DSC Update from the CEO

[wyattcm95]

Episode 547 - Rob McCanna || For The Record, What Is The Future Of DSC?

Podcast Episode · Blood Origins · 03/25/2025 · 1h 18m

podcasts.apple.com

The new CEO did an episode of the Blood Origins podcast. Was a good listen with lots of info

 

[TEXLNGHRN]

Episode 547 - Rob McCanna || For The Record, What Is The Future Of DSC?

Podcast Episode · Blood Origins · 03/25/2025 · 1h 18m

podcasts.apple.com

The new CEO did an episode of the Blood Origins podcast. Was a good listen with lots of info

Came here to post about this. Here is the YouTube link for video:

It's good to watch a conversation about this topic - conveys more than the written word. Primary content is what went into the move to ATL, the 2025 convention, and the future. Worth the watch, IMO.

 

[mdwest]

at about 17 minutes he states that Kay Bailey still plans to be demolished and be unavailable after the World Cup...

That is absolutely untrue.. SCI has already booked TTHA at Kay Bailey through 2030.. my understanding is they NEVER said they were demolishing the current facility.. they are renovating in phases.. and there has been discussion about adding on additional facilities..

To his credit, he was willing to address some of the questions that DSC has avoided for the last 2 years..

I don't necessarily agree with some of his assessments... but at least he is trying to do what DSC has purposely avoided... that's not easy.. and its appreciated..

 

[Dhutson]

For the Houston move I sure hope it’s at Reliant and not GRB. Parking around GRB I hate trying get into.

You are correct about GRB. There is no parking that can take care of a large group. When the HSC was there there parking was a nightmare and HSC only a tenth of the size. Reliant is the only option. The only issue will be nice hotels are not very close.

 

[Mountaineer]

Is there nothing in or around DC that could hold such a show? Seems there could be advantages for some elected officials and department heads to attend. It could make for some educational breakout topics.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Is there nothing in or around DC that could hold such a show? Seems there could be advantages for some elected officials and department heads to attend. It could make for some educational breakout topics.

Any move away from Atlanta that doesn’t result in going back to Texas would result in blood on the streets at this point.

 

[mdwest]

Is there nothing in or around DC that could hold such a show? Seems there could be advantages for some elected officials and department heads to attend. It could make for some educational breakout topics.

I think you have several problems with a DC show..

While it would be good (potentially) for political exposure.. it would be terrible for exhibitors I think.. People hate DC far more than they hate Atlanta as a general rule.. Its congested, with horrible traffic.. the hotels and restaurants in the areas around its larger convention type venues are difficult to get to, parking is an absolute mess, etc..etc..

The Walter E Washington Convention Center in DC is the only venue I can think of big enough to host an event like DSC.. and its in a particularly horrible area (IMO).. its right downtown.. I think the cross streets are H Street and 11th..

If people wont travel there to buy stuff, exhibitors wont go there to sell stuff.. and then there is nothing for the politicians to attend..

DC is also notorious for protests.. all of the major activists groups watch DC very closely for anything "protestable".. whether its a meeting of world leaders, a summit of economic entities, or some "convention" they might not agree with.. .

Quite literally activist groups that have nothing to do with DSC and its mission would show up in huge numbers.. just because its another opportunity to get some headlines... you'd have 1,000 angry feminists wearing pussy hats, standing next to 1,000 people wearing rainbow t-shirts screaming about LBGTQ rights, standing next to 20 people that really hate rhino hunting... causing problems for everyone..

(I lived in DC and worked for a somewhat controversial organization that got "protested" fairly routinely for a while... it was common to have a dozen different groups out there raising hell, toting signs, etc.. that literally couldn't care less about our organization.. they were just networked with the other protest groups.. so when any one of them had a reason to be upset about something, all the rest would join in and try to cash in on their 15 minutes of fame as well)..

 

[Russ16]

I think you have several problems with a DC show..

While it would be good (potentially) for political exposure.. it would be terrible for exhibitors I think.. People hate DC far more than they hate Atlanta as a general rule.. Its congested, with horrible traffic.. the hotels and restaurants in the areas around its larger convention type venues are difficult to get to, parking is an absolute mess, etc..etc..

The Walter E Washington Convention Center in DC is the only venue I can think of big enough to host an event like DSC.. and its in a particularly horrible area (IMO).. its right downtown.. I think the cross streets are H Street and 11th..

If people wont travel there to buy stuff, exhibitors wont go there to sell stuff.. and then there is nothing for the politicians to attend..

DC is also notorious for protests.. all of the major activists groups watch DC very closely for anything "protestable".. whether its a meeting of world leaders, a summit of economic entities, or some "convention" they might not agree with.. .

Quite literally activist groups that have nothing to do with DSC and its mission would show up in huge numbers.. just because its another opportunity to get some headlines... you'd have 1,000 angry feminists wearing pussy hats, standing next to 1,000 people wearing rainbow t-shirts screaming about LBGTQ rights, standing next to 20 people that really hate rhino hunting... causing problems for everyone..

(I lived in DC and worked for a somewhat controversial organization that got "protested" fairly routinely for a while... it was common to have a dozen different groups out there raising hell, toting signs, etc.. that literally couldn't care less about our organization.. they were just networked with the other protest groups.. so when any one of them had a reason to be upset about something, all the rest would join in and try to cash in on their 15 minutes of fame as well)..

Almost impossible to do in DC because of the gun laws. The only venues are in the city itself or Maryland and the gin exhibitors would have a nightmare.

And no one wants to go to DC.

I’m happy for the communication. I don’t love Houston. But I’m also in the minority in that I don’t like Nashville. I can’t stand the fact that you can’t find a single bar without some hack band wailing way. Last year I ent to a nice sushi place and they had a DJ playing music way too loud. I’m not a music fan and finding a quiet spot in that town is impossible.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Almost impossible to do in DC because of the gun laws. The only venues are in the city itself or Maryland and the gin exhibitors would have a nightmare.

And no one wants to go to DC.

I’m happy for the communication. I don’t love Houston. But I’m also in the minority in that I don’t like Nashville. I can’t stand the fact that you can’t find a single bar without some hack band wailing way. Last year I ent to a nice sushi place and they had a DJ playing music way too loud. I’m not a music fan and finding a quiet spot in that town is impossible.

If you like cigars, I found a very nice cigar bar in Nashville. They do sometimes have live music, but when I was there it was a jazz trio and the music was at a level where you could very easily hold a conversation.

 

[mdwest]

If you like cigars, I found a very nice cigar bar in Nashville. They do sometimes have live music, but when I was there it was a jazz trio and the music was at a level where you could very easily hold a conversation.

For those into stogies, Crowned Heads is located in Nashville.. John and Mike, the founders/owners are great guys.. personable and super welcoming... Call them and ask to take a tour of their place.. My guess one of them would personally guide the tour and offer you a couple of smokes and a nice TN whiskey while you sat and bullshitted with them..

 

[lhook7]

For those into stogies, Crowned Heads is located in Nashville.. John and Mike, the founders/owners are great guys.. personable and super welcoming... Call them and ask to take a tour of their place.. My guess one of them would personally guide the tour and offer you a couple of smokes and a nice TN whiskey while you sat and bullshitted with them..

My hotel is already booked for Nashville and I will definitely check it out.

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

@wyattcm95 and @TEXLNGHRN

Thanks for posting the podcast. Was a good listen. Glad that Rob is owning mistakes and putting a plan in place to fix going forward. Also glad that he addressed a number of the most persistent rumors.

@mdwest Dallas has said that they're tearing down the convention center. How that plays out exactly, I'm not sure on. Have heard that they'd tear the entire structure down and rebuild. Have also heard that it would demolished and rebuilt in phases. Here's an old article that I found with a quick search.

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2022/02/dallas-city-council-approves-4-billion-deal-to-tear-down-the-convention-center/

 

[mdwest]

My hotel is already booked for Nashville and I will definitely check it out.

Ive only had limited interaction with Mike over the years.. and its been several years since I last spoke with John.. but he's a super cool dude.. He used to participate in a fundraiser we did for a few years to raise money for a school in Esteli, Nicaragua (huge tobacco growing and cigar manufacturing region) and was always incredibly generous and helpful... and that was in the very early years of Crowned Heads when they really didn't have the money or the time to be supporting anything other than getting their business built.. but he did it anyway...

 

[mdwest]

@wyattcm95 and @TEXLNGHRN

Thanks for posting the podcast. Was a good listen. Glad that Rob is owning mistakes and putting a plan in place to fix going forward. Also glad that he addressed a number of the most persistent rumors.

@mdwest Dallas has said that they're tearing down the convention center. How that plays out exactly, I'm not sure on. Have heard that they'd tear the entire structure down and rebuild. Have also heard that it would demolished and rebuilt in phases. Here's an old article that I found with a quick search.

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2022/02/dallas-city-council-approves-4-billion-deal-to-tear-down-the-convention-center/

I think the problem with the "tearing down" statement largely belongs to the City of Dallas (which Rob alludes to in the podcast)... they have said they are tearing it down.. they have also said they are tearing down "part" of it.. they have also said they are doing a $4B renovation.. they've also said that its a phased project at at least 3 halls will be available every year through the entire re-do... etc.. they have also changed their schedule and timeline several times..

So their story has changed over and over again, which left DSC in a lurch in 2024.. they had to make a decision.. and it was only after a decision was made, that KBHCC came back to DSC offering them a different solution (they could have stayed not just for 2025.. but clearly could have stayed all along.. because there will be multiple halls available every year through the construction/destruction/renovation process..

Who knows if the story will change again.. but at this point KBHCC has a contract with SCI/TTHA to provide them a 3 hall venue (DSC has historically used 3 halls) every year between now and 2030.. If they don't do that, the City of Dallas is going to be the one paying out liquidated Damages to SCI/TTHA... much like DSC would be facing for early exit from their ATL contract..

This much more recent article states that the old halls will be torn down, but that this will happen after the new halls are built.. which would mean KBHCC remains open and available for shows the entire time...

Dallas Convention Center Expansion Gets Moving

The first phase of construction is expected to start in late 2024, with an estimated completion date of mid-2028 and a nearly $3 billion price tag.

www.meetingsnet.com

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

Agree that the whip sawing story from KBHCC has been frustrating. It may (will?) change again too.

Not sure what that means for KBHCC / THAA / DSC. The convention center could host both, just presumably (my assumption) not at the same time. Don't know what the details of the individual contracts look like. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[mdwest]

my best guess is DSC, depending on the impact of 3 years in ATL followed by a few years in Houston, will have a couple of different paths that they could follow..

assume they shrink significantly.. Rob is already saying they expect next year in ATL to be a much smaller show than we've seen in recent years, they they think they can build back up from there..

If DSC is no longer in need of a 2-3 hall venue, it could easily transfer its show to a number of different venues in the DFW area that are appropriate, and would be much lower in cost..

If they manage to grow back to their 2024 size... KBHCC is really the only option in the metroplex... they'll have a choice to make... don't return to Dallas (stay in Houston, or move to San Antonio, etc).. or try not to go head to head with SCI/TTHA (no matter who wins that war, both come out losers.. if you make people pick, both parties end up with a smaller piece of pie) by returning to KBHCC.. they could do that by allowing TTHA to continue to kick off show season since they already have the 2nd week of January booked.. and DSC intentionally move themselves to the last week of show season (plenty of separation that might encourage people to attend both shows).. or find some way to partner with TTHA much like they intend on partnering with HSC.. although I think that might be a really tough pill for DSC to swallow, and Im not sure SCI would be interested to begin with..

 

[Philip Glass]

@wyattcm95 and @TEXLNGHRN

Thanks for posting the podcast. Was a good listen. Glad that Rob is owning mistakes and putting a plan in place to fix going forward. Also glad that he addressed a number of the most persistent rumors.

@mdwest Dallas has said that they're tearing down the convention center. How that plays out exactly, I'm not sure on. Have heard that they'd tear the entire structure down and rebuild. Have also heard that it would demolished and rebuilt in phases. Here's an old article that I found with a quick search.

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2022/02/dallas-city-council-approves-4-billion-deal-to-tear-down-the-convention-center/

I am not sure where the complete tear down story came from. It has always been planned to be a phased demo and rebuild project. This is so as to not bankrupt the hotels in the area and keep some convention business going. Now TTHA has it booked up through the whole rebuild. Anyway I am glad Rob has answered some questions. The one that didn't come up was whether or not the Houston shows will be in conjunction with HSC or not? Do you know?