Jul. 18--How to make best use of the Alamodome is a question many are asking in advance of the Spurs' move to the SBC Center after the next NBA season. 

The Alamodome's administrators and members of the hospitality industry want to keep the dome as fully booked as possible. 

They got together Tuesday to talk about the best way to do that at a luncheon hosted by the Greater San Antonio Hotel & Motel Association. 

During brainstorming sessions, those at the lunch suggested holding soccer events in the dome that would draw fans from Mexico to snagging more sports exhibition games, religious gatherings or even animal shows. 

But Alamodome Director Michael Abington said to make it all happen he needs a sales staff dedicated just to the dome. 

At present, only Abington and two other people do the selling. 

It's not enough, he said. 

"Some have said that we would be better off without the Spurs, (but) we will not be better off without the Spurs," Abington said. "You take 40 percent of our business away and create competition, you can't say we would be better off." 

For the past eight years, the dome has been the Spurs' home. 

The team accounts for about 150 of its event days and more than 40 percent of its income. 

Once the Spurs leave, the dome's staff will have to figure out ways to pay for about $8.5 million in operating expenses. 

Its utilities alone eat up about 27 percent of its budget. 

Although the dome faces competition from the new Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Selma and, when it's completed, the SBC Center, the dome has its advantages. 

It can offer contiguous dates once the Spurs leave, as well as name recognition, an experienced staff and efficient loading capabilities. 

Not surprisingly, many in the hospitality industry would like to see the dome pursue big groups and conventions. 

"Some of the fastest-growing conventions are religious, and we should be specifically targeting religious events," said Willa Sheppard of Convention Decorating Service. 

She cited the 1997 South Texas Billy Graham Crusade that brought more than 250,000 people to the dome. 

Abington said he's pursuing big meetings. 

He pointed to some recent deals he's proud of, including five-year commitments from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Disney on Ice show. 

Also, he's hoping to lure the state high school basketball tournaments from the Erwin Center beginning in 2003. 

The University Interscholastic League governs extracurricular activities for public schools in Texas and will decide this fall where to hold the next event. 

Along with the dome's staff, the local tourism industry also will have a role in booking the dome. 

The Alamodome and the Convention Center were recently brought under the oversight of the Convention and Visitors Commission of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

The commission ensures that the city's facilities are showcased to prospective tenants and that the hospitality and tourism industries are marketed aggressively. 

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