Retirement Systems of Alabama builds vision for city's future.

Byline: David Irvin

Dec. 17--Downtown Montgomery's new hotel and convention center is the latest addition to a growing portfolio of high-end properties held by the state's retirement system.

After developing dozens of golf courses with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, David Bronner, the CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, moved into the hotel and convention center business eight years ago with the purchase of his first hotel. Bronner reasoned that getting into the hotel and resort business is the most logical way to bring more decision makers to Alabama.

Bronner said he believes the Montgomery convention center will be a "slam dunk" success, but with more than a year until it opens and no events booked, the idea remains untested.

"(Montgomery) is strategically, …