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The Authority On African-American Conventions, Incentives, & Leisure Travel |
BMT ANNUAL CONVENTION CENTER REVIEW (continued)
GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER The SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center is located right in the middle of a vibrant downtown that’s alive with cultural activities, arts, sports and entertainment. As winner of multiple Prime Site and Inner Circle Awards, this comfortable and striking facility has become one of North America’s most popular sites for local, state, regional and national groups and organizations. The 1.7-sq. ft. facility offers 426,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and access to exciting entertainments districts, top-notch sports and superb shopping and dining only a short walk away. Total exhibit space: 426,000 sq. ft.
GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER This three-level meeting and exhibit facility is high-tech, sleek and easy on the eyes. It has a glass curtain wall with stunning vistas of the Intracoastal Waterway, the city of Fort Lauderdale, and a 1.3-acre fountain plaza featuring a 35-foot bronze sailfish sculpture. Inside the center has glass atriums with skylights, lush tropical plants and stylish carpeting adorned with underwater flora and fauna. A recent $34 million expansion added new space, bringing the Center’s square footage to 600,000 including 50,000 sq. ft. in new exhibition space, additional meeting rooms, pre-function space and kitchen and storage areas. Expect the latest technological services here. The 1,300-sq. ft. Executive Teleconference Suite features a comfortable boardroom setting for conducting high-end, two-way communications, with a satellite downlink, on-site Internet support and high-speed lines. Other services include analog and digital phone lines and phone rental; phone hookups in all meeting rooms, exhibit halls and ballrooms; fax, pager and voice mailbox rental; and features such as call waiting and three-way conference calling. Total exhibit space: 600,000 sq. ft.
HAMPTON ROADS CONVENTION CENTER The sprawling Hampton Roads Convention Center features 344,000 total sq. ft. of versatile convention and exhibit space. There are 35 meeting rooms with capacity for up to 14,000 delegates, including a Grand Ballroom with banquet seating for more than 2,000 and a spacious 108,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall that divides into three sections, each served by an oversized freight door. An intimate conference center within the facility provides privately accessed, semi-secure meeting space. Convention delegates can plug in at the center’s Cyber Café and business center or decompress on an outdoor terrace overlooking glistening streams and water fountains. The terrace serves as a spectacular spot for twilight receptions. Completing the campus, the Hampton Coliseum compliments the center with an additional 84,000 total sq. ft., accommodating 11,000. Total exhibit space: 344,000 sq. ft.
HENRY B. GONZALEZ CONVENTION CENTER Nestled in the heart of historic downtown San Antonio along the banks of the world famous River Walk thrives the nucleus of the city’s convention industry. The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center plays host to more than 300 events each year with over 750,000 convention delegates from around the world. The HGBCC once built as part of the 1968 HemisFair is just a memory as it has been expanded into a beautifully decorated and spacious facility. The HBGCC spans an impressive 1.3 million sq. ft. to include over 203,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that is divisible up to 67 ways, three beautiful ballrooms, four exhibit halls with a contiguous space of approximately 440,000 sq. ft. and seven registration areas. The HBGCC complex also features the Lila Cockrell Theatre, a 2,521-seat Performing Arts Theatre, the Alamodome and more than 9,600 of the city’s downtown hotel rooms are within minutes and walking distance. Total exhibit space: 404,887 sq. ft.
KANSAS CITY CONVENTION CENTER Commanding eight city blocks in downtown Kansas City, the Kansas City Convention Center includes the Convention Center, with nearly 400,000 sq. ft. of column-free space and 29 meeting rooms; the Conference Center, a stunning three story complex with up to 19 additional meeting rooms, a 33,000-sq. ft. lobby and a 24,000-sq. ft. ballroom; the Municipal Auditorium, an art deco landmark with four self-contained venues, including the Music Hall, Arena, Little Theatre, and Exhibition Hall; and Barney Allis Plaza, an outdoor park concealing underground parking facilities for 1,000 vehicles. The Convention Center is undergoing a $135 million expansion, renovation and technology upgrade. The initial phase of the project, a $22 million renovation of meeting space, is now complete. Total exhibit space: 388,800 sq. ft.
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the most modern and functional facilities in the world – a 3.2 million-sq. ft. facility located within a short distance of more than 100,000 hotel rooms. Operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the center is well known among industry professionals for its versatility. In addition to more than two million sq. ft. of exhibit space, 144 meeting rooms totaling more than 243,000 sq. ft. can handle seating capacities ranging from 20 to 2,500. A grand lobby and registration area of more than 225,000 sq. ft. efficiently links existing exhibits with new exhibit and meeting rooms, allowing simultaneous set-up, breakdown and exhibiting of multiple events. Total exhibit space: 2.3 million sq. ft.
MEMPHIS COOK CONVENTION CENTER Downtown Memphis is coming alive with new growth and at the heart of downtown is the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The 300,000 sq. ft. multi-use facility is designed especially for conventions, trade shows, and the performing arts. Located 20 minutes from the Memphis International Airport, the convention center offers 31 meeting rooms, an Executive Conference Center, a 125,000-sq. ft., column-free exhibit hall, the 35,000-sq. ft. South Hall, a 28,000-sq. ft., hotel quality ballroom and the 2,100-seat Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. The food service is unrivaled. Professional, full-service banquet catering, as well as concession services, is provided by the Memphis Marriott Downtown, which is connected to the convention center. Total exhibit space: 182,296 sq. ft.
MOBILE CONVENTION CENTER The Mobile Convention Center in downtown Mobile is a remarkable structure, featuring award-winning design and state-of-the-art equipment and services. Showcasing the unique design are spacious lobby areas, which feature two and three story atrium ceilings, nautical lighting themes, and over 45,000 sq. ft. of exterior glass. Outdoor terraces encompass three sides of the center. The center’s function space is highlighted by a 100,000-sq. ft. Exhibit Hall, a 15,000-sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, and 16 meeting rooms. Concealed service corridors complete the versatile convention facility. Total exhibit space: 100,000 sq. ft.
NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER In the heart of downtown Nashville, the Nashville Convention Center combines convenience with total flexibility. Both the facility and the staff make it easy for meeting planners to create an atmosphere and layout uniquely suited to their event. The center features a large exhibit hall, a spacious ballroom and 25 breakout rooms. A complete business center is also available for word processing, Internet access, photocopies, faxing and other essential services. Total exhibit space: 118,675 sq. ft.
NORFOLK CONVENTION CENTER Norfolk’s downtown meeting place is the Waterside Convention Connection, a central collection of hotels, convention and retail space perfectly suited to hosting a variety of events. Located inside the Marriott Hotel is the Norfolk Waterside Convention Center featuring premier facilities and 60,000 square feet of function space. The Convention Center interconnects via skywalk to the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, with 31,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and Waterside Festival Marketplace. Total exhibit space: 60,000 sq. ft.
OAKLAND CONVENTION CENTER The Oakland Convention Center is attached to the Marriott Oakland City Center. The facility consists of 64,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and meeting space that includes a 48,000-sq. ft. column-free exhibit hall, 12 meeting rooms and a parking garage for 575 cars. The attached Marriott hotel provides an additional 25,000 sq. ft. of function space that includes three ballrooms, the largest standing at 10,400 square feet. Total exhibit space: 64,000 sq. ft.
ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER The award-winning Orange County Convention Center, located in the heart of Downtown Orange County and only 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, provides a multitude of event options in two beautiful facilities. The impressive facility is equipped with the following features: 2.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space; two 92,000-sq. ft. general assembly areas; 74 meeting rooms and 235 breakouts; the 2,643-seat Chapin Theater; a 160-seat Lecture Hall; the 62,000-sq. ft. multi-purpose Valencia Room; three full service restaurants and eight food courts; four business centers; in-house electric, plumbing, rigging and technical services, plus wireless mobility throughout the complex; on-site parking for 6,227; three covered loading docks; and 111,000 hotel rooms in the nearby vicinity. Total exhibit space: 2.1 million sq. ft.
PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER The Pennsylvania Convention Center’s 700,000 sq. ft. of function space covers six downtown city blocks central to retail, business and cultural areas of Philadelphia. The Main Exhibit Hall features 315,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space. Other spaces include a 33,000-sq. ft. Ballroom, a 35,000-sq. ft. Grand Hall and a second 125,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall. Fifty meeting rooms create an additional 90,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Other features include cable and teleconferencing capability; wireless Internet access; convenient access to all levels via elevator, escalator or stairs; equipment rental and state-of-the-art lighting; a superior acoustic system; permanent and specially installed stages; and 27 off-street, easily accessible loading docks. Total exhibit space: 700,000 sq. ft.
PLANO CENTRE The beautifully landscaped Plano Centre is a full service, multi-purpose facility. Comfortably accommodating up to 5,000 people in 86,400 sq. ft., Plano Centre offers the most modern audio/visual equipment, high speed Internet, and state-of-the-art lighting and sound. Plano Centre is perfect for conventions, corporate functions and parties, retreats, trade shows, employee outings, and board meetings. A total of 21,600 sq. ft. is available for exhibition usage. There are 18 meeting rooms including eight breakout rooms. An experienced on-site banquet staff is available for any event, including receptions and weddings. The Centre is conveniently located near a variety of hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, historic downtown Plano with its antique shops and beautiful park settings, Plano Station, and only minutes from the world famous Southfork Ranch. Total meeting space: 86,400 sq. ft.
SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER The San Diego Convention Center is located on sparkling San Diego Bay in the heart of a vibrant downtown. Abundant, flexible space and five-star service make the San Diego Convention Center the meeting planner’s choice for hosting major conventions, trade shows, meetings and special events. The San Diego Convention Center boasts 1.7 million interior gross sq. ft. It features 615,701 sq. ft. of exhibit space; 204,114 sq. ft. of meeting space including two 40,000-sq. ft. ballrooms; and 284,494 sq. ft. of prefunction, lobby and registration areas. More than a half million sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space is divisible into seven halls of varying size with streamlined in selected halls for column-free space. Total exhibit space: 615,701 sq. ft.
VIRGINIA BEACH CONVENTION CENTER Virginia Beach is emerging as a top choice for the meetings and convention industry. Center stage in the city’s transformation is the new $202.5 million Virginia Beach Convention Center. In August 2005, the city celebrated the convention center’s first phase opening, offering meeting goers 300,000 sq. ft. After the grand opening in early 2007, the center will offer over 500,000 gross sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The facility will also boast a 31,029-sq. ft. ballroom and 28, 929 sq. ft. of meeting space along with parking for 2,230 cars. Total exhibit space: 150,000 sq. ft.
WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER The Washington Convention Center is located in the heart of the nation’s capital, steps from historic museums, great restaurants and wonderful attractions. With a total of 2.3 million sq. ft. of space, the latest technology, nationally branded dining outlets such as Wolfgang Puck’s and Starbucks, this facility is ready to host any convention, tradeshow or meeting. The center features 703,000 sq. ft. of prime exhibit space, 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in a total of 66 breakout rooms, 36,000 sq. ft. of registration space and a 52,000-sq. ft. ballroom, which can seat 3,000 people. Total exhibit space: 703,000 sq. ft.
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