A Snapshot of the Convention and Event Business

| March 16, 2015 

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:300;s:4:"file";s:32:"2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"CindyFisherCrawford2-336x168.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:168;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"CindyFisherCrawford2-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"CindyFisherCrawford2-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"CindyFisherCrawford2-470x235.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:235;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"CindyFisherCrawford2-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:114956;s:14:"optimized_size";i:57361;s:7:"percent";d:50.100000000000001;}s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:60:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:37234;s:14:"optimized_size";i:10310;s:7:"percent";d:72.310000000000002;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:68:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6290;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4693;s:7:"percent";d:25.390000000000001;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:68:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2-336x168.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:8683;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5398;s:7:"percent";d:37.829999999999998;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:68:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2-600x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:22859;s:14:"optimized_size";i:12513;s:7:"percent";d:45.259999999999998;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:68:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:20499;s:14:"optimized_size";i:13383;s:7:"percent";d:34.710000000000001;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:68:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2-470x235.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:13960;s:14:"optimized_size";i:6995;s:7:"percent";d:49.890000000000001;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:68:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/03/CindyFisherCrawford2-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5431;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4069;s:7:"percent";d:25.079999999999998;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1664538352 
1426464000

Birmingham did not win the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Nor has it hosted an NCAA basketball tournament game in years. But players in Birmingham’s tourism and convention industry are working to keep a steady stream of events through the city. We have a snapshot of that industry in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.

 

Memphis and Portland, Ore. brace for troops. Why Chicago might be next

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the Department of Homeland Security has requested for 100 military personnel to help protect ICE agents and facilities in his state.

5 takeaways from the U.S. ceasefire proposal for Israel and Hamas

The leaders of the U.S. and Israel say they have agreed to a broad plan that could end Israel's war in Gaza. But substantial uncertainties remain.

EV sales surge in the U.S. ahead of Sept. 30 tax credit deadline

A $7,500 tax credit is available for the lease or purchase of many electric vehicles — but only if contracts are inked by midnight on Sept. 30. The result: The market for EVs is a little distorted.

Government to shut down after midnight barring last minute breakthrough in Congress

Democrats and Republicans have been unable to resolve an impasse over federal healthcare spending. The government will shutdown at the end of the day on Tuesday barring a last-minute breakthrough.

Trump, Hegseth to headline a highly unusual gathering of top military officials

It is highly unusual to bring in military leaders from across the globe to one central location. The president said the meeting would discuss "esprit de corps."

As sports betting explodes, should states set more limits to stop gambling addiction?

With concerns about addiction rising, some advocates and lawmakers call for federal regulations on the gambling industry — but would settle for more state laws to help curb excessive betting.

More Economy Coverage