In a standing committee of the Fukuoka City Assembly, Fukuoka City announced plans to build a new mid-sized convention center in and attract a hotel to the Hakata Waterfront. City Hall estimates the new convention center will have an annual economic ripple effect of ¥50 billion and will formulate a construction plan by December. The site under consideration is a parking lot located next to Marine Messe, the majority of which is city-owned land. According to the City, there were 221 international conferences held in Fukuoka in 2011, the highest number among Japan’s designated cities. Occupancy at Marine Messe and the other international conference facilities topped 80%, and 46 requests for conventions had to be refused in 2011. The City anticipates that demand for conferences pertaining to Asia will require an additional 4,500~5,900 m2 of conference space, so it plans to respond to this demand by building the new 5,000m2 facility. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, June 27
Pictured: Marine Messe