Ontario, California Convention & Visitors Bureau Delivers $34M in Economic Impact in Last Fiscal Ter

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. October 14, 2008

ONTARIO, CA, Novemeber 22, 2005. By focusing on improvement in projected economic impact, lead generation, confirmed hotel rooms and rental revenue, Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) greatly exceeded projections at the close of its 2004-2005 fiscal year, according to its recently released annual report.

"Ontario has outgrown its tertiary market status. With its 'first-class' convention center and solid hotel infrastructure, Ontario is positioned to elevate to a second-tier market for conventions and tradeshows," said Bob Brown, executive director and general manager of OCVB. "Our numbers consistently outpace national averages, and it's only going to get better in the foreseeable future."

According to data from FY 2004-2005, all areas showed increases from the prior fiscal year.

Total projected economic impact for events confirmed during current and future years equaled $25,729,315, a 5.4% increase over the 2003-2004 fiscal year

Projected economic impact increased from $25,654,802 in FY 2003-2004 to $34,055,743 in FY 2004-2005

Lead generation increased by 52.9%

Hotel room booking pace increased by 2.8%

Ontario Convention Center rental revenue booking pace (for current and future years) increased by 6.3%

Actual (audited) Ontario Convention Center rental revenue increased by 15%

Number of events at Ontario Convention Center increased by 37.4%

Although OCVB has been working under increasing pressure from competing destinations, it consistently outpaces the nation in key benchmark areas such as lead generation, rental revenue, hotel room nights, event bookings and occupancy rates. For example, when comparing "regional" convention center occupancy rates, Ontario outscored the national average by 7% (33% to 26%). While national hotel occupancy rates were an average of 64.8%, Ontario's hotels boasted a 78.4% occupancy rate.

During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, Ontario Convention Center also welcomed Catering By SMG, a dynamic new team, to meet changing market demands for gourmet fare and outstanding presentation. The three-member team includes Director of Food Services Charles Brettner, Chef de Cuisine Jennifer Minichiello and Catering Sales Manager Danielle Mahan. Together, they bring tremendous experience in design and culinary arts to the Ontario Convention Center Food Services Program.

About the Ontario Convention Center

Contemporary in design and among the most technologically-advanced facilities in the nation, the Ontario Convention Center boasts over 225,000 total square feet of exhibit, meeting and function space. An ideal venue for conventions, tradeshows, exhibits and meetings, the Convention Center provides a full range of technology services, including video-conferencing and Wi-Fi, Internet and DS3 capabilities. For more information about the Ontario Convention Center, go to www.ontariocc.com or call 909-937-3000.

Both the Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Ontario Convention Center are managed by SMG. Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG is the largest private facility management company in the world. With 190 venues, SMG manages convention centers in cities such as: San Francisco, Long Beach, Denver, Salt Lake City, Houston, Miami, Toronto and Mexico City.