By Cosby Woodruff, Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Montgomery's convention business has its share of issues with the economy, but it is nothing like what is facing once-popular tourist destinations, according to a local tourism leader and a national consultant.
Judy Randall of Randall Travel Marketing said it took only weeks last year for Orlando and Las Vegas to fall from the top two spots to hold a convention to pariah status within the convention business.
The glitz and glamour that once made those cities popular for big gatherings suddenly was no longer acceptable.
"I tell people it is a great year to be Akron," Randall said of the Ohio city that is decidedly less flashy. The same thing applies to places like Macon, Ga., and to Montgomery.
Shareholders and others don't get as offended to learn that their company's leaders took a trip to Montgomery.
"You don't want to be caught having too great a time," Randall said. "It is what I call the junket factor.
"It doesn't even have to be a junket, it just has to be perceived as being a junket."
Dawn Hathcock, who heads the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce's Convention and Visitors Bureau, shuddered as she talked about tales she heard from her counterparts in more traditional convention destinations.
Some talk of hundreds of cancellations, she said.
Others bemoan meeting planners who attempt to renegotiate deals that once were settled.
Comparatively, Hathcock said Montgomery is doing pretty well.
"We are not booming through the roof like we would like to be, but actually things are going well," she said.
She said only one recent convention backed out of coming to Montgomery after signing a deal. The JumpCon group was supposed to bring several hundred science fiction fans to Montgomery late last year before it canceled weeks in advance.
Hathcock said 2009 is pretty much booked up and her agency is finishing its 2010 sales.
It has negotiated deals as far out as 2015, but most things work on a 24-month or so schedule.