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Task force says Greater Burlington shows market opportunity for a convention center but funding is the key barrier
Summary
Jeff Lawson, vice president of tourism at the Lake Champlain Chamber, told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee that a Phase 1 feasibility study finds demand for a convention center in Greater Burlington but that financing construction and ongoing losses remain unresolved; the task force will pursue Phase 2 financial modeling and share the consultant report with the committee.
Jeff Lawson, vice president of tourism at the Lake Champlain Chamber and co-chair of the state task force on convention centers and performing-arts venues, told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee on Jan. 6 that a Phase 1 market study shows an opportunity for a convention center in Greater Burlington but that finding sustainable funding will be the project's largest hurdle.
Lawson said Hunden Partners’ preliminary feasibility work, funded in part by the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation with support from the state economic development office, was aimed at answering whether larger conferences would consider Burlington as a destination. "They go through with their methodology and they take a look ... The number they come up with over the last 10 years is about $60,000,000 in business lost," Lawson said,…
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