NORTHEAST
Photo Credit: Ocean City Convention Center
Just a short drive from much of the Mid-Atlantic Region, the Ocean City Convention Center in Maryland has recently undergone a $1 million refresh and now offers an impressive 250,000 square feet of flexible space for conventions, trade shows and more.
The first floor features all-new exhibit halls with 33-foot ceilings; also new are two digital screens in the front of the building for groups to advertise their event, and new digital kiosks throughout the center provide attendees with the digital
footprint of their event as well as guides with the best local dining, shopping and nightlife.
More than just a venue, the OCCC celebrates and incorporates the work of local artists, from dramatic murals to intricately crafted sculptures.
And through its partnership with GoGreen OC, the facility is well on the path to achieving coveted zero-waste status.
In a premier location in the Mid-Atlantic region for organizations to host conventions, meetings, banquets, trade shows and other events, the Baltimore Convention Center has 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, approximately 85,000 square
feet of meeting space (in 50 meeting rooms) and a multifunctional 36,672-square-foot ballroom. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility are central to the mission of the facility, which has introduced eco-friendly technologies such as indoor
garden grow towers and an urban bee farm.
In the heart of New York’s state capital, the Albany Capital Center is a beautiful glass structure that can accommodate 10 to 5,000 people in 22,500 square feet of ballroom/exhibit space, six meeting rooms with 9,200 square feet of space, and 13,500 square
feet of prefunction space. The facility is directly connected to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, The Egg Performing Arts Center and the MVP Arena via an enclosed walkway, together creating the Capital Complex, the largest meeting space in
Upstate New York at more than 159,000 square feet.
SOUTHEAST
Photo Credit: Tampa Convention Center
With the recent opening of 18 new waterfront meeting rooms and other features as part of $44 million in capital improvements, the Tampa Convention Center on Florida’s West Coast now offers a full 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 36,000-square-foot
divisible ballroom and 52 breakout rooms. To give planners more flexibility in creating event menus, the center launched two new customizable food and beverage concepts: Street Eats and Taste of Tampa, in addition to the food and drink menus that
the in-house culinary team offers for events.
The center also has emphasized its dedication to cleanliness and disinfection by renewing its GBAC Star Accreditation, as well as focusing on recycling and community engagement through its creative
partnership with the Teaching Tools Resource Center.
Reimagined following a $640 million renovation, the Miami Beach Convention Center provides a world-class, state-of-the-art event venue. A LEED Silver-certified green building, the center includes a 60,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, 500,000 square feet
of flexible exhibition halls, four junior ballrooms, outdoor terraces and parks, and 84 breakout rooms. The facility’s proximity to lively South Beach, Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive and many other Miami Beach cultural arts attractions adds considerable
appeal for groups.
By way of a recent $200 million modernization, the Renasant Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tenn., now has 300,000 square feet of flexible meeting, exhibit and prefunction space, a 118,000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall (with natural light and
river views), a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, 46 adaptable meeting rooms and 600 guest rooms at the connected Sheraton Memphis Downtown. For attendee downtime, the city’s legendary clubs feature the best in blues and rock’n’ roll, all on a cusp of
the mighty Mississippi River.
MIDWEST
Photo Credit: Grand River Convention Center
In Dubuque, Iowa, bordering both Illinois and Wisconsin, the Grand River Convention Center provides convenient access for groups traveling from different locations, making it an ideal venue for gatherings. Nestled along the Mississippi River, the center
has 86,000 square feet of event space and more on three levels: The first features the exhibit hall, the second has the Grand Ballroom, able to host up to 1,000 people, plus access to the center’s Skywalk, and the star space of level three is the
River Room, an all-glass enclosure with a balcony jutting over the Riverwalk, giving the sensation of floating over the river.
Within a 2-mile radius there are over 500 hotel rooms, including 193 rooms at the attached Grand Harbor Resort.
The center is a good neighbor, fostering strong connections with the local community, including local businesses and organizations. The facility also is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, implementing eco-friendly practices
and initiatives to minimize its environmental impact.
A new $300 million expansion of the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Ky., has added 100,000 square feet of contemporary exhibit space (for a total of 200,000 square feet), 16 meeting rooms, 11,000 square feet of flexible event space and a 24,300 square-foot
ballroom. The facility’s modern yet warm design, with wooden details and limestone accents, creates an inviting atmosphere, all within easy walking distance of more than 1,200 hotel rooms, 75 restaurants, numerous theaters, shops and galleries, the
Distillery District and a wide variety of nightlife.
A full-service facility in revitalized downtown Owensboro, Ky., the multipurpose Owensboro Convention Center has just under 102,000 square feet of space, including a 44,000-square-foot exhibit hall, the 8,900-square-foot Kentucky Legend Pier stretching
over the scenic Ohio River, and additional ballroom, meeting and prefunction space. A complete roster of in-house services includes food and beverage, A/V, free WiFi and more, along with an adaptable sports floor and equipment allowing basketball,
volleyball and futsal competitions.
SOUTHWEST
Photo Credit: Salt Palace Convention Center
A top meetings destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City aims to provide exceptional service thanks to initiatives such as a feedback system that encourages attendees
to share their thoughts, as well as frequent planner surveys to better understand the successes and challenges of an event. The center’s in-house convention and visitors bureau and catering partners work together as the Green Team Committee to ensure
sustainable operations at every stage.
In all, the facility has a substantial 515,000 square feet of exhibit-hall space, 164,000 square feet for meetings divisible into at least 70 different spaces, and an elegant, adaptable 45,000-square-foot
ballroom.
A recent expansion of the Colorado Convention Center has upped its flexible meeting and ballroom space to approximately 80,000 square feet, complemented by 35,000 square feet of prefunction space. Additionally, the center offers a stunning 20,000-square-foot
outdoor rooftop terrace. The prefunction and outdoor event spaces offer unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains and the city skyline, allowing attendees to enjoy Denver's 300 days of sunshine each year.
Standing as the Texan city’s largest meeting space, the El Paso Convention Center encompasses over 133,100 square feet of total usual space, including three banquet halls, 17 breakout rooms, 80,000 square feet of column-free space and an additional 14,900
square feet for meetings. From national conventions and regional trade shows to intimate gatherings and more, the facility is well-equipped to provide memorable experiences for industry professionals.
FAR WEST
Photo Credit: Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Comprising a full-service convention facility, an arena and a performing arts center, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center is a major locus for events in the southern part of Los Angeles County. The facility has more than 400,000 square feet
of meeting and exhibit space, recently outfitted with new wiring to accommodate the latest technology, as well as wireless capability. Two ballrooms (seating up to 2,100 and 1,400 people, respectively), 34 meeting rooms totaling 82,823 square feet
and a property-wide total of more than 90,000 square feet for trade shows are available to planners.
Since 1962, the center’s on-site arena has played host to acts ranging from the Rolling Stones to Jerry Seinfeld. Nearby attractions include
sun-kissed Junipero Beach, the stately and historic Queen Mary cruise ship museum, the city’s East Village Arts District and, an hour-long boat ride away, scenic Catalina Island.
A beautiful contemporary venue with more than 225,000 square feet of flexible column-free exhibit, meeting and function space, the Ontario Convention Center is ideal for conventions, trade shows, exhibits and meetings. Located just 2 miles from Ontario
International Airport and 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, with access to a variety of hotel and dining options within walking distance, the center is frequently used as a location for movies, while exhibits of all kinds take place in a 70,000-square-foot
column-free hall with a 28-foot clearance.
Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Keep Memory Alive Event Center is unique with its undulating canopy of windows and stainless steel. In the downtown Las Vegas Symphony Park neighborhood just minutes from the Strip, the center’s 9,800 square
feet of space can be adapted for product launches, trade shows, awards banquets, meetings and conferences for up to 450 seated or 700 standing. Perhaps best of all, the facility’s proceeds benefit Cleveland Clinic Nevada, fueling research, social
services and no cost-support programs for patients and their families.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Convention Center
With stunning beaches and breathtaking natural landscapes just a stone’s throw away, the Puerto Rico Convention Center is the largest in the Caribbean, with 600,000 square feet of total space able to comfortably accommodate groups of up to 10,000. The
PRCC also is the anchor of the fast-growing Convention Center District, home to prominent hotels and Distrito T-Mobile, an entertainment complex just across the street.
The complex is host to myriad experiences including art, live concerts and top-notch cuisine, and with over 140,000 additional square feet of meeting space, it’s a perfect extension of the convention center. Of course, Puerto Rico itself features a wide
range of adventurous outdoor activities and cultural explorations, and as a domestic destination, no passport is required for U.S. citizens.
One of the largest convention and exhibition centers in Asia, the Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo has more than 764,000 square feet of space and each year hosts some of the region's biggest trade shows. A dedicated resident team of MICE professionals, state-of-the-art-facilities
and top entertainment offerings help make this center a winner. In-house services include branding and promotion, banqueting, A/V, hotel reservations, floral reservations, transportation, VIP hospitality and more.
One of the Caribbean’s newest and most elegant destinations, the Bar Mar resort in the Bahamas offers over 300,000 square feet of luxurious indoor and outdoor meeting space, three oceanfront hotels, over 45 restaurants and lounges from world-renowned
chefs, and a full slate of amenities and experiences for attendees. The on-site convention center alone spans 82,000 square feet, with three ballrooms (the largest of which can host up to 3,000 guests), 14 breakout rooms and multiple lawns, terraces
and patios for outdoor events.