Dallas Greenlights Plans for a New Convention Center

March 8, 2022

The city of Dallas, Texas, will soon have the ability to attract even larger trade shows and other events to its destination. According to Visit Dallas officials, the Dallas city council approved plans last month for a new 2.5-million-square-foot convention center that will be constructed adjacent to the current Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD). Once construction is complete, all or most of the KBHCCD will then be demolished. 

The new $2 billion center, which is expected to break ground in 2024 and open in 2028, will feature 800,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space; 300,000 sq. ft. of breakout space; a 160,000-sq.-ft. ballroom space; a welcoming entry and lobby with space for activations; and large, elevated ballrooms with outdoor event terraces offering views of downtown Dallas and the Trinity River. 

An architectural firm has yet to be assigned to the project. 

To add even more appeal for event organizers, the new facility will be surrounded by the new Convention Center District, connecting downtown Dallas with neighboring entertainment districts and offering an authentic urban Dallas experience that will include restaurants, retail, lodging and entertainment options, according to Visit Dallas officials. 

“This news is a game-changer for Dallas and will put our city on the map as the preeminent large-city convention and meeting destination in the nation,” said Craig Davis, president and CEO of Visit Dallas. “The center will be the anchor for a lively new Convention Center District that will excite convention-goers and revitalize southern Downtown Dallas, making it a place for locals to enjoy alongside our convention attendees.”

Expected to nearly double annual event attendance and associated revenue for the city, the new convention center will provide the ballroom and breakout space that Dallas has been lacking. The expanded inventory will help meet the needs of meeting planners such as Jennifer Krsanac, director of meeting services for the North American Spine Society, who said that the additional convention space will enable her organization to consider Dallas for its future annual meetings. 

“Without the new expansion, the convention center did not provide our meeting ample space and adequate flow for our meeting attendees,” Krsanac said. “I am excited to follow this project and its positive impact on the city of Dallas and the future of the meetings industry.”

According to D. Bradley Kent, senior vice president and chief sales officer of Visit Dallas, not only will the new convention center and district help Dallas meet the evolving needs of its customers, but it will also go a long way in increasing the destination’s competitive edge. 

“This new building and surrounding development are exactly what our customers need and have been asking for,” Kent explained. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor and an outstanding hotel product. The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and put us on par with other destinations that have already invested in their buildings.”


Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites. Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation. Reinvented Luxury Experiences The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes. New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May. Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.  A “New Wave  for Mandalay Bay A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay. Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center  is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options. From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.