Quote:So a convention even further away from the highway is going to attract more customers because of the Shipyards? I have a hard time believing that. All of these plans sound great and I really hope they happen, but I have my doubts. Khan undoubtedly has the money to get things done but does he have stroke? The Good Ole Boy Network that has been running downtown affairs for decades may have some resistance to some of these plans. He also has to deal with a powerful church downtown who may not have very high opinions of him. I hope it all comes to fruition but I have some doubts.

 

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Admittedly I am not as familiar with the politics involved with any downtown plans, as I haven't lived in Jacksonville since I was a teenager. I do, however, organize and plan conferences for the company I work for and I can tell you that the main two considerations of picking a place to hold a conference is:

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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a) Proximity to the airport. 

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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Neither the Shipyards or the Prime Osbourne are close to the airport. Push.

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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2) Restaurant, shopping, and lodging (if the conference doesn't take place in a hotel) within a walk-able distance from the convention venue.

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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If even 5% of the projected Shipyards design comes to be, it will offer significant advantages over the Prime Osbourne's location.

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