06-18-1996 CC RPT 29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM ,Tk 'Pcoplc Scrwinp` Peupir, HONORABLE MAYOR AND C'I'TY CO CIL DATE. June 18, 1996 ITE14°1 NO.. 29 SUBJECT: CONVENTION C.EM.R OPER-ATIONS & M RhTlIN(; neat ora -Center Operations The Convention Center was first opened In 1976 nait.h the Cit, as operator of the facility In the late 19 7(}'s, the management and operations of the Center were turned over to the newl-v created non-profit corporation, the Riverside Visitors Convention Bureau (R CB). In early 1991, the City oeased its contractual relationship "pith the Bureau due to the high cost of doing business ($470.000 per year for operations, only), and sought a private party to assume the functions previously carried out by the RVCB. This led to a five-yeaz contract with Renew Veal properties, Inc. (RRp) a company headed by Joe p'revratil, the new owner of the, then Sheraton Hotel. The original agreement with Renew Real. properties was for the management and operation of the Convendon Center, plus they were given the responsibility to do the marketing for conventions and tourism. In Jury 1994, that agreement was amended to remove the marketing responsibility from pRP The task of marketing was then given to the newly constituted Riverside Visitors Convention tirc(au. The contract with Renew Real Properties, Inc. is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 1996. It is proposed that a new contract be entered into %k th Entrepreneurial Hospitality Corporation (EH Q, a firm headed by Duane Roberts. Although Renew Real Properties, Inc. has expressed an interest in continuing to operate the Convention Center, it appeams to be an opportune, time to change the operator in the hopes of moving the Convention Center forward, thereby changing die current operating philosophies. The EHC firm. proposes to not only uygiadr, Llic facility, but also Lai irnplt:ment a revised management approach in the hopes of increasing the attraction o more and varied groups to the Cite, This approacb appears to be in the City's, and those interested in convention business, best interest. C onvcntia r M rketin The marketing of Riverside and the Convention Center- for conventions has paralleled the operations function over the Mears, with the exception of the last tyro, Upon opening the Center, the City did. the marketing, but is the late 1970's this function %vas turned over to the non-profit Riverside Visitors Convention Bureau, The marketing responsibility stayed with the Bureau until 1991, when Review Real Properties, Inc_ way awarded a contract to market. Riverside. 29? -I