�Irving city councils have always shown great vision in the projects chosen for this city...Las Colinas and Texas Stadium, in particular. Today, they repeated that vision in choosing to proceed with plans for a convention
center in Irving,� remarked Jim Clark, ICVB executive director.

The convention center process now moves to the city council�s finance committee for detailed review of funding options and proposals. 

The Irving City Council�s action results from a recently completed convention center feasibility study commissioned by the ICVB and conducted by Atlanta-based Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). According to the study�s recommendations, first phase development should include 125,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 30,000-square-foot ballroom, in addition to 25,000 square feet of breakout space and 170,000 square feet of support space.

�With a quality convention center and hotel package, we believe Irving will be able to compete with cities like Fort Worth and Arlington, as well as with Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas for some smaller
events,� said SAG�s Jerry McClendon.

�The proper facility package can elevate Irving to second-tier convention city status, enabling it to compete with destinations such as Charlotte, St. Louis and Indianapolis, as well as other Texas cities.�

While Irving currently offers more than 70 hotels and 10,000 rooms, only 10 of the hotels offer meeting space.  Unique venues such as Texas Stadium, the Irving Arts Center and the Movie Studios at Las Colinas have
served as function space for many smaller groups.  Because of its limited meeting space, Irving has not been able to capture larger groups and trade shows.

The study recommends a facility master plan to include: 250,000 square-feet of exhibit space; 45,000 square-feet of ballroom space; 60,000 square-feet of breakout space; and 320,000 square-feet of support space.  SAG�s study projects an annual economic impact of more than $93 million in direct and indirect spending to Irving and the area, as well as an additional $3.4 million in sales, hotel and property taxes generated.