After years of vociferous efforts, Albany (N.Y.) Mayor Jerry Jennings eased calls for a downtown convention center facility. “It is unrealistic to believe that we can expect New York State to fund a nearly $300 million facility,” he says. Jennings instead proposed improvements to existing meeting venues in the city.

Louisville, Ky., will seek bids for a 600-room convention center hotel after the state Fair Board approved several tax incentive offerings last week. Officials have been trying unsuccessfully to draw developers to the project since 2007.

The National Rifle Association will bring its annual convention back to Louisville in 2016 after last holding the gathering there in 2008. The event is expected to draw about 70,000 attendees.

The Professional Convention Management Association announced 3,751 industry professionals attended its annual Convening Leaders conference, held in Orlando this year—a 4-percent year-over-year increase. More than 700 attended the virtual meeting as well.

The Foundation of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announced its 2013 board of directors, including new chair, Vail Brown, vice president of global sales and marketing at STR.

Nashville’s taxi fleet will grow by close to 20 percent in the lead-up to the opening of the new Music City Center convention facility in May.

GLM’s U.S. Antique Shows division has purchased the Miami National Antiques Show and Sale from Dolphin Promotions for an undisclosed sum. The 36-year-old event attracts about 150 exhibitors annually.

The Global Spectrum-managed St. Charles (Mo.) Convention Center saw operating expenses spike as the venue’s profits fell 65 percent to just over $60,000 in 2012, while revenues held steady at $5.5 million. “It is rare for convention centers to operate at a profit or without any operation subsidy,” says Shura Garnett, general manager of the suburban St. Louis facility.

Last week’s Winter Fancy Food Show set attendance (18,600) and exhibit space (209,750 square feet) records in San Francisco’s Moscone Center.

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