The U.S. convention center news November 2025 recap highlights major developments from venues and CVBs across the country. This month brought awards, technology upgrades, community initiatives, leadership recognition, and long-term economic projections. Together, these updates show how convention centers and destination organizations continued strengthening their operations, partnerships, and visitor experiences heading into 2026.
MIDWEST
Overland Park Convention Center Earns Seventh Straight Centers of Excellence Award
The Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) earned a spot on EXHIBITOR Magazine’s 2026 Centers of Excellence list for the seventh straight year. The award recognizes OPCC as one of North America’s Top 25 Convention Centers for its strong service, smooth operations, and steady facility upgrades. OPCC is also a finalist for the 2026 Best Small Convention Center award. Leadership says the recognition reflects the team’s consistent support for exhibitors, planners, and attendees with high-quality service.
VisitPITTSBURGH Opens New Welcome Center at Heinz History Center
VisitPITTSBURGH opened its new Welcome Center inside the Heinz History Center, expanding visitor services ahead of a major tourism year. The center sits steps from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and key neighborhoods, offering a central stop for trip planning. Leaders highlighted the move as Pittsburgh earns National Geographic’s “Best of the World” honor for 2026. Tourism generates $6.9 billion annually in Allegheny County, and the region expects major crowds for next year’s NFL Draft, the Carnegie International and America’s 250th events. A second Welcome Center will open soon at Pittsburgh International Airport.
NORTHEAST
PHLCVB Foundation Backs Philabundance Program as MICHELIN Guide Arrives in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Foundation (PHLCVB) marked the MICHELIN Guide’s debut in Philadelphia by partnering with Philabundance to support its Philabundance Community Kitchen. The 16-week program trains adults with low or no income for culinary careers and provides job placement support. PHLCVB plans to connect newly recognized MICHELIN chefs with PCK graduates for mentorship and employment opportunities. The partnership celebrates Philadelphia’s elevated dining status while helping strengthen the city’s hospitality workforce.
PHLCVB Previews 2026 Events and Announces $1B in Future Economic Impact
Nearly 900 industry and business leaders gathered for the PHLCVB Annual Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as the bureau previewed Philadelphia’s major 2026 events and shared long-term booking results. PHLCVB reported more than $1 billion in projected economic impact from business secured for 2027–2030. Leaders highlighted how the city is preparing to host FIFA World Cup matches, America’s 250th anniversary, the MLB All-Star Game, PGA Championship, and NCAA March Madness. The event also recognized Temple University senior Shrita Brown with the Marie Baker Brown Scholarship and included an update on the center’s digital-signage expansion.
NAB Opens Nominations for 2026 Technology Awards
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has opened nominations for its 2026 Technology Awards, which honor leadership and innovation in broadcast engineering and digital media. NAB will present the awards during the NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 18–22, 2026. Categories include the Digital Leadership Award, the Engineering Achievement Awards for radio and television, and the Technology Innovation Award for emerging research not yet commercialized. Nomination deadlines are January 27 for most categories and March 9 for the innovation award. Forms and criteria are available on NAB’s website.
MID-ATLANTIC
Walter E. Washington Convention Center Named 2026 Center of Excellence Finalist
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center earned a spot on EXHIBITOR Magazine’s 2026 Centers of Excellence list and is a finalist for Best Convention Center in the 500,000–1 million square-foot category. This marks its seventh straight year as a finalist. Events DC credits strong service, major technology upgrades, and the venue’s 2025 LEED Platinum certification. EXHIBITOR will announce the category winner in December.
SOUTH
Palmer Events Center Closed November With Five Community and Retail Events
The Palmer Events Center closed November with five public events. The month began with the Settlement Club Garage and Estate Sale on November 5 and November 7–9, supporting the Settlement Home for Children. The Government Innovation Showcase followed on November 12. A Christmas Affair ran November 19–25 with more than 200 vendors. The month ended with the City-Wide Vintage Sale and Big Ole Queer Market on November 29–30, offering holiday shopping and community programming.
Jim Cook Earns Two Major Leadership Honors in New Orleans
Jim Cook, CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, (NOENMCC) earned two major honors this fall. New Orleans CityBusiness named him to the 2025 Power 50 list for leading major redevelopment efforts, including the Omni New Orleans hotel and facility upgrades. The Young Leadership Council also named him a 2025 Role Model for his mentorship and community involvement. Cook also chaired the Urban League of Louisiana’s Empowerment & Policy Conference, strengthening partnerships that expand economic opportunity.
Miami Beach Convention Center Renews Smart City Partnership and Adds Wi-Fi 7
The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) renewed its Smart City Networks partnership through 2029 and will introduce Wi-Fi 7 throughout the venue. The upgrade delivers faster speeds, lower latency, stronger cybersecurity, and greater redundancy. Exhibitors gain support for AR, VR, live demos, and high-bandwidth displays. Event planners benefit from improved analytics and crowd-management tools. MBCC leaders say the investment strengthens Miami Beach’s position as a global convention destination.
MBCC’s Freddie Peterson Named 2025 South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year
Freddie Peterson, general manager of the MBCC, earned the 2025 South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year award from Miami-Dade County’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism. He was honored November 13 for his leadership at the MBCC and his support of AOHT workforce programs. Peterson works closely with students through internships and industry partnerships that help build Miami’s future hospitality workforce.
IAEE Partners With Swapcard to Power Expo! Expo! 2025 App
IAEE selected Swapcard to power the digital platform for Expo! Expo! 2025, held December 8–10 in Houston. The new app centralizes schedules, maps, exhibitor listings, and updates. Attendees can use smart-match tools to find sessions and make networking connections, while exhibitors gain improved ways to reach prospects. IAEE says the partnership enhances event efficiency and builds on the organizations’ longstanding collaboration on digital tools.
Raleigh Convention Center Packs 13,000 Soup Servings for Local Residents
The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex (RCCPAC) hosted a volunteer event on Nov. 25 that packed more than 13,000 soup servings for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Staff from RCCPAC, Sodexo Live!, the CVB, city departments, and resident companies including the North Carolina Symphony and PineCone supported the effort. The event also launched a new program that allows visiting conventions to include a service project during their time in Raleigh. Leaders say the initiative strengthens community impact while giving attendees a meaningful way to support local residents.
Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame Inducts Five Industry Leaders
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) inducted five leaders into the Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame on November 12. Honorees included Norma Dean of Delta Air Lines; Pat and Sherry Henry of Dragon Con; restaurateur Gerry Klaskala; and former ATL Airport District CEO Cookie Smoak. ACVB also recognized the Georgia Aquarium as its 2025 Spurgeon Richardson Member of the Year and named Patrick Lee of Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Buckhead as its 2025 Member of the Year.
Photo caption: Volunteers pack soup meals at the Raleigh Convention Center during its November 2025 community food drive.
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