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LAS CRUCES - The $26 million Las Cruces Convention Center just opened for business in December. Already about 14 events have taken place and 65 more are scheduled in the next six months. Manager David Hicks said he has a goal of another 40 or 50 events in that time period.
In fact, at full strength, the center plans to have 250 to 300 events annually. Some will be events already held in Las Cruces, but many others will be new, which increases hotel/motel occupancy rates, restaurant sales and general tourism. That makes Hicks a person to watch in 2011.
"What we've seen happen since we've actually moved into the building is a lot more movement on events," Hicks, 33, said. "Our phones started ringing quite a bit more."
He said it was a good feeling when he received the keys to the center. Hicks came to Las Cruces from South Bend, Ind., in August 2009 to take this job. So, of his nearly 18 months in town, he's spent less than two actually in the building.
A ribbon-cutting is scheduled Thursday and, on Jan. 15, a community open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"We hope everybody comes out," Hicks said.
He said that nonprofits and community organizations will be set up, as if at a convention, so people can see what the center offers, as well as pick up some information about the groups.
Global Spectrum, the company chosen to operate the center for the city, has started to see an increase in convention business as the recession lessens its grip, Hicks
"You saw (a decline) back in 2008 and in 2009, certainly," he said. "But company-wide, all the buildings we manage have seen upward movement. We feel pretty good about going into 2011."
Born in Ohio, Hicks grew up in Indiana and graduated from Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Davenport University with a degree in marketing. Before he came to Las Cruces, Hicks spent nine years in Indiana where he worked with the Century Center in South Bend.
Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457.
