San Diego Keeps Comic Con Through 2016
Previously, Comic-Con International had extended its contract to 2015, but today, in a joint announcement, CCI and Mayor Jerry Sanders revealed that Comic Con was to stay in San Diego through 2016. Additionally, the city committed to a $500 million expansion of the convention center, to appease the event organizers. With the annual event attracting over 130,000 attendees, the expansion is greatly over due—as any seasoned Con goer can tell you.
“It’s not only an enormous source of pride, it’s an enormous source of revenue for San Diego — for the city, for the hotels, for the shops and for the restaurants. The economic impact is out of this world,” Sanders said.
The convention pumps $180 million into the local economy and provides the city of San Diego with $3 million in sales and hotel room tax income, Sanders said.
That revenue goes directly to city services, like public safety and library hours, according to Councilwoman Lorie Zapf. The convention center expansion will allow Comic-Con to host more attendees and conduct more panels, so there will be more jobs to support them, she said.
So what do you think? As a native Californian, I am of course pleased I don’t have to travel very far for the experience. Is there another city (or state) you’d like to see Comic-Con International travel to, or is it so ingrained in your mind that it can’t possibly be the same any place else?
