The Convention.

Next year's Democratic confab will pump millions into L.A.'s economy, but real benefits probably won't be felt until 2001

NEXT summer's Democratic National Convention at the new Staples Center will serve as a great P.R. opportunity for the city of Los Angeles, though its biggest impact might not be felt until 2001.

Convention organizers estimate that the convention will bring $150 million to $190 million in direct economic benefits to the city next year. But Bruce Baltin, senior vice president of PKF Consulting, points out that the city of Los Angeles boasted a higher hotel occupancy rate in 1985- the year after the city hosted the Olympic Games - than it did during the games in 1984.

"(The convention) only lasts a few days, but that's not counting the delegates who come a week early or stay a week later, or plan a trip the following year," Baltin said.

Past political convention host cities cite the "halo", effect of scoring such a visible event. San Diego tourism officials believe getting the 1996 Republican National Convention helped the city land the Super Bowl in 2003. And Atlanta credits the Democratic National Convention in 1988 for helping the city win the Super Bowl in 1994 and the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996.

"You don't go after these events for the tourism opportunities," said Fred Sainz, who served as director of convention planning for the Republican National Convention in 1996 and is now vice president of communications for the San Diego Convention Center Corp. "You go after them because they raise your visibility as a city and qualify you to host large-scale events."

Not that L.A. doesn't have high visibility - it's just in the wrong way, what with memories of fires, earthquakes, floods and recession. A successful convention might help reverse some of those perceptions.

The convention, which runs from Aug. 14 to 17, will occupy 18,000 rooms in 78 hotels. It will bring 5,000 convention delegates, 15,000 media representatives and 30,000 visitors, guests and corporate executives spending money on hotels, restaurants, cab rides, and parties.

"Unlike the New York convention in 1992, which ended at 11 p.m. because of the East Coast time slot, ours will finish around 8 or 9p.m., giving everyone extra time to hit the restaurants and nightlife," said Ben Austin, communications director for L.A. Convention 2000.

About $35 million in public and private funds is expected to be spent locally for the event - the bulk of that coming from fund-raising efforts coordinated by local heavyweights like Eli Broad, David Geffen and Steven Spielberg. Their goal is to raise $28 million, and to date, about 70 percent of that total has been met. The city is budgeting about $7 million for transportation and security costs.

Many area hotels already have bookings, including the Regent Beverly Wilshire, the Century Plaza Hotel & Tower, the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites. Yet hoteliers are reluctant to raise rates.

"Had we raised them, we may have not gotten the convention," said Joe Phillips, director of sales for the Westin, which has booked 1,000 rooms. "We're not looking to gouge people. This is good business for us and them."

August is traditionally a busy tourism month for Los Angeles, with occupancy rates averaging around 75 percent to 80 percent. That means some regular tourists may face displacement or be forced to alter plans. "Many people will change the timing of their arrival and come later or earlier in the summer," Baltin said.

Or, if they do come, they will stay in surrounding areas, often outside of Los Angeles.

"We had to go to Anaheim, Long .Beach and Palm Springs to place our customers," said Noel Irwin Hentschel, chairwoman and chief executive of AmericanTours International Inc., an operator of travel and bus tours. "August is a busy month for the European market and they book with us one year in advance. We're fortunate that Los Angeles is such a big area that rooms can be accommodated within the region."

Actually, the convention won't be the city's biggest event next year. Next year's 32 conventions include the 62,000-delegate Spring Internet World gathering in April and the 60,000-delegate National Association of Music Merchants convention.