Around the nation, convention centers are on the move—upgrading to stay current in technology and amenities, increasing their footprints to attract larger groups and citywides, and raising their profiles to stay more competitive in the marketplace. Here’s a look at some of them.
Savannah Convention Center
The Savannah Convention Center is currently undergoing an expansive transformation project that will effectively double its size. Upon completion, the $276 million expansion project will double the size of exhibit hall space available for events to 200,000 square feet, add a new 40,000-square-foot ballroom, 15 new meeting rooms, feature a 58-foot-wide hangar door, and include a new 900-space parking deck. This expansion underscores the commitment of Savannah Convention Center to provide unparalleled facilities and services for its guests, further enhancing its reputation as a premier destination for events of all sizes.
The first convention center in Georgia to achieve LEED Gold certification, SCC has been managed by Georgia World Congress Center Authority since 2014. A scheduled opening date was unavailable at press time.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
The iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach will reveal one of the most significant expansions in its 7-decade history with the opening of the all-new Coastal Convention Center in November 2024. Coinciding with the fabled beachfront resort’s 70th year, the addition will span five stories and 45,000 sf, with meeting and event spaces ranging from personal and intimate to grand and large scale and an overall look reflecting the architectural legacy of its original designer, Morris Lapidus.
The Coastal Convention Center will include a 16,500-sf divisible ballroom with an outdoor terrace; a 9,500-sf junior ballroom; 15 total meeting rooms; and 15,000 sf of pre-function space. Other standout features include a grand staircase that pays homage to Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s “Stairway to Nowhere;” floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light in meeting rooms; outdoor, street-level meeting space; LED walls and wayfinders; and a 7,000-sf Tides Rooftop Terrace with scenic ocean views. With sustainability a top priority, the Coastal Convention Center is being constructed to meet LEED certification standards, including features such as insulated glass to control internal temperatures and reduce energy use, and a rainwater collection and recycling system to increase water efficiency.
Los Angeles Convention Center
With the recent approval to move forward with the LA Convention Center (LACC) Expansion and Modernization Project, the plan includes completing the project before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, finalizing design, schedule and costs before construction starts in spring 2025.
City officials have long believed Los Angeles has been at a competitive disadvantage in attracting large, citywide conventions due to the lack of contiguous space, especially as competitors have completed or are in the process of completing major expansions. The new construction will connect the two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 sf of space to create one contiguous hall, and will add 55,000 sf of new meeting room space and 95,000 sf of multipurpose space. The plan also includes a redesign of Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, which will add public open space and become an exciting outdoor venue for event programming.
“The expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center are critical for the continued recovery of our local economy,” Adam Burke, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board told the media. “Citywide conventions support thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses across every L.A. region and neighborhood, and we’re grateful to the City Council for their leadership in advancing this pivotal initiative with today’s vote. As one of the travel industry’s premier meeting destinations, we look forward to seeing this world-class facility come to life.”
Broward County Convention Center
A new convention center district is on the horizon. Phase one of the highly anticipated $1.3 billion Broward County Convention Center expansion project has been completed, bringing a fresh update to the center with an impressive 800,000 square feet of space extending the main exhibit halls and loading docks.
In 2025, the sunny venue is set to grow bigger. An additional 1.2 million square feet will be added to the venue including a new expansive waterfront plaza, open-air amphitheater, and a 29-story Omni Fort Lauderdale headquarters hotel connecting directly to the convention center. Expansion highlights include:
- 65,000-sf ballroom facing the Intracoastal Waterway
- Seamless connection to all the action with an on-campus 801-room upscale headquarter hotel, operated by Omni Hotels
- Upgraded facilities including forward-thinking technologies, versatile pre-function spaces and modern decor that complements Greater Fort Lauderdale
- Outdoor plaza space accompanied by innovative dining concepts and an urban green space
- Gold LEED status buildings to align events with environmentally responsible practices without compromising on luxury or comfort
Austin Convention Center
It may be the 11th-largest city in the country, but Texas’ capital city only hosts the 59th-largest convention facility. That’s about to change. In late October, the Austin City Council approved the selection of two joint-venture companies as the architecture and construction managers for the redevelopment and expansion of the Austin Convention Center.
The $1.2B redevelopment and expansion project will involve demolishing and rebuilding the center over four years, nearly doubling the amount of rentable space and allowing the Convention Center to remain competitive in the marketplace. The redevelopment will also deliver a community-friendly event space that will transform the southeast quadrant of downtown and provide connectivity between downtown and East Austin.
Many area improvements also are planned, and the end of the decade should see the opening of light-rail service from the convention center to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which may have expansion plans of its own. Stay tuned.
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