03.30.06 -- A world-class convention facility is about to take center state in Alaska's largest city, allowing for a major boost to Anchorage's economy. After years of planning, Anchorage will break ground for its 215,000 square foot expanded civic and convention center in mid-April, weather permitting.

The city's civic and convention capacity will soon increase by 300 percent, which will allow Anchorage to generate millions of dollars in new convention meeting and event business. The expanded facility will highlight Anchorage's sophistication as a modern, international meeting destination, while showcasing the city's exotic appeal to visitors from around the world.

The $103 million facility is designed to be the most significant convention facility in the far northern portion of the United States. Both the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center and the expanded facility will offer substantial meeting space for groups up to 5,000. The facility, designed by Rim Architects and LMN, will showcase Anchorage's spectacular scenery while taking advantage of the low sun angle during the winter and the drawn out sunsets during the summer.

Throughout the various levels of the facility, architects have taken cues from Alaska's four seasons and worked them into the wall finishes and the color of the carpets. One level embraces fall landscapes and the changing colors of the high country, while another takes visitors into the summer landscape. Highly reflective materials and cooler hues will be used as visitors move into the winter landscape.

Other features include protected vestibule entrances and a roof designed to prevent snow shedding. Architects have also designed upgraded heated sidewalks lined with trees, canopies and lighting. The sidewalks will link the expanded facility to the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center and the Alaska Performing Arts Center. The windows in the north facing lobby allow a large amount of light in, providing the facility and the downtown area with a feeling of vitality.

During construction, the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) will be working hard to generate a high number of sales leads to fill the expanded complex by utilizing shared databases and qualifying prospective leads. ACVB's strategy also includes collaborating with local representatives of national associations to target specific industries. ACVB's sales teams are boosting activities such as blitzes, sales missions and familiarization tours this year to increase convention business. ACVB plans to build the sales and service staff as budget allows.

Organizations that have booked convention space in Anchorage through 2010 include the Western Association of Students Financial Aid (April 25 – 28, 2009), with 500 delegates and an estimated economic impact (EEI) of $723,305; the Western States Communication Association (March 5 – 10, 2010), with 600 delegates and an EEI of $693,523; and IEEE International Conference on Robotics (May 4 – 7, 2010), with 1,100 delegates and an EEI of $1,313,858.

When it's completed in Fall 2008/Spring 2009, the expanded center's 26,000 square foot ballroom will have the capacity for 140 booths, 2,000 banquet seats and 2,800 theatre style. The exhibit hall will accommodate 250 trade show booths, 3,500 banquet seating and 5,000 theatre space. The flexible space will expand as needed, providing 11,300 square feet of meeting rooms.

According to a study by Northern Economics, Inc., the level of economic activity generated by the Egan Center and the expanded facility will increase by more than $133 million dollars annually during the complex's fifth year of operation, totaling $250.6 million. Bed tax revenues returned to the Municipality of Anchorage are anticipated to grow by more than $20 million by 2018.

Other exciting changes unfolding in Anchorage include capital improvements planned for the William A. Egan Center during the next three years. Three million dollars in revenue bonds will pay for several upgrades including improvements to the Explorer Hall roof, renovations to the lower level restrooms and the replacement of the lower level audio system and the existing water lines.

Overall, the Anchorage Civic & Convention Center complex will expand Anchorage's ability to host meetings, shows and community gatherings while generating millions of dollars in new business. These dynamic changes will introduce a whole new level of possibilities to visitors as well as Anchorage residents.