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Another strong year is forecast in 2008 for the San Diego Convention Center. Topping the "A-list" of events expected is the "Superbowl" of conventions - the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership¹s 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition. This event is projected to bring more than 7,000 key decision-makers in the conventions and meetings industry to San Diego in mid-August. Besides pumping an immediate $31.2 million in economic benefits into the region, it is expected to fill 20,700 hotel rooms and bring $2.2 billion in future convention business to our city.
 The Convention Center will host a total of 146 events, including 67 conventions and tradeshows expected to generate $1.6 billion in economic impact and a record-breaking $28.3 million in tax revenues for the City of San Diego. Direct attendee spending, which includes the money spent by out-of-town visitors on hotels, dining, entertainment, and shopping, is forecast to reach nearly $670 million.
The Convention Center is also forecasting approximately 686,029 room nights in 2008. However, this number substantially under-reports the actual room usage due to the growing use of the Internet, hotel loyalty programs and the high percentage of returning events (approximately 75%) whose attendees decide to book outside the traditional hotel room block.
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