Notes

 The convention center was built to serve the carpet industry’s customers and vendors. But
sadly due to recession in 2007-2009, the industry severely damage and the convention
center does not met its expectation.
 The convention center was operating at less than its available capacity.
 Municipal officials believed that convention center could have a positive impact on the
City of Dalton, Whitfield County, and the surrounding communities.
 One of its challenges was finding a way to communicate the positive aspects of
the convention center.
 It is also believed that the convention center was poorly utilized and drain to taxpayers
and business who funded the center.
 City of Dalton and Whitfield County contributes 50% of the operating income shortfall.
In addition, they also contributes 50% of the capital improvements and/or debt service, if
any.
 The law allowed the City of Dalton and Whitfield County to raised its tax rate to 6% to
7%, with 50% of the amount in excess of 5% for the convention center, etc.
 Hotel and motel tax revenues expected for 2017 amounted to $1,300,000 and $244,246,
for City of Dalton and Whitfield County, respectively.
 The convention center was tax-exempt.
 Convention center provides benefits to communities, but their primary purpose is usually
economic development.
 Economic impacts include all the financial effects.
 Financial benefits include increase in sales across the community not
directly from the facility, increases in property value, increases in
employment, or increases in wages levels.
 The convention center does not have standard price. Prices covered all the variable and
direct costs of events, but does not covered some of the fixed facility costs.
 Community benefits from the economic impact of attendees staying in the hotels and
eating in the restaurants. (This would not possible if the convention center did not attract
people to the community)
 In 2012 lodging tax receipts were an all-time high bringing in over $1.3 million
dollars to our community.
 Through the first half of 2013 lodging tax collection is 5% ahead of 2012.

 As an additional and very important benefit of attaining the convention business

are the hotel nights generated. The nature of conventions is such that most
attendees are from out of town helping to fuel our lodging tax.