITUDES; DO YOU THINK
BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT AND THE GENERAL CITIZENRY COULD OR WOULD GET TOGET-
HER AND WORK COOPERATIVELY TO PROVIDE THE FACILITIES AS WELL AS THE
CO1UNIUNITY SPIRIT NECESSARY TO DEVELOP AND TO PROMOTE SAN LUIS OBISPO AS A
CONVENTION CITY?
A. trLocal interest and attitude are good. rt
"Conventions have greater economic benefit potential for San Luis Obispo than does tlndustry. t
If people can be sold on these economic benefits they will go for the necessary facilities. "
"No great interest to date; motel people are not sold on the idea. Feeling is not crystalized
within the community. tr
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f 'Doubtful as to whether people are yet ready to work together towards this objective. There
exists an intangible, impossible-to-pinpoint attitude here of everyone looking out for himself.rl
I'No problem in getting people to work to this end if we donrt go off the deep end. firere is
always an f antir group. f '
t'In this city one finds a lot of conversation, but when it comes to action, there will be a let
down. People here are very provential.rl
rrDepends entirely on public relations,rr
rrThere are always people who donrt want town changed; ho$rever, trend is more positive. The
City Council and leading businessmen are aware of the benefits of conventions. 'l
rrlf San Luis'Obispo city is to go a convention center alone, the plan must be highly imaginative
in order to capture the enthusiasm of the oeople and move them. Much could be done to develop
community pride. rr
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analysis
It has been observed that the most active conferencing and/or conventioning segment of a community is
the business and professional segment. San Luis Obispo does not appear to be an exception to this
observation.
It is of interest to note then, that a substantial majority of local businessmen and professionals believe
San Luis Obispo could benefit economically by developing a convention center. Only 21 of 60 respondents
to this survey, however, chose to qualify their belief with an amplifying remark, and of lhe 2L remarks
received, l-2 were either qualified in some way or were outright negative.
San Luis Obispors businessmen and professionals are active in numerous business, professional, fraternal,
civic and other types of organizations atLoca), District and State levels; they are active as well in leader-
ship positions in these organizations.
Based on their own convention experiences, their knowledge of San Luis Obispo, and assuming proper
facilities were available, the vast majority of respondents to this survey (54 of 60) felt that San Luis
Obispo would indeed be favorably considered by their organizations as a convention city. This response
is significant and suggests a willingness to "push" San Luis Obispo provided a proper facility were
avaiiable.
It is important to note that local people believe that central location, climate, nearby recreational areas,
natural beauty, and the Hearst Castle State Park are San Luis Obispors best selling features.
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trThe first step in soliciting a convention ordinarily is to arrange for local members or the
Local Chapter of the National Organization involved to issue an invitation. . . . usually. . . backed
up by simultaneous or well-timed invitations from civic organizations and cify officials. . . . if.
all other factors are equal, the local members-sponsored invitation is much more likely to
get results than a purely commercial one. rr
CoNVENTIONS, AN AIVTERICAN INSTITUTION
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONVENTION BUREAUS
CINCINNATI, OHIO
attitudes : businessmen & professionals
A number of local business and professional people were surveyed to obtain reaction to the con-
vention feasibility idea and to gain knowledge of organizational affiliations and possible organization
support for conventions in San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly staff was not solicited; however, one of the
60 questionaires returned was from a faculty member.
,(
60 respondents answered question as follows
A. DO YOU FEEL A CONVENTION CENTER WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE ECONOIUY OF SAN
LUIS OBISPO?
A Yes
No
No Answer
53
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(60)
REIVIARKS
I'A center as such could be compatable with and augment tourism during 'roff-season periods.rt
ItI believe an office to coordinate convention activities would be more appropriate than to try to
duplicate Las Vegasr Center or the Cow Palace.tr
'rYes, but not if it were built on the CaI Poly campuslt'
trSan Luis Obispo needs every dollar it can get to better the future for itself and its people.'r
rrNot only do conventions bring money into San Luis Obispo, but they expose this area to
rprospectsr. rr
"Recreation and Tourism remain our prime industry. A convention center should bring groups
to our community, as we now have the other attractions normally required for a convention. tl
'rA convention center would certainly aid the economy of our city - especially if conventions were
held here bimonthly, etc. The increase in sales revenues by our businessmen would be tre-
mendous.rr
f rNot at this time unlesS it was considerable larger than the accommodations at the Madonna Inn and the
Veterans Building, and then you might have motel accommodation trouble in the summer months. "
rrVisitors would patronize hotels and motels, restaurants, movie theatres, and shops. f '
rrConvention center - y€s, with civic, cultural, recreational areas built in to make it a multi-purpose
facility for greater use.tt
t'Should not be too large. Groups up to 1000. tt
"Feel itr s a must ! Our area is a rnaturalr for conventions with its location and many recreational
facilities. We have widely appealed for more tourists and they certainly contribute to our economy.
Yet we have provided mighty few facilities for them. f '
ItObviously, anv program which would bring money into San Luis Obispo would help the economy. How-
ever, I wouldntt think a convention center would be the answer. Attracting new businesses by property
tu relief and good relations with Unions would do far more to benefit the economy than arconvention
centerr would.t?
I'Yes, our central location, good climate are big advantages, but a city this size cannot afford art
rall-outt operation in competition with larger cities. r'
'?For small (50-100) and medium (up to 1500) sized groups there is a need. Many now go to Fresno or
Bakersfield only because they have the facilities available.'r
"Need suitable place of size to accommodate large groups. rl
"It would only help a few people--it would also bring in a lot of undesirable people as it does to every
city where conventions are being held--this we do not want. "
'rNot enough to justify the expenditure of local public funds as these facilities would be used primarily by
people from other areas. Convention facilities could be furnished by a large hotel, motel, or a restau-
rant arrd motels. However, San Luis Obispo reeds good, attractive facilities for use of local organiza-
tions. There is a demand for meeting places for medium and large-sized groups.rt
a. LIST THE ORGANIZATIONS OF WHICH yOU ARE A IVTEIVTBER WHICH HAVE SOIVTE TYPE OF
DISTRICT, REGIONAL, OR STATE 'ICONVENTIONI?.
A 60 persons responded to this question and these 60 represented the following 75 different professional
business, fraternal, civic and other orgarizations which hold conventions:
Amateur Archeologists. . . American Arbitration Association. . . American Cancer Society. . .
American College of Surgeons. . . American Dental Association. . . American Institute of .Floral
Designers. . . American Legion. . . American lVledical Association. . .American Society for
Engineering Education. . . American Society of Dentistry for Children. . . American Society of
Travel Agents...Association of Credit Bureaus of Caiifornia...Auto Dealers Association.: Bank
of America - lVlanagers Conference...Beach Buggy Club...California Collectors...California
Council American Institute of Architects. . . California Escrow Association. . . California Land
Title Association. . . California Optometric Association. . . California lVledical Association. . .
California Real Estate Association. . . California State Dental Association. . . California State
Florists Association. . . California Society of Oral Surgeons. . . California Society of Professional
Engineers. . . California Society of Certified Public Accountants. . . Catholic Daughters. . . Central
Coast Square Dancers Association. . . Conference of California Historical Societies. . . Controllers
Society...CountyHistoricalSociety...CountyNledicalAssociation...DanishLodge...DeltaSigma
Phi...DuplicateBridgeCtub...EasternStar...Elks...EpiscopalianChurch...EscrowAssociation...
Exchange...Farm Bureau...Golf Club...Grange...HeartAssociation... Hi TVeIve Club...
Jaycees...KnightsofColombus...Lions...MasonicLodge...lVlondayCIub...NationalUnderwriters...
NativeSons...OddFellows...PacificCoastOrthodontists...ParentTeacherAssociation...
Rotary...SanLuisObispoPilotsAssociation...SavingsandLoan...ScubbaDivingAssociation...
Service Station Association...Sierra Club...Society of Real Estate Appraisers...Society of
Residential Appraisers. . . Soroptimist. . . Sportsmenrs Association. . . Tri-County Optometric Society. . .
United Volunteer Service. . .Western Banking. . . Western Orthopedic.
NOTE: It is virtually impossible to compile a list of all organizations which have local representation.
The 1967 Roster of Organizations published by the Chamber of Commerce lists 156 organizations active
in San Luis Obispo, 1-33 of the 156 organizations are local affiliates of State or National organizations
which meet in convention from time to time. Yet only 19 duplications exist between the 75 organizations
represented by this questionnaire and the 133 conventioning organizations listed by the Chamber of
Commerce. Without question, these L89 different organizations do not represent the sum total of organ-
izations with local membership. A complete list for San Luis Obispo might easily be double this number
A. LIST THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH YOU BELONG AND WHICH YOU BELIEVE WOULD
CONSIDER SAN LUIS OBISPO FOR THEIR CONVENTION CITY. APPROXIMATE THE ATTENDANCE
A. The 54 who believed San Luis Obispo would be considered, represented 48 different organizations
whose attendance was estimated as follows:
50 delegates or less .
50 - 150 delegates
150 or more delegates.
8 organizations
L7 organizations
27 organizations
Note: The total of meetings (52) exceeds the number of organizations (48) because some organizations
were estimated to find San Luis Obispo attractive for district meetings and Regional or State meetings.
A. ASSUJVIING PROPER FACILITIES WERE AVAILABLE, WHAT ARGU1UENTS WOULD YOU USE TO
SELL SAN LUIS OBISPO AS A CONVENTION SITE TO YOUR GROUPS ?
A. Selling points of San Luis Obispo were numerous in the opinions of the respondents. The standout
points in rank order were: (1) Central location, (2) Climate, (3) Nearby recreation, (4) Natural
beauty of countryside, (5) Hearstrs Castle.
A. ARE YOU AN OFFICER OR COIUIVIITTEE NIEIVIBER OF ANY OF THESE GROUPS ?
A. 30 (5070) of the 60 respondents were officers or committeemen and represented 25 different
organizations.
A. DO YOU FEEL THAT SAN LTIIS OBISPO WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A POTENTIAL SITE FOR A
CONVENTION FOR ANY OF THE GROUPS YOU BELONG TO (ASSUMING PROPER FACILITIES
WERE AVAILABLE) ?
A. 54 f.eIt that San Luis Obispo had definite potential as a convention city for their organization. Six
did not believe San Luis Obispo would be attractive to their organizations.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Angela M. Beddia, (Editor), World Convention Dates, The Hendrickson Publishing Company, Inc.,
Hempstead, New York.
Real Estate Research Corporation,Rackground For An Economic Development Proeram. San Luis
Obispo, California. Los Angeles, California, lVlarch, 1964.
Smith and Williams, Architects,Nlission PIaza Studv. San Luis Obispo. California. South Pasaden a,
California, 1963
James W. lVlcHugh (Editor),Guide 1967 Edi The Billboard Publishing
Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1966.
J. S. Turner, Conventions; AJrAmerican Institution. lnternational Association of Convention Bureaus,
Inc. , Cincinnati, Ohio, August, 1958.
Dr. Joics B. Stone, et al,Abstracts of the 1967 Resional Planning Conference, San Luis Obispo
California, Conference Evaluation Committee, May, 1967
SarrLuisobispoCountyP1anningDepartment,SanLuisobispo,
California, June, 1966.
Frederick P. Lyte, Site Location Considerations foi the Bakersfield Civic Auditorium, Stanford
Research Institute, South Pasadena, California, November, 1958.
eity lVlanager,Auditorium Project - Center Citv Redevelopment Proiect. Salinas , California, April,
1966.
We1tonBecketandAssociates,Architects-Engineers,,
Salinas- Califogria, Los Angeles, California, April, 1964.
Simon Eisner, ProposellMunicipal Auditorirgn for the C.itv of Salinas, Community Facilities
Planners, South Pasadena, California, February, 1966.
-)
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Various Phamplets containing city and county data.
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA RONA,LD REAGAN, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE BURTON E. SMITH
Commisrionsr
28 .luty 1967
Kenneth E. Schwartz, AIA
Professor, Department of Architecture
and Ar-chi tectural Engineering
and
William H. Brown, AIA
Depa rtment of Arch i tecture
and Arch i tectura I Eng i neer i ng
Cal ifornia State Polytechnic Col lege
San Luis 0bispo, Cal ifornia 93402
Gent I emen:
We have just received copies of your report titled tThe Convention
City of San Luis 0bispo; An Objective Assessmentrtand I hasten
to congratu]ate you for the most striking and artistic presen-
tation yet produced in our real estate research program.
I have not yet had the opportunity to attempt to evaluate the
text of the report, but if that lives up to the format and inge-
nuity of the presentation, you can indeed be justifiably proud of
your contribution.
Sincerely,
UcbL*4\
I
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P$
(r
V/alter J. Mill
Educat ion anU
WJM/ I r
cc:
Ass i stant
lications
l.--.. -{r-
Commissioner
0wen Servatius, Dean, School of Business Administration
Dr. Dale W. Andrews, Acting President
tarl ier we received y;. Fabbrirs check coverinq rrfceiPl c,f
lurn i'o|lln5 nl y{rur rFl)(irl. Yottt' nr I lrltt ln llti:, lrrrll,'t' i'.
tlrrl ln nl I I frllrI wl tlr rrq.
P.S