30 minute read
Update: Convention Centers & Large Venues
Convention and expo centers, as well as large scale conference centers and similar venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. have been upgrading their offerings, expanding, adding new services and amenities, gaining new certifications, becoming more sustainable, providing plenty of space, and offering event organizers a wide range of planning and support services from start to finish.
Here is a look at what is happening at some of these venues.
ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER Atlantic City, NJ www.meetac.com/convention-center
One of the East Coast’s largest convention centers, the LEED Gold and GBAC STAR-certified Atlantic City Convention Center is home to 486,600 contiguous square feet of meeting and convention space, 45 meeting rooms, and occupies nearly 31-acres. Committed to sustainable and energy-efficient efforts, the convention center has successfully reduced yearly energy consumption with the buildings solar array rooftop that consists of 13,000 individual panels and covers over 290,000-square feet.
"Formerly recognized as Meet AC, we are now doing business as Visit Atlantic City,” notes Alyssa Grover, communications coordinator for the destination marketing organization and spokesperson for the Atlantic City Convention Center. “Our new brand takes ownership of the narrative of Atlantic City visually, emotionally, and verbally. We have developed a fresh and honest identity and welcome all to discover our eclectic seaside destination.”
"Visit Atlantic City is prepared to assist your meeting and event needs to ensure a successful event in Atlantic City. Our team is well-equipped to provide extensive help during the planning process along with an array of services, including locating the right space, assistance with attendance building, housing and much more," explains Grover. “Not only can Visit Atlantic City assist your meeting and event needs, but also offers unbeatable incentives for your next meeting or event. The Incentive Program is available to new groups or conventions booked or taking place between 20222026, and offers incentive funds to offset the cost of your event.”
In addition, Visit Atlantic City offers exhibitors and meeting attendees a special discount program, “Show Us Your Badge.” Each delegate badge offers special deals at local restaurants, attractions, and shops in Atlantic City. With more than 17,500 first-class hotel rooms citywide, attendees can enjoy a variety of accommodations. With over 1.8-million square feet of meeting space citywide, Atlantic City has a variety of meeting venues that include nine casino resort properties and 15 off-site venues. “Our Destination Services Team is ready to assist your group with extensive venue details and information," Grover adds.
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER Baltimore, MD www.bccenter.org
The Baltimore Convention Center has been awarded the GBAC STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, the World-Wide Cleaning Association. The center is the first to receive the accreditation from of a growing list of hospitality industry leaders in the Baltimore area working toward the goal of regional accreditation.
Twenty program elements that address specific performance and guidance criteria were met to be awarded the accreditation. Training and Certification is one element of the center’s five pillar Clean Space Commitment that demonstrates the importance of equipping the staff with the most up-to-date education and training.
“Visit Baltimore was proud to bring the GBAC certification program to Baltimore, and I’m so glad to see the Baltimore Convention Center taking this important, proactive step to help ensure that travelers, conventioneers and guests enjoy their visit to Charm City,” notes Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore.
BLAIR COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER Altoona, PA www.blairconventioncenter.com
The Blair County Convention Center, home to more than 60,000-square feet of meeting and exhibit space on two levels along with outdoor patio areas, a balcony, pre-function space and an office for the event planner, offers a great deal of flexibility, both in its variety of available spaces and configurations, as well as in its staff who are always willing to assist in many ways across a variety of disciplines.
For food and beverage, the center’s catering team can serve as many as 1,000 attendees with approximately 90 percent of its menu made fresh in-house. They offer Cafés for trade shows that serve fresh, homemade food as a true enhancement to the show.
The convention center recently received approval to convert part of its lower-level exhibit hall into three new meeting rooms and four breakout spaces to accommodate increased bookings. The venue will add 4k smart televisions in all meeting rooms, as well as a new 20-person semi-executive meeting room with two screens for viewing comfort. Special phones are setup throughout exhibit and meeting rooms that provide direct connections to the facilities team, executive chef and other staffers, helping to both save time and personalize the experience.
“We hire people who take pride in what they do… During the period where we didn’t have a lot of business because of the pandemic and restrictions, we did a lot of recruitment and training, so as soon as events returned we were well prepared,” notes Tom Schilling, executive director and executive chef for the Blair County Convention Center.
“Engagement of the guest in wanting to return is so important. You’ve got to build relationships that last. You do that by providing value and hospitality... I make personal connections with the planners and engage with the staff,” Shilling notes.
Altoona is situated near the center of Pennsylvania with access to major highways, and it is home to attractions like Blue Knob ski resort, the famous Horseshoe Curve, Delgrosso’s family-owned amusement park, Lakemont Park, as well as several golf courses for plenty to do in every season. “The hospitality of the surrounding community welcomes visitors,” asserts Shilling. “We have locally owned breweries and restaurants, and there is great variety.”
Including attached lodging, within a mile of the convention center is access to nearly 700 hotel rooms. Scully Excursions can provide shuttle transportation and arrange for day trips for attendees and families. Blair County Convention Center also works with the planner and the local destination marketing organization, Explore Altoona, in setting up itineraries and a wide range of services.
CHASE CENTER ON THE RIVERFRONT Wilmington, DE centerontheriverfront.com
The Chase Center on the Riverfront is home to more than 80,000-square feet of conference and event space. “Though noted as a convention center, we work hard to provide an intimate approach with each of our clients,” explains Edward O'Boyle, general manager, Chase Center on the Riverfront. “Our goal is to provide unique food and beverage offerings, personalized service from start to finish, and amenities often found in hotel properties. We truly are the perfect option for those planners that need more space versus a lot of sleeping rooms… The surrounding Riverfront of Wilmington offers an array of options for outdoor activities and dining for groups, as well." Planners and show organizers who choose the Chase Center will work with highly-experienced professionals that have backgrounds in the hotel and meeting planning industries, O’Boyle notes. “Our team prides ourselves in understanding the details of each event and supporting the goals of each planner separately. Our operations and culinary teams work with planners to craft memorable moments for each group, as well, making a huge difference."
CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER Hartford, CT www.ctconventions.com
The Connecticut Convention Center is the largest convention facility between NYC and Boston, easily accessible by road, rail or air. The building overlooks the Connecticut River and downtown Hartford, and features floor-to-ceiling glass offering city views.
“We say that the Connecticut Convention Center is limitlessly functional and endlessly customizable, where an award-winning in-house catering team, and spectacular function space combine for memorable events,” proclaims Michele Hughes, director of sales and marketing for the center. “Groups that meet here in Southern New England get more personalized service than they tend to get in a large city.”
The convention center features 140,000-square feet of exhibit space, divisible into two halls: 80,000-square feet and 60,000-square feet. Conferences or corporate banquets of all sizes can be accommodated in the venue’s 40,000-square foot ballroom. A total of 14 meeting rooms and two executive boardrooms combine to make up 25,000-square feet of fully flexible meeting space, and there is 20,000-square feet of prefunction space with scenic views, as well.
The Connecticut Convention Center sits in the heart of Hartford, the state capital, a walkable city with a downtown area and surrounding communities that offer a wide variety of historic and cultural arts attractions, as well as scores of restaurants with cuisine that reflects the many cultures of those who live here. The Dash is a free circulator bus that operates on weekdays and during major city events with service departing from the convention center every 15 minutes with stops throughout downtown.
The convention center is connected to the 409-room Hartford Marriott Downtown, is adjacent to the Connecticut Science Center, and is across the street from the Front Street entertainment district and The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the oldest public art museum in the U.S.
"In the coming months, our team looks forward to welcoming a variety of returning and new meetings, sports events and consumer shows that include the popular ConnectiCon and ‘90s Con, the 2023 NIKE New England Winterfest (New England Regional Volleyball Association), the National Business Aviation Association Maintenance Conference, and the annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show," notes Hughes.
"The Platinum LEED®-certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) opened the Rooftop Terrace in June 2022. Our entire VisitPITTSBURGH Business Events team is really excited about this newly renovated space, as it is perfect for meetings, celebrations and more,” explains Andrew Ortale, chief sales officer for VisitPITTSBURGH and spokesperson for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. “It boasts unrivaled riverfront and city views and also features expansive walkways, curated rooftop gardens and even flexible seating pods."
"As event planners reimagine the attendee experience, the Rooftop Terrace offers options beyond a traditional ballroom, meeting room or exhibit hall to bring their community together in a different way,” Ortale continues. “The space is more than 35,000-square feet with the flexibility to design a multitude of custom spaces, like an intimate dinner for 50 or a business reception for more than 1,500 guests. The Rooftop Terrace provides a distinct ‘wow’ factor, and the backdrop of our beautiful city, especially at night, is simply breathtaking."
DLCC is located in downtown Pittsburgh within steps of the Cultural District, which features a wide selection of world-class accommodations. An environmentally smart facility, the 1.5-million-square foot center features 313,000-square feet of exhibit space, including columnfree exhibit halls, 37 loading docks, 53 meeting rooms and a 31,000-square foot ballroom.
"Unique to the DLCC is its sloping roof, which helps pull cool air from the outside, providing the building with a natural air ventilation system,” says Ortale. “The center also leans into sustainability, as evidenced by its LEED® Platinum Certification, the highest rating in the U.S. From recycling to product use to conserving natural resources and more, a commitment to sustainability is made with each event, ensuring a reduced carbon impact, free of cost."
A major meetings destination, Pittsburgh is home to award-winning restaurants, a thriving arts and culture scene, numerous hotel accommodations and more. Within steps of the DLCC are several “Only in Pittsburgh” experiences and attractions, including The Andy Warhol Museum, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, and the Heinz History Center, which also can serve as unique off-site event spaces.
"Pittsburgh also is bursting with innovative thought leaders and industry champions, particularly in our region’s key market segments of technology, manufacturing, life sciences and healthcare, and education,” proclaims Ortale. “Our VisitPITTSBURGH Business Events team stands ready to connect you with these incredible community leaders.”
“The unique white sails that hang proudly at the Hampton Roads Convention Center’s entrance welcome visitors from all over for meetings, conventions and events,” proclaims Yuri R. Milligan, director of media and community relations for the Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau and spokesperson for the Hampton Roads Convention Center. “Our recently renovated ballroom offers attendees an unmatched event space. The Hampton Roads Convention Center also has its GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation, making it a safe and sustainable venue for all by prioritizing occupant health and building maintenance.”
With 344,000 total square feet of versatile convention and exhibit space, the Hampton Roads Convention Center can accommodate nearly any event, from conventions with multiple breakout rooms to social galas; from RV and boat shows to athletic competitions. It features 35 flexible spaces for up to 14,000 delegates, including a 102,600-square foot Exhibit Hall and a grand ballroom with banquet seating for more than 1,600. The secondfloor outdoor terrace, covered by a canopy and overlooking fountains, provides a scenic setting. Finally, a covered walkway connects the center to a 295-suite Embassy Suites Hotel, and there are 1,600 hotel rooms within walking distance.
"Hampton is located on the Chesapeake Bay in the heart of Coastal Virginia between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach and within a short driving distance to hundreds of world-class attractions,” Milligan adds. “Explore Hampton’s 410-year history by visiting our museums and attractions. Hampton is home to Fort Monroe National Monument, the largest stone fort in the U.S., and the Virginia Air and Space Science Center, a NASA visitor center.”
HARRAH’S WATERFRONT CONFERENCE CENTER Atlantic City, NJ www.caesarsatlanticcitymeetings.com/harrahs
One of the key factors that makes the Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center so attractive to large group business is the amount of space it has to offer. The largest hotel conference complex from Baltimore to Boston, it boasts 100,000-square feet of space spread over two levels, including two pillarless 49,000-square foot ballrooms capable of being divided into 30 breakout rooms. In addition, the conference center is directly connected to Harrah’s Atlantic City casino resort, which has 2,590 guest rooms along with a range of restaurants and amenities that make the complex a onestop-shop in which to meet, eat, sleep and connect.
“Our location in the Marina District overlooking the Absecon Inlet provides not only stunning views, but it also is just minutes from iconic landmarks such as the Atlantic City boardwalk,” notes Steve van der Molen, vice president of meeting operations, Atlantic City for Caesars Entertainment. “Atlantic City has a rich history for event attendees to explore, but our resort also provides plenty to experience with new restaurants from celebrity chefs like Guy Fieri and our luxurious spa.” “The Pool at Harrah’s also provides not only a unique amenity for attendees to use with its 90-foot-high glass dome and tropical flora, but it also is able to be bought out for receptions with up to 2,000 participants,” van der Molen continues. “Additionally, many of our sister properties have been undergoing renovations and have exciting new offerings. Caesars Atlantic City, for instance, is opening the East Coast outposts of Nobu Restaurant and Nobu Hotel early next year, as well as welcoming The Hook, an original show from the creators of Absinthe in Las Vegas.”
KALAHARI POCONO MOUNTAINS Pocono Manor, PA www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania
Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains recently doubled the size of its convention center, adding even more state-of-the-art meeting space, built-in audiovisual, large registration offices, pre-function space, and so much more. The space boasts excellent acoustics, unique décor and is well-suited to accommodate events of all sizes
The property features 205,000-square feet of customizable meeting space, including three ballrooms, plus 33 meeting and hospitality suites. Free parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, an on-site business center, America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark, a culinary team that can create a tailored dining experience, access to world class dining on-site, along with a full-service spa add to the venue’s offerings. The surrounding Pocono Mountains boasts activities for all ages, as well, making this an ideal destination for conferences with a variety of attendee demographics.
LANCASTER COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER LANCASTER MARRIOTT AT PENN SQUARE Lancaster, PA www.lancasterconventioncenter.com
The Lancaster County Convention Center offers 90,000-square feet of meeting space, impressive architectural and historic features, and is seamlessly integrated with the 416-room Lancaster Marriott. Combining new world sophistication and old-world charm, the center features dedicated space for meetings from 5 to 5,000 attendees. And there’s something for everyone in Lancaster, from family-style fun and the surrounding farmland to nightlife, world-class dining, art, and more. Coming in early 2023, the Lancaster Marriott will unveil a brand-new spa.
"The Lancaster County Convention Center offers flexible expansive meeting and expo space to accommodate groups of all sizes, whether it’s 10 or 5,000 people, and everything in between,” says Hans Schreiber, director of sales and marketing, Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. “The convention center also has Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Certification Accreditation, which is the highest standard of health safety protocols for conference venues – one of only two accredited convention centers in Pennsylvania. The convention center’s dedicated and experienced event planning team is always available to help make your event a seamless success. Connected to the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, everything you need for your meeting or event is available on-site - hotel space, meeting space, delicious dining, and more.”
The stacked layout of the property’s largest meeting rooms (Freedom Hall, Commonwealth Ballroom and Heritage Ballroom) is conveniently accessible via escalators. Located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, a walkable, easygoing city, the Lancaster County Convention Center at Penn Square provides a unique and welcoming location for events and meetings.
"Within the walls of the Lancaster County Convention Center is a remarkable historic site that reveals Lancaster County’s rich and varied history, giving meeting attendees a look at the historical significance of the site and surrounding area,” explains Schreiber. “Currently in development is the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Historic Site and Museum. This site will share the story of two remarkable Americans and the pivotal role that Lancaster and the surrounding region played in the operation of the Underground Railroad."
Lancaster offers groups all the benefits of a big city coupled with the charm of a small town, an easy drive or train ride from a number of regional destinations. “In Lancaster, we have a network of partners and organizations working to make sure Lancaster is on people’s radars for meetings, conventions, and just as a fun weekend getaway, too, so it’s easy to fill your group’s itinerary with a number of fun things to do during their time in Lancaster,” Schreiber notes.
PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER Philadelphia, PA www.paconvention.com
“The Pennsylvania Convention Center has gone to great lengths to maintain a healthy and welcoming environment for its visitors, exhibitors, clients and staff. We continue to make upgrades to the building to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all,” states John McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “This year, the Pennsylvania Convention Center received its Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR reaccreditation for a second consecutive year, a sign of our continued commitment to the health, safety, and overall well-being of all who enter our facility. Additionally, as part of our latest capital improvement project, the facility now features advanced air purification technology and an upgraded HVAC system which can monitor, in real time, the air quality and system performance.”
"The Pennsylvania Convention Center, together with our trade show labor partners, has also just launched the Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust (HIAT) Fund program to support enhanced training opportunities focused in three general categories: safety, development of technical skills and customer service and hospitality: Safety, Skills, and Smiles. The program, believed to be the first of its kind, will improve workplace safety and the overall customer experience,” adds McNichol.
Under the management of ASM Global, the Pennsylvania Convention Center is a state-of-the-art facility that is uniquely woven into the Philadelphia landscape. With over one-million-square feet of saleable space, one of the largest ballrooms in the Northeast, flexible meeting spaces and high-tech capabilities, the Pennsylvania Convention Center is a premier venue on the East Coast. “The customer experience is always our top priority and the facility has also just extended its Customer Satisfaction Agreement, ensuring planners will enjoy flexibility and cost transparency for years to come,” McNichol asserts.
"We also pride ourselves on the sustainability efforts at the Pennsylvania Convention Center,” McNichol continues. “We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and services. We have put in place a number of initiatives, such as increasing our daily purchase of renewable energy certificates to 50 percent, increasing our waste diversion rate goal to 50 percent, and eliminating single use plastics in the venue. These efforts further cement the Pennsylvania Convention Center as a ‘green’ facility. In addition, many of the center’s capital improvement upgrades have had a direct impact on the building’s energy efficiency.”
Being located in the heart of Philadelphia’s walkable Center City means the center is accessible to more than 14,000 hotel rooms, including 1,400 at the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown alone, the city’s largest hotel. The facility also is positioned near unique venues, including Reading Terminal Market, one of the country’s oldest public markets just steps away from the building.
In 2020 and 2021, the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and grounds underwent more than $21-million in capital improvements and renovations, enhancing convenience and safety for the public, and creating a more energy and cost-efficient space that’s also more environmentally sustainable and more accessible for both human and animal visitors.
There were improvements to lighting, floors, electrical, ventilation, heating and cooling, as well as more accessible entryways and a facelift to restore the building’s historical façade. In addition, parking lots were redesigned, adding 155 spaces to the nearly 9,000 existing parking spaces, green space was added, and on-site roadways were modified to reduce speeds and create better traffic flow.
"The complex's flexible floor plans make it easy to host everything from intimate gatherings to large exhibitions, concerts and sporting events,” explains Shannon Powers, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. “Eight major halls and three arenas are fully-wired for our clients' networking needs. Versatile seating options and exhibit space, as well as ample guest parking, comfortably accommodate simultaneous events."
"The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is a unique and valuable asset to the Hershey-Harrisburg Region, the Mid-Atlantic, and Pennsylvania,” Powers adds. “We provide over one-million square feet of space under one roof, including 11 exhibit halls, three arenas, conference rooms and a spacious banquet hall. Our region features city amenities with the quiet charm of a family destination.”
ROLAND E. POWELL CONVENTION CENTER Ocean City, MD ocmdconventioncenter.com
“Our recent renovations to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, completed in 2022, include an addition of a 30,000-square foot multi-purpose dockside exhibit hall, a new 15,000-square foot bayside gallery overlooking the bay, the Performing Arts Center, a business center, and additional support spaces. The new exhibit hall connects to the existing main exhibit halls, allowing the center to host larger events,” says Kim Mueller, director of sales, Town of Ocean City, Maryland and spokesperson for the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
“When you host your event with us at Roland E. Powell Convention Center, you have informed and experienced staff on hand to respond to your needs,” Mueller continues. “We partner with you to maximize the event experience by finding creative space solutions and focusing on enhancing your meeting or convention. As the industry is rebounding, we see planners under pressure to produce events with not only great content but also a unique and unforgettable experience. Our goal is to reduce stress and help you create something extraordinary.”
“Most recently we are offering the Ocean City Beach Bundle for Sunday through Thursday groups, which offers our assistance with all pre- and post-event details and flexibility, but also a great deal. With the bronze level booking (500-999 rooms a night), planners will receive 25 percent off convention center rental, with 1,000-1,499 rooms, 50 percent off, and with 1,500+ rooms, 75 percent off,” Mueller adds.
Ocean City is a quaint coastal town with plenty of offerings for travelers to explore and enjoy, such as 10miles of beach, the boardwalk, waterfront eateries, championship golf courses, and more.
SARATOGA CITY CENTER Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogacitycenter.org
Located at the heart of walkable downtown Saratoga Springs, Saratoga City Center’s location offers attendees the opportunity to stroll the streets of this Victorian City, enjoying unique shops, fine restaurants, and outdoor parks.
"In 2020, the Saratoga City Center cut the ribbon on a brand-new parking structure. The new facility… has secure covered parking for over 620 vehicles. The building features a pedestrian bridge on Level 3… that leads directly into the City Center. A security guard is always on premise to offer an added level of safety. The City Center parking facility is a designated CDTA Trolley Stop for anyone interested in heading to the Saratoga Racecourse," explains Susan Baker, director of sales, Saratoga City Center.
The Saratoga Springs City Center offers 32,000-square feet of adaptable meeting and convention space - a conference complex offering a total of 58,000-square feet of dynamic conference space when partnered with the adjoining 242-room Saratoga Hilton Hotel, which can adapt into 28 multi-function spaces offering: street-level vehicle access allowing up to 13-foot height entering the Main Hall; dedicated City Center paid parking structure attached to the building; a flexible catering policy that includes a list of preferred Capital Districts premier caterers; a flexible audio-visual and decorator policy with choices from preferred vendors; and complimentary Wi-Fi.
"Known for history, health, and horses, Saratoga is home to many national, state and local museums, as well as Saratoga National Historical Park, the ‘Turning Point of the American Revolution.’ A century ago, the carbonated waters brought visitors here; health and wellness are still an integral part of Saratoga,” Baker explains. “Best known for being the home of the oldest, continually operating horse track in the country, the Saratoga Racecourse has been attracting racing fans since the late 1800s. As you stroll around downtown, you can enjoy seeing dozens of majestic homes and buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Landmarks.”
"Saratoga is quickly becoming known as a community that appreciates and offers the best of the arts,” Baker adds. “The Saratoga Performing Arts Center serves as the summer home of the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Live Nation concerts. In 2018 REVEAL International Contemporary Art Fair launched its inaugural event at the Saratoga Springs City Center."
VALLEY FORGE CASINO RESORT EVENT CENTER King of Prussia, PA www.vfcasino.com/gather
Valley Forge Casino Resort, a property of Boyd Gaming, is the region’s only full-amenity gaming resort and features slots and table games, FanDuel Sportsbook, plus over 100,000-square feet of meeting, conference and banquet facilities, including five ballroom spaces as well as two luxury hotel towers with 442 guestrooms. The property also presents six dining options, live entertainment and nightlife. In 2023, the venue will launch a new banquet service menu, which will further enhance the food and beverage options available for meeting and event attendees.
Valley Forge Casino Resort’s flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space can accommodate events for 50 to 3,000 guests; while everything from intimate corporate events to large trade shows can be hosted at the 54,560-square foot Valley Forge Event Center. On-site expert planners, together with world-class culinary and audio-visual teams at the resort, can customize space, provide flexibility, and will work to create custom meeting packages.
In addition, Valley Forge Casino Resort features restaurants, nightlife venues and live entertainment, an outdoor swimming pool and beach club. Being just outside the city, the property boasts free parking and lower occupancy taxes. Just minutes away is Valley Forge National Historic Park and King of Prussia Mall. Other local attractions include Elmwood Park Zoo, iFly Indoor Skydiving, and King of Prussia Town Center (retail, dining and entertainment).
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for its three primary venues: Walter E. Washington Convention Center; Entertainment & Sports Arena; and the DC Armory. The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)’s WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans.
“We strive to lead the industry with our health and safety standards, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Samuel Thomas, interim president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “Our convention center is the first in the world to achieve this designation, and we are honored that the Entertainment & Sports Arena and DC Armory also achieved this important recognition. This confirms that our commitment to health and safety extends beyond the pandemic.”
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Entertainment & Sports Arena, and DC Armory were each awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating following the successful completion of third-party documentation review by GBCI to confirm it has met the feature specific intents and requirements.
The convention center boasts 703,000-square feet of exhibit space along with 198,000-square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including 77 meeting rooms. Able to host events large and small, the venue boasts a wide range of services from planning assistance to food and beverage to audio-visual, one of the largest public art collections in North America, and more.
The convention center is located in downtown Washington, DC and offers access to a wide range of dining, shopping, attractions and hotel rooms, many of which
WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER Salisbury, MD wicomicociviccenter.org
"The Wicomico Civic Center features a 28,000-square foot arena, 10,000-square foot secondary arena, and 10 meeting rooms. Soon, we will have video boards in the larger arena that allow for video feeds, projection to a large group of guests, and livestreaming to virtual attendees,” notes Chelsey Jones, manager of the Wicomico Civic Center.
"We feature an on-site catering service, Encore Catering, which helps make the planning process easy. Our staff will work with you to ensure your event is a success,” Jones adds. "The Civic Center also offers free parking.”
The versatility of the Wicomico Civic Center makes it ideal for both large events and smaller ones, too. The Flanders Rooms can be broken out in various ways, from one large room to seven smaller rooms. Similarly, the Da Nang Rooms can be three separate rooms or one large one.
"We also have the ability to offer creative setups that go beyond seated meetings,” explains Jones. “For example, you could have a meeting in the Da Nang Rooms and attendees could walk down the hall to shoot hoops during downtime. As part of a recent trade show, we had a concert for attendees set up in the Midway Room. The Normandy Arena can host a few thousand people, depending on the layout of the event. The Midway Room can fit up to 1,000 with theater-style seating. The Flanders and Da Nang Rooms are customizable for smaller groups or additional breakout rooms.”
In addition to customizable rooms, a dedicated staff and on-site catering service, the Wicomico Civic Center is located in Wicomico County, a scenic area with plenty of parks and numerous waterways.
WILDWOODS CONVENTION CENTER Wildwood, NJ wildwoodsnj.com/convention-center
"When it comes to holding meetings and events, planners, participants, and parents alike love the Wildwoods Convention Center,” declares Ben Rose, director of marketing and public relations for the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority and spokesperson for the Wildwoods Convention Center. “From meetings and consumer shows to basketball and gymnastics tournaments; to regional dance and cheerleading championships; to national wrestling and mixed martial arts competitions; the Wildwoods Convention Center offers everything you need to host a successful meeting, convention, event, and more."
The Wildwoods Convention Center offers 260,000-square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 75,000-square foot exhibit hall (configurable into two 37,500-square-foot separate areas); a 7,500-seat concert arena for live shows; 30,000-square feet of lobby and prefunction space; 10 separate meeting rooms; state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems; upgraded free Wi-Fi; and a team of experienced support personnel and service professionals.
The convention center also boasts floor-to-ceiling ocean views from its outside deck, main exhibit hall, and lobby area from nearly every angle. These windows, along with a Tefloncoated translucent fabric roof, allow the entire building to be flooded in natural sunlight during the day. The Wildwoods Convention Center’s executive chef and seasoned catering staff will meet the needs of any event host with an array of catering, food service and concession services, as well as décor and theme consultations.
"Over the course of the last few years, the Wildwoods Convention Center installed an upgraded high-capacity Wi-Fi system, giving attendees unlimited free Wi-Fi service for up to 10,000 visitors simultaneously, as well as installing three new high-definition video webcams on the
roof… offering 180-degree views of the beach, ocean and amusement piers," notes Rose.
The convention center is situated directly on the Wildwoods’ free and spacious white sandy beaches and is adjacent to the famous Wildwoods’ 38-block boardwalk, offering the unique opportunity between meetings, trade shows, sporting and other events for visitors to take in scenic views. Additionally, over 8,000 hotel and motel rooms and 3,000 vacation rentals are within close proximity to the venue.
"Having so many opportunities for fun and unique activities makes changing up any event extremely easy and accommodating,” observes Rose. “Hosting annual events in the Wildwoods offers any attendee a variety of options to keep meetings fresh. If attendees are used to hosting an event in a center city or suburban location setting, offering a destination that allows attendees to traverse the Wildwoods’ beach and boardwalk creates an everchanging meeting experience and everlasting memories in a relaxed and fun atmosphere."
"In addition,” Rose continues, “due to its close proximity to the boardwalk and beach, the convention center is ideal for bringing families along to conventions, business meetings, expos, and more."
MEETINGS WITH A SIDE OF VITAMIN SEA
From corporate retreats to big time concerts to antique car shows, and everything in between, it’s no wonder year after year meeting and event planners choose the Wildwoods Convention Center!
• 75K square foot exhibit arena, a 12K square foot Ballroom and 10-Meeting Rooms • 380 – 10’ x 10’ exhibit booth space or seating for up to 7,500 • Modern amenities / State-of-the-art communication systems • Full in-house Catering/Concession services • Adjacent to the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk and 5 miles of FREE white sand beaches • On-site parking for over 700 vehicles • 30K square feet of pre-function space • Free Wi-Fi for attendees
To schedule your next meeting or event, 800-992-9732 | WildwoodsCC.com
