The first event at the Convention Center in more than six months saw more cancellations — because of concerns about COVID-19 — than attendees.
But for many of the 1,376 people who showed up over the weekend for the Women of Joy Conference, a Christian event, the trip to San Antonio was worth it.
On ExpressNews.com: From Convention Center to skate parks, San Antonio begins to reopen as coronavirus surge tapers off
“I was afraid to come — traveling by plane — but felt God would protect me,” said Angela Hardy, who flew in from Fairbanks, Alaska.
Hardy, a nurse at a drug treatment center, said she was glad she came because she was going through hard emotional times and wanted to embrace her faith.
The safety measures for attendees included face masks, social distancing and temperature checks. The Convention Center is equipped with 20 thermal-imaging cameras, at a cost of $8,150 each, according to city officials.
Tourism officials, eager to restart a once-bustling convention and meetings business in San Antonio, touted the Women of Joy convention, which ended Sunday.
“It symbolizes to everyone that we’re back in business and able to accommodate an event safely and warmly,” said Richard Oliver, director of partner and community relations for Visit San Antonio, the public-private partnership that books the Convention Center and markets San Antonio to convention planners and travelers.
Still, San Antonio’s convention business largely will remain dormant in the near term. Only three of the more than 40 events that had been planned for the fall at the Convention Center — before the pandemic struck in March — are still on the books.
The drop-off in conventions has hobbled hotels, restaurants and bars, especially downtown.
Next year, 65 conventions are scheduled. So far, six have been canceled, according to Visit San Antonio.
More than 4,000 people had registered for the Women of Joy conference by early March. But most of those planning to attend stayed home because of COVID-19 concerns, said Phil Waldrep, a minister and CEO of Alabama-based Phil Waldrep Ministries. The group has sponsored the San Antonio event for the last 10 years.
Factoring in last-minute attendees, Waldrep said he’d originally expected more than 5,000 people for the event.
He said he decided to go ahead with the convention — despite an estimated loss on the event of about $100,000 — because people need hope, especially now.
“To have a little encouragement that we can hold on until tomorrow,” he said as soft Christian rock filled the convention hall. “And knowing, with a little more time, things are going to get better.”
Waldrep said he understood those who decided not to come.
“I don’t want anyone here who doesn’t feel safe,” he said. “I think that fear is still in our country. It’s probably going to stay that way until we have a vaccine.”
The conference’s motivational speakers and a Christian rock band, Big Daddy Weave, Saturday night’s live entertainment, kept the mood upbeat and hopeful.
During the band’s performance, frontman Mike Weaver said he was sweating because it was the group’s first regular concert in months. The band’s recent performances have been at drive-in movie theaters where patrons stay in their cars.
“This has been a wild time,” he said. “I want you to know that even though it seems that everything around us is uncertain, God is very certain.”
The crowd cheered.
For Jennifer Holcombe — whose husband and daughter, along with seven other family members, were among the 26 killed in the mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs nearly three years ago — attending the conference was comforting.
“We were more worried about keeping our mental and spiritual health good, which far outweighs the little bit of physical risk you might have,” Holcombe said.
She was accompanied by several other church members, including Sheri Pomeroy, wife of the church pastor Frank Pomeroy. The couple were out of town Nov. 5, 2017, the day of the massacre, but their daughter Annabelle, 14, was killed in the attack.
Pomeroy said she had texted with Waldrep over the last few months, worried that the convention would be canceled.
“I know the city of San Antonio is pretty strict,” Pomeroy said.
Attendees could not enter the Convention Center without temperature checks. Inside the center auditorium, seats in groups of four were set 6 feet apart.
Signs reminded visitors to wear their masks, though not everyone complied.
“It’s our choice,” said Brenda Minard, 67. “I don’t think they should be able to make you wear a mask if you don’t want to and you’re not sick.”
Minard said a Convention Center staffer tapped her on the shoulder at the event Friday night and told her to put on her mask. She said she complied, adding that it was hard for her to breathe during the program, which lasted several hours.
Minard said she hoped she would be protected from the coronavirus, even when not wearing a mask, because of her faith.
“I am just praying that God will keep me safe,” she said.
Saturday afternoon, Waldrep took the stage to remind attendees to wear their masks during breaks when they gathered with friends and browsed merchandise stands, which sold T-shirts, greeting cards, handbags and other wares.
He said anyone found not wearing a mask after an initial warning could receive a city fine.
“The city is responsible for enforcing the mask order. Face coverings are required to be worn at all times in the building,” Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, the city’s director of convention and sports facilities, said in a statement. “Code Enforcement is on-site, and, as with all our efforts, they focus on education and compliance but will issue an appropriate citation or ask people to leave if they refuse to wear a face covering.”
However, she added: “Consistent with (Gov. Greg Abbott’s) order, we do not strictly enforce face coverings during religious services, but the wearing of face coverings is strongly recommended.”
Almost all the attendees wore their masks during the Saturday morning program. But during the Big Daddy Weave concert, some in the audience decided to keep their masks off as they enjoyed the music.
It is unclear how many events the Convention Center will host in 2021, but the Women of Joy conference likely will be one of them. Waldrep said his organization already has booked the site for next year.
Randy Diamond covers tourism and the travel industry. To read more from Randy, become a subscriber. randy.diamond@express-news.net
"center" - Google News
September 28, 2020 at 04:00PM
https://ift.tt/3mYTOIk
San Antonio’s Convention Center hosts first major event since March shutdown - San Antonio Express-News
"center" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3bUHym8
https://ift.tt/2zR6ugj
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "San Antonio’s Convention Center hosts first major event since March shutdown - San Antonio Express-News"
Post a Comment