San Diego Convention Center in Usual and Unusual times
Operating basics, the effects of cancelled events, and an update on the expansion efforts from San Diego Convention Center CEO Rip Rippetoe.
Operations as Usual
Convention Centers are in the “Gathering Business”. They are venues where people come together to advance economic development. Essentially convention centers build small custom cities on a weekly so people (convention attendees and vendors) can connect and do business … and then tear them down and start over again! Convention centers are an economic engine, as bringing visitors into community has a ripple effect, driving new revenue, businesses, jobs and development in the community.
San Diego is a premier location, with our beautiful weather, location and amenities. Our convention center drives $1.3B economic impact annually with ~28% going directly to our city via occupancy and other taxes, and the rest is generated local businesses, including hospitality, retail, restaurant, etc. The convention center team works with other local and regional organizations to promote San Diego as a destination and to bring visitors our community
It’s certainly an Unusual Time!
Venues like convention centers and stadiums have used in times of emergency, so staff is trained for these types of situations, have mobilization plans
The center’s top priority now is safety of our community. Since April 1st the convention center has been used to shelter 1300 of communities most vulnerable residents. The center has a capacity of 1495 to provide space, services and to allow for physical distancing of temporary residents. “Operation Shelter @ Home” is allowing some center team members to keep jobs by providing food services, etc., to those sheltering in place. Civic and non-profit teams are helping to transition people to permanent housing.
Operation Shelter at Home
275,00 boxed meals have been provided by the convention center team
Effects of cancelled events
Shows have been stopped through September, with some additional some cancellations for October and November. Rip anticipates that at the earliest it will be late in Q4 when possible ‘usual’ operations resume. In the meantime, employees have been starting sanitation efforts – which go above and beyond just about wiping down surfaces. This allows the center to bring back some additional employees who can start deep cleaning efforts in other parts of the center. Full PPE, tracing and tracking has been implemented to ensure employees’ safety.
Reopening for live events
San Diego is leading collaboration with 12 other venues and 14 visitor bureaus in California to author a ‘return to work’ plan to present to our governor. This will allow venues to certify under CDC guidelines to reopen and resume to face-to-face events. Reopening is dependent upon approval from the governor. Obviously the lack of events has been a big impact on downtown, as 2020 overall revenue from shows has declined 45-50%.
Vision for the “new normal” when all types of venues
Conferences, conventions and trade events have been widely held since the 1800s, and the industry has survived through wars, pandemics, terrorism and natural disasters. Education and advocacy are the main reasons why people want to connect. Rip believes there will be some pent-up demand for live events, though he anticipates a reduction in attendance in face-to-face events through first part of 2021, given some companies and individuals will not travel. Therefore, future shows are very likely include a virtual component, with education sessions simulcast digitally when produced live. San Diego is embracing on-line operations by developing a distance-learning platform to accommodate those who are not able to travel
Expansion Update
Citizens Initiative C - which included funds for center modification, homeless initiatives and street repairs - which had the support of 62% of San Diego voters, it was not enough to pass the required margin for adoption. There is hope that in the future expansion will be funded, as the center has been functioning at 10-15% above capacity.
About Our Speaker
Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, President & CEO
Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, CVE (Certified Venue Executive) is a convention and meeting industry veteran who serves as President and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. He has a long and successful career in facility management and operations working in the for-profit sector as well as not-for-profit and governmental organizations. Previously, he was President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB), which manages the Kentucky Exposition Center (the sixth largest convention center in the United States), Freedom Hall, Broadbent Arena and the Kentucky International Convention Center.
Through his career, he has worked for organizations hosting top national trade shows and conventions, including the Olympic Winter Games of 2002, and large-scale public assembly facilities such as the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake and the Kentucky Expo Center. He has implemented new techniques to significantly improve communication, create transparency, lobby for space expansion, address deferred maintenance, improve labor relations and increase revenues.
His key skills include expanding market penetration and driving profits; building and motivating cohesive multi-disciplinary teams; restructuring business units to achieve goals; creating effective relationships with employees, customers and partners; and re-imaging brands to meet shifting market needs. He received a B.S. from Oklahoma State University.