Starting another round of destination search? If you are in the market for updated, modern, large venues, take a look at this list of newly redesigned and elegantly updated convention centers undergoing venue renovations.
These destinations are perfectly accommodating with nearby airports, abundant hotels, accessible city transit systems, unique cultural attractions, and—of course—brand new venues. Many of the spaces will be finishing up renovations in the next one-to-two years, so keep an eye on these for your upcoming events. Inspired by LAI’s trade publication CEO Update, take a look at our list of ten cities with expanding downtown convention centers that offer beautifully designed meeting spaces for both large-scale events and intimate workshop sessions.
- Seattle, WA—Washington State Convention Center
- St. Louis, MO—America's Center Convention Complex
- Baltimore, MD—Baltimore Convention Center
- Denver, CO—Colorado Convention Center
- Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles Convention Center
- Orlando, FL—Orange County Convention Center
- Columbus, OH—Greater Columbus Convention Center
- Tampa, FL—Tampa Convention Center
- Miami, FL—Miami Beach Convention Center & Miami Worldcenter
- Oklahoma City, OK—Oklahoma City Convention Center
Seattle, WA—Washington State Convention Center (2022)
For its iconic architecture and beautiful views, Seattle has become a popular travel destination recently. And with the newest addition to the Washington State Convention Center, set for completion in 2022, it will be a great spot to host your association event. The project will add 1.4 million square feet to the facility in the downtown core of Seattle.
St. Louis, MO—America's Center Convention Complex (date TBD)
St. Louis, known for its baseball, beer, and arch, is one Midwest city that you do not want to fly over when planning your event. America’s Center Convention Center, located in the heart of the city, is home to four distinct meeting facilities under one roof and is scheduled for even more growth. The expansion, approved in April, will add 92,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 65,000-square-foot ballroom, and 26 new loading docks.
Baltimore, MD—Baltimore Convention Center (date TBD)
Situated right on the harbor, an event at the Baltimore Convention Center means newly designed facilities and a bayfront view. City officials have proposed adding 200,000 square feet to the already 1.2 million-square-foot venue. A new hotel could also accompany the expansion.
Denver, CO—Colorado Convention Center (2022)
If you want your event to be a mile above the rest, then check out the newest features of the Colorado Convention Center. Set in the Rocky Mountains, the views from the complex do not disappoint—which is why they are building a 50,000-square-foot outdoor terrace. The plans include an additional 230,000 square feet to be added to the current 2.2 million square feet and smart technology improvements. When it is finished in 2022, the convention center will be the most high-tech user-friendly meeting and event space in the US.
Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles Convention Center (2021)
L.A. is a city that has something for everybody, and after its renovation, so will its Convention Center. The proposed $500 million transformation will include a 51,000-square-foot ballroom and 750,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space when it is finished in 2021. Not only that, but the construction will connect the expanded convention center with a new hotel, the Staples Center, and L.A. Live in order to create a 100-acre campus with meeting spaces, lodging, theaters, and restaurants. Before you dive in, take a look at our blog about event planning in Los Angeles.
Orlando, FL—Orange County Convention Center (2023)
Already the nation’s second largest convention center with a total of 7 million square feet, local leaders have approved an addition of 280,000 square feet in Orlando. Once completed in 2023, the center will have a new grand entranceway, pedestrian bridges, and modernization of lighting and audio systems.
Columbus, OH—Greater Columbus Convention Center (2017)
With its famed brewery district and sporting spirit, why not host your conference in Columbus? A $125 million expansion, finished in 2017, provides 36,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 10,000 square feet of two-level meeting spaces. The convention center finds a modern inspiration with luminous glass walls and openings to the sky and street. It also has upgrades throughout, including social seating, digital technology, and all-new lighting and sound systems.
Tampa, FL—Tampa Convention Center (2021)
Situated downtown along the waterfront and immersed in a rich Spanish heritage, Tampa is the ideal business-travel location. And its convention center is undergoing its largest renovation project to date—a $30 million Capital Improvement Plan to be completed in 2021. Some of the key features include new waterfront meeting rooms, a complete upgrade of restrooms, and the addition of new local restaurants.
Miami, FL—Miami Beach Convention Center & Miami Worldcenter (2018)
We can’t think of a livelier city than Miami to host an event in, and two beautifully contemporary venues were opened last year with the exciting energy that your conference needs. The Miami Beach Convention Center has a striking new exterior, lots of added green space, and a 20,000-square-foot glass rooftop ballroom to host VIP events. And the Miami Worldcenter, a new urban neighborhood centrally located downtown, has 3,000 square feet of retail space, 2,050 hotel rooms, 500,000 square feet of expo space, and 500,000 square feet of office space.
Oklahoma City, OK—Oklahoma City Convention Center (2020)
Oklahoma City is starting-from-scratch with their new build that will surely raise the bar for convention centers integrated in urban settings. Intended to open next year, the facility will have a 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 45,000-square-foot meeting area, and a 30,000-square-foot ballroom. The convention center’s sleek design will feature sweeping downtown views made with energy-efficient and weather-resilient materials.
Searching for speakers specific to your event city? Our partner Leading Authorities has curated lists of speakers in Washington DC, Chicago, New York, and London.
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