Said Broward County Mayor Joseph Eggelletion Jr.:
“A hotel of this nature, located in our already thriving convention center and cruise port complex, will add a new dimension to the destination’s ability to attract major conventions and trade shows.”
He said a new hotel would be a “giant step” for the meetings industry.
“Greater Fort Lauderdale has been experiencing strong tourism growth over the past several years and the destination has many qualities that support large-scale, first-class hotel development,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Convention Center headquarter hotel will have national and international marketing capabilities and be a good fit for the state-of-the art-facilities found at the Broward County Convention Center, she added.
The Broward County Convention Center opened in 1991 and is located on a 33-acre site in Port Everglades, the third largest cruise passenger port in the world.
The site currently consists of the 600,000 square foot, three-story convention center, a cruise terminal, a retail/office building, a 2,500 space parking garage and related common areas.
Report by David Wilkening
