Gawronski predicts another rise

The Vicksburg Convention Center saw an increase in the number of bookings and in attendance during the past fiscal year, the executive director told members of the advisory board Wednesday.

&#8220All in all, I think we’ll have an even better year next year,” Larry Gawronski said. &#8220Our days are filling up. We’re running out of days, which is a good thing.”

He said during the last fiscal year, the convention center saw a 3 percent increase in attendance and a 31 percent increase in usage, from 167 events to 219.

Gawronski said the numbers include having to cancel scheduled business throughout September and the first week of October because the center was being used as a shelter for hurricane evacuees.

As compared with the previous fiscal year, from October 2003 through September 2004, the convention center hosted 50 percent more conferences (9), 44 percent more meetings (108), 83 percent more conventions (11), 66 percent more banquets (35), 33 percent more receptions (16) and 54 percent more consumer shows (20).

Income from the Vicksburg Auditorium was $52,575, up from last year’s total of $50,080. But, expenses increased by $7,504 because of increased utility costs and repairs. It was also reported that the auditorium lost business during September because the military was using the facility for relief operations.

&#8220I cannot express how proud I am of this group,” Mayor Laurence Leyens told advisory board members and Compass employees.

Compass Facility Management is a management company contracted by the City of Vicksburg to operate the convention center and the auditorium.

Compass has run the facilities since 2001 and has a six-year contract with the city for $124,000 a year. An incentive of an extra $30,000 is included in the contract if Compass meets the yearly goals of the city. The contract expires Sept. 30, 2006.

Gawronski said convention center numbers were not so good for spectator events, including Dragon Tales, a performance for children, and the Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant, both of which lost money.

Dragon Tales lost $10,000, he said.

&#8220The Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant was outstanding, but only a handful of people came to see it,” Gawronski said.

He said the center has passed up opportunities to host other spectator shows, like a Sesame Street program that was possible for December, because of the lack of interest from the community.

Gawronski said events at the convention center had an economic impact of $11,789,620 on Vicksburg. He said this number was calculated using a formula that considers the amount of money spent on hotel rooms, restaurants and gas stations by visitors.

In other business, George Mayer has resigned from the advisory board because he is moving to Georgia. Because his term does not expire until July 25, 2006, the City Board of Mayor and Aldermen appointed Tom Pharr, owner of Anchuca Bed and Breakfast, to fill his position.

Bobby Bailess and Cliff Whitney III were reappointed by the City Board to terms that will expire in 2008.

There are still two vacant positions on the advisory board since the expiration of Larry Lambiotte’s term July 25 and the resignation of Dave Dickson.

Also during the meeting Brenda Love, an advisory board member and owner of Unique Impressions, a restaurant on Washington Street, asked the mayor about a proposed 2 percent bed tax he is supporting.

&#8220Who’s going to benefit?” Love asked.

She said that it seemed all the focus was on the downtown businesses, especially with the city’s Main Street department.

Leyens said he is supporting the tax because, &#8220There are very few dollars this community has to go to Memphis or to Jackson to say come see what we have.”

He said most of the revenue for the Vicksburg Conventions and Visitors Bureau is spent on overhead and payroll expenses and there is not much left for advertising and promoting. Leyens said he is supporting the tax to give the VCVB more funding.

He added that he understands there is a lack of representation for businesses in the city.

&#8220There should be an association to represent all industries in town,” he said. &#8220In my mind that should be the VCVB.”