(Huntington Place in Detroit is implementing a new leadership team and growth strategy under venue operator Legends / ASM Global, following its renewed contract with the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. Photo courtesy of Huntington Place.)
From sustainability-focused construction to national marketing honors, U.S. venues mark a month of growth and investment
July brought major developments to convention centers across the country, including sustainability-driven demolitions in Austin and Dallas, strategic expansions in Louisville, and notable achievements in destination marketing. Several facilities launched infrastructure projects, hosted public-facing events, or secured funding to enhance their competitiveness for large-scale tradeshows and events.
Northwest
Visit Seattle Earns Industry Distinction for Destination Marketing Excellence
Visit Seattle has received “accreditation with distinction” from Destinations International’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), announced during the organization’s annual convention in Chicago. The designation recognizes destination marketing organizations that exceed industry standards for performance and accountability across areas such as governance, sales, finance, and communications. President and CEO Tammy Blount-Canavan credited the achievement to the team’s work to grow the visitor economy while promoting Seattle and King County on a global scale.
South
Kentucky Exposition Center Expands Outdoor Demo Yard for Equip Expo 2025
The Kentucky Exposition Center will showcase its 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard this October during Equip Exposition 2025, one of the largest annual tradeshows in the United States. The venue’s expanded Utility Task Vehicle test track will give attendees the chance to operate mowers, compact tractors, and utility vehicles on varied terrain. The immersive, hands-on format has become a signature draw for the show, which is owned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and returns to Louisville October 21–24. Last year’s edition drew a record 28,500 attendees.
Austin’s Palmer Events Center Hosts Three Consumer Shows in July
The Palmer Events Center in Austin hosted three public events in July. The City-Wide Vintage Sale and Body Mind Spirit Celebration took place July 12–13, featuring vintage clothing, furniture, records, holistic wellness services, and spiritual lifestyle vendors. Classic Game Fest followed July 25–27, bringing retro video games, merchandise, and family-friendly programming to the venue.
Dallas Breaks Ground on $3.5 Billion Convention Center Overhaul
The City of Dallas will begin demolishing the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center this summer as part of a $3.5 billion redevelopment project to build a larger, more community-oriented facility. Led by architects Populous and Perkins&Will, the redesigned center will span 2.5 million square feet and include street-level retail, public art, and a deck park over I-30. After more than 450 community meetings, city leaders say the new venue aims to be both a global convention destination and an active downtown hub for Dallas residents. Completion is scheduled for 2029.
New Orleans Convention Center Bond Sale Oversubscribed Amid Strong Ratings
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority issued $125 million in Special Tax Revenue Bonds on June 12 to fund infrastructure improvements at the city’s convention center. The oversubscribed sale drew $536 million in orders after Fitch and Moody’s assigned AA+ and Aa3 ratings, citing strong tourism projections and the venue’s financial stability. Proceeds will support upgrades to boost New Orleans’ competitiveness for large-scale events.
Austin Convention Center Begins Demolition, Focuses on Sustainability and Scale
The Austin Convention Center redevelopment is underway following the venue’s closure in spring 2024, with demolition now at the halfway mark. The $1.6 billion project includes reuse of structural steel and art elements from the original facility, supporting Austin’s goal of creating the world’s first Zero-Carbon Certified convention center. Once complete in 2029, the expanded facility will nearly double in size—lifting Austin from No. 61 to No. 35 among U.S. convention centers by square footage—and is expected to generate $750 million in annual economic impact.
Southeast
Visit Orlando Receives Honors for Tourism Leadership and Community Impact
Visit Orlando earned three honors in July recognizing its impact on the travel industry and Central Florida. The organization received the Harris Rosen Philanthropic Award from the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce for programs like Magical Dining, which has raised nearly $3 million for local nonprofits. It also earned reaccreditation through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program from Destinations International and was named one of the Orlando Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Central Florida for the third consecutive year.
Midwest
Detroit’s Huntington Place Launches Leadership Overhaul and Strategic Growth Plan
Huntington Place in Detroit, with 723,000 square feet of connected exhibit space and Michigan’s largest ballroom, is undergoing a major operational shift under Legends / ASM Global. After renewing its five-year contract with the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority in 2024, the venue appointed Bryan Crowe as CEO and named Douglas Trueblood and Becky Bixby to lead revenue strategy and operations. Trueblood brings a global background in tourism and branding, while Bixby now oversees day-to-day operations after guiding the venue to LEED Gold recertification and top guest satisfaction scores.
Study Recommends Downtown Springfield for New Convention Center
A feasibility study by Hunden Partners presented to the Springfield City Council on July 8 identified downtown Springfield, Missouri, as the top location for a new convention and event center. The proposed $1.6 billion project—now backed by a $30 million earmark in the state budget—could generate $1.3 billion in economic impact over 30 years. The study recommends a 65,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 30,000-square-foot ballroom, and flexible meeting space. City-owned land near the existing Expo Center remains a leading site under consideration.
West
LVCVA Appoints Vanessa Claspill as Chief Sales Officer
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has named Vanessa Claspill as Chief Sales Officer to lead convention and tradeshow sales for Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center. Claspill has nearly 20 years of hospitality leadership experience, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer at Crescent Hotels and Resorts. She will focus on growing key partnerships and driving meetings and event business for the destination.
