Less Bookings at Convention Center

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Story Published: Oct 27, 2009 at 6:21 PM PDT

By Ryan Simms

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YAKIMA -- As tourist season comes to a close, the Yakima Convention Center is dealing with a big drop in bookings.

This year, the number of events at the Convention Center has dropped 12-percent. Much of that decline can be traced to cancellations because of the bad economy.

In addition, overall revenue at the Convention Center is down six percent this year.

And in the heat of summer, the businesses that rely on convention visitors were as cold as ice.

"June and July we were down as much as 30 to 40 percent," says Katherine Goodson, of Kana Winery.

Goodson had to deal with a lot of empty wine glasses as a result of the convention center's downturn, but her situation could soon improve.

Traditionally businesses hold more conventions in even numbered years, which means 2010 could quickly soak up any losses from 2009.

Some groups are making reservations more than two years in advance.

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