2013 was not a great year for San Diego, with its former mayor generating decidedly unfavorable headlines, the tourism authority seeing significant cutbacks and plans to expand the convention center generating plenty of controversey. But with an expansion plan approved, 2014 seems poised to be a much stronger year for the city.

In the coming year, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation is expecting to boost the region’s economy in several ways. Perhaps most significantly, the economic impact from events held in the center is expected to reach $1.4 billion, with $606.7 million in direct attendee spending and total tax revenues nearing $20.6 million.

So far, 111 events are booked for the center, with more expected to book in upcoming months. Of these events, 70 are primary events and are expected to attract over half a million out-of-town attendees. Total expected attendance is estimated at 858,115 with current figures expected to increase over the year. This marks the center’s highest attendance since 2008, when 951,618 people attended events.

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