America’s Center Convention Complex Will Update and Expand
April 23, 2019
America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis is about to get a major makeover. On April 16, the St. Louis City Council joined the City of St. Louis’ Board of Aldermen in approving the AC Next Gen Project, an estimated $175 billion plan that will update, modernize and expand the multi-venue complex to ensure its place as an economic and employment driver for the region.
The ACCC currently comprises the 42-year-old Cervantes Convention Center, St. Louis Executive Conference Center, The Dome at America’s Center and Ferrara Theater.
Proposed last fall, the project will include the addition of 92,000 square feet of expo space; a 65,000-sq-ft. multi-purpose ballroom and meeting area with 20,000 sq. ft of pre-function space; a new outdoor pavilion and 26 loading docks. A construction timeline for the project has yet to be determined.
The need to expand has reached an urgent level as competition increases from convention centers across the country making sizable investments to lure lucrative meetings and events to their communities, according to city officials.
“We are pleased that the community has come together to support this critical project,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of Explore St. Louis. “At present, America’s Center’s prominence and value to the region are threatened because its amenities have not kept pace.”
In the last decade, major cities in St. Louis’ competitive landscape have either built a new facility, such as Nashville’s $623 million new Music City Center, or have made major improvements to existing venues, such San Antonio’s $325 million enhancements to the Henry B. González Convention Center, Ratcliffe added.
Upon completion, the enhancements are expected to stabilize the Complex’s current decline in event bookings, potentially creating nearly 36 percent growth, according to the most recent estimates by Johnson Consulting, which worked with the city to assess the need for an expansion project.
“We’ve been hearing from customers for a number of years that the America’s Center Convention Complex needs a larger ballroom, additional loading docks and more exhibit space, as many of the cities we compete with for business have been investing heavily into their facilities,” explained Anthony Paraino, director of communications for Explore St. Louis. “The AC Next Gen project will make us more competitive and help us deliver on the needs of our clients.”
ACCC hosts roughly 100 events annually with more than 600,000 attendees and 300,000 hotel room nights. This generates $265 million of new direct economic spending for the community, according to Johnson Consulting.
Through the support of legislation proposed by elected officials in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, the project will be funded completely by an extension of payments from the designated fund set up through hotel and motel taxes.
Learn more details about the preliminary AC Next Gen project here.
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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