Title
Phoenix Convention Center Department Booking Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee on convention booking activities for the Phoenix Convention Center Department.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
Report
Summary
Calendar year 2024 proved to be a banner year for the Phoenix Convention Center Department (PCCD). With 62 conventions in 2024, PCCD welcomed 315,000 delegates and 356,304 total room nights were generated with an estimated direct spending of $488.44 million. With just slightly fewer conventions than 2023, PCCD still saw a record-breaking number of delegates, bolstered by hosting fan activations for mega events such as the NCAA Men’s Final Four and WNBA All-Star Weekend.
With more than 300,000 delegates in 2024, the year marked the highest number of convention delegates since PCCD’s first year after completion of the expansion in 2009. The eight-year outlook for convention attendance is currently performing at 15 percent above pace. The momentum is complemented by hotel room night activity which is currently projected to perform at 17 percent above pace.
In the upcoming year, PCCD estimates 320,000 delegates, 350,000 hotel room nights and more than $500 million in estimated direct spending. PCCD looks forward in 2025 to welcoming esteemed groups like SEMICON West, which will bring an estimated 6,500 delegates and 11,046 room nights. SEMICON West showcases Phoenix as an influential destination in the tech industry, bringing the country’s premier microelectronic exhibition in North America to the Valley. The show will return again in 2027 and 2029. The 2025 event has an estimated direct spend of nearly $9.7 million.
For the first time since 2011, PCCD is proud to announce the return of National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit in 2030. The NLC City Summit will bring together over 4,000 elected officials and municipal staff from across the United States. The four-day convention offers an opportunity to showcase the city of Phoenix and includes educational sessions, meetings to conduct institutional business, networking events and a tradeshow. The event is estimated to generate 12,640 room nights and $6.1 million in direct spending.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Phoenix Convention Center Department.