"An expansion of hotel inventory in cities nationwide means thatgroups are able to assemble housing packages using a minimum numberof properties in a proximate distance from a convention center,"says Greg Ortale, president and chief executive officer of theassociation. In addition, the study says, expansions of existinghotels should be considered--although that alone would not "solvethe long-term need," the study says.

With 1,800 rooms adjacent to the Minneapolis Convention Centerand more than 31,000 rooms metro-wide, the city can meet thecurrent needs of most meeting planners. "We need to add more hotelinventory to reflect the growth of the industry--both current andprojected," Ortale says.

There are now 20 Downtown hotels containing 5,101 rooms. Ofthese rooms, 2,004 are within four blocks or 1,000 feet of theMinneapolis Convention Center. A new Downtown convention hotel willhelp make the Minneapolis meeting product "more acceptable tomeeting planners." states the study.