News 12 at 6 o'clock, Thursday, February 9, 2012

AUGUSTA,Ga -- A pre-opening marketing plan was unveiled this morning for the Augusta Convention Center.

At a meeting with the Downtown Development Authority, the Bureau announced they have five contracts for events at the TEE Center including the Georgia Chiefs of Police in January 2013, Mary Kay Career Conference and the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Annual Conference.

"It is TEE-rrific," said Peggy Seigler with the Augusta Visitor's Bureau. "My life is TEE-centric these days."

Their plan is to roll out the marketing plan at nine trade shows this year. There is a race against the clock to complete a complex with its first group scheduled for January 2013.

The Visitor's Bureau unveiled the $350,000 pre-opening marketing plan for the TEE Center Thursday morning.

"It's never enough," said Seigler.

The campaign is pushing 9 downtown hotpots to reel in business.

"You got some James Brown, some James Oglethorpe, the Savannah River and you can snack like no tomorrow," said Seigler.

The center itself will feed 1800 and seat 3000 people.

"When you travel what do you like to do," questioned Seigler. "Eat. Shop. We got that."

The thing we don't have yet is an actual management agreement.

"That would probably be helpful," said Barry White with the Visitor's Bureau. "Yes."

The marketing campaigning is being funded through hotel-motel tax dollars.