CHICAGO — Convention Centers across the U.S. are packed with useful features, stunning vistas and innovative meeting facilities. Trade Show Executive (TSE) checked in with seven leading venues to learn how they work to delight participants and help events succeed.
Every venue listed has a STAR Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council in recognition of their comprehensive programs to support a high-performance cleaning and maintenance regimen for their built environments.
1. Henry B. González Convention Center (HBGCC), San Antonio, Tex.
Fast Facts:
- The HBGCC includes 515,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, 121,932 square feet of meeting space, 94,175 square feet of flex space and the 54,000 square-foot Stars at Night Ballroom, which Visit San Antonio (VSA) says is the largest in Texas.
- It also has a LEED Silver certification.
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Fun Feature: The venue is located on the San Antonio River Walk.
“The HBGCC is the only one of its kind sitting on the banks of the San Antonio River along the famous River Walk,” Marc Anderson, President and CEO of VSA, said. “The location makes it easy for delegates to leave meetings and stroll the River Walk to their hotel, event venue, restaurant and other options. Plus, it is really special that river barges can be arranged to either line up to arrive or depart the River Walk to transport a group.”
Learn more about the HBGCC here.
2. Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City
Fast Facts:
- Organizers can find 850,140 square feet of prime exhibit space and 96,000 square feet of meeting space at the Javits Center, along with a unique truck marshaling facility.
- The Events Industry Council (EIC) recognized the venue with a Platinum Certification as it meets at least 90% of its Sustainable Event Standards.
Fun Feature: Javits Center has a rooftop farm with a greenhouse.
“By utilizing over 80% of the produce from The Farm at Javits in our culinary operations, we are able to offer an elevated farm-to-table experience while adhering to our commitment to sustainability,” Shane Beardsley, Vice President of Communications and Guest Experiences at Javits Center, said. “Our rooftop farm has been incredibly productive this season, so any surplus yield is either donated to New Yorkers in need or composted to provide enriched soil for the farm itself. Javits Center is focused on providing a world-class experience for guests and serving our community as we work toward net zero emissions.”
Learn more about Javits Center here.
3. Huntington Place, Detroit, Mich.
Fast Facts:
- Huntington Place boasts 723,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, 255,000 square feet of meeting space and 155,000 square feet of flex space, as well as outdoor video boards that are three times as large as the average billboard.
- The venue has a LEED Gold certification.
Fun Feature: Huntington Place is located on the Detroit River and will soon be connected to a new hotel.
“A waterside convention center is more than just a venue — it’s a destination. The breathtaking views inspire creativity and collaboration, while the vibrant waterfront atmosphere attracts attendees looking for both business and leisure. It’s the perfect backdrop for world-class events, offering not only state-of-the-art facilities but also an unforgettable experience,” Bryan Crowe, CEO of Huntington Place, said. “Now, with the addition of the JW Marriott Detroit at Water Square — a 25-story, 600-room hotel directly connected to the convention center — our offering is elevated even further. The new hotel will feature two restaurants, a lobby bar, market and a state-of-the-art fitness center, ensuring guests have everything they need for a seamless and luxurious experience. When people gather by the water, it creates a sense of possibility and innovation that resonates long after the event ends.”
Learn more about Huntington Place here.
4. The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)
Fast Facts:
- The Las Vegas Convention Center, ranked No. 2 in TSE’s 2024 World’s Top Convention Centers (WTCC) report, has 2,542,591 square feet of prime exhibit space and 391,536 square feet of meeting space, and is the only destination in North America to be designated an official World Trade Center site.
- It is also working towards certification from the EIC.
Fun Feature: The venue’s buildings are connected by the Vegas Loop, an underground transportation system that uses Tesla vehicles.
“This first-of-its-kind system transports our convention attendees around our campus in a quick and convenient way and has become an attraction in and of itself,” Steve Hill, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said. “The expanded Vegas Loop will be a gamechanger for the destination, easing traffic congestion and further enhancing the Las Vegas experience.”
Learn more about the LVCC here.
5. Seattle Convention Center (SCC)
Fast Facts:
- With 454,150 square feet of prime exhibit space, 42,026 square feet of flex space and 295,940 square feet of meeting space, along with consolidated billing for exhibitors, the SCC is another venue to watch.
- The SCC’s Summit building has a LEED Platinum certification.
Fun Feature: The Summit building includes the Hillclimb, an architectural structure that combines stairs, escalators and seating where event participants can travel, recharge and connect.
“The SCC’s Hillclimb, made of locally sourced madrone wood, has become a natural go-to spot for attendees and clients,” SCC President and CEO Jennifer LeMaster said. “It offers a welcoming place to take a break between sessions, connect with others, charge devices and feel like you’re an integral part of the Summit building and Seattle landscape. The city views are spectacular.”
Learn more about the SCC here.
Fast Facts
- McCormick Place was ranked No. 1 in TSE’s WTCC report and offers 2,600,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, 600,000 square feet of meeting space and the 4,188-seat Arie Crown theater.
- It has a Silver Certification from the EIC.
McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center includes a terrace overlooking Lake Michigan.
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Fun Feature: McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center has a terrace overlooking Lake Michigan and provides direct access to a lakefront trail.
“One of my favorite moments on a tour of our campus is when our guests first glimpse Lake Michigan from Lakeside Center,” Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which owns the venue, said. “No matter the season, their eyes widen and smiles gets bigger as they see the amazing view. The terrace outside of Lakeside Center is used regularly, for large celebratory events or to dine al fresco during meetings and conventions. With the large overhang, there is protection from weather, allowing customers to use the space from spring through fall. Adding to the experience is that our chefs can incorporate ingredients from our rooftop garden into the menu.”
Learn more about McCormick Place here.
7. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
Fast Facts
- The venue, ranked No. 3 in TSE’s 2024 WTCC report, includes 2,055,222 square feet of prime exhibit space, 471,119 square feet of meeting space and the 62,182 square-foot Valencia Ballroom.
The OCCC has a large-scale sustainability program. - It has a LEED Gold certification.
Fun Feature: The OCCC features a large-scale, innovative sustainability program that involves charitable giving, waste diversion efforts and sustainable menu planning.
“Sustainability is absolutely essential in the meetings and events industry and, for years, it has been of top importance to our center,” OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester said. “The OCCC sets the standard for what green meetings should look like in the current state of the industry, and we are grateful to our clients for helping us achieve our social responsibility goals.”
Learn more about the OCCC here.
Are you interested in finding out more about these venues and other top convention centers across the U.S.? Check out TSE’s 2024 WTCC report, which features statistics, updates and more.
Photo Credits: The HBGCC’s image is courtesy of visitsanantonio.com, Javits Center’s image is courtesy of Jacob K. Javits Center, McCormick Place’s image is courtesy of City Experiences and the SCC’s image is courtesy of Adam Hunter.
