IN BRIEF CONVENTION CENTER WATCH
Charlotte Convention Center
CHARLOTTE, NC — In late November, the Charlotte City Council unanimously approved a $110 million plan to expand and renovate the Charlotte Convention Center. Construction is expected to commence this spring and would run through December 2020. The 550,000-sq.-ft. Charlotte Convention Center is located across the street from a 700room Westin Charlotte and is also connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame via an elevated walkway. The project will increase the capacity of the meeting level by 50,000 sq. ft., adding 26,000 sq. ft. of breakout space and 24,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. Other new features include the ability to configure the Richardson Ballroom into four meeting rooms, and a pedestrian bridge linking the new wing to the Westin. INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Indianapolis’ Capital Improvement Board has announced plans for a 235,000-sq.-ft. expansion of the Indiana Convention Center that includes a 50,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. In addition, 1,400 hotel rooms, 8
connected in two Hiltonaffiliated hotels, will redevelop Pan Am Plaza. Completion is expected by 2022. MEMPHIS, TN — The Memphis Cook Convention Center is renovating through fall 2020. The $175 million project will add floor-to-ceiling windows, create enclosed access to the 600-room Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel, add locally inspired artistic elements and more. The convention center features a column-free Main Exhibit Hall spanning more than 125,000 sq. ft., a 36,000-sq.-ft. special exhibit hall, 31 meeting rooms and the 2,100-seat Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.
MIAMI BEACH, FL — A Dec. 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the Miami Beach Convention Center’s $620 million renovation and expansion. The Spectramanaged MBCC includes a new 60,000-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, almost 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, an expanded Grand Lobby and pre-function areas, and up to 84 breakout rooms. Other highlights of the project include enhanced lighting and IT infrastructure, $7.1 million worth of art curated by the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places program, and a new six-acre public green space that can serve as event space. ROCHESTER, NY — The City of Rochester recently initiated a $4 million rehabilitation project of the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center’s Terrace and Patio overlooking the Genesee River. The project,
which ties into Governor Andrew Cuomo’s transformative “ROC The Riverway” Program for Downtown Rochester, will give greater access to the riverway, as well as address ADA compliance and include updated lighting, furniture and landscaping. Work is expected to be complete this fall. TAMPA, FL — Last year, the Tampa Bay Convention Center began a $30 million expansion plan that will add 18 waterfront meeting rooms spanning 16,000 sq. ft. Existing meeting rooms will also be refurbished. Completion is expected between May 2020 and February 2021. In April of this year, the Sail Plaza will debut at the waterfront along with Big Ray’s Fish Camp, a popular Tampa seafood restaurant. And in May of this year, Datz Restaurant, another local favorite, opens at the convention center.
The Miami Beach Convention Center completes its renovation and expansion. (Above, l-r): Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager, City of Miami Beach; William D. Talbert III, President and CEO, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Micky Steinberg, Miami Beach Commissioner; John Elizabeth Aleman, Miami Beach Commissioner; Bernardo Fort-Brescia, Principal, Arquitectonica; Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Mayor; Dan Gelber, Miami Beach Mayor; Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Miami Beach Commissioner; Mark Samuelian, Miami Beach Commissioner; and Ricky Arriola, Miami Beach Commissioner. FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2019 SPRING