Amazon HQ2 bid

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by OTPandProud1974

I spoke with our mutual friend, 3000. He told you what GWCC claims that is, right?

Seems curious to me, though.

Yes, I did speak with our mutual friend and the response he got from his contact at the GWCC was complete bs. She said the slide is a projection of expected room volume revenue based on events GWCC has booked in the future.

1. So why is HQ2 mentioned on the slide?
2. The slide shows expected room sales volume from 2021 - 2029. First, the hotel has yet to break ground and isn't expected to be operational until 2021. So I find it difficult to believe any group that has booked an event at GWCC in the future has committed to a block of rooms in an unbuilt hotel.
3. Since when do groups or companies select a convention center for their event 11 years in advance? We are now at 2018 and the slide has projections through 2029. I cannot imagine even the largest convention events would book venues that far in advance.

My take, this slide is a projection of booked room volume the new GWCC convention hotel can expect as a result of HQ2. GWWC I believe prepared this slide/projection with booking volume supplied by Amazon for the purpose to needed to underwrite the construction bonds with a revenue projection and 2. This slide was given to the hotel operators responding to GWCC RFP that went out in June to determine the Operator of the hotel and Brand flagging the hotel.

[Atlanta3000]

Duplicate.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by ATL_J

Amazon HQ2 will be in NoVa, most likely Arlington.

@ Atlanta3000

Not sure how you could say how Metro has limited suburban service, considering it's current reach, and currently under construction Silver Line connecting to Dulles.

Additionally, the entire DC Metro is not anti-growth. Just look at all the massive projects entitled along the Dulles Toll Road / Silver Line extension.

I take the time to write a lengthy fact-based post on why I believe HQ2 will not select the DC Metro and you generically repond HQ2 is going to Arlington. Seriously, why even bother to repute another post? I have seen more descriptive instant messages than your post

The Metro only in the last 10 years started expansion with service to the urban areas of Fairfax County. Today Tysons Corner and Reston have Metro service, but you still can't take the Metro from DC to Dulles airport. Most importantly, the Metro has no plans to extend service to Loudoun County. BTW - Loudoun County is the fastest growing area in the DC Metro and in the Top 10 in the US. So I stand by my statement.

https://www.loudountimes.com/news/loudou...577bde8-29ae-5c17-8860-264da827be58.html

[Mentallect]

Atlanta or the NOVA/DC/MD are the only 2 cities truly in the running. Atlanta has eastern time zone, cheaper housing, lots to do, good weather, a major airport, good universities, many educated millennials, a decent metro system. the DC region has more tech talent, but expensive housing, weather isn't as good, 2 smaller international airports, but Bezos owns a massive home there.

[wonshirim]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

1. Jeff Bezos speaking at the Economic Club in Washington on Sept 13th was announced last May. So did Amazon's HQ2 team know in May this would be the time frame they would want to make an announcement and scheduled Jeff's attendance at that the Economic Club accordingly?

2. In October of 2016, Jeff Bezos spoke at the New York Economic Club - so his attendance at Economic Club of DC is not a one off.

3. The DC Economic Club only has 700 club members and only limited media. If Jeff Bezos was going to make the HQ2 announcement at this event:

* The whole event would be centered around the HQ2 announcement and Bezos would not be pontificating his thoughts on current economic events which is the intended purpose of this Economic Club. Make sense?

* If you were the Governor of the State and the Mayor of the City selected for HQ2, wouldn't you be pissed if Amazon chose to make the announcement at a venue you were not invited? Therefore I do not believe the Economic Club event is a proper venue. Given this is the the biggest economic event in a generation and the biggest business news story globally, I would expect the announcement to be a televised press conference with Amazon's Executive Team and the selected city's Mayor and team and State's Governor and Team. PR-101

The more likely scenario if DC metro is selected would be for Jeff Bezos and Amazon to plan the HQ2 announcement the day before or after.

Interesting argument Atlanta3000. I agree with you on the possible downsides of the DC-area and an Economic Club announcement. Just one thing: Amazon is known for its "long-term view" and I don't think politicians (whose seats flip every 4 years or so) are not the biggest hindrance to their decision.

Also, considering the polarized political climate of the nation, anything/anybody the President and GOP attacks automatically has Democrats defending it all the way. Just look at how a porn star who engaged in an adulterous relationship with a married man is the new Joan of Arc for the Democratic Party.

In a sense, I think President Trump attacking Amazon (and the WP) made this a partisan issue and therefore helped Jeff Bezos reach bulletproof status because Democrats will fight for whoever gets under President Trump's skin and GOP at their core are pro-business.

Anyways, I'm quite impressed with your arguments. They make sense. But I don't think there's enough compelling evidence to ascertain the notion that Amazon is headed to Atlanta. Maybe it's just me with limited information, but I don't think they've made substantial moves in Atlanta to say for sure. Can you share just a bit more?

[AlwaysMoving]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Yes, I did speak with our mutual friend and the response he got from his contact at the GWCC was complete bs. She said the slide is a projection of expected room volume revenue based on events GWCC has booked in the future.

The slide says "projection".

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by wonshirim

Interesting argument Atlanta3000. I agree with you on the possible downsides of the DC-area and an Economic Club announcement. Just one thing: Amazon is known for its "long-term view" and I don't think politicians (whose seats flip every 4 years or so) are not the biggest hindrance to their decision.

Also, considering the polarized political climate of the nation, anything/anybody the President and GOP attacks automatically has Democrats defending it all the way. Just look at how a porn star who engaged in an adulterous relationship with a married man is the new Joan of Arc for the Democratic Party.

In a sense, I think President Trump attacking Amazon (and the WP) made this a partisan issue and therefore helped Jeff Bezos reach bulletproof status because Democrats will fight for whoever gets under President Trump's skin and GOP at their core are pro-business.

Anyways, I'm quite impressed with your arguments. They make sense. But I don't think there's enough compelling evidence to ascertain the notion that Amazon is headed to Atlanta. Maybe it's just me with limited information, but I don't think they've made substantial moves in Atlanta to say for sure. Can you share just a bit more?

You are missing the biggest issue. For Amazon this political tit for tat is not them against Trump and the GOP or having the the Democrats on their side. At least 40%+ of the country supports Trump and the GOP Agenda. This polarization in politics could have a major financial impact if this 40%+ decides to shop on non-Amazon sites. Now you see the picture I am painting?

I know I changed my spending habits after companies I shopped with continued to advertise on FOX after the Florida school shooting.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by AlwaysMoving

The slide says "projection".

I am not sure the point you are trying to make, but the GWCC slide does not mention the word "projection" at all. However it does say Hotel Revenue and Room Night Potential which can be interrupted as a "projection".

[Ant131531]

The meltdown will be monumental if Atlanta does not get Amazon. All I'll say.

[ATL_J]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I take the time to write a lengthy fact-based post on why I believe HQ2 will not select the DC Metro and you generically repond HQ2 is going to Arlington. Seriously, why even bother to repute another post? I have seen more descriptive instant messages than your post

The Metro only in the last 10 years started expansion with service to the urban areas of Fairfax County. Today Tysons Corner and Reston have Metro service, but you still can't take the Metro from DC to Dulles airport. Most importantly, the Metro has no plans to extend service to Loudoun County. BTW - Loudoun County is the fastest growing area in the DC Metro and in the Top 10 in the US. So I stand by my statement.

https://www.loudountimes.com/news/loudou...577bde8-29ae-5c17-8860-264da827be58.html

I'm just letting you know where it is going, you don't have to get upset about it.

What statement are you standing by?

[RATBOYKEV]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

The meltdown will be monumental if Atlanta does not get Amazon. All I'll say.

Ever since 28-3 in the 3rd Quarter Atliens should have been inoculated from over-hyping themselves.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by ATL_J

I'm just letting you know where it is going, you don't have to get upset about it.

What statement are you standing by?

Jeff...Jeff Bezos is that you? Thanks for giving us a heads up on where HQ2 is landing because this year long silent period has been nothing short of toxic to the folks on here. Thanks for choosing the skyscraperpage.com forum to break the biggest business story in generation.

Jeff, when stated I stand by statement - I was referencing my earlier post that DC's Metro is lacking in the fastest growing suburban areas of the region. Not to mention it is 2018 and you still can't take the Metro from DC to Dulles Airport. That's is just f'en redonkulous.

[montydawg]

HQ2 finalists open up about Amazon's search committee: 'It's been radio silence' since the visit

This article does not give a lot of details, other than one of their economic development persons was a former business development person in Maryland.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news...rch-economic-development.html#g/439274/2

Mike Grella was director of economic development in 2012, but began to focus on economic development for Amazon Web Services in 2016 when Amazon hiredHolly Sullivan as director of worldwide economic development. Sullivan is the former president of the Montgomery Business Development Corp. in Maryland's Montgomery County, which is an HQ2 finalist.

[AlwaysMoving]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I am not sure the point you are trying to make, but the GWCC slide does not mention the word "projection" at all. However it does say Hotel Revenue and Room Night Potential which can be interrupted as a "projection".

You are correct. I meant to type potential instead of projection.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by OTPandProud1974

I spoke with our mutual friend, 3000. He told you what GWCC claims that is, right?

Seems curious to me, though.

Here is proof the GWCC slide I posted yesterday detailing planned booking projections for HQ2 through 2029 for the new convention hotel was concerning Amazon. See link below to see GWCC's future booking projections from last year.

See page 80, in a Dec 2017 GWCC's presentation illustration their booking projection through 2023. Which is 6 years in the future, not 9 years in the future as the HQ2 slide presented.

https://issuu.com/atlantacvb/docs/december_14__2017__board_presentati

[atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by montydawg

HQ2 finalists open up about Amazon's search committee: 'It's been radio silence' since the visit

This article does not give a lot of details, other than one of their economic development persons was a former business development person in Maryland.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news...rch-economic-development.html#g/439274/2

The article is paywall. What does it say?

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by atlwarrior

The article is paywall. What does it say?

The title pretty much sums up what the article says. No new developments.

[Mentallect]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

What's the major tech college in DC? Can Amazon pull transportation and logistics talent from companies like UPS and Delta? I grew up in Williamsburg, VA and lived in DC for 10 years after college. I know the the strengths and weaknesses of both Atlanta and DC Metro and I would bet my like they are coming here.

The DC region as a whole attracts and retains tech talent. It ranks #4 overall, and #1 for Millennial age women. The regions ranks #1 for overall educational attainment: 56% of regional residents have a BS, 29% have MS. The universities are high quality if not specifically known for Tech. The area draws top STEM talent due to Defense Contractors, Tech Companies, and the Federal Government.

http://dc.citybizlist.com/article/431470...-talent-ranking-4-on-cbres-annual-report

[Mentallect]

Originally Posted by ATL_J

Amazon HQ2 will be in NoVa, most likely Arlington.

@ Atlanta3000

Not sure how you could say how Metro has limited suburban service, considering it's current reach, and currently under construction Silver Line connecting to Dulles.

Additionally, the entire DC Metro is not anti-growth. Just look at all the massive projects entitled along the Dulles Toll Road / Silver Line extension.

Earlier in the year, I thought ATL had a 60% chance and NOVA about 20% along with Raleigh. Now, I surmise the percentage has almost reversed with Nova at about 50% and ATL at 25%.

[Mentallect]

Originally Posted by AtlHeel

yes, but they can't kill their non-virgin to-be-wed daughters!

Organized Religion is the greatest fraud ever invented to enrich men who prey on the fears, gullibility, racism, hate, and desire to control others. Nobody stops people from praying at home, and no one can come between a person and Christ/God.