SAN JUAN -- With
fireworks and a full moon as the backdrop, the largest [and most
expensive] convention center in the Caribbean opened here Nov. 17,
attended by government leaders, tourism officials, and a global
invitation list that included several ambassadors, heads of state,
international press and meetings planners.
Before pushing the
button to ignite the Grucci Brothers-type fireworks, Gov. Acevedo
Vila forecast that the new $415 million Centro Convenciones de
Puerto Rico will catapult Puerto Rico into a new era by broadening
the islands tourism industry with increased group and business
travel.
The
580,000-square-foot center is able to host groups of up to 10,000
delegates and allows Puerto Rico to compete not only in the
convention markets of the Americas, but also in the international
markets, Vila said.
Currently, the new
Puerto Rico Convention Center has more than 70 events scheduled to
take place through 2008, including the Caribbean Hotel Association
annual Marketplace set for Jan. 15 to 17 next year.
Vila expects the new
facility will generate more than $300 million annually for Puerto
Ricos local economy.
To see all about the
new convention center, visit www.prconvention.com.
To contact
reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].