GARDEN GROVE : City Representatives to Attend Shopping Center Convention
City representatives will attend a Las Vegas convention of shopping center operators in an effort to attract new businesses to the city.
But City Council members attending the International Council of Shopping Centers spring convention will have to spend their own money, according to a city policy adopted last year in response to criticism that city officials have turned the annual conference into a junket.
The council last week authorized City Manager George Tindall to select four employees to represent the city, at a cost of about $16,000. Council members did not say they will attend the convention, but Councilman Mark Leyes said he is considering going.
The convention brings together shopping center owners, operators, tenants, developers, investors and public officials eager to bring new business to their municipalities.
Community Development Director Matthew Fertal said that last year, city officials met with several developers, including representatives from AMC Theaters, which had shown interest in converting the Agency-owned Costco building into a movie theater.
This year’s convention, scheduled May 16 to 18, will include seminars and a trade show, Fertal said.
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