Although the convention is undergoing a more than $200 million in renovations that will double it in size, more than a dozen groups have backed out of commitments to use the new facilities because there's nowhere to stay.
The downtown area doesn't have enough hotels able to accommodate groups of 1,000 or more, officials with the San Diego Convention Corp. say. Meanwhile, according to a report obtained by the San Diego Union-Tribune, some 14 groups that tentatively booked the facility have backed out of their plans.
Due of the lack of a "headquarters-style" hotel in the area, the expanded convention center will stand empty nearly half the time in its first year and take several years longer than expected to reach maximum use, officials say.
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