SARASOTA, FL-The Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center has closed its doors.
The owner, Oscar Parsons, says he closed the 93,000-square-foot convention center, which began operations 10 years ago, due to lack of business. He is now negotiating to lease the 17-acre property to a recreational vehicle dealer, according to the Herald-Tribune.
He blames part of the reason for the convention center's failure to attract sufficient business was the lack of support from the local tourism agencies in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
"They didn't want to work with me," he says. "I got the cold shoulder."
Parsons, who acquired the former Sam's membership club property for $3 million in 2002, adds, "I'm not bitter. I just wished this hadn't worked out as it did. I learned a good lesson." See story in the Herald-Tribune.
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