By Amy Mutual

On April 5, 2009, Charles Grimsley, former commissioner of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, submitted an editorial in the Montgomery Advertiser opposing a proposed convention center on the Alabama Gulf Coast. We’ve seen several such comments from both Grimsley and Paul Hubbert in local newspapers throughout the state.

 With respect to Mr. Grimsley and Mr. Hubbert and with appreciation for their service to Alabama, I think their argument is thin. More detailed explanation is below, but I contend that:

1. Alabama has adequate free public beaches for everyone
2. Alabama is needlessly losing millions in revenue to neighboring states
3. A well-run, successful convention center in Gulf Shores could fund our other struggling state parks
4. The room rates are being paid every day to hoteliers and to the state parks by Alabama tourists, and what is “affordable” hasn’t been defined
5. This facility offers Alabama’s students a competitive advantage in the tourism industry and creates jobs to keep Alabama’s young taxpayers in state.

1. In reference to having beach areas for every Alabamian to enjoy, the Gulf State Park already has that. They built a huge, beautiful pavilion with over a mile of pristine beaches for every Alabamian to enjoy free (with a parking donation). This area is designated for public use and is extremely popular among Alabama’s families. In addition, there are several beautiful, well-maintained, free public beaches along Alabama’a coast.

 2. The Alabama Gulf Coast needs to be able to adequately compete for convention business. Our state loses millions in revenue to Destin, Biloxi and New Orleans every year solely because we do not have an adequate facility. The hotel Mr. Grimsley partnered with to sue the Alabama government, a suit which costs the taxpayers he mentions millions with the case and with lost revenue, does not provide adequate convention space for large conferences. Our state deserves to have facilities that generate revenue for our state, especially in these difficult times.

 3. Calling this project a bailout is true, but not a bailout for a wealthy corporation. It’s actually a bailout for the other state parks. Alabama has at least 8 state parks about to close and their employees out of work, due to lack of funding. This convention center could provide revenue to fund these parks, preserve all of Alabama’s natural beauty (not just the beach), and help state employees keep their jobs.

 4. According to the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (AGCCVB) the average hotel night last summer was $168.14 with over 70% occupancy. Where did these people come from? According to the AGCCVB, Birmingham and Huntsville were the top two feeder markets for the Alabama Gulf Coast last summer with Montgomery and Mobile not far behind. Just for comparison, the price of the state park cabins varies from $85/night to $210/night. What does Mr. Grimsley consider an affordable rate for every Alabamian? $85? $168? $210?

5.  Unfortunately, the real issue is the use of state employees. Should this facility be completely run by union employees? I think not. Many of us see a huge advantage in creating additional value in a convention center by using it as an opportunity to train Alabama’s students in Tourism and Hospitality. It is imperative that a convention center provide exceptional service in order to be successful, and this level of service requires training that the state simply can’t afford to do and is not qualified to offer. Yes, I think the convention center could offer some state positions, but the opportunity to excel in the service industry and give our students such an enormous competitive advantage in the workplace has significant value and shouldn’t be overlooked.

I do agree with Mr. Grimsley that it’s time to make your voices heard. Our state needs a well-run convention center that excels in customer service and brings in much needed revenue. Call your legislators and tell them to just say yes to Gov. Riley’s convention center plan and let the people of Alabama benefit from two of their greatest resources, their beaches and their students.