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MONTH IN REVIEW Continued from page 9 Christian Goode, senior vice president and CFO of Genting Americas, the developers of the project, said the company is experienced in building and managing large resorts. "With 51 casinos on three continents, we are pretty good at managing large, integrated properties," Goode said. His company's family-oriented Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore is how he envisions the new Aqueduct project. Te iconic complex offers meeting facilities, "responsible gaming," a Hard Rock Hotel®, Universal Studios® Singapore, the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, and numerous retail, dining and hotel options. "It is not an easy process nor do we have all the answers at this time," Goode told the crowd, assuring them the in- dustry would have plenty of input on the final form of NICE. "But what is impor- tant is that we have started doing the planning," he said. Goode said Genting anticipated serv- ing pent-up demand for more space from the apparel and fashion industry as well as fielding inquiries from trade shows that have been unable to secure the space or dates at Javits. "Our goal is building something that appeals to convention-goers and show organiz- ers," he said. Goode said Genting did not necessar- ily want to build the largest convention center in the U.S. simply to be the biggest. He said work on the design of the build- ing was a work in progress and much would depend on "an economic model that makes sense." The James A. Farley Post Office Te huge Farley Post Office building is in midtown Manhattan at 34th Street and Penn Station, next to the planned Moynihan Train Station. Built in 1912, it is now the property of the state and could be quickly converted into a venue for high-end trade shows and conferences with approximately 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, said Bob Yaro, president of Regional Plan Authority, a civic group that focuses on infrastructure and major business issues in the greater New York area. 10 March 2012 | Trade Show Executive Te conversion could be accomplished for about $500 million once a developer signs on to the project. Te solid pre-war construction, sprawling floor space and ample loading docks were designed for mail sorting, but appears on paper to be ready-made for trade shows. Te plan is to knock out out a couple of the five floors to increase ceiling height. Javits Center Te intricacies of Javits Center were pretty much on the sidelines, although not because it is considered obsolete or an undesirable location. "We would like to see Javits Center carry on until its useful life is over," McAvoy said, speak- ing for Reed, but likely also for other major show organizers, not to mention the Manhattan hoteliers whose bread is buttered by Javits events. Not a single person among the roughly 200 IAEE meeting delegates raised their hand in support of demolishing the Javits convention center, currently ranked #14 in Trade Show Executive World's Top Convention Centers directory. But Javits Center also sits on prime real estate that Gov. Cuomo and other political leaders say is worth about $4 billion and is the lynchpin of an envisioned development surge on the West Side. "We started working a few years ago on the concept that the far West Side could become the third major business district in Manhattan," Yaro said. "Te West Side is running out of development areas." Yaro said RPA observed that other ma- jor cities around the world were gradually moving their "large floorplate" conven- tion facilities to the outskirts of their respective towns, where property values were lower. Te center of the city is being reserved for smaller conferences and exhibitions considered to be "high end." Who's in Charge? Te three panelists all said Cuomo's unveiling of the Aqueduct idea in his State of the State speech was premature, to say the least. Doug Ducate, president and CEO of the Center of Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) and moderator of the IAEE meeting, asked the audience members, "Who is in favor of razing the Javits Center?" Not a single person among the roughly 200 delegates raised their hand in support of demolishing the popular convention center, currently ranked #14 in Trade Show Executive World's Top Convention Centers directory. Tere is resistance by the New York hoteliers as well, who agreed in 2003 to charge visitors an additional tax of $1.50 a night per room to fund a 40-year, $700 million bond issue to renovate the Javits Center. McAvoy said the industry was hope- ful that Javits Center would remain in business in Manhattan for the foresee- able future, but recognized the need for a second venue. "I'm not sure of the size or the location [of the Aqueduct plan]," he said, adding the caveat, "Te worst thing that can happen is to build a venue that no one uses." Yaro said Cuomo is not a patient man and wants the West Side development plan to get moving, and the same time, energize New York's convention and trade show industry. He assured the IAEE audience that they would not find themselves in a worst-case scenario in which Javits is closed down before a suit- able replacement facility is in place. "Te governor is driving this agenda," Yaro said. "He wants to see that get going and that can't happen until this industry is taken care of." Reach Ken McAvoy at (203) 840-5681 or kmcavoy@reedexpo.com; Christian Goode at (718) 215-2828 or christian.goode@ rwnewyork.com; Bob Yaro at (212) 253-2727 x325 or yaro@rpa.org