City mulls convention center rates

HARLINGEN — Soon, residents might know the cost of the renting out the $16.7 million convention center.

City commissioners tomorrow are expected to consider adopting proposed rental rates designed to compete with event venues in the Rio Grande Valley.

The city needs to authorize the rates to launch its marketing program aimed at promoting the convention center, Assistant City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez said yesterday.

“When we know what we’re charging we can start promoting the convention center,” Gonzalez said.

Last week, Brandon Raney, chief executive officer for San Antonio-based BC Lynd Hospitality, presented city commissioners with the rental rates along with a marketing plan aimed at promoting the facility.

The proposed rates would appear to make the convention center competitive with event venues in McAllen, Brownsville and South Padre Island.

Mayor Chris Boswell said the rates would be “comparable” with the McAllen Convention Center while slightly pricier than conference venues in Brownsville and South Padre Island.

The rates would offer different prices for the convention center’s main ball room, smaller meeting rooms and outdoor pavilion.

What are the rates?

According to the proposed rate schedule, the convention center’s 16,200-square-foot ballroom would rent from $5,670 a day, while its smaller meeting rooms would offer daily rates ranging from $175 to $500.

Meanwhile, the facility’s outdoor pavilion would rent for $1,500 a day.

Gonzalez said the city plans to present its rates on “rack cards” which would be sent to convention planners.

The city plans to use the convention center’s site plan to outline the 44,436-square-foot building’s dimensions, Gonzalez said.

Time to get going

The city needs to start promoting the convention center because events are booked a year or more in advance, City Manager Dan Serna has said.

Gonzalez said the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau will work with BC Lynd to promote the convention center.

As part of an agreement, BC Lynd would staff and operate the convention center, splitting any profits with the city.

The marketing plan would promote Harlingen’s mid-Valley location as the ideal site for conventions in the area.

The plan recommends building a list of companies that travel to the Valley and businesses conducting meetings and conferences in the area.

The plan also proposes contacting college departments, wedding venues and related businesses, large churches, reunions as well as fraternity and sorority groups.