^{January 2002}

EXPO’s annual review of new and expanded exhibition facilities around the world

By Jennifer Koski

Increasing numbers of exhibition facilities are being erected, expanded and filled to capacity. Over the past year, 10 new facilities have opened featuring nearly 2.3 million square feet of exhibit space, and another 14 expanded their exhibit space by nearly 2.2 million square feet. Last January, EXPO magazine reported on four new facilities featuring 1.34 million square feet of exhibit space, as well as 12 expanded facilities that added 1.07 million square feet. Designed with the end-user in mind, many of these centers include column-free exhibit space, a range of high-tech options and drive-on loading. 

Each year, EXPO profiles new and expanded facilities around the world. This year’s listing indexes convention and meeting centers that opened throughout 2001 and in January 2002.

In addition to those listed here, last year’s “Open for Business” feature inventoried five additional facilities that opened in early 2001. These include: Indianapolis Marriott Downtown in Indianapolis; the expanded Fort Smith Convention Center in Fort Smith, AR; the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH; the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome in Indianapolis; and the World Trade Center Veracruz in Veracruz, Mexico.


New Facilities

Alerus Center
1200 42nd St. S.W.
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: (701) 792-1200 
Fax: (701) 746-6511
Contact: Charlie Jeske, General Manager
E-mail: cjeske@aleruscenter.com
Web site: www.aleruscenter.com
Cost: $80 million
Completion: February 2001
Exhibit space: 135,000 sq. ft. in one arena, one hall and one ballroom
Ceiling height: 14 to 22 ft.
Meeting space: 60,000 sq. ft. in 12 rooms
Special features: A 26,000-sq.-ft. ballroom can be divided into five rooms, and a 100,000-sq.-ft. arena can be used for multiple events. Other features include high-speed Internet access, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and the latest acoustic technology.
Truck access: Two load-in bays, a dock leveler and a freight leveler
In-house services: In-house catering, decorating, high-speed Internet service
Parking: 4,000 spaces
Location: Less than three miles from downtown, seven miles from Grand Forks International Airport
Hotels: 1,006 rooms within a four-mile radius
Notable: Named after a local financial institution and sponsor, ‘Alero’ means ‘take flight.’ The center has lived up to its name, as its first show brought in Bill Cosby, and the second brought in The Backstreet Boys. The University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux football team plays its games in the arena, as well.

Expo Santa Fe Mexico
Ave. Santa Fe. No. 170
Col. La Fe. C.P. 01210
Mexico, D.F., Mexico
Phone: 52 (55) 5280 6004
Fax: 52 (55) 5280 9564
Contact: Veronica Sangri, Sales and Operation Director
E-mail: vsangri@exposantafe.tzo.com
Web site: www.exposantafe.com.mx
Cost: $75 million
Completion: January 2002
Exhibit space: 350,000 column-free sq. ft. in three halls
Ceiling height: 29 ft.
Meeting space: 54,000 sq. ft. in 15 rooms
Special features: The facility boasts a 22,000-sq.-ft. ballroom divisible into four rooms. Floor boxes provide electricity, compressed air, water, drainage and telecommunications. 
Truck access: 19 covered loading docks, 18 20-by-19-ft. drive-in doors 
In-house services: Telecommunications, business center, restaurants and cafeterias, bank, courier services, money exchange, travel agency, press room, exhibitors services office, medical and security
Parking: 2,500 spaces
Location: Suburban, one hour from Mexico City International Airport
Hotels: 350 rooms within walking distance 
Notable: Designed for both indoor and outdoor exhibitions, Expo Santa Fe Mexico includes 37,675 sq. ft. of fully equipped outdoor exhibit space. Area attractions are plentiful. Nearby, meeting attendees can enjoy shopping, a variety of restaurants and a movie theater. The facility’s inaugural show, the Furniture Show, opens Jan. 23, 2002.


Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
6000 W. Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34746
Phone: (407) 586-0000
Fax: (407) 586-0398
Contact: Mike Mason, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
E-mail: floridainfo@gaylordhotels.com
Web site: www.gaylordpalms.com
Cost: $400 million
Completion: January 2002
Exhibit space: 178,500 sq. ft. in one hall, divisible into six areas
Ceiling height: 24 ft.
Meeting space: 221,500 sq. ft. in 61 rooms
Special features: The center has three ballrooms, one with a permanent 40-by-100-ft. stage, and 15 executive meeting and board rooms. Other features include dedicated registration areas, T1 lines and direct satellite feed.
Truck access: 14 loading docks and two roll-up doors, one at ground level
In-house services: Pitney-Bowes business center, full-service catering, technology solutions manager, telecommunications, restaurants
Parking: 2,419 spaces
Location: Suburban, five minutes from Walt Disney World and 17 miles from the Orlando International Airport
Hotels: 1,400 rooms on site, 42,000 within 10 miles
Notable: The facility’s full-service resort features a four-acre atrium divided into three Florida themes: Key West, St. Augustine and Everglades. Because many people bring their families to meetings in Florida, the center provides a 4,000-sq.-ft. children’s facility complete with daylong programs for groups. Adults can enjoy the large spa and preferred tee times at nearby Falcon’s Fire golf course. 

International Exhibition Centre Bulgarreklama – Sofia
147 Tzarigradsko Chaussee Blvd. 
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
Phone: (359 2) 9655 220
Fax: (359 2) 9655 231
Contact: Tanya Markova, Event Manager 
Web site: www.bulgarreklama.com
Cost of expansion: $9 million (first phase)
Completion: April 2001
Exhibit space: Added 190,520 sq. ft. in two halls, a lobby and an outdoor exhibit area
Ceiling height: 24 ft.
Meeting space: 16,683 sq. ft. in five rooms
Special features: Facility features a 19,374-sq.-ft. lobby, a 150-seat 
conference hall and a 350-seat theater-style congress center. Center is fitted with 128K wireless Internet connections and sound and multimedia equipment. High-tech features include a translation system, multimedia projectors and screens, and videoconferencing capabilities.
Truck access: Six loading doors, two loading docks
In-house services: Catering, snack bar, restaurant, bank office, forwarding agency
Parking: 300 spaces, 520-space multi-level parking lot under construction
Location: Suburban, two miles from Sofia International Airport
Hotels: 400 rooms within two-and-one-half miles
Notable: The International Exhibition Centre Bulgarreklama – Sofia is situated directly on an international highway and near the largest airport in Bulgaria. The center is located in the middle of a new business area that will include high-tech parks, entertainment facilities and numerous businesses.

Las Americas Exhibition Center
Industria Militar s/n 
Col. Residencial Militar 
11600, Mexico D.F., Mexico
Phone: (525) 387-0600, ext. 6186 
Fax: (525) 387-0679
Contact: Rocio Armenta, Commercial Director
E-mail: rarmenta@expohipodromo.com
Web site: www.expohipodromo.com
Cost: $80 million
Completion: December 2001
Exhibit space: 264,500 sq. ft. in three column-free halls and one ballroom
Ceiling height: 135 ft. 
Meeting space: 75,000 sq. ft. in 24 rooms
Special features: A 34,500-sq.-ft. ballroom divisible into three rooms; 197,800 sq. ft. of prefunction space; and 323,000 sq. ft. of permanent outside exhibit space. Technology includes fiber optics, T1 lines, closed-circuit television, direct satellite uplink, utility boxes every 10 feet, and plasma, LCD and LED screens.
Truck access: 30 loading docks with dock levelers, 11 loading doors, and three drive-on entrances
In-house services: Two restaurants, catering, business center, coffee and snack bars, audiovisual facilities, press and telecommunication facilities
Parking: 2,000 spaces on-site and 3,000 within walking distance
Location: Suburban, nine miles from Mexico City International Airport
Hotels: 6,000 rooms within two miles
Notable: The Las Americas Exhibition Center is built within an entertainment complex that includes a horse race track and, by 2004, the complex will also boast a hotel, restaurant, and shopping center. Located in a high-economic business area of Mexico City, the facility has booked 42 shows in 2002.


Pinellas Expo Center
10601 U.S. Highway 19 N.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Phone: (727) 572-7100
Fax: (727) 572 6700
Contact: Rui Farias, Director of Sales & Marketing
E-mail: rfarias@pinellasexpo.com
Web site: www.pinellasexpo.com
Cost: $6 million
Completion: October 2001
Exhibit space: 105,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space in one hall, divisible into two rooms
Ceiling height: 26 ft.
Meeting space: 1,900 sq. ft. in two rooms
Special features: Exhibit hall support columns fitted with power, phone and T1 Internet access
Truck access: Seven grade-level loading bays, and a 16-ft. load-in door allowing exhibitors to drive onto the exhibit floor
In-house services: Full-service food; business center; show office; and pipe, drape, table and chair rentals
Parking: 800 spaces on site
Location: Centrally located in Pinellas County, 17 miles from Tampa International Airport
Hotels: 1,500 rooms within three miles
Notable: The Pinellas Expo Center sits on a former SAM’s Club retail location, completely refitted to host trade and consumer shows. Located in the middle of Florida’s Tampa Bay, the facility is just 20 minutes from high-population areas and both sides of the bay. The center is connected via walkway to the 90-room Wingate Hotel.


Roberts Centre
123 Gano Road
Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: (800) 654-7038; (937) 655-8526
Fax: (937) 655-8746
Contact: Tim Baggs, Food & Beverage Director
E-mail: rhonda@robertscentre.com
Web site: www.robertscentre.com
Cost: $24 million
Completion: January 2002
Exhibit space: 70,000 sq. ft. in four halls
Ceiling height: 24 ft.
Meeting space: 70,000 sq. ft. in four rooms
Special features: Facility has Internet data ports about every six feet and dimmable lights in the convention center. Immaculate landscaping leads to the 15,000-sq.-ft. foyer with imported marble flooring, cherry stained wainscoting and crystal chandeliers. The facility is adjacent to a Ramada Hotel with a Max & Erma’s Restaurant.
Truck access: Four loading docks, one drive-in floor entrance
In-house services: On-site catering service, concession stands, two operations business offices
Parking: More than 500 spaces paved, with several acres of overflow parking
Location: Suburban, 90 minutes from Greater Cincinnati; one hour from Dayton International Airport; one hour from Columbus International Airport; 1/2 mile from Clinton County Airport
Hotels: 118-room Ramada adjacent to facility; 1,000 rooms within 20 minutes
Notable: Convenient to many Ohio locations including Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus. One of the unique traits of the facility and the surrounding area is its sign — a 70-by-35-ft. full-color LED video screen capable of running live video.


Shanghai New International Expo Centre
No. 2345, Longyang Road
Pudong, New Area
Shanghai P.R.C. 201204
Phone: 0086-21-3876-0488
Fax: 0086-21-6856-6089
Contact: Wu Zhiliang, Head of Customer Service
E-mail: info@sniec.net
Web site: www.sniec.net
Cost: $99 million
Completion: November 2001
Exhibit space: 699,651 sq. ft. in four halls, including 215,277 sq. ft. of outdoor exhibit space
Ceiling height: 36.3 ft.
Meeting space: 11,840 sq. ft. in 10 rooms
Special features: High-tech features include ISDN lines, ADSL, high-speed Internet access, CCTV and satellite 
television.
Truck access: 10 loading doors in each hall with drive-on truck access
In-house services: Kitchens, Chinese and Western restaurants, snack bars, crate storage, business center, post office, bank, customs office, courier, advertising agency
Parking: 1,000 spaces
Location: Suburban, 20 minutes to downtown Shanghai and 30 minutes to Pudong International Airport
Hotels: 4,500 rooms within 10 miles
Notable: Located in the economic, financial and trade center of Shanghai in the People’s Republic of China, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre was designed by U.S. architects Murphy/Jahn Inc. with an eye on simplicity, clarity and high efficiency. Only 10 minutes from Shanghai, the facility is located near the Tomson Golf Club and Pudong Centry Park.


The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
3555 S. Ocean Drive
Hollywood , FL 33019
Phone: (954) 602-6000
Fax: (954) 602-7000
Contact: Michael O’Connor, Director of Convention Services
E-mail: jdemille@diplomatresort.com
Web site: www.diplomatresort.com
Cost: $800 million
Completion: January 2002
Exhibit space: 182,000 sq. ft. in one column-free hall and four ballrooms
Ceiling height: 29 ft.
Meeting space: 27,000 sq. ft. in 39 rooms
Special features: The facility features four ballrooms, totaling about 122,000 sq. ft., that can be broken into smaller spaces. The convention space is fully wired with fiber optics and is adjacent to a 1,000-room beachfront resort. Resort amenities include golf, tennis, full spa services and a 700-person capacity pool. 
Truck access: Six loading docks, one freight elevator
In-house services: Eight kitchens, 24-hour business center, audiovisual
Parking: 2,600 spaces
Location: On the beach, 10 miles from Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
Hotels: 1,000 rooms on site
Notable: In April 1998, The Diplomat Hotel was demolished, making room for The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Built anew from “the beach up,” the new facility is an oceanfront resort and event destination featuring 209,000 sq. ft. of convention and meeting space.


Warsaw International Expocentre (EXPOXXI)
ul Pradzynskiego 12/14
01-222 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: (48) 22 45 67100 or (44) 207 376 3300
Fax: (48) 22 631 3636 or (44) 207 795 1424
Contact: Hanna Sansel, Director of Promotions & Public Relations
E-mail: Poland: info@expocentres.pl; London:info@expocentres.com 
Web site: www.expocentres.com
Cost: $22 million
Completion: April 2001
Exhibit space: 107,638 sq. ft. in two exhibit halls, divisible into five sections
Ceiling height: 11.5 to 26.4 ft.
Meeting space: 12,163 sq. ft in three rooms
Special features: State-of-the-art information technology and communications capabilities, including telecommunications services, high-speed Internet access, and telephone and Internet registration systems. Conference facilities seat as many as 800.
Truck access: 14-by-15-ft. loading doors accessing all five halls
In-house services: Five bistros and one restaurant, catering, banking and travel services, customs and forwarding services, business center and Internet café. Advertising, exhibit design and construction facilities.
Parking: 600 underground spaces on site
Location: Downtown Warsaw, 15 minutes from Warsaw International Airport
Hotels: Five major hotels within a 20-minute walk
Notable: Situated in the redeveloped Wola district, WIEC - EXPOXXI is less than two miles from the center of Warsaw. It can hold as many as five events simultaneously and has already scheduled 40 bookings for 2002. Local support services are provided for all organizers entering the Warsaw market.

Expansions

Adelaide Convention Centre
North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Adelaide, South Australia
Phone: (61 8) 8212-4099
Fax: (61 8) 8212-5101
Contact: Suzanne Hocking, Director of Marketing & Sales
E-mail: sueh@adelaidecc.com.au
Web site: www.adelaidecc.com.au
Cost of expansion: $48 million
Completion: September 2001
Exhibit space: Added 98,647 sq. ft.; new total: 133,737 sq. ft. in one 
column-free hall, divisible into six smaller halls
Ceiling height: 28 to 46 ft.
Meeting space: 34,506 sq. ft. in 19 rooms
Special features: The extension consists of six column-free soundproofed halls that can be used for exhibitions, banquets or theatre-style meetings.
Truck access: Three loading bays
In-house services: Catering, reception services, technical services, security, Internet café, and restaurant
Parking: 1,350 spaces
Location: In the business district, 12 miles from Adelaide International Airport
Hotels: 1,284 rooms across the street, with an additional 1,000 within 10 minutes


Charleston Civic Center
200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 345-1500
Fax: (304) 345-3492
Contact: John D. Robertson, General Manager
Cost of expansion: $9 million
Completion: June 2001
Exhibit space: Added 16,000 sq. ft.; new total: 100,000 sq. ft. in two halls on one level
Ceiling height: 28 ft.
Meeting space: 27,000 sq. ft. in 18 rooms
Special features: The facility boasts a performing arts theater with seating for 750 people and is entirely Internet accessible.
Truck access: Three drive-in ramps, six docks
In-house services: Audiovisual, food services, exhibit decorating
Parking: 2,000 spaces
Location: Downtown, five miles from Yeager Airport
Hotels: 1,200 rooms within walking distance


Cobb Galleria Centre
Two Galleria Centre
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (770) 955-8000
Fax: (770) 955-7719
Contact: Walter F. Kiley, Director of Sales
E-mail: sales@cobbgalleria.com
Web site: www.cobbgalleria.com
Cost of expansion: $22.7 million
Completion: November 2001
Exhibit space: Added 36,000 sq. ft.; new total: 144,000 sq. ft. in four halls
Ceiling height: 32 to 42 ft. in exhibit halls, 24 ft. in ballroom, 12 ft. in meeting rooms
Meeting space: 24,962 sq. ft. in 20 meeting rooms and four ballrooms
Special features: A 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom divisible into four sections, video-conferencing capabilities, and online service ordering
Truck access: 13 loading docks with ground-level load-in
In-house services: Audiovisual, business center, catering, security
Parking: 3,000 spaces
Location: In North Atlanta (15 minutes from downtown), 25 minutes from Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport
Hotels: 799 rooms adjacent to center, 900 within walking distance


Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
9301 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: (847) 692-2220
Fax: (847) 696-9700
Contact: Ron Vaughan or Maureen Dieball, Sales Managers
E-mail: descenter@rosemont.com
Web site: www.rosemont.com
Cost of expansion: $15 million
Completion: August 2001
Exhibit space: Added 140,000 sq. ft.; new total: 840,000 sq. ft. in two levels and six halls
Ceiling height: 16 to 24.5 ft. 
Meeting space: 52,000 sq. ft. in 28 rooms
Special features: Comprehensive audiovisual; high-speed DS3 fiber-optic Internet access; 110-, 208- and 480-volt service.
Truck access: Seven drive-in doors and 16 depressed docks
In-house services: Catering and custom decorating, Internet access services, Rosemont Exposition Services
Parking: 8,000 spaces
Location: 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, five minutes from O’Hare International Airport
Hotels: 2,568 rooms within walking distance, 6,000 in Rosemont


Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center
1950 Eisenhower Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 765-5900
Fax: (954) 763-9551
Contact: Terry Kuca, Assistant General Manager
E-mail: tkuca@ftlauderdalecc.com
Web site: www.ftlauderdalecc.com
Cost of expansion: $34 million
Completion: Jan. 2002
Exhibit space: Added 48,847 sq. ft.; new total: 199,526 sq. ft. in four halls
Ceiling height: 34 ft.
Meeting space: 98,592 sq. ft. in 32 rooms
Special features: Two divisible ballrooms measuring 20,316 sq. ft. and 31,911 sq. ft. Internet access throughout facility, cyber café and teleconference suite.
Truck access: 18 loading bays, four ramps and two freight elevators
In-house services: Two full kitchens for catering, business center, high-speed Internet access, video-conferencing
Parking: 2,500 spaces
Location: Downtown, two miles from central business district and 1.5 miles from Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
Hotels: 1,762 rooms within one mile


Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
200 E. Market St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 207-8500
Fax: (210) 223-1495
Contact: Al Lomas, Assistant Director
E-mail: saconv@sanantoniovisit.com
Web site: www.sanantonio.gov
Cost of expansion: $215 million
Completion: June 2001
Exhibit space: Added 239,132 sq. ft.; new total: 422,626 sq. ft. in five halls and four corridors
Ceiling height: 24 to 35 ft.
Meeting space: 115,646 gross sq. ft. in 67 rooms
Special features: The center features three ballrooms and a 2,521-seat performing arts theater. A riverwalk flows through the facility.
Truck access: 26 enclosed docks, 18 open docks, five ramps, and three freight elevators
In-house services: Exclusive catering, concessions, electrical, telecommunications, security
Parking: 1,709 spaces within walking distance
Location: Downtown, eight miles from San Antonio International Airport
Hotels: 9,700 rooms within walking distance


Island Grove Regional Park “Community Building”
501 N. 14 Ave.
Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: (970) 350-9522
Fax: (970) 350-9344
Contact: Kathy Dilbeck, Scheduling Coordinator
E-mail: Dilbeckk@ci.greeley.co.us
Web site: www.ci.greeley.co.us
Cost of expansion: $6 million
Completion: June 2001
Exhibit space: Added 75,000 sq. ft.; new total: 143,000 sq. ft. in four halls in four buildings
Ceiling height: 22 to 54 ft.
Meeting space: 1,500 sq. ft. in two rooms
Special features: Facility features a 60,000-sq.-ft. Great Hall, a 9,000-seat rodeo arena and 18 acres for outdoor exhibiting. Has high-speed data hookups, fiber optics and JBL sound system.
Truck access: 10 drive-in loading doors, from 50-by-24 ft. to 16-by-
20 ft.
In-house services: Catering, concessions, and ticket office
Parking: 5,000 spaces
Location: Six blocks from downtown, 60 miles from Denver International Airport
Hotels: 600 rooms within the city


Las Vegas Convention Center
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 892-0711
Fax: (702) 892-2824
Contact: Jim Pickering, Director of Facilities
E-mail: nmurphy@lvcva.com
Web site: www.vegasfreedom.com
Cost of expansion: $150 million
Completion: November 2001
Exhibit space: Added 918,000 sq. ft.; new total: 2,018,000 sq. ft. in 16 halls and one ballroom
Ceiling height: 25 to 35 ft.
Meeting space: 380,000 sq. ft. in 170 rooms
Special features: Master antenna system, registration and convention housing services. High-speed Internet access, HDTV broadcasts and other streaming media.
Truck access: 36 truck dock spaces, including mobile bays and freight 
elevator
In-house services: Banquet and catering, business center, two restaurants, concession stands, gift shop
Parking: 4,307 spaces
Location: Centrally located in resort district, 3.5 miles from McCarran International Airport
Hotels: 18,000 rooms within walking distance, 50,000 within three miles


Mayo Civic Center
30 Civic Center Drive S.E.
Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 281-6184
Fax: (507) 281-6277
Contact: Andy Krogstad, Operations Manager
E-mail: sue@mayociviccenter.com
Web site: www.mayociviccenter.com
Cost of expansion: $15 million
Completion: September 2001
Exhibit space: Added 25,200 sq. ft.; new total: 90,000 sq. ft. in one hall, one auditorium, one arena, one ballroom, and two lobbies
Ceiling height: 32 to 45 ft.
Meeting space: 18,000 sq. ft. in 17 rooms
Special features: Facility includes a 25,000-sq.-ft. arena with seating for 5,100, a 3,000-seat auditorium, and a 1,170-seat presentation hall. Also features high-speed Internet access and remote telecast capabilities.
Truck access: Four loading bays with street level access overhead doors
In-house services: On-site concessions, business office, Ticketmaster
Parking: 3,900 spaces
Location: Downtown, eight miles from Rochester International Airport
Hotels: 1,700 rooms within walking 
distance


The Mirage
3400 Las Vegas Boulevard S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 791-7171; (800) 456-8888
Fax: (702) 792-7669
Contact: Robin Traficanti, Director of Sales
E-mail: rtraficanti@mirage.com
Web site: www.mirage.com
Cost of expansion: $100 million
Completion: April 2001
Exhibit space: Added 90,000 sq. ft.; new total: 130,000 sq. ft. in one hall and one ballroom
Ceiling height: 30 ft.
Meeting space: 41,959 sq. ft. in 27 rooms
Special features: The facility features a 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. Exhibit hall can be divided into five sections. Power, phone, Internet LAN and video floor boxes on 30-foot centers.
Truck access: Six freight doors, one two-bay dock and one three-bay dock
In-house services: Audiovisual, business center, design/production company, catering
Parking: 2,657 spaces
Location: On the Las Vegas strip, five miles from McCarran International Airport 
Hotels: 3,044 rooms on site


Portland Metropolitan Expo Center
2060 N. Marine Drive
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 736-5200
Fax: (503) 736-5201
Contact: Matthew P. Rotchford, Sales and Events Manager
E-mail: info@expocenter.org
Web site: www.expocenter.org
Cost of expansion: $15 million
Completion: April 2001
Exhibit space: Added 72,000 column-free sq. ft.; new total: 333,000 sq. ft. in four halls
Ceiling height: 30 ft.
Meeting space: 8,840 sq. ft. in 12 rooms
Special features: Facility features 180,000 sq. ft. of column-free space. In-floor power and phone service, dimmable lighting, 6-ft. reinforced concrete floor with unlimited load capacity. 
Truck access: Six flat-level drive-in points, three loading bays and one leveler bay 
In-house services: 5,000-sq.-ft. kitchen; catering and concessions available
Parking: 2,400 spaces
Location: Five minutes from downtown, 12 miles from Portland International Airport
Hotels: 1,600 rooms within five miles


San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101-7899
Phone: (619) 525-5000
Fax: (619) 525-5025
Contact: Beth Currie, Director of Event Services
E-mail: kevkam@sdcvb.org
Web site: www.sdccc.org
Cost of expansion: $216 million
Completion: September 2001
Exhibit space: Added 276,363 sq. ft.; new total: 615,701 sq. ft. in seven exhibit halls and Sails Pavilion
Ceiling height: 27 to 45 ft.
Meeting space: 204,114 sq. ft. in 72 rooms
Special features: Two 40,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms, Category 5 wiring, and 90,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space in the Sails Pavilion
Truck access: 53 loading docks and two drive-on accesses
In-house services: Two full-service kitchens, eight in-hall concession stands, and portable specialty services featuring local restaurants
Parking: 1,950 spaces
Location: Downtown, less than four miles from San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport
Hotels: 2,000 adjacent rooms, 6,884 within two miles


South Florida Expo Center
9067 Southern Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Phone: (561) 790-0333
Fax: (561) 790-5246
Contact: Charlie Dunn, Vice President of Marketing
E-mail: charlie@southfloridafair.com
Web site: www.southfloridafair.com
Cost of expansion: $9.2 million
Completion: December 2001
Exhibit space: Added 50,000 sq. ft.; new total: 100,000 column-free sq. ft. in two halls
Ceiling height: 35 ft.
Meeting space: None
Special features: Designed primarily for consumer exhibitions and shows, the facility features bright lighting, air conditioning, and in-floor electricity and fiber optics. 
Truck access: Four loading roll-up doors, loading ramp, large exhibitor staging and unloading area
In-house services: Concessions, electric, table and chair rental
Parking: 6,000 spaces
Location: Suburban West Palm Beach, six miles from Palm Beach International Airport
Hotels: 14,465 rooms in Palm Beach County


Washington State Convention & Trade Center
800 Convention Place
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 694-5000 
Fax: (206) 694-5399 
Contact: Eddie Tadlock, Director of Event Services
E-mail: mmcquade@wsctc.com
Web site: www.wsctc.com
Cost of expansion: $200 million
Completion: September 2001
Exhibit space: Added 105,000 gross sq. ft.; new total: 205,700 sq. ft. in six halls and two ballrooms
Ceiling height: 25 ft.
Meeting space: 57,000 sq. ft. in 56 rooms
Special features: 45,000 sq. ft. of divisible ballroom space, public art display, and a 90-ft.-wide glass exhibition bridge spanning Pike Street
Truck access: Two loading docks, 18 covered bays and two hand-carried freight areas
In-house services: On-site kitchen and bakery, telecommunications/data communications and sound system with audio provider
Parking: 1,581 spaces
Location: Downtown, 16 miles from SeaTac International Airport
Hotels: 6,600 rooms within walking distance