The new $63 million Exposition Center at the New York State Fair was officially opened by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 22. Construction took less than nine months. The new building dwarfs the older buildings surrounding it. The addition of the Expo Center is part of a plan to make the fairgrounds a year-round destination. The facility’s website notes that it is the largest open events space north of New York City between Boston and Cleveland.
The building has 136,000 sq.ft. of flexible space with 110,000 sq.ft. of open floor space. It is designed to accommodate a range of events, including concerts, major trade and consumer shows and sporting events.
It includes:
- Space for more than 500 10’x10’ tradeshow booths
- 4,000 retractable seats with space for another 5,000 people for concerts
- Electronic scoreboard
- Pre-function, VIP and meeting spaces
- Concession/catering facilities
- Inside and outside balconies
The Expo Center is in the final construction for phase two of renovations at the fairgrounds. Since 2015, the state has spent more than $100 million on the the property, including a new front gate, a new RV park, Bridge Street entrance, a redesign of Chevy Court, demolition of the old grandstand, construction of a sky tram and new paving.
For more info, visit nysfairgrounds.ny.gov.
