Convention Centers Transform Into Hospitals in the Fight Against COVID-19
March 31, 2020
After closing their doors to trade shows and events due to the coronavirus pandemic, many convention centers across the U.S. are taking on an entirely different role. This week, many are being converted into makeshift medical facilities to help relieve beleaguered hospitals and staff so they can provide better care for more serious and critical patients. Take a look.
Javits Center
The Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City – currently the epicenter of the U.S. pandemic as of press time – is one of the first U.S. convention facilities to be converted into a temporary medical station. This effort is being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard, FEMA, New York State Department of Health, Javits Center staff and others, according to Javits officials.
At a press conference on March 22, Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined a plan for four 250-bed, 40,000-square-foot emergency hospital units at the convention center that would be capable of serving 1,000 people and be staffed by federal employees.
Just days later, construction on this first phase is now complete, and rooms with 1,000 beds have been installed in Hall 3E, along with a nurses’ station and a pharmacy. The Manhattan venue opened to receive its first non-COVID-19 patients on March 30 and will be constructing additional rooms on Level 3 in the coming days.
“Thanks to the dedication of our employees and support of partners at the federal, state and city levels of government, we were able to build the station in less than a week using contractor supervision and equipment,” said Alan Steel, Javits Center president and CEO.
Baltimore Convention Center
Less than a week after it became designated by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as a Federal Medical Station on March 23, the Baltimore Convention Center, with the help of the Maryland National Guard, began transforming 123,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space into a medical station with 250 medical beds for patients recovering from COVID-19.
According to local news reports, this alternative care facility is expected to be open by April 24.
“When conditions necessitate and additional hospital beds are needed, the Baltimore Convention Center will host these alternative care units under the direction of the University of Maryland Medical Services and Johns Hopkins in partnership with state and local government including Mayor Young’s team,” explained Peggy Daidakis, executive director of the BCC.
Daidakis added that while the center will be receiving freight in the coming days to support alternative care operations, that does not mean those services are imminent.
“From this moment and until further notice, the facility is closed to the general public – we stand ready, when needed, in this effort,” she added.
Santa Clara Convention Center
A 250-bed medical shelter designed to provide short-term care for non-emergency patients is taking shape at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California. On March 27, the 146th airlift unit of the National Guard spent 12 hours setting up the makeshift hospital, which is designed for COVID-19-positive patients who need to stay quarantined but are well enough to leave the hospital. This could include people who are homeless or live in multi-person homes.
According to news reports, the convention center will include one side for women and one for men, anchored by a makeshift nursing station in the center. Volunteer doctors and nurses from across the state will run the hospital, however, an opening date for the facility has not yet been announced.
Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is offering its off-site and remote parking locations for temporary drive-through COVID-19 testing. According to OCCC officials, this effort is being coordinated in partnership with the Orange County government, Florida National Guard, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health, and local law enforcement.
Planning efforts and logistical operations are also being supported by the OCCC’s transportation team, and both employees and partners alike have stepped up to assist at the center – from traffic coordination and sanitation measures to food donations and sustainability efforts.
“Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings’ guiding principles of innovation, collaboration and inclusiveness is a testament of our commitment to our community, and how we will work with state and local partners to get through this together,” said Mark Tester, executive director of the OCCC. “The OCCC is dedicated to flattening the curve, with a goal of coming back ahead of the curve and stronger than ever.”
McCormick Place
Chicago’s McCormick Place is being turned into a makeshift hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the hospital will span all three halls of the convention center and include 3,000 beds, with patients separated by level of care. The temporary hospital is expected to be up and running by April 24, according to local news reports.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Chicago is among a number of U.S. cities identified as a “hot spot” for COVID-19 cases that can expect to see its numbers continue to rise.
Oregon Convention Center
On March 20, Portland’s Oregon Convention Center began providing shelter for up to 140 homeless community members. Managed by the Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services and public health officials, this reservation-based emergency shelter offers 140 beds encompassing approximately 60,000 sq. ft. All available beds are assigned to individuals without COVID-19 symptoms by referral from an existing shelter provider.
The OCC has not held any trade shows or events since March 12, when Governor Kate Brown banned gatherings of 250 people.
“Portland was firmly established as a premier convention and visitor destination before this crisis that faces us today,” said OCC Director Craig Stroud in a statement. “We are fully confident that we can return our world-class level of service after the health crisis we face is over.”
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center officials are working with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Dept. of Health to use the convention center as a “medical monitoring facility,” according to a March 27 statement.
The venue will be open to patients recovering from COVID-19 for up to 60 days as the city’s hospitals exceed capacity for patients needing acute care. Meanwhile, plans are already in place for the complete restoration and remediation of the facility prior to events resuming, according to EMCC officials.
TCF Center
Detroit’s TCF Center has been designated by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the State of Michigan and FEMA as a temporary alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients, according to a March 29 statement from the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority and TCF Center.
Mobilization has already begun, and construction to adapt more than 250,000 sq. ft. into medical care space will be performed by TCF’s workforce and union labor. The conversion will include two separate floors that will be segregated based on the severity of illness, and when completed, will comprise approximately 900 beds and stations for medical personnel. Construction is expected to begin within the next few days.
“As we navigate this unprecedented time together, TCF Center is fully prepared to do its part in supporting our residents and community,” said Claude Molinari, general manager of TCF Center in a statement. “We stand in awe of the tireless and dedicated healthcare workers and first responders who are true heroes of our time.”
Atlantic City Convention Center
A temporary hospital will be set up at Atlantic City Convention Center to house South New Jersey residents battling COVID-19 infections, Governor Phil Murphy announced on March 25.
The 250-bed facility at the ACCC is part of a plan to establish temporary facilities in each of the state’s three regions, including at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, Hudson County; and the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, Middlesex County, according to news reports.
Together, the three facilities will have 1,000 beds. According to Murphy, the temporary hospitals should be up and running in “just a matter of days [or] weeks.”
San Diego Convention Center
The San Diego Convention Center is getting ready to open its doors to the city’s homeless residents in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The plan is part of a community-wide coordinated approach announced on March 23 by regional leaders that includes opening parts of the San Diego Convention Center in phases to create more space to serve homeless individuals while allowing for adequate physical distancing within current shelter facilities.
As of press time, no further details or timeline for this effort have been finalized.
“In these extraordinary circumstances, we welcome the opportunity to add value to the community in a very different way by offering space for an emergency shelter,” said Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, president and CEO of the SDCC. “We recognize the importance of supporting the most vulnerable among us, including those who are unsheltered, and we look forward to using this community asset to serve our neighbors in need.”
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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.
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