San Diego Fires

To:Our Valued Clients and Industry Partners

From: Christopher Lee, DMCP, CEO

Re: San Diego is OPEN for Business!

The recent national news coverage of the fires in some of San Diego's outlying areas has raised concerns regarding the status of our destination. While the fires are indeed a tragedy for many of our county's residents, the City of San Diego is fully operational and was not directly impacted by the fires occurring in north and south San Diego County. I thought you would appreciate some local news and facts.

Specifically, the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego Convention Center, Sheratons on Harbor Island and all other facilities located in our downtown and on Coronado Island are open for business and were not adversely threatened or impacted by the fires, smoke or winds. Additionally, restaurants, attractions and stores in and around downtown and Coronado are open.

The San Diego Airport is open and running regular schedules. The air quality in the downtown area is moderate to good on the air quality index, which is more than acceptable, allowing for outdoor activity.

Please feel free to contact me, or anyone on the ACCESS Destination Services team, with any questions or concerns you may have about the status of "America's Finest City." Thank you for your partnership and support!

Christopher H. Lee, DMCP
Chief Executive Officer
ACCESS Destination Services
c.lee@accessdmc.com
619-299-2200 x116

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SAN DIEGO:

Most San Diego attractions and hotels are not threatened by the fires and are fully operational. A few of the major attractions have closed for a day or two, but with the improving weather and fire conditions, all are slated to open by this Friday.
Transportation to and from San Diego and within the area is not an issue. San Diego International Airport has remained open throughout the wildfires. Major freeways are open and flowing well. The San Diego Trolley and local bus service are operational.
Hotels in the downtown core, along San Diego Bay, Coronado Island, on Mission Bay, in Mission Valley, La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad are open for business and not directly impacted by the fires.
Of the more than 450 hotels in the region, we are aware of only three currently closed due to wildfires.
The region has more than 54,000 hotel rooms. San Diego hotels are coordinating efforts to assist evacuees without displacing any meetings.
Tourism is the region's third largest industry. Bringing your meeting to San Diego is a wonderful way to support the local economy and aid residents in recovery and rebuilding.
San Diego County is very large, covering more than 4,269 square miles or roughly ¾ the size of the entire state of Connecticut. The wildfires are primarily in outlying residential and rural areas of the county.

Source: San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau website 10/25/2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Click HERE for a map of the fires, from the San Diego Union Tribune October 24^th, 2007

Click HERE for an Air Quality grid from San Diego Union Tribune October 24^th, 2007

Click HERE for San Diego International Airport updates

Click HERE for a message from David Peckinpaugh, CMP, President & CEO of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Click HERE for a message from Carol Wallace, President & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.