At FUSION Halifax, we recognize that attracting bright, young talent depends on developing a culture of progressive excellence. Young people want to live in cities that are vibrant, celebrate history and embrace the future. They want cities brimming with optimism – cities that know their own strengths and leverage them to attract people and business.
Simply put, world-class cities attract world-class talent.
Halifax can be this city for young professionals. But doing so takes more than talk and debate. We need to show a commitment to growth and a willingness to invest in smart opportunities – things that enhance the value we offer young people while showcasing the unlimited potential of our city. The reward for such investments? A vibrant, engaged and proud community whose energy will continue to help Halifax succeed in a globally competitive market.
The new proposed convention centre is exactly this kind of opportunity. Just like our incredible potential to attract young people, our convention industry is on the cusp of something great. But with only 55,000 square feet of space in the current facility, Halifax is unable to fulfill the requirements of today’s global convention market. The missed opportunities are staggering.
In the past three years alone, it is estimated that more than 70 conferences, each with up to 2,000 delegates, have passed our city by, taking up to $80 million in lost revenue elsewhere.
While the numbers speak for themselves, recent discussions around the proposed centre seem to always fall back to two points. On the one hand, investing in the resilient and lucrative convention industry is a safe opportunity to enhance the global appeal of our city and inject undeniable new energy into our economy. On the other hand, now may not be the time to make such an investment.
It’s true – timing is everything. And the time is now. We need to move forward as a city. We need to see the convention centre as not only an investment in the long-term business potential of the global convention market, but also an investment in our community.
With a proposed 120,000 square feet of space, more than double our current capacity, the new convention centre will easily accommodate the large conferences our city has been missing – the kind that come with immediate economic spinoffs for our entire region. The business case is clear, but so is the broader case for our community. Expanding our convention industry will open the doors to a thriving global market, enhance our economy and contribute to the urban revitalization that we desperately need to remain relevant.
But we need to act now. There has never been a more important time to invest in our city. We need grow or be left behind. Halifax won’t attract young people by telling them that progress and change will come eventually. Neither will conference organizers line up for the chance to bring millions of dollars into our economy. We need to step up.
The good news is that Halifax is more than ready to take this next step. We offer a great overall package. A central and accessible location, friendly business and political climate, and appealing culture and history continue to drive our competitive edge as a leading convention city. That is, of course, why the large conferences want to come here in the first place. That’s our value proposition for attracting and keeping young people, too.
Halifax, it’s time we rolled out the welcome mat for this opportunity and for progress in general. It’s also high time we stood up for the things that will really showcase our region and drive us forward. Our future depends on it.
This article is also published on the Greater Halifax Partnership's blog >>