(George Avelar, director Telemundo Atlanta; Juan Echeverría, producer; Perrine Prieur Gallardo, Perrine’s Wine Shop owner; Claudio Gallardo, Perrine’s Wine Shop, featured in documentary; Sheretha Bell, ACVB vice president of marketing & brand strategy; Daniela Cintron, ACVB content manager & bilingual editor; Monica Green, ACVB citywide sales executive; Patricia Bell; Pricilla Rodriguez, president/general manager of Telemundo Atlanta; Denise Santos, Latinas in Media founder, featured in documentary.)
Tracking venue developments, event expansions, and community impact at convention centers nationwide
Convention centers continue to shape the future of the meetings and events industry—serving as economic anchors, cultural touchpoints, and community connectors. This edition of ENC’s CenterStage spotlights the latest developments across the country, from high-profile expansions and sustainability initiatives to new food partnerships, arts programming, and standout event activity. Organized by region, this roundup captures the momentum behind the people, places, and projects redefining the convention landscape.
Southeast Region
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrates Emmy Wins and Sustainability Milestones
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) earned two Southeast Emmy Awards for Season 2 of Atlanta Con Sabor Latino, a bilingual lifestyle series highlighting Latin culture and cuisine in Atlanta. Produced with Telemundo Atlanta, the series aired in 29 markets and was recognized in two Spanish-language categories.
Separately, ACVB hosted a sustainability industry briefing on June 24 at the Tabernacle, featuring panelists from Wolfgang Puck Catering, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Topics included rooftop beekeeping, LEED certification, and green sourcing. The event is part of ACVB’s broader sustainability efforts, including the launch of a green team and meeting planner toolkit.
Live Music Returns to Downtown Atlanta with Summer Sounds at Centennial Olympic Park
Georgia World Congress Center Authority has announced the launch of Summer Sounds at Centennial Olympic Park, a free live music event debuting Thursday, July 24. Inspired by the former Wednesday Wind Down series, the event will feature local acts including Gritz & Jelly Butter, W!ll & The Exclamation, Cleveland P. Jones, and DJ Smooth J. The event marks a return of regularly scheduled public performances to the downtown venue, combining music with local food vendors and open community access.
HPX to Return to Charlotte Convention Center in 2026 Following Strong Debut
The High Performance Expo (HPX) will return to the Charlotte Convention Center in June 2026 after a successful inaugural run this year. The automotive aftermarket and motorsports show drew strong reviews from exhibitors and attendees, with many committing to return with larger booths. Backed by the North Carolina Motorsports Association, the event featured product launches, recruitment efforts, and appearances by industry names like Jeff Gordon and Antron Brown. Organizers are focused on expanding HPX into a premier national destination for high-performance innovation and connections.
Miami Beach Convention Center Sees Strong Start to FY25, Adds Hotel and Security Upgrades
The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) welcomed 344,490 guests across 52 events during the first half of fiscal year 2025, including AdobeMAX, Art Basel, and Premier Padel. June highlights included World Health Expo and the American Black Film Festival. The MBCC is investing approximately $19 million into infrastructure and technology upgrades, including 41 additional security cameras and four large-format LED wall screens in the Grand Lobby.
Construction began in May on the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room hotel connected to the MBCC by skybridge. Backed by $392 million in secured financing, the hotel is slated to open in 2027. The MBCC also earned a 4 Green Keys rating from Green Key Global for its sustainability leadership. Its on-site restaurant, Rum Room, marked its second anniversary in April with a new menu and leadership team.
Music City Center Eyes Expansion After Turning Away Nearly Half of Potential Events
Nashville’s Music City Center is exploring a 587,000-square-foot expansion to address capacity constraints. A feasibility study by HVS Convention, Sports & Entertainment revealed that more than 45 percent of potential events between fiscal years 2023 and 2024 could not be booked due to space and availability limitations. The downtown venue, which spans 2.1 million square feet, ranks below average in function space compared to peer facilities. Officials are now evaluating downtown land options and alternative locations for new construction. Since opening in 2013, the center has hosted 2,654 events with a $4.4 billion direct economic impact.
Northeast Region
Philadelphia Named Most Walkable City Again, Previews Major Art Exhibits for 2026
Philadelphia was named the Most Walkable City to Visit by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the third year in a row, topping cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. The walkable layout—centered around the Pennsylvania Convention Center—makes it ideal for visitors and meeting planners alike.
At IPW 2025, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau also announced two major art experiences set for 2026. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) will co-present A Nation of Artists, opening in April 2026 and featuring more than 1,000 works across both venues. Renowned muralist Meg Saligman will launch Ministry of Awe, a six-story immersive art installation set to open in 2026 inside a historic bank building. Both projects are part of the city’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Central Region
Kentucky Exposition Center Adds 300,000 Square Feet for Parking and Event Use
The Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville has expanded its footprint by reclaiming 300,000 square feet of adjacent land at 911 Phillips Lane. The area, now being cleared, will be used for parking and outdoor event space starting this summer. The site will support upcoming events including the Kentucky State Fair, National Street Rods Association, Bourbon & Beyond, and Louder Than Life. The expansion is part of broader efforts to modernize the campus and improve flow during high-attendance events.
Palmer Events Center Hosts Nine Events in June, Including Traffic Show and Austin Card Show
The Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas, welcomed nine events in June, ranging from industry expos to consumer markets. Highlights included the Traffic Show on June 4–5, where brands from fitness and outdoor sectors connected with retailers, and the Austin Card Show on June 14–15, featuring over 350 tables of collectibles and memorabilia. Other events included Destiny Fest 2025, Markets for Makers, the NPC Adela Garcia fitness competitions, the 5-Star Barber and Beauty Expo, and the City-Wide Vintage Sale. The month concluded with the AAFAME Vendor Expo on June 24 and the Lone Star Overland Adventure and Power Sports Show on June 28–29.
Northwest Region
Seattle Tourism Tops 40 Million Visitors in 2024, Approaches Pre-Pandemic Levels
Visit Seattle shared 2024 tourism data during its Annual Meeting at the Seattle Convention Center, reporting 40 million visitors to the city and King County—a 5.3 percent increase from 2023 and 95 percent of 2019 levels. Visitor spending rose to $8.8 billion, generating $839 million in state and local taxes and supporting more than 68,000 jobs. The organization also debuted domestic visitor profiles and shared preliminary international estimates, with Canadian visitors accounting for 1.7 million trips and $584 million in spending. Leaders previewed new marketing tools and discussed preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which is projected to generate $929 million in economic impact.
West Region
Pasadena Convention Center Selects OVG Hospitality as New Culinary Partner
The Pasadena Center Operating Company has named OVG Hospitality as the exclusive food and beverage provider for the Pasadena Convention Center and Civic Auditorium, effective July 1. The partnership will bring locally inspired, seasonal menus, enhanced concession options, and zero-waste operations to the venues. The decision follows a competitive selection process and marks OVG Hospitality’s first convention center partnership in California. The change aims to elevate guest experiences across meetings, exhibitions, and cultural events held at the historic Pasadena venues.
