INDUSTRY GROWTH
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Boom! Construction Takes off at Convention Centers Across the Country BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY
34 SEPTEMBER 2016 Exhibit City News
Not long ago, people went to a trade show with a stack of business cards and a flip phone. Today, every attendee has a smartphone or two, plus a tablet and laptop. Thousands of people texting, tweeting, and live streaming – at the same time – are among the reasons construction is booming at convention centers across the country. Everyone needs Wi-Fi. “Probably the No. 1 reason for renovation, other than to make it look prettier – aesthetics, paint, carpet, lighting – is technology enhancements,” said David DuBois, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibition and Events. “What I mean by that is the absolute unquenchable thirst for Wi-Fi bandwidth.” Where’s the construction? Last year, more than $2 billion worth of construction projects broke ground, according to data from Dodge Data & Analytics, which provides insight and intelligence to the construction industry. It was the best year for convention center construction in at least a decade, and a significant increase from 2008’s high of $1.5 billion. Ongoing projects include convention centers in California, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Washington, according to press releases and news reports. Statistics from Dodge include every convention center project that broke ground each year, but not related projects such as hotels, said Kim Kennedy, manager of forecasting at Dodge Data & Analytics. Convention centers are a niche construction mar-