Comic-Con will generate an estimated $68 million worth of spending inside the convention center. The economic reach will also spill outside the hall. A recently released economic survey said hotels will sell 126,000 room nights and downtown restaurants are expecting a crush of customers. It is a signature event.
"The best thing about Comic-Con right now is that it has become woven into the cultural fabric of San Diego and it is part of our identity as a city," said Steven Johnson, Vice president Public Affairs at the San Diego Convention Center.
The sold out event is packing the Convention Center and there's a flood of economic activity that spills over nearby areas. Ticket sales, on site purchasing, hotels and meals are the obvious economic impacts, but there are other things that people might not think of.
"Floral arrangements and design for the different events that are taking place, to the technical equipment that's required to broadcast 24-7 from the various studios that produce programs related to comic-con, to the flights in, the flights out, the limousines, the VIP services," said Johnson.
The event generates an estimated $162 million in economic activity when every thing is included. The city should see a tax windfall of about $3 million.
