I can't help but perhaps the Convention Center is missing a prime oppertunity right now. Kay Bailey CC in Dallas is hosting the CFB Playoff fan central. FW's, just a short walk from the Sundance festivities, is hosting an RV show. I know we've talked here before about tying those two together, this would have been a good oppertunity.
Unless they scaled it and laid it out quite differntly, FW's isn't large enough. FW has 250k square feet of exhibit space and Playoff Fan Central is using 500k square feet of exhibit space in Dallas.
The point that I was attempting to make [post#59] was one that the CFP is unfair to the players and student bodies; I understand that U of Oregon has already started spring classes. Imagine our Horned Frogs/fans traveling to Pasadena, CA. winning and then having to travel to Miami - WOW!
Amateur sports has officially been turned into a quasi professional endeavor because of the CFP. TV , corporations, entertainers and shamefully, the City of Dallas sees this as just an opportunity for them to make money off of college athletes who cannot be paid and or strictly regulated as to what they can receive. Really, why should Sting make $$$$ - this is not the NFL with $B owners and players earning $M.
For whatever the reason, I am glad that Fort Worth did not seek to make money it that way. It is certainly just for the small businesses (restaurants, hotels,shops) that pay local taxes to benefit. Ideally, when the next turn for North Texas to hold the CFP comes around, I hope that Fort Worth will be the place where all events are free and that our local institutions (zoo, museums,etc.) will accept the out of town fans' "tickets" as a pass to our local attractions.
Yes, let the fans eat, drink and buy locally; but do not view them as an opportunity to make a quick buck.