Friday, July 1, 2011

A Convention Center Por Puerto Peñasco?

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I, too, am all excited about the proposed convention center to be built, I believe, where the ‘old-airport’ is and that the $10 Million investment will reportedly have the capacity for 6,000 visitors!

Great for immediate jobs to be sure! But I am wondering when the construction is over how and where the ‘extra’ money will come from to actually promote and compete with other national and international destinations to attract those convention-goers to come ‘party’, I mean do business here as opposed to Madrid, Switzerland, New York, Vegas, Mexico City, Phoenix, Hawaii or...


I noticed in one press release they are using that promotional tag that I personally loath about Puerto Peñasco, Mexico in the Mexican State of Sonora being “Arizona’s Beach” and maybe that is going to be the ‘commercial’ (marketing) angle (e.g.): ‘Come Convention at Arizona’s Beach’.

I suppose to promote the center the ‘players’ will invite the usual convention bookers and promoters down for a free stay and everyone will get all cozy and friendly. But at the end of the day, those profit-motivated promoters will still have to return home to reality and then justify selling and sending their clients here for a convention. And from an infrastructure perspective that concerns me.

And don’t we already have a “convention center” in town at the Hotel Peñasco Del Sol anyway? It’s been a while since I’ve been on the property but according to their website they offer: “more than 10,000 square feet of flexible Mexico meeting rooms… an amazing tropical setting for business and pleasure…” and “…providing elegant venues for your most important clients…” with “…Ocean View Restaurant & Bar…”

My, it seems they do have a convention center up and running. So could someone please tell me, considering the state of the economy, etc., why that $10 Million isn’t going for other ‘things’ that are desperately needed here besides another ‘building’ that will, like those in the Mirador area, mostly sit empty and unused for a very long time?

I have a few ideas what’s behind the $10 Million; what about you?

A Gypsy can always dream!

¡Viva Puerto Peñasco y México!

elgitanopenasco@gmail.com
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -Mark Twain