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Oxnard economy scores on Cowboys camp
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Eric Parsons / Star staff California Welcome Center concierge Peggy A. Poehler, left, and manager Rachel Harris organize a display of Dallas Cowboys beach towels at the center in Oxnard. The camp generates millions in revenue, a study found.
Eric Parsons / Star staff
STORY TOOLS 
More from Local NewsHoisted on the shoulders of the Cowboys, Oxnard is about to snatch national attention.
The Dallas Cowboys are bringing more than pro football to Oxnard. They're also bringing fans and dollars to the area.
The Cowboys' training camp kicks off today at the Residence Inn by Marriott Oxnard.
The opening ceremony is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday next to the hotel at the River Ridge Fields near Ventura Road and Vineyard Avenue.
The real score will be the economic boost and exposure, which will make Oxnard a destination for Cowboys fans throughout the country.
"From an advertising and media perspective, it's priceless," said Janet Sederquist, president and CEO of the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau. "You can't purchase this kind of media coverage on network television."
Scheduled to conclude Aug. 12, the training camp is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors per day, a higher count than in previous years, Sederquist said. Despite facing a shaky economy and surging gas and food prices, visitors are expected to spend big money on hotels, shopping, sightseeing, food and gasoline.
A report conducted by California Lutheran University in 2004, the last time the study was completed, found the training camp generated about $4.5 million to $5.3 million in gross revenue. The tax benefit was estimated to be $365,000 to $426,000.
This year's camp likely will be the last such windfall. The Cowboys last trained here in 2006 and returned this year because of a scheduling conflict with the Alamodome in San Antonio, where the team has a five-year camp contract.
"The additional revenue is a plus — the tax revenue is great for the city," said Steve Kinney, president of the Economic Development Corp. in Oxnard.
There are certainly revenue perks, Kinney said, but the biggest benefit is the potential for new tourists, drawn by the Cowboys, to become future repeat visitors. "That's the real home run."
Of course, some city services are stepped up during the camp that cut into proceeds. But for the overall exposure, it's worth it, Kinney said.
Police resources and private security will be at the camp, a cost split with the Cowboys, said David Keith, Oxnard Police Department spokesman.
Security is brought in as needed, so it's difficult to estimate the cost of the added security, he said.
The three-week camp in 2004 drew about 70,000 people, according to CLU's report. That year, 73 percent of attendees were from outside the county.
Local vendors are hoping that high gas prices won't keep die-hard fans away this year.
Loss of disposable income is always a concern, said Adam Reide, general manager of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse in Oxnard.
"We definitely benefit from the camp," Reide said. As a way of showing appreciation for the influx of business, the restaurant provides free lunch for some of the camp's corporate sponsors, such as American Airlines.
During previous camps, the restaurant has been packed with fans decked out in Cowboy garb. Even some of the players make an appearance.
"I think those people that are friends and followers of the Cowboys are going to be here," said Patrick Mullin, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Oxnard.
Even though room rates are higher, he expects the hotel to be as booked as it was in earlier years. Though the hotel didn't reach maximum occupancy every day of previous camps, "we did very well," Mullin said.
Hosting the camp has put Oxnard on the map, Mullin said. He mentioned that his in-laws from Texas have read about Oxnard in their local newspaper during previous camps.
"That can only be beneficial to all of us, so they can see the weather and see the type of place Oxnard is," he said. "And some people return for vacations or to do business."
The Residence Inn by Marriott Oxnard is sold out to the Dallas team and media almost the entire time the Cowboys are in town, according to Debbie Chicca, director of sales and marketing.
She expects the hotel to be more packed than in previous years because the crew for HBO's "Hard Knocks," a TV documentary series on the NFL team, also will be staying at the hotel.
"We appreciate having (the Cowboys) here. They're wonderful," Chicca said.
Posted by keepin_it_real on July 24, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So for the rest of us who don't care, stay away from the area and take the back roads to get around all that traffic in the Ventura and Vineyard area. I remember before, traffic was bad during the time they were here all over town. So give yourselves more time to get around.
Tax revenues? More $$$ for Oxnard to misuse.
Posted by keepin_it_real on July 24, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh brother, Now I just read the Salsa Festival is going on at Plaza Park, which I have no problem with, but now there will be congestion in both parts of town.
Posted by Dr_Squires on July 24, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Raiders !!!
Posted by narc121 on July 24, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on the money Keepin_it_real!
oh, and I seriously doubt people return to Oxnard for their vacations! I live in Oxnard and there are many more places I would rather visit on my vacation time.
Posted by oxnard40 on July 24, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It will be interesting to see if the Star will print "all the crimes" that happen in Oxnard while the Cowboys are in town. It seems that the Star has at least one story a day dealing with a stabbing or robbery in Oxnard. With national exposure towards the city, we will see how our local paper reports the crime in Oxnard.
Posted by ethier16 on July 24, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
just because the cowboys are here dosent mean there is going to be more crime, thats stupid!! the gangs fight regardless!
Posted by oxnard40 on July 24, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ethier16...I'm not saying that. I just want to know how much of this crime is the Star going to report.
Posted by high_society on July 24, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You'd think with all that money they make every year they would use it for community security and more cops and really target the hoodlum problem.
I don't understand how Oxnard could be in so much debt.
Posted by gen on July 24, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would be a pretty pissed off hotel guest if I was moved to accommodate the players. I'm glad they chose little 'ol Oxnard but to play it up each and every year they come out is pretty lame. I'm sorry but I don't honestly see people coming out here after training camp because there really isn't that much to offer "tourists". The next 3 weeks will be filled with more congestion and idiots.
Posted by bubbles on July 24, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't understand what crime has to do with this article or the Cowboys? Our city's hotels need some kind of draw, let's just be glad the Cowboys are coming.
Posted by FedUp on July 24, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"3 weeks out of the year isn't boosting anything."
the hospitality tax that goes to the city is a huge part of the revenue that the city takes in every year. if you have a hotel that usually runs at 75% occupancy midweek, with an average rate in the $150 range, that may not be a ton of tax revenue. but when the same hotel runs at 100% occupancy for 12 days straight, at a much higher average rate, the tax revenue is increased exponentially.
I dont know the exact figures, but that is how it works. So yes, it is boosting the economy in a sense. and when fans travel to the area for a couple of days to watch the practices, they are definitely spending money in the city. that equals more money for the city.
how the city decides to spend that money is a whole other story though.
Posted by 2smokingbarrels on July 24, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My favorite team is any team playing the cowboys, however, bringing them here can only be positive. Yeah we have to deal with some congestion but that is happening everyday without them because of how our city has been managed. The Cowboys are going to put us in the national spotlight and hopefully encourage our city officials to make Oxnard the beach community it should be.
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You might be underestimating the impact of fans. With Southern California starved for another football team, some fans may be willing to drive out here for 1 day(few hours) to see the team. That's a visit that could generate dining revenue, possibly a visit to local shopping venues, a coffee at Starbucks, gas at a local gas station. Again...revenues that would not have happened if not for the purpose of visiting this camp.
I don't believe the demographic that generates these revenues are the fans currently living in the immediate area. It's a good thing, a nuisance for those that live and drive around that area, but a good thing for the city nonetheless. Not that the city will know what to properly do with the added revenues, but just didn't want people to discredit the impact of such an event.
Posted by oxnard40 on July 24, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The article failed to mention some of the "true" non-profits that have concession booths at the camp for fundraisers. Some of the local high school football programs sell food and drinks.
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only problems that could arise (economically) are if those darn illegal red-headed Canadian gophers show up and ruin everything by "taking all of the jobs" and then sending that money they earn via underground wires back to their red-headed gopher relatives in Canada.
Knowing "their kind", they are probably going to abuse our health care system while they're in town and commit random acts of violence against some Camarillo Elitist or maybe ruin someone's wedding by starting a fight after crashing the reception. Where are those Mighty Minutemen Militia when you need them? (and ladies...it's been rumored that they DO call them "minutemen" for a reason!!!)
Posted by FedUp on July 24, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
can we stay on topic for at least one of these articles folks? seriously. this place has gotten out of hand with off topic ramblings lately. I feel bad for Bruce....
Posted by FedUp on July 24, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oh yeah, as far as which economy it helps, it helps both local and national. if a national company is selling product, some of the revenue stays within the US. Plus, most of the taxes stay local. same goes for mom and pop type places.
any business is good business for the economy.
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The groundskeeper in yesterday's article was talking about gophers possibly being an issue with the fields that the Cowboys will be training on. If they're not allowed to be on the field they can be deemed "illegal", who knows with Oxnard's water what color their hair may be changed to, could be "red" and heck, gophers could have originated from almost anywhere...including Canada.
If said gophers were to appear in mass quantities, that could cancel the training camp in Oxnard and move them to Thousand Oaks and thus negatively impact the event as planned as well as Oxnard's expected revenue stimulus.
How is that off-topic?
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(takes a bow) rather long link to the story...but link was established nonetheless.
Posted by mamaof2 on July 24, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is a good thing that the cowboys are coming.
Posted by FedUp on July 24, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BabyzDaddy_01 - sorry, but that is a loooong stretch from what was actually talked about in the article. re-read what you wrote, and you will see that you are waaaaay off the topic from this article. sorry, but the more and more of these "blogs" that get thrown off topic, just brings us closer to having this option removed from the site.
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Happy Thursday FedUp! Lighten up pal.
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With some of the topics and "off-topics" discussed ont these threads, I at times find the discussions more informative and insightful than the original article. In fact, sometimes I find the article is less accurate and at times unworthy of having been published. The growing interest in these threads I think is good for the community as we not only read and believe what we've read (which is bad), but we have back and forth debate and at times (heaven forbid) funny comments about the articles. Removing the option of these threads is equal to cutting the "vocal chords" of the community. Would the Star REALLY want to do that? I don't think so. I'm not using crude language nor making derogatory statements against any ethnic group like others that have posted in the past. (except gophers...I hate gophers)
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Happy Thursday Bruce!!!
Posted by smithd_d on July 24, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
does the gang injunction cover that area? I would hate to see the cops busting all those cowboy jersey wearing gangstas OH! I mean fans!
Posted by krazyd805 on July 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on now people. Everybody is quick to bash something that the city has going on. Would you be talking the same trash if the Raiders were in town? You would probably be talk more Sh*#! I live right across from the practice field and yes it gets crazy at times but I don’t say anything bad about it. I’m glad the Cowboys are here. I wish they could make this their permanent place to practice every year. I work in the entertainment field and you need to realize is that Oxnard, Ventura and Camarillo are LOVED by celebrities and others. Like one celeb said (Oxnard is so relaxing. I love going out there to escape from LA)! I was born and raised here and let me tell you this. I have lived in LA and recently moved back. I am so proud to call Oxnard my home. The weather here is great through out the year and yes we have gang problems but who doesn’t. Be glad they are not bad A** gang’s like in LA or any other counties down south. Where they shoot you driving on the freeway or other gang related stuff you here in the news that comes from down south. I’m just saying, with all that is going on in the city for the next 2 weeks (Salsa Festival, Cowboys, VC Fair) be glad people are going to come here and spend their hard earn money in our area restaurants, clothing stores, hotels, etc etc! Regardless what the gas prices are at. If you don’t like it, then maybe should move out of the area were you can be miserable somewhere else.
Posted by FedUp on July 24, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BabyzDaddy_01 - please do not take it the wrong way. I agree with you. friendly banter is what makes my day go round. it just seems that more and more of these articles end up with "comments were removed".
it seems like a lot of people on here now, know each other and could actually have their conversations via email or phone, instead of in the middle of a debate about whether or not the gang banger is an illegal alien or not. (whew, long sentence)
Posted by BabyzDaddy_01 on July 24, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ditto what JR posted.
I hear ya FedUp. Peace tho'?
I personally don't know anyone on this thread, which is nice because I'd stop knowing them if they posted what SOME people post on these things.
I'd probably end up as an article ("fight broke out between friends in local neighborhood carne asada event over comments made on Star article message thread") then the Star would run it for 3 days straight under a slightly different headline and allude that there may be gang ties and that I'm an unidentified and latino. (How could they KNOW that I'm possibly Latino and have gang ties if have not been identified??? I always wonder that.)
Posted by FedUp on July 24, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Peace? absolutely. never thought anything differently. :)
Posted by sirdvsdsw on July 24, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Money was taken shortly after victima cashed their checks in El Rio
Posted by moyalva2003 on July 24, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wah wah wah all you ladies do here is whine and complain!! Even if 'Americas Team' is in town, geez!!
Posted by sunnbear on July 24, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The fact remains the same. Cowboys BLOW!
Posted by sirdvsdsw on July 24, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY COWBOYS!!!!!
Posted by whatsup805 on July 24, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Raider fans are thugs, stupid and low class. You cant go to Oakland game wearing Cowboys jersey because they will fight, spit and throw crap at you.
Cowboy fans have class!
Posted by sirdvsdsw on July 24, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I FEAR NO RAIDERS JERSEY, THEY WILL FEAR ME!!!
Posted by mendozadonna on July 24, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said whatsup805. I will be visiting Oxnard to see the Cowboys practice & visit Cowboy Craig, and buy some jersey's & t-shirts. =)
Posted by mypov on July 24, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the VTA STar is definetley one sided!!! I am happy to haVE the Cowboys here and the revenue and positive attraction for Oxnard, but talk about the biggest hypocrite (the city of Oxnard)!!! How can you feel good or be encouraged to go see the Cowboys train, when in the majority of Oxnard you cant wear Cowboy clothing, even if your not a gang member, you will get stopped or questioned. I wonder if the Cowboys Mangement knows about that!! Why doesnt the Star comment on that!!!!!
Posted by stnerhno on July 24, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If as a pro football fan you spend anything more than the energy it takes to change the channel of the game you are watching, you are spending to much. Heaven forbid you spend hard earned money on pro football paraphernalia.
Posted by daze805 on July 25, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, I am fed up with Fed Up.
Go Raiders.
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