EDWARD F. (NED) SNAVELY, General Manager,...

How do you see the future of Anaheim as a tourism destination?

There’s absolutely no question in my mind that Anaheim has been the hub of tourism and will be that much more so in the coming years. If we combine that with what Disney’s possibilities are, I think it just solidifies that idea.

Is the Disneyland resort the engine that is driving the growth of this whole area?

It is a significant part of it. In this given location, we really have the convention center and (Disney) park working together to drive meaningful parts of our businesses. And I don’t see that changing. They are distinct markets, but they work together.

How important is it to have a convention center, combined with a theme park and hotel complex?

You have to look at the market you are appealing to. Meeting planners and attendees are looking primarily for convenience. They are looking for modern and spacious facilities. Beyond that they are looking for a wide variety of activities to fill the time that isn’t taken up attending a meeting or a trade show. When you look at this area, we have all those things and much more.

Does this area really need a second theme park to support the kind of growth it has had?

Absolutely. It’s a natural evolution. What Disney is saying is they are believers in that. Our meeting planners and travelers alike are saying that a second park would be an exceptional dimension that would be of great value for Anaheim and all of Orange County.

Would conventioneers have time to see two parks, instead of just one?

They’re doing it right now in Orlando. Their convention center is not as large as Anaheim’s. We are the sixth largest in the country.

How important will the new addition to the convention center be?

We are in need of additional space. The current enhancement of the main hall is meaningful because meeting planners say we need more exhibition space. This should buy us time for the next two or three years. We hope that the addition of space to the north side of the center will meet that need. There is some question of how much space will be designated for exhibits and how much would be designated for meeting space. It also gives us the opportunity to have one show set up while another is tearing down. Right now we have dead time at the center while those other activities are going on.

Is the convention center being effective in trying to bring new conventions to Anaheim?

I am led to believe that our booking pace is ahead, and that tells me they are working as hard as they ever have. You combine that with the large amount of repeat business we have had: 55% among groups.

What about the transportation in the area?

I think it will be a combination of elements. As late as this past week, I was with 200 meeting planners, and they were saying what a positive thing Orange County’s John Wayne Airport has been to this destination. They also like the plans for freeway improvements.

The combination of the monorail and the people mover has appeal. It also appeals to the local clientele who are not occupying hotel rooms but need to attend functions at the convention center. Those people all say: “Give us some options. Let us drive our cars to the hotel. Let us park our cars and access some public transportation.”

What about the improvements to the Santa Ana Freeway?

With or without the Disney project, the expansion of the I-5 is absolutely necessary. From a tourism standpoint, we need to give people better access to the airports and other attractions of the area. We need to be able to get employees in and out of the area.

Where does that project stand?

The Measure M money has been released. We have $247 million approved by the state. I believe that will be released for construction starting in 1996. Clearly by the year 2000 all those projects will be done. That’s not to say we don’t need more. Our goal is to have improvements from San Diego to Los Angeles counties.

Are Anaheim hotels being more aggressive in their efforts to lure groups as well?

People in the meeting business are asking for what we call “breakout space.” And because of that we all have to find ways to appeal to that segment of the market.

What is “breakout space?”

It’s a classroom environment where small groups of people are getting together to have a lecture or some dialogue, instead of having one big general session. Instead of having a speaker speak to one topic and captivate everyone for one day, they are breaking up and personalizing their agenda.

Are the hotels working closely with each other and with the convention center?

I don’t know of a destination around the world that works any better, or more closely together, than the Anaheim hotels. You can almost take the names of the hotels down and we all pull together as one unit.

And there are no jealousies?

We all realize the more we pull together as a unit, the more we are going to be able to spread the wealth. And we hear that from those who are coming to conventions throughout the year. One element they speak about, besides the general hospitality, is what a unified group we have in Anaheim. We are all in this together.