Major Convention Center Expansion and Renovation Projects

Many cities throughout the United States are sprucing up their convention centers and adding more space to attract larger groups. The following facility projects are either recently debuted, in the middle of renovation work or awaiting approval. For more information about the convention centers and destinations best suited for hosting large events, download the Convention Cities Index.

Latest Convention Center News

George R. Brown Convention Center

The city of Houston and the Houston First Corp., the Texas city's destination management organization that oversees the George R. Brown Convention Center, have announced the sale of approximately $1.38 billion in hotel-occupancy-tax and special revenue bonds to fund the first phase of the Convention District Transformation Project. The city says the money will cover the initial phase of the master plan, although early estimates said the project would cost $1.8 billion.

The master plan aims to reconnect Houston's East End with downtown, thereby creating a walkable convention and entertainment district. In the first phase, the George R. Brown Convention Center, which is managed by Houston First, will gain a 700,000-square-foot expansion that will provide access to the Toyota Center arena with a new 100,000-square-foot plaza.

The new space, called GRB Houston South, will open in 2028 with:

• Two exhibition halls, totaling 150,000 square feet;
• A 50,000-square-foot multipurpose hall with doors that open to the new Central Plaza, offering flexible indoor/outdoor space;
• An atrium flex hall totaling 25,000 square feet;
• 225,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space;
• The largest ballroom in Texas, offering 60,000 to 80,000 square feet with views of downtown;
• Dedicated ground-level spaces for retail and restaurants; and
• A new central atrium providing each level with natural light.

Huntington Place

The Detroit Regional Convention and Facility Authority and Detroit-based Congress & Associates have announced that a new hotel will be built connected to the city's convention center, Huntington Place.

The property, which will have about 600 rooms, will be the second connected to the facility. Currently under construction is the 601-room JW Marriott Water Square, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

Part of a master planning initiative, the new hotel is one of several expansion projects in and around Huntington Place — such as the Second Ave. connector — that aim to transform the area into a hub for downtown activity and community connectivity. Construction on the new hotel could begin as soon as 2027. No brand has been chosen for the property yet.

At the end of March, Huntington Place achieved LEED Gold recertification, the latest milestone in a multiyear sustainability journey to improve operations. The facility originally gained LEED Gold certification in 2019 and was recertified the first time in 2023. The convention center features 723,000 square feet of exhibit space and its 40,000-square-foot ballroom is the largest in Michigan. 

Other Convention Center Projects Underway

Austin Convention Center

The Austin Convention Center closed in April for a top-to-bottom reconstruction and expansion. After several months of demolition, actual reconstruction began in September. Designed by LMN/Page, a joint venture, the cutting-edge new center will nearly double the rentable square footage of the existing facility, growing from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet. The $1.6 billion project, known as Unconventional ATX, will be funded through hotel occupancy taxes and convention center revenues. Nearly $18 million will be used to fund public art projects for the new space.

The design reimagines traditional event spaces, prioritizing accessibility, flexibility and sustainability. Key architectural highlights include expansive outdoor features, such as open-air terraces, public plazas, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections. A modern facade, sweeping roof structures and transparent designs to maximize natural light will be highlights of the architecture. The new Austin Convention Center aims be the world’s first zero-carbon-certified convention center by the International Living Futures Institute. Construction is expected to finish up in late 2028, reopening for the 2029 spring-festival season.

While the facility is closed, several downtown hotels have teamed up to offer their combined spaces to larger groups. They can be found in the Red River Collection and the AustinPlace Hotel Collection.

Baltimore Convention Center

The Baltimore Convention Center has completed several infrastructure and guest-experience upgrades at a cost of more than $30 million — the most substantial modernization at the facility in decades. Among the improvements, five freight and two passenger elevators were replaced. Currently, 14 bathrooms are being modernized with upgraded lighting, ventilation and finishes, to be completed by the end of the year.

Critical enhancements are underway to the venue’s fire-life safety and IT infrastructure, including a new public safety command center and IT server room. Software systems are being updated, strobe-light coverage expanded, and the capability of the evacuation-alert system is being enhanced. The significant renovation of a pedestrian bridge connecting the BCC to the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor also will improve reliability, safety, accessibility and aesthetics. The BCC also has completed a full-scale network upgrade. Enhancements include 220 Cisco Wi-Fi 6 access points — doubling previous wireless coverage.

Additional projects are planned over the next two years. The landscaping will be redone, food-and-beverage outlets will be renovated, digital signage will be installed throughout, and new exciting public art will be added.

Cobb Convention Centre Atlanta

The Cobb Convention Center Atlanta, formerly the Cobb Galleria Centre, has rebranded as part of a $190 million renovation and expansion project. The work is happening in phases: The facility closed in September 2025 for a renovation of the exhibit halls, the ballroom and the common areas. The convention center reopened this month and will remain open throughout 2026 to host trade shows, expos, meetings, conventions and social events in the exhibit halls and ballroom. The expansion project will continue through early 2027.

When completed, the Cobb Convention Center will include the following: 

• In the exhibit halls: New LED lights with three color temperatures and color-changing capabilities; a new grab 'n' go market in Hall A, and renovated food outlets in the additional three halls; and renovated restrooms.
• In the ballroom and prefunction spaces, new carpets, wall coverings, chandeliers and wood finishes will be installed, the restrooms redone, and new lighting systems and speakers added.
• The rotunda now has new terrazzo flooring, glass railings and wood finishes, and a signature sculptural chandelier will be installed in April. 
• New fixed and digital signage has been added throughout.
• The renovated, state-of-the-art kitchen has all-new equipment, a pastry kitchen and an expanded pantry.

The Galleria Specialty Shops are in the process of being demolished to make way for an expansion to include: 

• A new, two-story grand entryway, and the addition of 13,000 square feet of indoor event space in the form of a 7,200-square-foot junior ballroom, 11 new meeting rooms and an executive boardroom, bringing the total of state-of-the-art meeting space with enhanced graphics and technology to 24,000 square feet;
• An 11,000-square-foot event courtyard and a separate garden, both allowing natural light to reach interior conference room spaces; and
• New, connected parking with covered, all-weather access into the expanded facility.  

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center

The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center has earned its second LEED Gold certification. The facility has expanded its recycling programs — diverting 378.4 tons of waste from landfills in 2024 — and has reduced energy use by 11 percent and water use by 16 percent since 2019.

In January, the city approved a new headquarters hotel for the center, choosing Omni Hotels & Resorts to develop the 1,000-room property. The design process will take place this year, with construction expected to start in 2026. The Omni New Orleans is expected to open in 2029.

The convention center has been undergoing a $557 million upgrade for several years. In 2024, about $37 million was spent to replace 1.9 million square feet of outdated roofing with an energy-efficient system that deflects heat away from the building. The old materials were recycled, some to be used in parking lots. 

A project is underway to renovate 140 meeting rooms this year, with work scheduled around events that will be using the convention center. Also in this phase, all prefunction spaces and corridors are being redone with added seating pods and gathering areas. The next phase of improvements will focus on the exterior and the addition of grand entrances.

First Financial Center in Cincinnati

The new name of Cincinnati's recently renovated convention facility is the First Financial Center. A $240 million transformation of the property debuted in January with a new façade, and the exhibition hall now flows into the new outdoor Elm Street Plaza, which opened late last year. Additional highlights of the project include the incorporation of the latest in sustainable technology to reduce the center's environmental impact and its operating costs; revitalized ballrooms; a sunlit prefunction area; and a new rooftop terrace offering views of the city.

The plaza, which was unveiled in November, features 2 acres of outdoor activation space extended from the renovated convention center (it's available for receptions, parties, live music and food trucks); plus a new pavilion and walking paths.

A new headquarters hotel is going up across the street from the center, and will be connected to the facility by skywalk. The $536 million Marriott convention property is expected to feature more than 62,000 square feet of its own meeting space and a 17,000 square foot events terrace; a full-service, three-meal restaurant and outdoor bar with panoramic skyline views; and 15,000 square feet of retail space. Construction was expected to begin by the end of this year. 

Fort Worth Convention Center

Details of the $606 million phase 2 of the Fort Worth Convention Center renovation and expansion project have been revealed. A new, flexible convention building will be built in place of the complex's 1968 arena, and additional work will modernize the existing building, which has not been significantly renovated since the previous expansion in 2003.

A transparent, four-story structure will feature a central tower, a plaza with native prairie green space connecting to General Worth Square and terraces for outdoor events with expansive downtown views. Inside, flexible spaces and Texas-inspired design will enable Fort Worth to host larger conventions or two large events simultaneously.

Once complete, the expanded and modernized facility will feature a total of 257,268 square feet of exhibit space, 60,917 square feet in meeting space, 74,033 square feet in ballroom space and 16 loading docks.

The 618-room Omni Fort Worth Hotel, across from the convention center, is working on its own $200 million expansion, which will add 400 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space. The project is anticipated to open in 2026.

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center

Work on an expansion to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Florida continues. The  facility currently has 800,000 square feet of space, featuring a 350,000-square-foot exhibit hall and two ballrooms. When the new project is completed, the center will cover more than 1.2 million square feet, with a 350,000-square-foot exhibition hall; four ballrooms, including a new 65,000-square-foot waterfront ballroom; 50 breakout rooms; upgraded technology; enhanced water taxi access; and a 5-acre waterfront plaza with three restaurants, an amphitheater and outdoor event space.

In total, the BCCC is getting an additional 525,000 square feet of meeting space and an 800-room headquarters hotel at a cost of $1 billion. Both the convention center space and the hotel are expected to debut later this year.

Hawai'i Convention Center

A request for proposal was issued on April 1 for a project that will include critical upgrades and repairs to the Hawai'i Convention Center in Honolulu. According to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the facility will operate under a modified schedule throughout 2026 and 2027 to accommodate the work. The main effort is a $64 million rooftop repair; improvements also are planned in order to enhance the guest experience, increase sustainability and optimize operational efficiency.

The HTA is working with organizers of six citywide events that were scheduled for 2026 and 12 for 2027 to explore alternative dates and venues within Hawai‘i for future years. The convention center will remain available for local events, with scheduling adjusted to align with construction timelines to ensure continued community access.

Indiana Convention Center

The sixth expansion to the Indiana Convention Center since it opened in 1972 is underway. This time, about 143,500 square feet of usable space is being added, including a 50,000-square-foot ballroom. When completed, the total exhibit, ballroom, meeting room and prefunction space at the Indianapolis's convention facility and Lucas Oil Stadium complex will be more than 1.1 million square feet. 

Also being constructed is an 800-room Signia Hilton that will be connected to the convention facility by climate-controlled skywalk, bringing the number of hotel rooms with direct access to the center up to 5,520. Both projects should debut by late 2026.

Judson F. Williams Convention Center

The city of El Paso, Texas, is spending $4.8 million for two downtown properties on the block directly behind the current Judson F. William Convention Center for an expansion of the 133,000-square-foot facility. “This is a critical first step in preparing El Paso to host larger and more impactful events,” El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson told KFOXTV.

According to a spokesperson for Destination El Paso, the project is early in the planning stages, and the city is working with consultants on defining plans and possibilities. At this point, only the location has been chosen for the expansion. Stay tuned for more details.

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas

The expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas has entered the implementation and construction phases. Last year, the Dallas City Council Council awarded a $7.55 million contract for a construction manager at risk for the expansion project to Trinity Alliance Ventures LLC for preconstruction services and consideration for future construction. The council also approved a $25 million contract to Gensler, to provide architectural and engineering design services for the renovation and reconstruction of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium, the future home for the WNBA Dallas Wings. In addition, a $22 million contract was awarded to KAI/Alliance LC for Component Four, the renovation and reconstruction of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters.

Costing more than $3 billion, the rebuilt center will offer 750,000 square feet of exhibit space, 181,000 square feet of meeting space, a 105,000-square-foot ballroom and a walkable entertainment district. The plan aims to bridge downtown Dallas with nearby neighborhoods the Cedars and the planned Rail District through improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

Kentucky Exposition Center

The Kentucky Exposition Center began a multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation project in August 2024. Crews demolished parts of the existing facility, including Newmarket Hall. The cleared space is paving the way for Phase I of the project, a $180 million, 350,000-square-foot multipurpose building that will be the facility’s largest exhibit hall. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The $213 million Phase II will redevelop the West Wing, the West Hall and the Pavilion into a 249,000-square-foot multipurpose wing. This phase also will enhance the food-and-beverage operations in the South Wing.

Las Vegas Convention Center

A rolling $600 million, three-year renovation to the existing Las Vegas Convention Center, which began in May 2023, has been unveiled. The project follows the construction of the West Hall, a 1.4 million-square-foot expansion that opened in June 2021.

Upgrades include a climate-controlled interior concourse that connects the North and South Halls, and a redesigned South Hall, with a new entrance on the building's east side, as well as a new boardroom and administrative office complex. The new Central Hall Grand Lobby, naturally lit through its glass curtain wall, features a 75-by-42-foot digital screen that, along with two smaller screens, allows for prominent branding opportunities. Elements of the newer West Hall's signature ribbon design have been added across the campus. The project debuted in time for the opening of the 2026 CES technology trade show.

Los Angeles Convention Center

The Los Angeles City Council voted to approve the Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project (above). According to the city, the investment will create more than 15,000 jobs, add $652 million in tax revenue over 30 years and draw in more than $150 million in additional visitor spending each year. 

"I want to thank the mayor and the city council for their bold leadership and commitment to this legacy project that will make the convention center a premier destination for decades to come," said Doane Liu, chief tourism officer and executive director of the L.A. City Tourism Department. "When the city of Los Angeles locks arms and shares a vision, we can successfully complete complex projects that make a positive lasting impact for Angelenos."

The project, designed by architecture firm Populous, will connect the two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one contiguous hall with more than 750,000 square feet of exhibit space. Also to be built are 39,000 square feet of new meeting rooms and a unique, 98,000 square foot multipurpose space atop the expansion, filled with natural light and dubbed the Halo. "It can be used for everything," noted Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, of the Halo. "If you want a 2-acre ballroom, there are no pillars — it's contiguous space. Or you can divide it up into dozens of plenary spaces."

The majority of construction will be complete by spring 2028, and subsequently will be paused from June to October 2028 for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Construction will resume after the games, and the project will be completed by spring 2029. The convention center will remain open and operational throughout the expansion.

Minneapolis Convention Center

The Minneapolis Convention Center has completed the first half of a $25 million modernization project. This initial stage aimed to make 45 of the MCC’s 87 meeting rooms more comfortable and technologically advanced.

Among the highlights of the newly renovated rooms are:

• New linear LED fixtures with theatrical-grade controls allow for customized ambiance tailored to each event.
  Upgraded electrical, data, fiber and audio infrastructure ensure consistency across rooms. 
• New linear HVAC diffusers improve ventilation and temperature control. 
• Interiors are light, with wood-wall accents, wood-grain metal doors and wood-grain metal ceiling tiles that add warmth. 
• Acoustic wall panels are wrapped in Carnegie’s Xorel fabric, a 100 percent PVC-free material that is both eco-friendly and durable. 

The second stage of the renovation, which will upgrade the remaining 42 meeting rooms, is in the works and is expected to be completed in early 2026.

Orange County Convention Center

Work on a $560 million expansion to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is expected to begin in 2026, with a completion date scheduled for 2029. The project will add 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000 square-foot-ballroom to the North-South Building. 

The venue has also received approval to design a second phase of the expansion, which would bring an additional 200,000 square feet of exhibit space. Details for phase two, including the timeline and total cost, are not yet available.

Raleigh Convention Center

The architects have been chosen for the $387.5 million expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center in North Carolina. TVS, based in Atlanta, is the architect of the existing Raleigh Convention Center’s current facility, and Ratio Design is an international firm with deep roots in Raleigh. Opening in 2028, the extension's 500,000 square feet of new space will double the current facility, adding 80,000 square feet of flexible event space and another 30 meeting rooms. As part of the project, the existing Red Hat Amphitheater will be moved a block south, to reopen in 2027.

Raleigh also is getting a new convention center hotel. In September, Omni Hotels & Resorts was chosen to brand the 550-room property, which is expected to debut in 2027 and will feature 55,000 square feet of its own meeting space, along with several food-and-beverage outlets, a rooftop pool and a Mokara spa.

In the meantime, a refresh of the current convention space has been completed, giving it new carpet, paint and finishes throughout.

Rhode Island Convention Center

The Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence has completed a renovation that began last summer and totaled approximately $25 million. The project included aesthetic upgrades, such as new carpeting and wall panels in the fifth-floor ballrooms and meeting rooms. As part of the renovation, upgrades were also made to the parking garage, fresh light fixtures were added and a new fire alarm system was installed throughout the building. A new bar and gathering area called the Exchange adds 2,500 square feet for groups.

Salt Palace Convention Center

In September, the Salt Lake County Council selected several key private partners to begin renovations and construction on the Salt Palace Convention Center as Salt Lake City redevelops the facility and its surroundings into the new Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention District. In April, the council approved the sale of 6.5 acres of the Salt Palace Convention Center to Ryan Smith and the Smith Entertainment Group (owners of the Utah Jazz NBA franchise) for the redevelopment project. 

In the process, Salt Palace will be modernized, and the current square footage should remain the same, although no design has been approved yet. The Construction Control Corp. and RLB have been hired for this part of the project to act as "owner's representatives" and to oversee construction and cost management. MHTN and Populous will provide local and global architectural design expertise. Salt Lake County also renewed the Salt Palace management contract with Legends Global (formerly ASM Global). 

The request for proposal process for a construction firm currently is in progress.

"These selections represent some of the best talent in the industry, with a unique and necessary blending of local and national expertise," said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. "As excited as I am to see the new district develop and our visitor economy grow, I'm most excited about enhancing community opportunities through intentional placemaking. Through this collaborative effort, beloved venues and spaces will be improved and there will be better walkability and connectivity downtown. The reimagined area will serve as a gathering space for residents and visitors alike."

Stay tuned for details on what will be available in the new SECC District.