Pat Gallagher | President, San Francisco Giants | SFCVB Board Chair
Tourism is San Francisco’s largest industry as we all know, generating $8 billion in economic impact which directly benefits San Francisco residents. Visitors spend over $22 million every day in our city, and the industry supports over 72,000 jobs. However, we're in jeopardy of losing ground to other cities who compete for this business. The convention center is outdated and in some areas even falling apart whereas other cities update their convention facilities regularly and have greater resources for marketing. We fully understand the pressure on City budgets and the need to come up with a new model. With great leadership from both the hotel industry in San Francisco and from City Hall, who all have a feel for the importance of this industry, this new TID model is a remarkable result of all the stakeholders in the public and private sectors working with the same goal in mind. I’m pleased to note that the concept has great support from the hotel industry and members of San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Rick Swig | President, RSBA & Associates | SF TID Steering Committee Chair
This TID concept sets the tone for what the SFCVB calls “Only in San Francisco”. We will be the only city in the country to provide an economic stimulus model for our most important industry, tourism, while joining in partnership with the public sector to sustain an important City asset, Moscone Convention Center, which produces significant revenue and tourism demand in the city. The TID provides no burden on tax payers of San Francisco, doesn't take money from the General Fund and, in fact, supplements the City's financial commitment to restore and maintain the convention center. We have heard from Moscone Center customers that the center is not up to par. Many cities have realized convention centers stimulate the local economy and the TID provides the opportunity to join private and public sectors to maintain and provide the necessary capital to ensure Moscone Center remains competitive. Thank you for your support of tourism, San Francisco’s number one industry, and let’s continue to treat it with respect and enthusiasm.
Heather Hoell | Executive Director, Yerba Buena Alliance
The Yerba Buena neighborhood includes 11 hotels, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Moscone Center. It is considered by many to be San Francisco’s welcome mat. The Yerba Buena neighborhood depends on the success of the city’s tourism industry and improving Moscone Center is critical to ensuring the ongoing success of our neighborhood. On behalf of the Yerba Buena neighborhood’s diverse residents and businesses I urge you to support the TID.
Dan Kelleher | General Manager, San Francisco Marriott
Expansion of Moscone Center is critical. We have had several expansions in the past, without which we would be challenged to attract just the business we have today. But we are up against cities like San Diego, who are taking their convention center from 1.3 million to 2.3 million sq ft, compared with our current space of 1.2 million sq ft. Funding for an expansion is very important for future business. I represent most of the hotels in zone 1 and support the passing of this measure.
Jim Gerney | General Manager, Hotel Kabuki
On behalf of Joie de Vivre hospitality, representing one of the largest employers in San Francisco, we unanimously support the TID. I also represent the hotels in zone 2, where there is overwhelming support.
Mike Hardeman | Business Manager, Sign, Display and Local Craft - Local 510
Sign, Display and Local Craft - Local 510 members, and also a wide variety of trades and unions, work not only in Moscone Center but also within hotels. This well-trained and educated union is accepted by hotels and the work keeps this city’s economy going. With the economic downturn facing the country, this is a good way to keep these well-trained people employed. We thank the Supervisors for their work supporting this industry, it's a great economic industry for the city. Let’s show it the respect that other cities do.
Rodney Fong | President, The Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District has been fantastic. It’s helped clean up the wharf, provided safety, and, most importantly, has unified the community. The TID will provide that same unification, which is much needed if we are to remain competitive.
Jerry Simmons | Managing Director, Hyatt Regency San Francisco
As Conde Nast says, San Francisco is the #1 city to visit in America, but we need to make sure we support this issue if we want to continue to grow. On behalf of all my colleagues we are 100% behind this issue and we think the TID assessment is our view into a positive future.
Kevin Westlye | Executive Director, Golden Gate Restaurant Association
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association sits on the TID task force and is in full support of this effort. Many restaurants in San Francisco have been affected by the economic downturn and need every opportunity they can to protect their businesses and their employees’ jobs. We think this is a good example of an industry trying to take care of its own and we urge you to support it.
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